The Scharnhorst-class were the most powerful ships the Kriegsmarine arsenal when World War II began, pending the completion of the Bismark-class (which they strongly resembled). The Scharnhorst ships were something of a reversal of the battlecruiser concept, with equivalent armor protection to a battleship but lighter armament in order to maintain a high top speed. As such, there is some debate as whether the class is more correctly designated as a battlecruiser. Armament consisted of nine SK C/34 28-cm (11-in) guns in three triple turrets which was sufficient for most circumstances, but would have had trouble taking on a proper battleship. Secondary armament consisted of 15-cm guns and the extremely effective 10.5-cm flak guns along with other smaller caliber anti-aircraft defenses. Armor protection was definitely the two ships' main strength and in most areas was in fact slightly thicker than that of the Bismarks. Propulsion provided from the geared turbines (of different make for each of the two ships) was also similar to its successors, allowing for a maximum speed of 32 knots which was the fastest of any German capital ship. This speed came as an invaluable asset during their famous 'Channel Dash' in which both ships successful sailed through the English Channel despite repeated air attacks by the RAF (causing quite an embarrassment to the British who prided themselves on never losing control of this vital stretch of water). Overall, both ships saw more action than any other German capital ship class of World War II, and frequently operated together which added to their reputation as some of the most feared shipping raiders of the North Atlantic. However, given the huge disparity in strength between the Royal Navy and the Kriegsmarine, it would be only a matter of time before they were either sunk or neutralized.

Both the Scharnhorst and its sister, the Gniessenau began the war as commerce raiders and later had an important role in the invasions of Denmark and Norway, where they were notable for engaging and sinking the HMS Glorious in June 1940. In February 1942, both ships became notorious for successfully crossing the English Channel although both ships were damaged in the process. Scharnhorst was later sent to Norway but in late 1943 was confronted by a Royal Navy fleet and sunk by the HMS Duke of York in the Battle of the North Cape. The Gniessenau had been severely damanged in an air attack earlier and slated for reconstruction, but this was cancelled and its turrets used as shore batteries. It was sunk as a blockship in Gotenhaven shortly before the end of the war.