Germany required a large number of steam locomotives during the Second World War. The Class 44, 50, and 86 locomotives were produced because they met operational requirements, while all other types were ordered to be cancelled. In 1939, the best locomotive available at the time was the Class 50, and the Class 52 had not yet been designed. By 1941, demands were made for a simpler structural design, which led to the development of the Class 52 locomotive. Its axle load reached 15 tons and it had a maximum speed of 80 km/h, achieving performance comparable to the Class 50, while being more economical in terms of materials, labor, and cost.
