German World War II destroyers
Encyclopedia
At the outbreak of the Second World War
, the German
Navy
, the Kriegsmarine
, had 21 destroyer
s (Ger
: Zerstörer). These had all been built in the 1930s, making them modern vessels. A further 19 were brought into service during the war and more were captured from opposing navies, including the Italian Navy (Regia Marina
) after the Italian surrender in 1943.
German destroyer classes were generally known by the year of their design. Because of their size, use and weaponry, some vessels classified as "fleet torpedo boats", Flottentorpedoboot, are also described.
Class general characteristics are taken from the first of each class, and may differ slightly for individual ships, particularly when they were refitted. Post-war, some surviving ships had significant changes to armament.
This class of four ships was the first German destroyer class built since World War I
, laid down between October 1934 and January 1935. They were not very good ships. Built rapidly, they were too wet in heavy seas, which could make their forward guns unusable, there were structural weaknesses and machinery problems. The engines were newly designed high pressure turbine
s that promised much but disappointed once installed: maintenance was difficult and they caused excessive vibration. In addition, the class' range was limited (less than half of equivalent British ships) and they had limited magazine capacities (again half of the British equivalents). Only one ship survived the war. The ships were named after German navy personnel killed in World War I.
The ships were:
Twelve destroyers laid down between July and November, 1935. They were only slightly modified from the design of the preceding 1934 class and continued their predecessors' limited endurance and magazine capacity - factors which contributed to the heavy German losses at the Second Battle of Narvik. Five survived the war.
These 6 ships (of 26 planned) were improved and enlarged versions of the 1934 and 1934A classes. Despite the serious faults of the earlier ships not being apparent when these were in design, they had been resolved. Engine reliability and the structural integrity was much improved and they were much better seagoing ships, shipping much less water through an improvement in the design of the bows.
Eight destroyers intended to carry new 150 mm (5.9 inch) guns in single turrets with a twin turret at the bow. The twin mountings were not ready in time and so singles were first used, and the twins fitted later (only to four ships: Z-23, Z-24, Z-25, Z-29). Anti-aircraft armament was substantially improved.
Despite reusing earlier ship designs as a basis, with modifications to improve seaworthiness, the ships were wet in heavy seas, especially fitted with heavy turrets. After much effort, the problem was traced to a newly designed stern. However, this problem was somewhat offset by the fact that the twin mount was fully enclosed and had a high maximum elevation, allowing limited use against aircraft.
These ships reverted to the traditional German practice of giving torpedo ships numbers rather than names. Four survived the war.
When war broke out in 1939, new destroyer classes were cancelled and 12 additional 1936A vessels were ordered with slight modifications to speed construction and save materials. The 150 mm twin turrets were taken from planned
, but never built, "O" class battlecruisers. In war service, the engines were more reliable than in earlier ships but at the end of the war, heavy corrosion was discovered.
Seven of this sub-class were built: one was sunk, another two were severely damaged and not repaired. The remaining four were war booty allocated to the Allies.
The main armament of this class reduced back to single mounted 127 mm guns and the anti-aircraft armament was increased. The efficacy of this change was not proven in high seas as this sub-class only operated in the Baltic and coastal waters.
Two ships were never completed, being scrapped after the war. The three that were commissioned were all lost.
) as dual purpose weapons in twin mountings. The number of smaller caliber anti-aircraft guns would have also been increased.
but the three actually ordered were cancelled. The concept was developed further into the Spähkreuzer.
Experimental test-bed destroyer powered by diesel engine
s for long-range operations. Based on design of unbuilt Type 1938B destroyer, with six diesels driving three shafts, with an estimated speed of 36 knots (70.6 km/h) and an operating radius of 13500 mi (11,731.2 nmi; 21,726.1 km). One example (Z.51) was laid down in 1943 and launched in 1944, but was sunk by Allied bombers on 21 March 1945 while fitting out.
dual purpose main guns, and an all-new anti-aircraft armament, with three 5.5 cm Gerät 58 intermediate calibre anti-aircraft guns and a close-in armament of 14 30-mm cannon in seven twin mounts, with eight torpedo tubes.
Six of these ships (Z.52–Z.56) were laid down in 1943, but none were completed, being abandoned and broken up on the slips. A further two ships (Z.57 and Z.58) were abandoned before construction started.
The German Navy had several torpedo boat
classes with displacements between 1,000 and 1,300 tons (for example the Mowe class Fleet Torpedo boats and Torpedo boat type 35
). They sat between torpedo
-equipped fast attack boats, known to the Allies as E-boats and the destroyers. In 1939, the Germans started work on new designs that were a response to the weaknesses of earlier designs. These "Fleet
Torpedo Boats" (Flottentorpedoboot) were large, 1,755 tons, and more able as escorts and for anti-aircraft defence as well as torpedo attacks and they were comparable in most respects to some of the British destroyer classes. They were all laid down during the war.
Flottentorpedoboot 1939 (Elbing class
The first of the fleet vessels, they were comparable in most respects to standard British destroyer types. Fifteen were laid down between 1940 and 1942, in the Schichau
shipyard in Elbing
(now Elbląg).
The last was commissioned at the end of 1944; three survived the war and served in Allied navies. The ships were numbered T22 to T36.
, Dutch shipyards were contracted to build 24 boats based on a Dutch design. Only three of these 2,600 ton vessels were launched. The three that were launched were moved to the Baltic in 1944 for work but none were completed.
or coastal vessels, capable of operating with the fleet, with greater range and an emphasis on anti-aircraft weaponry. Nine were ordered in March 1944, the order was subsequently cancelled without any building having started.
for details
) the German destroyers based in western France attempted to interdict the invasion armada. The German squadron was intercepted by Allied destroyers (HMS Tartar
, Ashanti
, Eskimo
, Javelin, HMCS Haida, Huron
and ORP Błyskawica). ZH1 was torpedoed and sunk by Ashanti on 9 June 1944, 33 men were lost. (see Gerard Callenburgh class destroyer
)
L'Opiniatre was captured intact and 16% complete in Bordeaux and the Kriegsmarine
intended to complete her for service. Since French armament was not available and for standardisation with the rest of the German Navy, 12.7mm guns and German pattern torpedo tubes were ordered. Work proceeded tardily until all progress was abandoned in July 1943. The hull was eventually broken up on the slip
was captured in damaged condition after the fall of Greece
, then repaired in Greece with assistance from the Germaniawerft and commissioned by the Kriegsmarine
as the ZG3 or the Hermes. She was the only major Kriegsmarine surface ship
in the Mediterranean Sea
during World War II
, and she was involved in escorting convoy
s to North Africa
and the Aegean island
s.
The Hermes sank the Royal Navy
's submarine
HMS Splendid
off Capri, Italy, on 21 April 1943. Then, she was damaged by air attacks off Tunisia
. The Hermes had to be scuttled in La Goulette
, Tunis
on 7 May 1943.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
, the Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
, had 21 destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s (Ger
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: Zerstörer). These had all been built in the 1930s, making them modern vessels. A further 19 were brought into service during the war and more were captured from opposing navies, including the Italian Navy (Regia Marina
Regia Marina
The Regia Marina dates from the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 after Italian unification...
) after the Italian surrender in 1943.
German destroyer classes were generally known by the year of their design. Because of their size, use and weaponry, some vessels classified as "fleet torpedo boats", Flottentorpedoboot, are also described.
Class general characteristics are taken from the first of each class, and may differ slightly for individual ships, particularly when they were refitted. Post-war, some surviving ships had significant changes to armament.
Zerstörer 1934
This class of four ships was the first German destroyer class built since World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, laid down between October 1934 and January 1935. They were not very good ships. Built rapidly, they were too wet in heavy seas, which could make their forward guns unusable, there were structural weaknesses and machinery problems. The engines were newly designed high pressure turbine
Turbine
A turbine is a rotary engine that extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work.The simplest turbines have one moving part, a rotor assembly, which is a shaft or drum with blades attached. Moving fluid acts on the blades, or the blades react to the flow, so that they move and...
s that promised much but disappointed once installed: maintenance was difficult and they caused excessive vibration. In addition, the class' range was limited (less than half of equivalent British ships) and they had limited magazine capacities (again half of the British equivalents). Only one ship survived the war. The ships were named after German navy personnel killed in World War I.
The ships were:
| Z1 Leberecht Maas | Laid down: Deutsche Werke Kiel, 15 October 1934 Launched: 18 August 1935 Commissioned: 14 January 1937 Fate: sunk after friendly fire Friendly fire Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire... bomb hits on 22 February 1940, during Operation Wikinger Operation Wikinger Operation Wikinger was a sortie into the North Sea by the 1st Destroyer Flotilla of the Kriegsmarine, in February 1940. During this operation, poor inter-service communication and cooperation between the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe and inexperience resulted in the loss of two German ships... Named after Leberecht Maass Leberecht Maass Leberecht Maass was the rear admiral who commanded the German naval forces at the first Battle of Heligoland Bight... |
| Z2 Georg Thiele German destroyer Z2 Georg Thiele The German destroyer Z2 Georg Thiele was a Type 1934 destroyer in the German Kriegsmarine, named after Korvettenkapitan Georg Thiele who commanded the Seventh Half Flotilla of torpedo boats in the Battle off Texel in October 1914.... |
Laid down: Deutsche Werke Kiel, 25 October 1934 Launched: 18 August 1935 Commissioned: 27 February 1937 Fate: sunk on 13 April 1940 Named after Georg Thiele Georg Thiele Georg Max Thiele was an Imperial German Navy officer killed during World War I. During World War I he commanded the Seventh Half Flotilla of torpedo boats, based out of Flanders... |
| Z3 Max Schultz German destroyer Z3 Max Schultz The German destroyer Z3 Max Schultz was a Type 1934 destroyer built for the German Kriegsmarine in the mid-1930s. She was named after Max Schultz who commanded the torpedo boat V69 and was killed in action in January 1917. Shortly before the beginning of World War II, the ship accidentally rammed... |
Laid down: Deutsche Werke Kiel, 2 January 1935 Launched: 30 November 1935 Commissioned: 8 April 1937 Fate: sunk as a result of friendly fire bomb hits and striking mines on 22 February 1940, during Operation Wikinger Named after Max Schultz |
| Z4 Richard Beitzen German destroyer Z4 Richard Beitzen The German destroyer Z4 Richard Beitzen was a Type 1934 destroyer in the German Kriegsmarine, named after Richard Beitzen who commanded the 14th Torpedo boat flotilla in World War I and was killed in action in March 1918.... |
Laid down: Deutsche Werke Kiel, 7 January 1935 Launched: 30 November 1935 Commissioned: 13 May 1937 Fate: scrapped 1947 Named after Richard Beitzen Richard Beitzen Kapitänleutnant Richard Beitzen was a German Naval officer killed in World War I. He was the commander of the 14th Torpedo boat flotilla, in torpedo boat G.87, which ran into a British minefield in the North Sea. He died leading his flotilla out. The German destroyer Z4 was named Richard Beitzen... |
Zerstörer 1934A
Twelve destroyers laid down between July and November, 1935. They were only slightly modified from the design of the preceding 1934 class and continued their predecessors' limited endurance and magazine capacity - factors which contributed to the heavy German losses at the Second Battle of Narvik. Five survived the war.
| Z5 Paul Jakobi German destroyer Z5 Paul Jakobi Z5 Paul Jakobi was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s.-Design and description:Paul Jacobi had an overall length of and was long at the waterline. The ship had a beam of , and a maximum draft of . She displaced at standard and at deep load. The Wagner geared steam turbines were... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 15 July 1935 Launched: 24 March 1936 Commissioned: 29 June 1937 Fate: Transferred to France as a reparation Desaix, scrapped 1958 Named after Paul Jakobi Paul Jakobi Korvettenkapitän Paul Jakobi was a German Naval officer killed during World War I. He commanded the 8th Torpedo boat half flotilla and was killed when his ship, Torpedoboot V25 hit a British mine in the North Sea. The German World War II destroyer Z5 was named Paul Jakobi in his honour.-Notes:... |
| Z6 Theodor Riedel German destroyer Z6 Theodor Riedel Z6 Theodor Riedel was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s.-Design and description:Theodor Riedel had an overall length of and was long at the waterline. The ship had a beam of , and a maximum draft of . She displaced at standard and at deep load. The Wagner geared steam turbines were... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 18 July 1935 Launched: 22 April 1936 Commissioned: 2 July 1937 Fate: Transferred to France as the Kleber, scrapped 1958 Named after Theodor Riedel Theodor Riedel Korvettenkapitan Theodor Riedel was a German naval officer killed in World War I. He was commander of the 6th Torpedoboat half flottila during the Battle of Jutland and was killed in action. The second world war German destroyer Z6 was named Theodor Riedel in his honour.Reference -... |
| Z7 Hermann Schoemann German destroyer Z7 Hermann Schoemann Z7 Hermann Schoemann was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s.-Design and description:Hermann Schoemann had an overall length of and was long at the waterline. The ship had a beam of , and a maximum draft of . She displaced at standard and at deep load. The Wagner geared steam... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 7 September 1935 Launched: 16 July 1936 Commissioned: 9 September 1937 Fate: sunk 2 May 1942 by the British cruiser Edinburgh Named after Hermann Schoemann Hermann Schoemann Kapitanlieutenant Hermann Schoemann was a German Naval officer killed in World War I. He was commander of torpedo boat A2 which was sunk in action with Royal Navy Forces off the coast of Flanders during the Battle off Noordhinder Bank. The Second World War German destroyer Z7 was named Hermann... |
| Z8 Bruno Heinemann German destroyer Z8 Bruno Heinemann Z8 Bruno Heinemann was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s. After the start of World War II in September 1939, she blockaded the Polish coast and searched neutral shipping for contraband. In late 1939 and early 1940 the ship made three successful minelaying sorties off the English coast... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 14 January 1936 Launched: 15 September 1936 Commissioned: 8 January 1938 Fate: sunk 25 January 1942 by a mine near Calais Named after Bruno Heinemann Bruno Heinemann Korvettenkapitan Bruno Heinemann was a German officer killed during World War I. He was first officer of the battleship SMS König and was murdered by rebel sailors during the Wilhelmshaven mutiny, together with Wolfgang Zenker. The World War II German destroyer Z8 Bruno Heinemann was named in his... |
| Z9 Wolfgang Zenker German destroyer Z9 Wolfgang Zenker Z9 Wolfgang Zenker was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s. Several days after the start of World War II, she unsuccessfully attacked, together with another destroyer, Polish ships anchored at the naval base on the Hel Peninsula. In early 1940 the ship made two successful minelaying... |
Laid down: Germaniawerft Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft was a German shipbuilding company, located in the harbour at Kiel, and one of the largest and most important builders of U-boats for the Kaiserliche Marine in World War I and the Kriegsmarine in World War II.-History:The company was founded in 1867 by Lloyd Foster, as... Kiel, 23 March 1935 Launched: 27 March 1936 Commissioned: 2 July 1938 Fate: scuttled on 13 April 1940 Named after Wolfgang Zenker Wolfgang Zenker Lieutenant zur See Wolfgang Zenker was a German officer killed during World War I. He was an officer on the battleship SMS König and was murdered by rebel sailors during the Wilhelmshaven mutiny together with Bruno Heinemann. The Second World War German destroyer Z9 was named Wolfgang Zenker in... |
| Z10 Hans Lody German destroyer Z10 Hans Lody Z10 Hans Lody was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s.-External links:*... |
Laid down: Germaniawerft Kiel, 1 April 1935 Launched: 14 May 1936 Commissioned: 13 September 1938 Fate: Taken over by Great Britain after the war and used as a trials ship, scrapped 1946 - 1949 Named after Carl Hans Lody Carl Hans Lody Carl Hans Lody was executed as a German spy by Great Britain at the Tower of London soon after the outbreak of World War I.... |
| Z11 Bernd von Arnim German destroyer Z11 Bernd von Arnim Z11 Bernd von Arnim was a built for the German Navy in the late 1930s. At the beginning of World War II, the ship was initially deployed to blockade the Polish coast, but she was quickly transferred to the German Bight to lay minefields in German waters... |
Laid down: Germaniawerft Kiel, 26 April 1935 Launched: 8 July 1936 Commissioned: 6 December 1938 Fate: scuttled on 13 April 1940 Named after Bernd von Arnim Bernd von Arnim Kapitänleutnant Bernd von Arnim was a German naval officer killed during World War I. He was killed in action with Royal Navy forces aboard torpedo boat SMS G42 during the Battle of Dover Strait. The World War II German destroyer Z11 was named Bernd von Arnim in his honour.-External links:* at... |
| Z12 Erich Giese German destroyer Z12 Erich Giese Z12 Erich Giese was a built for the German Navy in the late 1930s. At the beginning of World War II, the ship was used in the German Bight to lay minefields in German waters. In late 1939 the ship made one successful minelaying sortie off the English coast that claimed two merchant ships... |
Laid down: Germaniawerft Kiel, 3 May 1935 Launched: 12 March 1937 Commissioned: 4 March 1939 Fate: sunk 13 April 1940 Named after Erich Giese Erich Giese Kapitanlieutenant Erich Giese was a German naval officer killed action during World War I.Giese was killed in action against Royal Navy warships aboard the torpedo boat S20.... |
| Z13 Erich Koellner German destroyer Z13 Erich Koellner Z13 Erich Koellner was a built for the German Navy in the late 1930s. At the beginning of World War II, the ship was still working up. In early 1940 she made two successful minelaying sorties off the English coast that claimed six merchant ships... |
Laid down: Germaniawerft Kiel, 12 October 1935 Launched: 18 March 1937 Commissioned: 28 March 1939 Fate: sunk 13 April 1940 Named after Erich Koellner Erich Koellner Kapitanleutnant Erich Koellner was a German naval officer killed in World War I. He was commander of minesweeper M95. The World War II German destroyer Z13 was named Erich Koellner in his honour.-References:... |
| Z14 Friedrich Ihn German destroyer Z14 Friedrich Ihn Z14 Friedrich Ihn was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s. It was named after German naval officer Friedrich Ihn.-External links:*... |
Laid down: Blohm & Voss Hamburg, 30 March 1935 Launched: 5 November 1935 Commissioned: 6 April 1938 Fate: Transferred to the Soviet Union, served in the Baltic Fleet Baltic Fleet The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of... as the Prytkiy (Прыткий) scrapped 1952 Named after Friedrich Ihn Friedrich Ihn Kapitanleutenant Friedrich Ihn was a German naval officer killed in World War I. He died commanding the torpedo boat S35 during the Battle of Jutland. The Second World War German destroyer Z14 was named Friedrich Ihn in his honour.-External links:*... |
| Z15 Erich Steinbrinck German destroyer Z15 Erich Steinbrinck Z15 Erich Steinbrinck was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s.-External links:*... |
Laid down: Blohm & Voss Hamburg, 30 March 1935 Launched: 24 September 1936 Commissioned: 31 May 1938 Fate: Transferred to the Soviet Union, served in the Baltic Fleet as the Pylkiy (Пылкий) scrapped 1958 Named after Erich Steinbrinck Erich Steinbrinck Kapitanleutenant Erich Steinbrinck was a German naval officer killed in action during World War I. He was commander of Torpedoboot V29 which was sunk during the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916... |
| Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt German destroyer Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt was a built for the German Navy in the mid-1930s. At the beginning of World War II, the ship was initially deployed to blockade the Polish coast, but she was quickly transferred to the German Bight to lay minefields in German waters... |
Laid down: Blohm & Voss Hamburg, 14 November 1935 Launched: 21 March 1937 Commissioned: 28 July 1938 Fate: sunk 31 December 1942 by HMS Sheffield HMS Sheffield (C24) HMS Sheffield was one of the Southampton sub class of the Town-class cruisers of the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She took part in actions against several major German warships. Unlike most Royal Navy ships of her time, her fittings were constructed from stainless steel instead of the... Named after Friedrich Eckoldt Friedrich Eckoldt Kapitanleutenant Friedrich Eckoldt was a German naval officer killed during World War I. He commanded torpedo boat V48 which was sunk during the Battle of Jutland... |
Zerstörer 1936
These 6 ships (of 26 planned) were improved and enlarged versions of the 1934 and 1934A classes. Despite the serious faults of the earlier ships not being apparent when these were in design, they had been resolved. Engine reliability and the structural integrity was much improved and they were much better seagoing ships, shipping much less water through an improvement in the design of the bows.
| valign="top"| | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 9 September 1936 Launched: 19 August 1937 Commissioned: 29 August 1938 Fate: sunk 13 April 1940 (Narvik) Named after Diether von Roeder Diether von Roeder Kapitänleutnant Diether von Roeder was a German naval officer killed during World War I. He was commander of the 13th Torpedo Boat Flotilla and died aboard Torpedo Boat S66. The World War II German destroyer Z17 was named Diether von Roeder in his honour.-References:*... |
| valign="top"| | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 9 September 1936 Launched: 1 December 1937 Commissioned: 8 October 1938 Fate: scuttled on 13 April 1940 Named after Hans Lüdemann Hans Lüdemann Marine Engineer Hans Lüdemann was a German sailor who died saving his ship, Torpedo Boat S148, after a boiler room explosion. His actions saved many lives. A World War II German destroyer, Z18, which was scuttled in the Battle of Narvik was named Hans Lüdemann in his honour.-References:*... |
| valign="top"| | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 5 October 1936 Launched: 22.12.1937 Commissioned: 12.01.1939 Fate: beached on 13 April 1940 Named after Hermann Künne Hermann Künne Matrose Hermann Künne was a German sailor killed during World War I. He was based at Zeebrugge as a crewman on the Torpedo boat S53 and died fighting British soldiers during the Zeebrugge Raid. He killed a senior British officer - probably Wing Commander Frank Arthur Brock - in hand to hand combat... |
| valign="top"| | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 14 September 1937 Launched: 15.06.1938 Commissioned: 21.03.1939 Fate: Transferred to the Soviet Union, served in the Baltic Fleet as the Prochnyi (Прочный) scrapped 1956 Named after Karl Galster Karl Galster Kapitänleutnant Karl Galster was a German naval officer killed in World War I.Galster was the Son of Admiral Karl Galster and joined the German Navy as a cadet in 1904 He was promoted to Kapitänleutnant n 1914 and commanded a torpedo boatHe was commander of Torpedo Boat S22 and died when she was... |
| valign="top"| | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 15 December 1937 Launched: 20 August 1938 Commissioned: 10 June1939 Fate: sunk on 10 April 1940 Named after Wilhelm Heidkamp Wilhelm Heidkamp Pumpenmeister Wilhelm Heidkamp was a German sailor who fought in World War I.Heidkamp was born in Herkenrath and joined the German Navy as a machinist in 1902. He transferred to SMS Seydlitz in 1912.... |
| valign="top"| | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 3 January 1938 Launched: 20 September 1938 Commissioned: 24 September 1939 Fate: sunk on 10 April 1940 Named after Anton Schmitt Anton Schmitt Bootsmannsmaat Anton Schmitt was a German sailor killed during World War I. He was a gunner aboard the light cruiser SMS Frauenlob during the Battle of Jutland and stuck by his gun despite grave injury and died when his ship was sunk. The World War II German destroyer Z22 was named Anton Schmitt... |
Zerstörer 1936A "Narvik"
Eight destroyers intended to carry new 150 mm (5.9 inch) guns in single turrets with a twin turret at the bow. The twin mountings were not ready in time and so singles were first used, and the twins fitted later (only to four ships: Z-23, Z-24, Z-25, Z-29). Anti-aircraft armament was substantially improved.
Despite reusing earlier ship designs as a basis, with modifications to improve seaworthiness, the ships were wet in heavy seas, especially fitted with heavy turrets. After much effort, the problem was traced to a newly designed stern. However, this problem was somewhat offset by the fact that the twin mount was fully enclosed and had a high maximum elevation, allowing limited use against aircraft.
These ships reverted to the traditional German practice of giving torpedo ships numbers rather than names. Four survived the war.
| Z23 German destroyer Z23 Z23 was a built for the Kriegsmarine in the late 1930s.-External links:*... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 15 November 1938 Launched: 15 December 1939 Commissioned: 15 September 1940 Fate: scrapped after 1951 |
| Z24 German destroyer Z24 Z24 was a built for the Kriegsmarine in the late 1930s.-External links:*... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 2 January 1939 Launched: 7 March 1940 Commissioned: 26 October 1940 Fate: sunk 25 August 1944 |
| Z25 German destroyer Z25 Z25 was a built for the Kriegsmarine during World War II.-External links:*... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 15 February 1939 Launched: 16 March 1940 Commissioned: 30 November 1940 Fate: scrapped 1958 |
| Z26 German destroyer Z26 Z26 was a built for the Kriegsmarine during World War II.-External links:*... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 1 April 1939 Launched: 2 April 1940 Commissioned: 11 January 1940 Fate: sunk 29 March 1942 |
| Z27 German destroyer Z27 Z27 was a built for the Kriegsmarine during World War II.-External links:*... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 27 December 1939 Launched: 1 August 1940 Commissioned: 26 February 1941 Fate: sunk 28 December 1943 |
| Z28 German destroyer Z28 Z28 was a built for the Kriegsmarine during World War II.-External links:*... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 30 November 1939 Launched: 20 August 1940 Commissioned: 9 August 1941 Fate: sunk 6 March 1945 |
| Z29 German destroyer Z29 Z29 was a built for the Kriegsmarine during World War II.-External links:*... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 21 March 1940 Launched: 15 October 1940 Commissioned: 25 June 1941 Fate: scuttled 16 December 1946 |
| Z30 German destroyer Z30 Z30 was a built for the Kriegsmarine during World War II.-External links:*... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 15 April 1940 Launched: 8 December 1940 Commissioned: 15 November 1941 Fate: scrapped 1949 |
Zerstörer 1936A (Mob)
When war broke out in 1939, new destroyer classes were cancelled and 12 additional 1936A vessels were ordered with slight modifications to speed construction and save materials. The 150 mm twin turrets were taken from planned
Plan Z
Plan Z was the name given to the planned re-equipment and expansion of the Nazi German Navy ordered by Adolf Hitler on January 27, 1939...
, but never built, "O" class battlecruisers. In war service, the engines were more reliable than in earlier ships but at the end of the war, heavy corrosion was discovered.
Seven of this sub-class were built: one was sunk, another two were severely damaged and not repaired. The remaining four were war booty allocated to the Allies.
| Z31 | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 1 September 1940 Launched: 15 April 1941 Commissioned: 11 April 1942 Fate: scrapped 1958 |
| Z32 | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 1 November 1940 Launched: 15 August 1941 Commissioned: 15 September 1942 Fate: sunk 9 June 1944 |
| Z33 German destroyer Z33 Z33 was a German that saw service during World War II. She was commissioned in the Kriegsmarine in February 1943 and served in Norwegian waters until March 1945. She was decommissioned from the Kriegsmarine in late April 1945 but was handed over to the Soviet Union in December that year... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 22 December 1940 Launched: 15 September 1941 Commissioned: 6 February 1943 Fate: Transferred to the Soviet Union, served in the Baltic Fleet as the Provornyi (Проворный), sunk as target ship 1961 |
| Z34 | Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 14 January 1941 Launched: 5 May 1942 Commissioned: 5 June 1943 Fate: scuttled 26 March 1946 |
| Z37 | Laid down: Germaniawerft Kiel, 1940 Launched: 24 February 1941 Commissioned: 16 July 1942 Fate: scrapped 1949 |
| Z38 | Laid down: Germaniawerft Kiel, 1940 Launched: 5 August 1941 Commissioned: 20 March 1943 Fate: transferred to Britain at the end of the war; renamed HMS Nonsuch; scrapped 1949 |
| Z39 | Laid down: Germaniawerft Kiel, 1940 Launched: 5 August 1941 Commissioned: 21 August 1943 Fate: scrapped February 1964 |
Zerstörer 1936B
The main armament of this class reduced back to single mounted 127 mm guns and the anti-aircraft armament was increased. The efficacy of this change was not proven in high seas as this sub-class only operated in the Baltic and coastal waters.
Two ships were never completed, being scrapped after the war. The three that were commissioned were all lost.
| Z35 German destroyer Z35 Z35 was a Type 1936B destroyer of the German Kriegsmarine. She was laid down on 6 June 1941 at Deschimag in Bremen, launched on 2 October 1942 and commissioned on 22 September 1943. Her service was with the 6th Destroyer Flotilla in the Baltic Sea under the command of Kapitänleutnant Niels Bätge... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 6 June 1941 Launched: 2 October 1942 Commissioned: 22 September 1943 Fate: sunk 12 December 1944 |
| Z36 German destroyer Z36 Z36 was a Type 1936B destroyer of the German Kriegsmarine. She was laid down on 15 September 1941 at Deschimag in Bremen, launched on 15 May 1943 and commissioned on 19 February 1944. Her service was with the 6th Destroyer Florilla in the Baltic Sea under the command of Kapitan Kommendant Fredric... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 15 September 1941 Launched: 15 May 1943 Commissioned: 19 February 1944 Fate: sunk 12 December 1944 |
| Z43 German destroyer Z43 Z43 was a Type 1936B destroyer of the German Kriegsmarine. She was laid down on 1 May 1942 at Deschimag in Bremen, launched on 22 September 1943 and commissioned on 24 March 1944. Her service was with the 6th Destroyer Flotilla in the Baltic Sea under the command of Kapitän zur See Wenniger and... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 1 May 1942 Launched: 22 September 1943 Commissioned: 24 March 1944 Fate: scuttled 3 May 1945 |
| Z44 German destroyer Z44 Z44 was a German naval warship which operated for a short time during the latter period of World War II. She was a Type 1936B destroyer, laid down during 1942 at Deschimag in Bremen and launched on 20 January 1944. She was heavily damaged in an air attack on 29 July 1944, prior to the planned date... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 1942 Launched: 20 January 1944 Commissioned: Fate: scrapped 1948-1949 |
| Z45 German destroyer Z45 Z45 was a German naval warship which operated for a short time during the latter period of World War II. She was a Type 1936B destroyer, laid down during 1942 at Deschimag in Bremen and launched on 15 April 1944. Work on the ship was cancelled as World War II drew to a close... |
Laid down: DeSchiMAG Bremen, 1942 Launched: 15 April 1944 Commissioned: Fate: scrapped in shipyard in 1946 |
Zerstörer 1936C
Six ships of this class were ordered in 1942 and 1943; none were launched, just two were started. They were a response to the vulnerability to air attack of early German destroyers and would have used six new 128 mm Flak 40 guns (originally designed for the LuftwaffeLuftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
) as dual purpose weapons in twin mountings. The number of smaller caliber anti-aircraft guns would have also been increased.
Zerstörer 1938A/Ac
In order to provide support for larger German warships operating far from their bases, the development of large ocean going destroyers started in the late 1930s. They would have had dual power systems to enable long endurance cruises. Twenty-four of these were planned under Plan ZPlan Z
Plan Z was the name given to the planned re-equipment and expansion of the Nazi German Navy ordered by Adolf Hitler on January 27, 1939...
but the three actually ordered were cancelled. The concept was developed further into the Spähkreuzer.
Zerstörer 1938B
Ships of this class would have been small destroyers designed to patrol and operate in Baltic and coastal waters, but would have had quite big operational range for such purpose, and could have also been used in high seas. Twelve ships were ordered in the summer of 1939, but after the start of World War II, all were cancelled.Zerstörer 1942
Experimental test-bed destroyer powered by diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s for long-range operations. Based on design of unbuilt Type 1938B destroyer, with six diesels driving three shafts, with an estimated speed of 36 knots (70.6 km/h) and an operating radius of 13500 mi (11,731.2 nmi; 21,726.1 km). One example (Z.51) was laid down in 1943 and launched in 1944, but was sunk by Allied bombers on 21 March 1945 while fitting out.
Zerstörer 1944
While Z.51 was a testbed for diesel propulsion, the Type 1944 destroyer was a production class of large, diesel powered destroyers. They were planned to have a revised armament, with six 128 mm C/41M12.8 cm FlaK 40
The 12.8 cm FlaK 40, was a German World War II anti-aircraft gun built as the successor to the 88 mm gun. Although it was not produced in great numbers, it was one of the most effective heavy AA guns of its era....
dual purpose main guns, and an all-new anti-aircraft armament, with three 5.5 cm Gerät 58 intermediate calibre anti-aircraft guns and a close-in armament of 14 30-mm cannon in seven twin mounts, with eight torpedo tubes.
Six of these ships (Z.52–Z.56) were laid down in 1943, but none were completed, being abandoned and broken up on the slips. A further two ships (Z.57 and Z.58) were abandoned before construction started.
Destroyer sized craft
The German Navy had several torpedo boat
Torpedo boat
A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval vessel designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes, and later designs launched self-propelled Whitehead torpedoes. They were created to counter battleships and other large, slow and...
classes with displacements between 1,000 and 1,300 tons (for example the Mowe class Fleet Torpedo boats and Torpedo boat type 35
Torpedo boat type 35
The Type 35 and Type 37 Torpedo boats were small destroyers built for the German Kriegsmarine between 1939 and 1942. They were designed to exploit a clause in the Washington Naval Treaty, which stipulated that ships under 600 tons standard displacement did not count towards limited tonnages...
). They sat between torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
-equipped fast attack boats, known to the Allies as E-boats and the destroyers. In 1939, the Germans started work on new designs that were a response to the weaknesses of earlier designs. These "Fleet
Naval fleet
A fleet, or naval fleet, is a large formation of warships, and the largest formation in any navy. A fleet at sea is the direct equivalent of an army on land....
Torpedo Boats" (Flottentorpedoboot) were large, 1,755 tons, and more able as escorts and for anti-aircraft defence as well as torpedo attacks and they were comparable in most respects to some of the British destroyer classes. They were all laid down during the war.
Flottentorpedoboot 1939 (Elbing classElbing class torpedo boatThe Elbing class torpedo boats were a class of 15 small warships that served in the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. Although classed as Flottentorpedoboot by the Germans, in most respects—displacement, weaponry, usage—they were comparable to contemporary medium-size destroyers...
)
The first of the fleet vessels, they were comparable in most respects to standard British destroyer types. Fifteen were laid down between 1940 and 1942, in the SchichauSchichau
Schichau Elbing or Schichau may refer to:The German surname* Ferdinand Schichau , the German businessman and engineer who founded the Schichau-Werke...
shipyard in Elbing
Elblag
Elbląg is a city in northern Poland with 127,892 inhabitants . It is the capital of Elbląg County and has been assigned to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship since 1999. Before then it was the capital of Elbląg Voivodeship and a county seat in Gdańsk Voivodeship...
(now Elbląg).
The last was commissioned at the end of 1944; three survived the war and served in Allied navies. The ships were numbered T22 to T36.
Flottentorpedoboot 1940
Following the capitualation of the NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Dutch shipyards were contracted to build 24 boats based on a Dutch design. Only three of these 2,600 ton vessels were launched. The three that were launched were moved to the Baltic in 1944 for work but none were completed.
Flottentorpedoboot 1941
This was a development of the 1939 class, with bigger engines and more anti-aircraft weapons. Fifteen were laid down or launched from 1942 but by the end of the war none had been completed.Flottentorpedoboot 1944
These were to have been ocean-going vessels, as opposed to North SeaNorth Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
or coastal vessels, capable of operating with the fleet, with greater range and an emphasis on anti-aircraft weaponry. Nine were ordered in March 1944, the order was subsequently cancelled without any building having started.
Torpedoboot Ausland
Several destroyer sized ships were captured by the Germans and put into service. Please see articleTorpedoboot Ausland
The Torpedoboot Ausland were small destroyers or large torpedo boats captured by Nazi Germany and incorporated into the Kriegsmarine. They were assigned a number beginning with TA-TA 1 to TA 6:...
for details
ZH1
The Dutch Hr.Ms. Gerard Callenburgh was built by RDM Rotterdam and launched 12 October 1939. The Dutch attempted to scuttle this ship during the German invasion but the destroyer was salvaged and completed under German control with technical guidance from Blohm & Voss. Commissioned as the ZH1 on 11 October 1942. The Germans retained most of the Dutch armament and equipment. The ZH1 spent most of its life on trials in the Baltic but transferred to Western France via the English Channel in November 1943. When the western allies invaded Normandy (see Operation NeptuneOperation Neptune
The Normandy landings, codenamed Operation Neptune, were the landing operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy, in Operation Overlord, during World War II. The landings commenced on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 , beginning at 6:30 AM British Double Summer Time...
) the German destroyers based in western France attempted to interdict the invasion armada. The German squadron was intercepted by Allied destroyers (HMS Tartar
HMS Tartar
HMS Tartar has been the name of more than one ship of the British Royal Navy, and may refer to:, a 28-gun sixth rate launched in 1756 and wrecked in 1797, a 32-gun fifth rate launched in 1801 and wrecked in 1811, a 36-gun fifth rate launched in 1814, reduced to receiving ship service in 1830, and...
, Ashanti
HMS Ashanti (F51)
HMS Ashanti was a Tribal-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. Following the style of her sister ships she was named for an ethnic group, in this case the Ashanti people of the Gold Coast in West Africa. She served in the Second World War and was broken up in 1949...
, Eskimo
HMS Eskimo (F75)
HMS Eskimo was a Tribal-class destroyer, laid down by the High Walker Yard of Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 5 August 1936...
, Javelin, HMCS Haida, Huron
HMCS Huron (G24)
HMCS Huron G24/216 was a Tribal class destroyer built by Vickers-Armstrongs on the River Tyne in England, and served in the Royal Canadian Navy. It was the first ship to bear this name...
and ORP Błyskawica). ZH1 was torpedoed and sunk by Ashanti on 9 June 1944, 33 men were lost. (see Gerard Callenburgh class destroyer
Gerard Callenburgh class destroyer
The Gerard Callenburgh class were a group of four destroyers ordered for the Royal Netherlands Navy just before World War II. Two ships were completed - the Gerard Callenburgh by the Germans after being captured and the Isaac Sweers in Britain after being evacuated as the Netherlands fell to the...
)
ZF2
The Hull of the French Le Hardi class destroyerLe Hardi class destroyer
The Hardi class was a group of twelve French navy destroyers laid down in 1936 to 1938 and eight ships were commissioned in 1940, with four ships never finished...
L'Opiniatre was captured intact and 16% complete in Bordeaux and the Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
intended to complete her for service. Since French armament was not available and for standardisation with the rest of the German Navy, 12.7mm guns and German pattern torpedo tubes were ordered. Work proceeded tardily until all progress was abandoned in July 1943. The hull was eventually broken up on the slip
ZG3 (Hermes)
The Greek destroyer Vasilefs GeorgiosGreek destroyer Vasilefs Georgios (D 14)
Vasilefs Georgios was a Greek destroyer, the lead ship of its class, which served with the Royal Hellenic Navy and the German Kriegsmarine during the Second World War...
was captured in damaged condition after the fall of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, then repaired in Greece with assistance from the Germaniawerft and commissioned by the Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
as the ZG3 or the Hermes. She was the only major Kriegsmarine surface ship
Surface ship
A surface ship is any type of naval ship that is confined to the surface of the sea. The term is primarily used to mean any modern vessel type that is not a submarine; although a "surface ship" may range in size from a cutter to an aircraft carrier, the weapons and tactics have some commonality,...
in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and she was involved in escorting convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
s to North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
and the Aegean island
Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea[p] is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the southern Balkan and Anatolian peninsulas, i.e., between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosporus...
s.
The Hermes sank the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
HMS Splendid
HMS Splendid (P228)
HMS Splendid was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built at Chatham Dockyard and launched on January 13 1942.-Career:...
off Capri, Italy, on 21 April 1943. Then, she was damaged by air attacks off Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. The Hermes had to be scuttled in La Goulette
La Goulette
La Goulette is the port of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. The Kasbah fortress was built in 1535 by Charles I of Spain but was captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1574...
, Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
on 7 May 1943.