HNLMS - Java-class Cruiser

These cruisers were meant to become the backbone of the cruiser weapon in the Dutch Indies. The greatly resembled the German battlecruisers of the same era, which was not remarkable as the German Germaniawerft produced the design. The ships were fitted with 10 x 5.9-inch guns behind shields, sufficient to counter their designed opponents, the Japanese reconnaissance cruisers of 1912. The idea was that they would clear the seas of light forces so the submarines could attack enemy invasion convoys and capital ships. 

Due to various reasons, they were completed long after the projected date, and by that time, not a navy in the world had their guns mounted behind shields. Two cruisers were built, the Java and Sumatra, and a third was planned, the Celebes. The latter was slightly bigger as she was planned as the flagship of the Commander of the NEI squadron, but she was never completed. Only 30 tons of material had been prepared before the contract was cancelled. She would have been 155 tons larger and 3 metres longer. The Sumatra especially had to overcome great difficulties with her machinery. By WW II, most of the problems had been solved, but she wasn't really suited for frontline duty anymore.