I tried waiting up for mr_curmudgeon to get here, and while doing so I finished reading Osprey New Vanguard #84: German Light Cruisers 1939 – 45. In my readings in the past, I didn't find that the German vessels of this class seemed to be of the same quality as the battleships, battle cruisers and pocket battleships, and the author seems to agree; there's lots of issues that he documents here about those ships. Interesting read.