The Z5 class or 1934A Zerstörer (destroyers) were twelve fleet destroyers built in the mid-1930s for the Kriegsmarine, essentially repeats of the Type 1934 but with a clipper bow for improved seakeeping, the staukeil short under transom keel to imporve agility, raise the stern at high speed. But these were criticized for their lack of sheer forward and escessive water spray on the bridge as well as continuous hull sagging issues, so they needed to be reinforced amidships to prevent cracking. They also retained the over-complicated boilers of the 1934 type and experiences many issues in service. Used to the bone in any operation, only five our of 12 destroyers survived the war and ended as war reparation to France and USSR.
Design History
Development
The Type 1934 destroyers were the first, truly large fleet destroyers designed in Germany since the replacement “Raubtier” and “Raubvogel” of the 1920s, later reclassed as torpedo boats. They were an important step forward alongside other vessels, cruisers, submarines and battleships which construction was later boosted by the 1935 Anglo-Naval german treaty which gave the kriegsmarine a tonnage up to 30% of the RN, versus the Versailles Treaty. At the time, it was still automatically placed under the restriction of the Washington treaty and so could raise the bar for capital ships from 10,000 to 35,000 tonnes standard, 10,000 tonnes for cruisers, and 1500 tonnes for destroyers.
The first class, the Type 1934 was studied from 1933 as large, fast and powerful, multirole vessels that could be used a minelayers and replace cruisers for escort missions. Gradually torpedo boats were intended to be used as escort, leaving the destroyers free to focus on warship escorts and fleet operations.
In design, the Kriegsmarine wanted number versus innovatio, and started with an improved repeat of the 1934 design, the “A” being an alphabetical extension to mark the difference. They were not laid down in 1934 but from July 1935 onwards, a few months after the Type 1934 first four vessels. So no trials revealed their shortcomings as the next batches were launched. Modifications were done after they were laid down however, unlike the Type 1934, modified after trials. So these issues already had been presented on paper. Still, the Z5 to Z8, so the first four, had the same prow as the Z1 to Z4, a straight one. They had to be modified later. Z9 was the true game changer, integrating the new prow from the start. Z9 was laid down and launched however at the same time, so this was merely an experiment.
Apart modification under the transom stern and prow, the Z5s were essentially a repeat of the previous design, just a bit larger. Armament and general configuration, superstructure design, accomodation and the powerplant were all rigorously identical. But this means also they repeated the same design flaws as well, the longer Z9 sub-class even proved more troublesome forward.
Construction
Since numbers counted more than innovation, three batches were ordered to different yards, that were prepared in order to allow each between 3 and 5, destroyers to be built at the same time, without time to replace another after launch by another pair to gain time.
Deutsche Werke, Kiel: Z1 Leberecht Maass, Z2 Georg Thiele, Z3 Max Schultz, Z4 Richard Beitzen, completed 1937.
DeSchiMAG, Bremen: Z5 Paul Jacobi, Z6 Theodor Riedel, Z7 Hermann Schoemann, Z8 Bruno Heinemann, completed in 1937-38.
Germaniawerft, Kiel: Z9 Wolfgang Zenker, Z10 Hans Lody, Z11 Bernd von Arnim, Z12 Erich Giese, Z13 Erich Koellner, completed 1938-39.
Blohm & Voss, Hamburg: Z14 Friedrich Ihn, Z15 Erich Steinbrinck, Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt, completed 1938.
The latter was in fact the first laid down, in March 1935.
Z13 Erich Koellner was the last completed, in March 1939. So by September, her crew had already six months experience. In 1939 so, the Kriegsmarine had sixteen operational destroyers with at least some training.
Already in September 1936, so post-launch, DeSchiMAG in Bremen would undertake the construction of six Type 1936, they entered service on 24 September 1939 for the last one, 1938 for the others and unlike the first type, were built at break neck speed. Z22 Anton Schmitt for example was built between 3 January 1938 and 24 Sept. 1939 so in 10 months, versus the Type 1934A’s average time, Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt being laid down on 14 November 1935 but only launched on 21 March 1937 and completed on 28 July 1938 so in four years. Construction was revised so that she could be redesigned and rebuilt prior to launch, explaining the delay as for the Germaniawerft boats. Both these and Blohm & Voss belonged to the Z9 sub-class indeed.
Hull and general design
Plans of the destroyer Z17
Compared to the previous class their hull was extended on the second serie with a clipper bow extending their prow further forward. They ended almost larger than the British “Tribals” and Japanese destroyers.
The nex destroyers hence had an overall length of 119 meters (390 ft 5 in) for 116.25 meters (381.4 ft) long (waterline), a beam of 11.31 meters (37 ft 1 in), maximum draft of 4.23 meters (13 ft 11 in) for a 2,171–2,270 long tons (2,206–2,306 t) displacement at standard load, 3,110–3,190 long tons (3,160–3,240 t) deeply loaded which was comparable to previous destroyers. Metacentric height was kept at 0.79 meters (2 ft 7 in) deeply load which was just acceptable. There was no armour proteciton whatsoever but the hull underwater was sub-divided into 15 watertight compartments separated by bulkheads. The amidship or 7th of these housed the powerplant and and auxiliary machinery, protected by a double bottom, extended to 47% of of their hull length. This was 48% on the previous Type 1934.
To alleviate a natural tendency for rolling due to the narrow beam, revised active stabilizers were fitted, and it was less an issue as compared to the Z1 class. The crew amounted to 10 officers and 315 ratings, plus 4 communication officers, 19 assistants when used as flotilla flagships.
The initial batch had a reworked prow that was a bit more sloped but still the lack of sheer caused these to have the bow diving deeper into the water, throwing spray over the bridge as a result, so that the forward deck gun was awash all the time in bad weather. Even the forward deck hazardous to walk upon in heavy seas. The issue of ploughing was further aggravated by a continuous sagging force on the hull, so that reinforcement of amidships hull plates were necessary in order to prevent them cracking open.
For ASW protection they had a subdivision into 15 watertight compartments . The amidship section 7 contained the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery. Only there was a double bottom section over 48% of the lenght.
The hull had fine entries and a relatively narrow bow/forecastle section with a lack of sheer that remained an issue until the introduction of the Type 1936. They ploughed heavily in heavy weather, and had a short equal beam section along 1/3 of their lenght. The rear deck section thinned up towards the stern aft of the second torpedo tubes banks. The whole deck arrrangement was kept unchanged in fact.
Their transom stern was preculiar, halved in two sloped downards sections at the rear, a shape believed to be ideal to clear up falling mines, one of their main role. The two shaft lines were unchanged compared to the previous class under suspended by struts, and they had a rounded and long single rudder.
The general outlook was positive overall, this was a well balanced design compared to all contemporaries and the same silhoette as for the Type 1934 was repeated exactly, so much so intel assimilated them in the same group. They had unequal size raked funnels with the main funnel aft of the bridge and a smaller one aft, both quickly equipped with deflector caps. The two masts were also unqeual, with a forward tripod mainmast, and half pole aft supporting radio cables.
The bridge kept the exact same shape, which remained constant for the next six classes. It presented a cross-shape seen from the prow, the two wings being flat forward, and the enclosed bridge being near-flat with five windows. The two wings extended aft in a narrowing section. This type of bridge offered a good panoarmic view but was judged too cramped and on the 1936A, the rooftop open bridge was changed for an all-flat face, supporting the main forward telemeter. The main mast had a tall spotting top (1932 design) and the ship after completion soon gained radars, generally installed in 1941-42 close to the tripod mast on the bridge’s top structure roof. Essentially still, both the Type 1934 and 1934A had the same bridge.
The hull was divided into sections, and the aft one, lower deck, represented 70% of the lenght, having a raised platform supporting two torpedo tubes banks and thus creating two islands structures, middle one around the aft funnel, supporting the main FLAK mounts and searchlight platforl, then a second one at the foot of the tripod mainmast, plus the long structure aft supporting the two upper aft main guns and top structure supporting more FLAK. The deck was fitted in all cases with mine rails fitted all along the aft deck section, the left section ran being longer than starboard, the same exact shape from the Type 9134 was repeated.
There were also two small chutes at the poop. Like the previous vessels they also had propeller guards mounted over the waterline aft at the poop as well. The 1934A like the previous class had two motor pinnaces on davits either side of the main funnel and served by two pole cranes aft of the brigde’s wings. They also had a torpedo cutter suspended under davits on the starboard side of the aft funnel island, large ribs suspended under the wings, and extra, smaller ribs attached to the gun shields, sides and roof, 11-12 in all. Note that the deck, both on the forecastle and aft, well all metal with serrated anti-slip plating. There were wooden sections however, on the upper structure aft, upper structure supporting the torpedo cutter aft of the second funnel, and the wings bridge deck and roof were also wooden-covered.
It should be noted that the first batch (Z5-8) displaced the least at 2,171 tonnes standard and 3,110 tonnes fully loaded, versus the Z9-Z13 subclass which displaced 2,270 and 3,190 respectively.
The last batch, Z14 to Z16 were a bit lighter at 2,239t standard and 3,165t fully loaded. Th Z9 sub-class, including Z14, 15 and 16, were longer at 116.3 meters at the waterline and 121 meters overall versus 114 and 119 meters like the Z1 class. However in 1938, so just after completion and trials, Z5 to Z8, the first batch, showed so many issues their hulls were strengthened and the bow was reworked as a true clipper style with an overall length now up to 114.4 meters at the waterline and 119.3 meters overall. Also by early 1944, Z5, Z10 and Z15 had their stem reconstructed for an overall lenght up to 121.3 m.
Comparing Z1 and Z7
Powerplant
-The Wagner boilers showed a working pressure of 70 kg/cm2 (6,865 kPa; 996 psi), temperature of 460 °C (860 °F).
-The Benson boilers worked at 110 kg/cm2 (10,787 kPa; 1,565 psi) and 510 °C (950 °F) temperature.
-The Wagner turbines, were rated on paper for 70,000 metric horsepower (51,000 kW; 69,000 shp)
-Top speed as contracted was 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). On trials some reached in excess of 37.5 knots.
-The oil bunkerage reached 752 metric tons (740 long tons) in normal use, for a range of 4,400 nmi (8,100 km; 5,100 mi) at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Hiowever these ships had problemùs and both rarely reached their top speed and range in effective combat. The real range wheh fully loaded proved to be only 1,825 nmi (3,380 km; 2,100 mi) at 19 knots in good conditions, but it fell even lower when battling heavy weather, as consumption almost doubled, and worst still, a large part of the oil was just kept as ballast:
Like the Z1 class, they simply proved just as top-heavy in service so captained used to keep 30% of the fuel low in the ship at all time, in effect reducing their range considerably.
Like the former Type 1934 they also had two steam-driven 200-kilowatt (270 hp) turbogenerators in the engine rooms to provide electricity on board, but also the first four (Z5 to Z8) had three diesel generators: Two 60 kW (80 hp) generators, one of 30 kW (40 hp) generator to provided basic power when the machinery was shut down. Form the Z9 onwards, three 50 kW (67 hp) generators, all three located in a compartment between the two rear boiler rooms. These eased maintenance and increased auxiliary power to 180 Kw instead of 150 Kw.
In 1941 also, Z10, 14, 15 and 16 had new and improved by Germania geared steam turbines for a power increase to 67,000hp.
Armament
Each of these destroyers thus came out with five 12.7 cm (5 in) SK C/34 guns, all single mounts, all covered by gun shields with a superimposed pair forward, same aft, and 5th mount positioned on top of the rear superstructure, facing forward. For these in total the Type 1934A carried 600 rounds of ammunition.
This was completed but just four 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 anti-aircraft guns in single mounts like for the previous type 1934, 8,000 rounds shared between them. Two were located aft on the upper structure between the N°3 and N°4 mounts, plus six 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns in single mounts and 12,000 rounds total. This was rounded by the two quadruple torpedo tubes banks, so eight 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes in all, mounted amidships. This was completed by depht charges and mines.
12,7-cm-Schnelladekanone C/34
⚙ specifications SK 128 mm (5.04 in) C/34 |
|
| Weight | 3,645 kilograms (8,036 lb) |
| Lenght | 5.76 meters (18 ft 11 in) oa, barrel 5.43 meters (17 ft 10 in) bore |
| Elevation/Traverse | −10° +30°, variable, c300° |
| Loading system | Vertical sliding-block |
| Muzzle velocity | 830 meters per second (2,700 ft/s) |
| Range | 17.4 kilometres (19,000 yd) at 30° |
| Guidance | Optical, data from FCS |
| Crew | c8 |
| Round | 128 x 680mm R separate-loading, cased charge 28 kilograms (61.7 lb) |
| Rate of Fire | 15–18 rpm (maximum) |
Class in ONI
FLAK
The anti-aircraft armament (FLAK) comprised the following:
-Four 3.7 cm (1.5 in) anti-aircraft guns, all in single mounts (8,000 rounds of ammunition)
-Six 2 cm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft guns, single mounts (12,000 rounds of ammunition).
Upgrades:
-In 1941 The single 20mm/65 replaced by nine single 20mm/65 C/38 and in 1942, Z5, 6, 10, 14, 15 and 16 had a quad 20mm/65 C/38 Flakvierling instralled on their aft top structure between the N°3-4 main guns.
-In 1944 Z5 received four twin 37mm/69 FlaK M42, and two single 37/57 FlaK M43 and well as four twin 20mm/65 C/38, Z6 received two twin 20/65 C/38, Z10 and Z15 had seven twin 37mm/69 FlaK M42, and three twin 20mm/65 C/38, whereas Z14 also went up seven 20mm/65 C/38 FLAK guns.
Torpedoes
They had eight 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes, in two quadruple, centerlined in electrically power-operated mounts. They had reloads, obut only four torpedoes, two for each bank.
They were of the 1934 53.3 cm (21″) G7a T1 “ato” class. read more
⚙ specifications TORPEDO |
|
| Weight | 3,369 lbs. (1,528 kg), Negative Buoyancy 605 lbs. (274 kg) |
| Dimensions | 23 ft. 7 in. (7.186 m) |
| Propulsion | Decahydronaphthalene (Decalin) Wet-Heater |
| Range/speed setting | 6,000 m/44 knots, 8,000 m/40 knots, 14,000 m/30 knots |
| Warhead | 617 lbs. (280 kg) Hexanite |
| Guidance | Federapparattorpedo; 1944 Lagenunabhängiger Torpedo |
Mines
ASW
Four depth charge throwers were mounted on the sides of the rear deckhouse, plus six racks for individual depth charges on stern sides. This was caluculated for two or four patterns of sixteen charges each. They also came out with the ‘GHG’ (Gruppenhorchgerät) passive hydrophones, fitted underneath the hull, to detect submarines.
These four stern Wasserbombenwerfer C/35 depth charge projector located on the broadsides close to the freeboard to clear mine rails fired a Rheinmetall 606 lbs. (275 kg), initial velocity of 115 fps (35 mps) and an arbor weight of 77 lbs. (35 kg). In total they could carry as high as 64 depth charges charges.
Fire Direction and sensors
The initial Type 34 destroyers came out with the C/34Z analog fire-control director on the bridge’s roof to calculate gunnery data from range estimates coming for pair of 4-meter (13 ft) stereoscopic rangefinders, behind the director, bridge’s roof and abaft the rear funnel. Data was transmitted with bearing and elevation respective to the positions to all gun crews on the ship so to fire simultaneously on the same target with accuracy. Optics quality as always was excellent, probably among the world’s best standards.
-There was a secondary FLAK rangefinder which was a smaller 1.25-meter (4 ft 1 in) model to the 3.7 cm AA guns.
-There was a tertiary hand-held 0.7-meter (2 ft 4 in) rangefinder for the 2 cm FLAK guns as well.
-There were passive hydrophones for ASW: The ‘GHG’ (Gruppenhorchgerät) to detect submarines as seen above.
-In 1939-1940 an S-Gerät sonar was installed as complement.
-In 1941 they obtained a FuMO 21 radar mounted atop the bridge aft top structure.
-In 1943-1944 they obtained a FuMB 3 Bali antenna and the FuMB 4 Sumatra, both ECM suites
-In 1944 their FuMO 21 was replaced by a FuMO 24 completed by a FuMO 63K radar and the FuMB 1 Metox ECM suite.
Modifications
On most ships, the problematic staukeils were removed in 1940–1942. The stabilizers that proved equally ineffective were replaced by bilge keels also during refit. The S-Gerät active sonar system was installed on two destroyers by late 1939 as an experiment and when validated, all the remaining destroyers received it by the end of 1940. In the 1941 the great noverlty was the addition of a FuMO 21 search radar and radar detector antenna. These wey installed on top of a cabin at the rear of the bridge roof, located behind the rangefinder. But it was placed so close to the foremast that it revolution was limited in arc, making it rather ineffective. But these additions amounted to 2.5 t (2.5 long tons) on top, and so stability problems increased.
To compensate the foremast searchlight and aft rangefinder were removed altogether. The forward rangefinder was replaced by lighter yet more effective three meters (9.8 ft) model weighting 4.4 t (4.3 long tons). Yet further more depth charges were installed as well as degaussing equipment, so the motor boat, derrick and electric capstan removed and 3 t added lower in the ship. By 1942, funnels were even cut down to further reduce top weight.
Late 1941, light AA armament augmented by a Flakvierling mount, aft superstructure. More 2 cm guns added and later in the war, one main gun was eschanged for more 2 cm/3.7 cm guns (“Barbara” refit) by late 1944. At that stage it was common to see on board no less than fourteen 3.7 cm, ten 2 cm guns with local variations. Their radars was replaced by a FuMO 24 search radar, foremasts was rebuilt for three, incluing Z10, as a goal-post so that the 6/2 m (19.7 ft × 6.6 ft) antenna could fully rotate and a FuMO 63 K Hohentwiel radar replaced the searchlight abaft the rear funnel in adidtion to a FuMB 1 Metox radar detector. All surviving destroyers were equipped that way.
Z5 Paul Jacobi 1944
Z6 in 1943
Z7 in 1942
⚙ specifications Z5 |
|
| Displacement | 2,171–2,270 long tons (2,206–2,306 t) |
| Dimensions | 119 x 11.31 x 4.23m (390 ft 5 in x 37 ft 1 in x 13 ft 11 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts steam turbines, 6× water-tube boilers 70,000 PS (51,485 kW; 69,042 shp) |
| Speed | 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) |
| Range | 1,825 nmi (3,380 km; 2,100 mi) at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph) |
| Armament | 5× 12.7 cm (5 in), 2×2 3.7 cm, 6× 2cm FLAK, 2×4 53.3 cm TTs, 4× DCR, 6× racks, 60× mines |
| Crew | 325 |
Z6 at the Battle of Barents Sea
Operational Service of the Type 1934A destroyers
Hull number 899 at Deschimag, Bremen, laid down on July 1935, launched 24.3.1936, completed by June 1937. Sailed to Norway April 1938 to test the TbtsK C/36 guns. August 1938 Fleet Review, 2nd Destroyer Division, and exercise. Ecorted Admiral Graf Spee to the Mediterranean in October 1938, stopped in Vigo, Tangiers, Ceuta and back home. Refit Wilhelmshaven February-September 1939. 11 October inspected neutral shipping in the Skaggerak until February 1940. Group 2 for Operation Weserübung. Transported part of the Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 138, 3rd Mountain Division to Trondheim with Admiral Hipper. Sailed 7 april with Bruno Heinemann and Theodor Riedel, tasked delivering troops to tale forts at Trondheimsfjord. Bad weather, Paul Jacobi rolled badly. Forts taken but storm damage. Hipper ordered home 10 April. Z5 remained in Trondheim until May (engine troubles), aft torpedo tubes removed, mounted on small boats for local defense. Repairs Wilhelmshaven May-June. Back Trondheim 30 June, escorted Gneisenau back to Kiel 25 July.
Laid a minefield, North Sea, then transferred to Brest, France mid-September. Laid a minefield in Falmouth Bay 28/29 Sept. Five ships sank. Refit Wilhelmshaven until October 1941. While off Aarhus, Denmark, fouled a buoy, port propeller damaged, repaired Kiel until 24 November. Ten boiler, repaired Wilhelmshaven. 29 December damaged by bomb splinters. Escorted Tirpitz mid-January 1942 Baltic-Trondheim. Back to Brest for the Channel Dash. 25 January Z8 hit mines from HMS Plover, 34 recued by Z5. 11 February, Mad Dash complete. Escorted Prinz Eugen and Admiral Scheer to Trondheim. 6 March, escorted Tirpitz attacking convoy QP 8/PQ 12: Operation Sportpalast. Next Operation Zauberflote, escorted crippled Prinz Eugen from Trondheim to Kiel 16-18 May. Long refit until December.
9 January 1943 Z5 escorted Scharnhorst and Prinz Eugen to Norway from Gotenhafen. Sailed to Bogen Bay, screened Tirpitz and Scharnhors to Altafjord mid-March. Sauled to Jan Mayen island 31 March to meet blockade runner MV Regensburg, not found, storm damage (Regensburg sunk by British cruiser 30 March). Kiel refit in September, damaged air raid, 13 December. Forecastle bomb hut, splinters, sank. Refloated April 1943, repaired until Novembe, new bow section. Completed Swinemünde. 13 November escorted hospital ship SS General von Steuben to Swinemünde. Torpedo training off Gotland 14 January 1945, one circled back around and hit her, minor damage (practice torp). Eastern Baltic Sea missions, rammed in the stern by reighter SS Helga Schröder, repaired until 27 Februar 1944.
Bombarded Soviet forces 6–9 March; alt. escorts, Germans evacuated East Prussia. 2 May gyrocompass sabotaged by crew, three men convicted, court-martialled and shot by Bernhard Rogge. Sailed back to Wilhelmshaven under British control 21 May. Ceded to France, Cherbourg 15 January 1946. See France for more.
Under hull number 900 Z6 was laid down also at Deschimag, Bremen in July 1935, launched 22 April 1936, completed in July 1937. She surrendered bt May 1945, was in UK by January 1946, and sent to France in February 1946 as Kléber. Late 1937 naval maneuvers, trained with the 2nd Destroyer Division, ran aground 8 June 1938 near Heligoland. Repaired in Wilhelmshaven but issues with turbine’s foundations, thrust bearings until, new turbine fitted 1943. August 1938 Fleet Review, exercise. Escorted Admiral Graf Spee. Refit Wilhelmshaven til August 39. Laid Defensive minefield German Bight, patrolled the Skagerrak, inspected neutral shipping. Laid minefield British coast 12/13 November, suffered machinery breakdowns. Another 10/11 February 1940. 22 February 1940 sailed for the Dogger Bank for “Operation Wikinger”. Bombed by error by He 111 en route, one DD hit by one bomb, broke in half, and Max Schultz hit a mine and sank. Court of Inquiry highlighted poor communication with the Luftwaffe but in reality both sunk minefield laid by Ivanhoe and Intrepid.
Theodor Riedel went to Group 2, Operation Weserübung with 138th Mountain Infantry Regiment. Same as above, beached on a sandbar on 10 April as stationary artillery then attacked 11th by 9 Fairey Swordfish 816 Sn from HMS Furious. Hit, refloated 10 days later, towed to Trondheim until 7 June, then Wilhelmshaven overhaul. 9 September sailed to Brest, minefield in Falmouth Bay 28/29 September. Port engine issues, repaired in Wilhelmshaven from 5 November 1940 until 9 August. Sailed to Norway but struck uncharted reef. Towed to Bergen for temporary repairs, then Kiel until 10 May 1942. Departed for Norway on 11 June, escorted Tirpitz for Operation Rösselsprung on Convoy PQ 17 from Trondheim on 2 July. Ran aground in the dark and heavy fog, back to port for repairs at Trondheim, towed back to Germany 25 July and 28th, attacked by three British Bristol Beaufort. Repaired done by December, sailed to Norway, together with Lützow for Operation Regenbogen on Convoy JW 51B. Missed opportunity.
Escorted the minelayer Brummer February 1943 for minefield off Kildin Island, Barents Sea. Sailed to Jan Mayen, missed MV Regensburg. Whikle underway to Trondheim 6 April water contamination of her fuel. Towed by a tug. September 1943, Operation Zitronella, troops of the 349th Grenadier Regiment to Spitzbergen with Tirpitz, Scharnhorst. Next she escorted convoys off Skagerrak. December overhaul completed June 1944. Skagerrak again, boiler room fire in August, new repairs in Oslo. Collision with mole Frederikshavn in Denmark 18 November. Repaired until 7 January 1945. Order to the Baltic to assist evacuation Peninsula 5 May. Another trip on 7 May, surrendered in Kiel. See France for Kleber.
Under hull 901 number at Deschimag, Bremen Z7 was laid down in September 1935, launched 16 July 1936, completed by September 1937. 1st Commander Korvettenkapitän Erich Schulte Mönting. Late 1937 naval maneuvers, 2nd Destroyer Division; hosted Adolf Hitler for a cruise from Kiel to Eckernförde, July 1938. August Fleet Review, fleet exercise. Escorted Admiral Graf Spee, refit Wilhelmshaven, patrolled the Skagerrak. Had machinery breakdowns. 18 December operaton unsuccessful. Patrolled the Jade 23 December, collided with Z15 in heavy fog. Covered minelaying in January and February 1940 and under repair for machinery problems.
Group 2 Operation Weserübung, same as above but replaced by Friedrich Eckoldt as machinery broke down. Assigned to the 6th Destroyer Flotilla, June escorted Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, Admiral Hipper for Operation Juno for Harstad attack, diversion for Narvik on 8 June. They sank the troop transport Orama, oil tanker Oil Pioneer, minesweeping trawler Juniper en route. Admiral Wilhelm Marschall ordered them back to Trondheim, heavy weather. Scharnhorst escorted home by her. 25 June, lengthy refit until 15 February 1941.
Transferred to Kirkenes (Norway) in February but more machinery repairs until January 1942. 5th Destroyer Flotilla left Kiel 24 January for France for Channel Dash, twice drove off British MTBs with Z14 adn repelled British aircraft, struck in the stern by 20 mm cannon shells adn possibly No. 452 Squadron RAAF Spitfires. Became provisional flagship after transfer Vice Admiral Otto Ciliax from Z29, damaged.
Escorted Prinz Eugen and Admiral Scheer to Trondheim but returned, Heavy weather. 6 March escorted Tirpitz from Trondheim to QP 8 (Operation Sportpalast). Sank day after 2,815 GRT Soviet freighter Ijora. Back Vestfjorden 9th. Transferred to the 8th Destroyer Flotilla Kirkenes. With Z24 and Z25, sailed attacked QP 14 but heavy snow, low visibility. Same 30 April for QP 11, sank 2,847-GRT freighter only and damaged HMS Amazon. Captain Alfred Schulze-Hinrichs, fotilla commander looked for the crippled british cruiser, found Edinburgh on 2 May, closed to attack but Hermann Schoemann badly damaged with second salvo, both engine rooms flooded. She turned away, dropped smoke floats, but too severely to return. Abandon ship when caught by British destroyers, 223 recued by Z24 and Z25, scuttled by her crew and 56 more men by U-88, she had 8 killed, 45 wounded.
Hull number 902, Z8 was laid down at Deschimag in Janurary 1936, launched on 15 September 1936, completed January 1938. In April 1938 she was in gunnery tests with the TbtsK C/36 but stability was poor. The guns were removed after trials off Ålesund. August 1938 Fleet Review (6th Destroyer Division) and exercise. Several months in the Baltic to evaluate steam pressure. Sept. detached against the Polish Navy, blockade, but transferred to German Bight’s defensive minefields, patrolled the Skagerrak, refit, back to Baltic, attacked by 11 Handley Page Hampden bombers (144Sqn) 29 September. No damage. Laying minefields/escorts off British coast October-November. Operation 12/13 December under Friedrich Bonte, 240 mines laid off the mouth of the Tyne, claimed 11 ships, 18,979 GRT. Z8 had a serious turbine fire. Later escorted Leipzig, Nürnberg torpedoed by HMS Salmon. 10/11 January 1940 laid a minefield off Cromer., unk 3 ships, 11,155 GRT and same on 9/10 February, 157 mines, 3 ships, 11,855 GRT.
Assigned Group 2 Operation Weserübung. Found oil to get back home 14 April.
Escorted minelayers 29/30 April and 9/10 May 1940 off Great Fisherman’s Bank. Lengthy refit. 5 April 1941, left for France, attacked by two torpedo bombers. Escorted commerce raiders, blockade runners and warships from French Atlantic coast ports. 6 September new refit. Escorted Tirpitz mid-January 1942 to Trondheim. Left Kiel on 24 January for France for Channel Dash. 25 January struck two mines laid by HMS Plover off the Belgian coast: 2 and 3 boiler rooms disabled, lost bow. 98 lost at sea, 5 died of their wounds, remainder saved.
Hull 535 Z9 was laid down at Germaniawerft, Kiel on March 1935, launched 27 March 1936, completed in July 1938. August 1938 Fleet Review, 6th Destroyer Division, exercise. Polish Campaign: Attacked Polish destroyer Wicher, minelayer Gryf in Hel Peninsula, firing from 12,700 meters (13,900 yd). Answered by coast defense battery 5.9 in guns, forced out, lay a smoke screen. Action broken after 40 minutes. Night 10/11 January 1940: Laid a minefield off Cromer, same 9/10 February, see above. Ice damage in mid-February while escorting Gneisenau and Scharnhorst to Scandinavia.
Group 1 Operation Weserübung, 139. Gebirgsjäger Regiment to Ofotfjord. Partially refuelled, sailed to Herjansfjord.
10 April British 2nd Destroyer Flotilla surprised other german DDs in Narvik. When withdrawing, fell on 4th Flotilla inconclusive duel, German ships to turned away to avoid torpedoes. Kept in the bay low on fuel by Commander Bey. Wolfgang Zenker and Erich Giese left Ofotfjord, turned south, spotted light cruiser HMS Penelope and escorting destroyers but turn back. She briefly grounded later, damaged her port propeller, down to 20 knots. HMS Warspite and 9 destroyers appeared on 13 April. The DDs charged out of Narvik, engaged them, no hits scored, Wolfgang Zenker made a torpedo attack on Warspite but was driven off, all missed. Lack of ammunition, retreated to Rombaksfjorden for an ambush but Wolfgang Zenker had exhausted all her ammunition. Beached at the head of the fjord, demolition charges placed, exploded, rolled over onto her side.
Hull number 536, Z10 was laid down at Germaniawerft in April 1935, launched on 14 May 1936, completed on September 1938. Assigned to the 8th Destroyer Division, celebrations for the Condor Legion 30 May 1939. Deployed in the Baltic for blockade but deployed to lay minefields, German Bight. While loading mines on 4 September one exploded, killing 2, wounding 6, damaging the stern. Patrolled the Skagerrak. Had casulaties and damaged, storm in October. Night 18/19 November led by Fregattenkapitän Erich Bey on flagship Z15 with her and Z16 to lay minefield, Humber Estuary (7 ships, 38,710 GRT). Next with Z12, Z11 minefield off Cromer. Spotted the destroyers HMS Juno and HMS Jersey, no engagement. But spotted them again when retiring at 8,000 meters, dropped to 4,600 meters (5,000 yd) for torpedo run, Z10 versus Juno, missed, but she was hit abreast her aft torpedo mount in return. Oil fuel tank hit, major fire. Went back home, repairs and refit at Wesermünde on 9 December until 22 May 1940.
Later she rescued survivors from SS Orama on 8 June 1940. By June escorted Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, Admiral Hipper for Operation Juno. Back in Trondheim on 9 June. Scharnhorst escorted back for repairs. Z10 Lighlty damaged, air raid 13 June. Screen the crippled Gneisenau back to Kiel 25 July, minor collision en route.
Transferred to Brest, France, 9 September for Operation Sealion. Laid a minefield in Falmouth Bay 28/29 September (5 ships, 2,026 GRT). 10 October RAF raid, slightly damaged by splinters and strafing, 2 killed, 7 wounded. Sailed for the Southwest Approaches, 17 October caught by 2 light cruisers, 5 destroyers but diengaged due to long-range torpedo volleys and Luftwaffe. 24–25 November with Z4 and Z20 left Brest for channel, spotted small convoy, sank one merchantmen, another damaged, but 5 RN destroyers 5th Destroyer Flotilla altered, arrived too late. Same operation repeated three nights, sank two tugboats and barge. Caught by RN 5th Destroyer Flotilla 06:30, 29 November. Torpedoe launched, two hits on HMS Javelin. A10 hit by 2 40 mm shells. Refit in Wesermünde until April 1941.
Z10 Escorted Bismarck-Prinz Eugen from Cape Arkona to Trondheim 19–22 May for North Atlantic operations. June, escorted Lützow from Kiel to Norway. Attacked by Bristol Beaufort on 13 June, Lützow back for repairs. Kirkenes in July, 6th Destroyer Flotilla, sortie 12–13 July, 2 small Soviet ships sank (poor marksmanship). Missed Victorious and Furious on 29 July. Sortie, Kola Inlet 9 August, sank 1 small Soviet patrol vessel. Escort Tromsø – Kirkenes but allowed HMS Trident to sink troopships Bahia Laura and Donau II. Z10 depth-charged Trident, rescued 38 survivors.
Boilers repairs, screened Lützow to Trondheim 15–20 May 1942, laid minefield Skaggerak. Had the starboard engine room flooded early June, 2 weeks to be repairs. Escorted Tirpitz for Operation Rösselsprung. Rran aground in the dark/heavy fog, towed to Kiel for permanent repairs 25 July, attacked by 3 Beaufort. Sea trials 15 February 1943, fire broke out in engine room, repairs not completed until 22 April. Sent to Norway, September Operation Zitronella to Spitzbergen. Next six months southern Norway, laying minefields off Skaggerak, escorting convoys. Back to Kiel April 1944 for refit until February 1945. Convoy escort duties, Skaggerak 5 April, departed Copenhagen to load refugees, Hela Peninsula (East Prussia), 1,500 aboard when back 7 May. Sailed to Kiel, decommissioned on 9 May, surrendered to UK by January 1946 as R38. She was initially used to familiarize British sailors on high-pressure boilers, and accommodation ship in Southampton, BU 17 July 1949.
Wreck of Bernd von Arnim in the Rombaksfjorden
Under hull number 537, Z11 was laid down at Germaniawerft in April 1935, launched on 8 July 1936, and completed on December 1938, she was sunk early, on 13.4.1940. On September 1939 she was deployed in the Baltic, blockade of Poland, but transferred German Bight, defensive minefields. Patrolled the Skagerrak and layed with two others 180 magnetic mines, middle of the Thames Estuary night of 17/18 November. HMS Gipsy, one trawler, 7 other ships totalling (27,565 GGRT) sunk. Escorted Gneisenau and Scharnhorst to the North Atlantic. Laid a minefield off Cromer 6/7 December, but Allocated to Group 1 Operation Weserübung April 1940, salme as above with the 139. Gebirgsjäger Regiment, spotted by HMS Glowworm in a storm, morning 8 April, turned away NW at full speed under smoke. Storm damage at 35 knots, down to 27 knots, lost two men overboard. The British destroyer closed and Korvettenkapitän Curt Rechel turned NE to draw her to Admiral Hipper. Gunnery duel for one hour until Hipper came in range and sank Glowworm.
In Ofotfjord 9 April, sailed to Narvik in heavy snowstorm, mountain troops landed, but spotted by coast defense ship Norge awhich fired 13 shells on them at 600–800 meters before Z11 Bern von Arnim was sent her to the bottom after fiting 7 torpedoes, 2 hits. No DD was hit. Boats were lowered to rescue 96 Norwegian sailors.
Refuelled from single tanker arrived in Narvik, moved to Ballangenfjord closer to entrance. 10 April surprised by 2nd Destroyer Flotilla. Attacked Narvik, withdrawn and encountered the German 4th Flotilla DDs alerted in Herjansfjord, opened fire first, but gunnery ineffective in mist, smoke screen. Brits retreated Ofotfjord. Von Arnim and Thiele closed in and crossed the T of Brit. flotilla, fired full broadsides at 4,000 meters (13,000 ft), hit HMS Hardy, badly damaged (beached) then HMS Havock, and launched torpedoes, no hits. Havock pulled off, HMS Hunter was in the lea,n badly damaged. Thiele rammed from behind by HMS Hotspur after loosing steering control. Hotspur disengaged, Hunter capsized. The three remaining escaped under smoke. Von Arnim hit by 5 shells, lost one boiler. Repaired 13 April, 6 new torpedoes from badly damaged DDs. 13 April sawn, Warspite and 9 destroyers appeared as Commander Bey expected, but the Germans were out of position. Bernd von Arnim charged out of Narvik to engage them, no hits scored but splinter damage and torpedo run until driven off, all missed. Short of ammunition and oil forced them to retreat to Rombaksfjorden in an ambush attempt of purusers. Von Arnim had no ammunition left, beached at the head of the fjord, scuttled and abandoned, rolled over side. The crew joined German troops ashore, fought until June.
Under hull number 538, Z12 was laid down at Germaniawerft in May 1935, launched on 12 March 1937, completed in March 1939. She was also sunk in Norway. Assigned to 8th Destroyer Division, 4. Zerstörrer-Flottille under Fregattenkapitän Brocksien she escorted into Hamburg the Condor legion convoy from Spain. September, German Bight defensive minefields, patrolled the Skagerrak but suffered machinery breakdowns for her next mission, cancelled. Escorted Gneisenau and Scharnhorst, North Sea, North Atlantic. 6 December laied minefield off Cromer but had boiler problems. Later was spotted by HMS Juno and HMS Jersey closed to 8,000 meters (8,700 yd) to attack, torpedo run at 4,600 meters (5,000 yd) at Juno and Jersey. with Lody. One Giese’s hit on Jersey, abreast aft torpedo mount, major fire. Juno help her crippled sister and the Germans escaped. Giese refitted Germaniawerft from 8 December.
Assigned Group 1 for Operation Weserübung to seize Narvik. Giese fell behind due to oil leaks, machinery breakdowns, contaminated fuel oil. Continued at a slower speed to conserve fuel until 9 April, landed troops in Herjangsfjord which captured Army armory at Elvegårdsmoen. Moved to Narvik, not able to refuel and returned to Herjangsfjord with Wolfgang Zenker and Erich Koellner.
10 April surprised by British 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, attacked, withdrawn, met the 4th Flotilla. Giese and Koellner were very low on fuel, running low on ammunition, Commander Bey ordered to try to return to Germany and only Erich Giese and Wolfgang Zenker were ready, slipped out Ofotfjord, headed south, good night visibility. Spotted by light cruiser HMS Penelope, turned back. Another break out 12/13 April Erich Giese reported 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) but torpedoes replenished. HMS Warspite appeared on 13 April, earlier than expected, caught them. 5 operable destroyers less Giese charged out of Narvik. She did not have enough steam raised, remained in the harbor. Tried to sail but port engine seized up, dead in the water at the mouth, frantic repairs, caught by HMS Punjabi and HMS Bedouin, fired 5 torpedoes, missed. Giese fired her torpedoes, missed, hit Punjabi with 6-7 main guns shells, destroying FCS, main steam line, fires (7 killed, 14 wounded) and Giese managed repairs on her engine in 10 min. limped forward at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) to engage the other British destroyers. Bedouin engaged her at point-blank range, lost forward gun turret but Giese took 20 hits, completely ravaged. Abandoned, sank before midnight. 83 crew were killed in the battle, 11 rescued by HMS Foxhound.
Under hull number 539, KMS Z13 was laid down at Germaniawerft in October 1935, launched on 18 March 1937, completed on August 1939, she was also sunk in Norway. Assigned to 8. Zerstörerdivision under Fregattenkapitän Erich Bey. Laid minefield off Cromer 11/12 January 1940. Then 157 mines near Haisborough Sands, Cromer 9/10 February. Operation Wikinger, vs. fishing trawlers off Dogger Bank 22 February, 2 DDs lost in British minefields. Others rescuing 24 men.
Under Alfred Schulze-Hinrichs, allocated Group 1, Operation Weserübung. She arrived at Ofotfjord morning 9 April, landed troops Herjangsfjord, moved to Narvik harbor, but could not refuel, returned to Herjangsfjord with Wolfgang Zenker, Erich Giese.
10 April met 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, 4th Flotilla, same events as described above. Z13 was ordered to patrol the mouth of the Ofotfjord, picket duty but ran aground before midnight and returned to Narvik 12 April. She could not be repaired locally and was ordered to Tårstad, Ramnes Narrows, Ofotfjord acting as static floating battery. Waters too shallow to use torpedoes, off-loaded, transferred to her sisters Bernd von Arnim and Theodor Riedel, fuel also transferred to them and 90 men went ashore. 13 April Warspite arrived. Fregattenkapitän Alfred Schulze-Hinrichs decided to anchor her near Djupvik, south side fjord instead. Spotted by the Supermarine Walrus from Warspite. Next she was caught bt three DDs at 2,500–2,500 meters, open fire with everything, inluding AA guns. She was put on fire, bow hit by a torpedo and blow off. She also was fired upon by Warspite, took a 15-inch (380 mm) SAP, crossed decks without detonating. 37 crewmen killed, 34 wounded, no damage in return. Z13 Erich Koellner scuttled by detonating a depth charge in auxiliary machinery spaces. 155 of the crew made POW by Norwegian forces, in Vardøhus Fortress, then Skorpa camp in Troms, released after the end of the Norwegian Campaign. The wreck was destroyed and cleared in 1963.
Under the hull number 503, KMS Z14 she was laid down at Blohm & Voss in May 1935, lauched 5 November 1935, completed in April 1938. August 1938 Fleet Review, 3rd Destroyer Division. 23–24 March 1939, escorted Adolf Hitler aboard Deutschland for the occupation of Memel. Spring fleet exercise, western Med. visited Spanish, Moroccan ports. Deployed in the Baltic Sept. 39, Polish blockade, then transferred to the German Bight, defensive minefields, patrolled Skagerrak, and minelaying early November, cancelled. 12/13 December sortied for minelaying under Kommodore Friedrich Bonte (flagship Hermann Künne) with Bruno Heinemann, Richard Beitzen, Erich Steinbrinck. Laid 240 mines, mouth River Tyne. Escorted back crippled Leipzig and Nürnberg but had machinery problems en route. New sortie 18 December but British turned off navigation lights off Orfordness, turned back.
Laid minefield (170 magnetic mines) night of 6/7 January 1940, Thames Estuary. Same in Newcastle area 10/11 January but F. Z14 Ihn had boilers issues, down to 27 knots, escorted back to Germany.
In repairs during Operation Weserübung. Leaft in May in the 5th Destroyer Flotilla transferred Brest in early September, attacked by Bristol Blenheims 11 September while in Baie de la Seine, near-missed. Laid a minefield in Falmouth Bay 28/29 September. Dortied on Southwest Approaches 17 October, intercepted by two light cruisers, 5 destroyers. Disengaged when Luftwaffe bombers apeared. She was moved to Stettin for refit, completed late January 1941, trapped by ice. Reached Gotenhafen for working up mid-February, back to Brest April, then La Pallice. Escortied commerce raiders, warships, supply ships Bay of Biscay, Thor on 22 April, Nordland, fleet oiler Ermland, Prinz Eugen in early June after Operation Rheinübung. Left Brest 27 July for another refit, attacked by MTBs en route, no hits off Calais.
Stayed in German waters and returned to Brest in February 1942, escorted Gneisenau, Scharnhorst, Prinz Eugen in the English Channel for Operation Cerberus (channel dash). She engaged and repelled attacking British MTBs, shot down two Fairey Swordfish. Next she escorted Prinz Eugen and Admiral Scheer to Trondheim but marred by Heavy weather.
On 6 March she escorted Tirpitz (Operation Sportpalast). Ihn had storm damage to her bridge, forward gun. Late sank the freighter SS Ijora. Was ordered to Harstad to refuel. Later back, shoot down one Fairey Albacore from HMS Victorious. May 1942 became flagship, Captain Fritz Berger, 5th Destroyer Flotilla, escorted Tirpitz for Operation Rösselsprung vs. PQ 17 from 2 July. DDs ran aground in dark, heavy fog, forced back. Returned to Germany 12 July, refitted and remained Baltic Sea.
9 January 1943, escorted Scharnhorst and Prinz Eugen from Gotenhafen to Norway, spotted by RAF and folded back. Same in March, to Kristiansand and Heavy weather forced DDs into Bergen, the battleship reached Trondheim. Z14 was transferred to Narvik in April, shortage of fuel. Back home in November for refit until June 1944. Was based in Horten until 1945, convoy escort, minelaying duties in the Skagerrak. Brief refit in Swinemünde November 1944. Was in Horten until May 1945. Sailed to Hela to load refugees, brought to Copenhagen, returned to Hela for another load, landed to Glücksburg 8 May, surrendered at Flensburg 9 May. Wilhelmshaven under British control. Under Allied Tripartite Commission, allocated to the Soviet Unionbut swapped for Theodor Reidel, and repaired with new spare boiler parts, recomm. as Prytky, Baltic fleet, stricken 22 March 1952, BU.
Z15 in service 1939, from pinterest, origin unknown
Under hull 504 Z15 was laid down at Blohm & Voss in May 1935, launched 24 September 1936, completed on June 1938. She too survived the war. Started service under Korvettenkapitän Rolf Johannesson until January 1942. In short: August 1938 Fleet Review (3rd Destroyer Division), Spring fleet exercise west. Med. Sept. 1939 blockade Poland, minefields German Bight, Skagerrak patrols, minelaying 18/19 November, 12/13 December same on River Tyne, 18 December mission aborted. Same 6–7 January 1940, Thames Estuary. Under refit during Operation Weserübung. May, transferred 5th Destroyer Flotilla, escorted Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, Hipper for Operation Juno. Trondheim 9 June. Escorted back Scharnhorst, returned to Trondheim.
Laid defensive minefields, North Sea August-September 1940, transferred Brest mid-September. Falmouth Bay minelaying 28/29 September. Southwest Approaches 17 October, brif fight. Refit Stettin late January 1941, trapped ice, Gotenhafen mid-February, Brest in April, La Pallice, same as above. Overdue for refit, boiler problems, escorted raider Orionn 21 August. Ran aground Septemner, back Germany 6 September. Deployed northern Norway, Operation Wunderland August 1941, escorted Admiral Scheer, minelayer Ulm to Cape Zhelaniya. Ran aground September, repaired Trondheim and germany. Back January 1943. Early March, escorted Scharnhorst in Skaggerak to Trondheim, heavy weather. Mid-month became flagship 5th Destroyer Flotilla.
September Operation Zitronella to Spitzbergen. During bombardment, fire main broke, partially flooded compartment. Escorted Lützow back to Germany, September and back to Narvik. 25 November overhaul, collided with small Norwegian steamer en route, bow mushed, went slowly to Trondheim for emergency repairs, then Oslo, returned Germany 18 December.
Refit completed 18 January 1944, laid minefields Skaggerak, escorting convoys. Passed the Kiel Canal to Hamburg, lengthy refit. Raid, hit by a bomb in diesel generator room 18 June. Refit complete 20 November but 4 November another raid, bomb near miss, flooding. Repairs in Wesermünde. No operational 1 April 1945, crew left for combat duties ashore, towed to Cuxhaven, surrendered, moved to Wilhelmshaven under British control, overhauled, attribited by Allied Tripartite Commission to USSR, Libau 2 January 1946, recom. as Pylky, 4th Fleet Rostock 1948. PK3-2 barracks ship until 19 February 1958, struck, BU.
Under hull number 505, she was laid down at Blohm & Voss in November 1935, launched on 21 March 1937 and completed on September 1938. In short: August 1938 Fleet Review (3rd Destroyer Division) escorted Deutschland to occupy Memel, Spring fleet exercise, Baltic, blockade of Poland, German Bight minefields, Skagerrak patrols, under flagship Rear Admiral Günther Lütjens from Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp, minefield River Humber. 18/19 November under Erich Bey from flag Erich Steinbrinck, same in Humber Estuary and 6/7 January 1940, Thames Estuary. Same off Newcastle and later at Shipwash area, off Harwich 9/10 February. Operation Wikinger, Dogger Bank 22 February. Group 2 Operation Weserübung. Had port propeller overheat issues in Elbe River, repaired, escorted Admiral Hipper in Trondheim. Partial oil resupply 12 April, sailed for Germany 14th.
Refit early September, minelaying Falmouth Bay 28/29 September. Attacked by Fairey Swordfish (812 NAS) 9/10 October, lightly damaged by bomb splinters, 1 killed, 3 wounded. In Hamburg 5 November refitted until December. Baltic, escorted Bismarck, Prinz Eugen to Trondheim 19–22 May 1941. June 1941 escorted Lützow to Norway, attacked by Bristol Beaufort, took Lützow under tow. 20 June sailed for Bergen, stayed until 4 July, main feed pump repaired. Sailed to Kirkenes on 10 July, anti-shipping patrol 12 July. Attaced by aircraft Eckoldt claimed one. Second patrol 22 July, no kill but aerial attacks. Sent to intercept Victorious and Furious attacing Petsamo-Kirkenes 29 July. Final sortie into Kola Inlet, sank small Soviet patrol vessel. Eckoldt damaged by aircraft bombs, steering, starboard engine. Temporarily repaired, then in Narvik. Escort duties. Accidentally rammed by Norwegian freighter in Tromsø 12 October, repaired in floating dock Trondheim 22 October, then Kiel from 9 November, completed 15 April 1942. Back Norway 11 June but engine problems, back for repairs. Trondheim 9 July, escorted Köln, laid mines Skagerrak. Narvik on 18 July, escorted Admiral Scheer raid on Kara Sea, minelayer Ulm Cape Zhelaniya mid-August. 13–15 October, laid a minefield off Kanin Peninsula, White Sea. Escorted Admiral Hipper early November.
Operation Regenbogen vs. Convoy JW 51B late December, escorted Admiral Hipper. Separated from Hipper to search for the convoy, found on 31 December. Duelled with HMS Obdurate from 8,000 meters (8,700 yd), turned away, rejoin the convoy, DDs did not pursue, ordered to rejoin Hipper. Sank minesweeper HMS Bramble. Hipper later surprised by Sheffield and Jamaica. DDs attempted to rejoin Hipper, confused Sheffield with her, engaged at 4,000 meter, taken by surprise. Eckoldt duelled but was badly damaged and broke in two, sank with all hands in two minutes, Beitzen escaped.
Read More/Src
Books
Gröner, Erich (1990). German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 1: Major Surface Warships. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-790-9.
Hervieux, Pierre (1980). “German Destroyer Minelaying Operations Off the English Coast (1940–1941)”. In Roberts, John (ed.). Warship. Vol. IV. Greenwich, England: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-979-5.
Koop, Gerhard & Schmolke, Klaus-Peter (2003). German Destroyers of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-307-9.
Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Revised ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
Whitley, M. J. (1991). German Destroyers of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-302-2.
Links
navypedia.org
alchetron.com German-destroyer-Z17 Diether von Roeder
german-navy.de/
erenow.org/ german-destroyers ww2
en.wikipedia.org/
alchetron.com
old-forum.warthunder.com/ german-destroyers
