Type 24 torpedo boat

Germany (Reichsmarine): 1925-28: Wolf, Iltis, Jaguar, Leopard, Luchs, Tiger

The Type 24 torpedo boat (or Raubtier class (‘Carnivorous’) were six destroyers (as built), later torpedo boats for the Reichsmarine. They were an improved version of the Type 1923, with a few differences and larger, but overall identical. They were rearmed later with 533 mm torpedo tubes, and their AA waz reinforced. In the Kriegsmarine they took part in non-intervention patrols in the Spanish Civil War. Tiger was sunk in a collision in August 1939 with Z3, and Leopard on 30 April 1940 with Preussen. The remainder spent their time escorted ships and took part in the Norwegian Campaign, being transferred to France by late 1940 and starting minelaying operations in the English Channel. Luchs was torpedoes in between by July 1940 by HMS Swordfish. Wolf hit a mine off Dover on 8 January 1941. They took part in the channel dash. KMS Iltis off Boulogne sunk by MTBs in May 1942 and KMS Wolf by aviation off Le Havre in June 1944.

Development

The Type 24 torpedo boats were designed as an improvement of the Type 23, and were slightly larger notably to gain extra range. But compared to the preceding ships were were overly similar in all aspects, only being given incremental improvements based on experience. Like the previous ships however they had a lot of weather helm and they were notaed as “almost impossible to hold on course in wind and at low speed”. In 1931 they were rearmed with new 533 mm torpedoes, which made them even more top heavy and unstable, and they were criticized for being equipped with too many torpedoes for their roles as escorts. In practice, a part a single occasion of classis ship-hunting mission in June 1944 against the D-Day fleet by the lone survivor of the class, they were ill-fated as escorts, especially against aviation. When not escorting ships they performed minor minelaying operations.

Design of the class

Hull and general design

The Type 24 or “Raubtier” had an overall length of 92.6 meters (303 ft 10 in) but 89 meters (292 ft) at the waterline. This was noticeably longer than the Type 23, at 87.7 meters oa/85.7 meters wl repectively (287/281 ft). They were also beamier at 8.65 meters (28 ft 5 in) to regain stability versus 8.43 meters or 27 ft 8 inches.
They had a mean draft of 3.52 meters (11 ft 7 in), down to 2.83 meters at light load (9 ft 3 in), which was less than the Type 23. They also displaced 932 long tons (947 t) at standard load, 1,319 long tons (1,340 t) at deep load, more than the 924/1290t of the Type 23.
Their hull was divided the same way however, into 13 watertight compartments and fitted with a double bottom over 96% their length. The crew was the same as well, albeit sources differs between 127 and 129 officers and sailors.

The general outlook was the same, and still based essentially on a mix of WWI hochseetorpedoboote from WWI. They were low on water but with a full forecastle, rounded poop and generally nice proportions. They look dynamic and balanced, quite handsome ships overall, but they were more suited for the calmer seas of the Baltic. In the North Sea, especially in winter, their top speed of 34 knots was done to 20 knots in heavy seas and they struggled as said above to just keep the line. The low freeboard meant also their forward main gun was constantly sprayed with seawater and made unusable.

They kept the same outlook as before, a bit stretched, with a low two-stage bridge, a main forward funnel with two truncated exhausts and an a small aft funnels, two masts of unequal sise, the aft one flanking the aft funnel, and all raked. The funnels were capped. On this slender and short hull, engineers managed to stick the same armament as a destroyer, albeit reduced, artillery wise, with three low caliber (105 mm) main guns (standards is four 120 mm) and lower than standard torpedo tubes of 500 mm based on the WWI standard models still aplenty in stores.
This was recoignised as a limitation and they were swapped for 533 mm standard tubes for G7 models in 1931.
The Anti-aircraft defense was originally an afterthought, with just two 20 mm FLAK guns. The main guns were modernized however from C16 to C28 models.

Powerplant

The Type 24s had two sets of geared steam turbines (various manufacturers), driving each a three-bladed 2.35-meter (7 ft 9 in) propeller. Steam came from three Marine water-tube boilers operating at a pressure of 18.5 kg/cm2 (1,814 kPa; 263 psi). This powerplant as planned to deliver as specified 23,000 metric horsepower (17,000 kW; 23,000 shp) like for the Type 23, for a contracted speed of 34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph). However exact figures differs. Conways give for the Type 23 with their Vulcan Turbines a total output of 24.829 shp for 33.6 knots best trials speed, versus 25,160 shp for the Type 24 and a best trials speed of 34.6 knots.
They differed in powerplants, with Wolf, Leopard having two sets of Brown-Boveri geared steam turbines, Iltis, Tiger having Vulcan geared steam turbines instead, and Jaguar, Luchs Schichau geared steam turbines for comparisons.
They also carried 338 metric tons (333 long tons) of fuel oil for a range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,200 km; 4,500 mi) at 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph), but they were bad steamers and only managed to have an effective range of 1,997 nmi (3,698 km; 2,298 mi). In comparison the type 23 only carried 321 metric tons of oil for an alleged endurance of 3600 nm at 17 knots.

Armament

10.5-cm/52 SK C/28

As built, the Type 1924 A mounted three 52-caliber 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK C/28 guns in the same fashion as the Type 23, one forward and two aft of the superstructure under shields.
Weight and size: 1,450 kg (3,200 lb), 4.725 m (15 ft 6.0 in)
Elevation: -10° to +50°
Shell: 17.4-kg (38 lb) HE Muzzle velocity 710 m/s (2,300 ft/s)
Later the guns were altered to fire SK C/32 ammunitions: 15.1 kilograms (33 lb), muzzle velocity of 785 m/s (2,580 ft/s)
Range: 15,175 meters (16,596 yd) at 44.4°.
100 shells were provisioned per gun.

Some of these guns were altered to use SK C/32 gun ammunitions (15.1 kilograms (33 lb)) increasing muzzle velocity to 785 m/s (2,580 ft/s). The new ammunition allowed to reach 15,175 meters (16,596 yd) at 44.4°.
So in 1932, Leopard and Luchs had their 105mm/52 replaced by 128mm/42 SK C/34 for testings but in 1933 they were replaced back by 105mm/52 SK C/28.
They were test-beds, with the guns bored to 12.7-centimeter (5.0 in) for the SK C/34 t be installed on the Type 1934-class destroyers.
The guns were of course too heavy for them and made them top-heavy.
In 1935-1937, all ships received two 20mm/65 C/30 for AA defence and in 1938-1939, Wolf, Iltis, Tiger saw the replacement of their 105mm/52 by 105/42 SK C/32 using the new ammunitions. The last surviving boat, Jaguar, retained her original guns until her loss in 1944, provided with 100 shells.

2-cm FLAK C/30 (1931)

Two 2-cm (0.8 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns were added after 1931 located in individual posts aft of the bridge.
Weight and size: 450 kg (990 lb), 4.08 m (13 ft 5 in).
Rate of fire: 120 rounds per minute practical, 280 cyclic.
Shell: 0.12-kilogram (0.26 lb) HE, muzzle velocity 875 m/s (2,870 ft/s)
Ceiling 3,700 meters (12,100 ft)
Range 4,800 meters (5,200 yd).
2,000 rounds provisioned per gun.
These C/30 AA guns were added after 1931, so they had nothing before.
In 1939, all saw the addition of two DCT (throwers) for 8-12 depht charges.
In 1940, Wolf and Jaguar saw the removal and replacement of two 20mm/65 C/30 for a quad 20mm/65 C/38.
in 1940, Iltis received two additional 37mm/80 SK C/30.
Wartime additions: Two more 2 cm guns in single mounts, forward of No. 2 gun.
Late 1942: Replaced by a single quadruple 2 cm/65 C/38 mount (Flakvierling).
Later: Three 2 cm guns positioned around the aft funnel, two mounted on the bridge wings, one in front of the bridge, single mounts.
Around 1944: Only the surviving Jaguar gained a FuMB 4 Sumatra radar detector and two FuMO 63 radars.

50 cm TTs

As completed, the Type 1923 and 24 only had three main guns and two triple torpedo tube banks. These were the classic 50 cm (19.7 in) torpedo tubes compatible with WWI models such as the 50 cm (19.7″) 1913 G7 still in large stocks.
Weight: 3,009 lbs. (1,365 kg)
Dimensions: oa 276 in (7,020 m) x 19.7 in (50 cm).
Warhead: 430 lbs. (195 kg) Hexanite
Range/Speed settings: 4,370 yards (4,000 m)/37 knots and 10,170 yards (9,300 m)/27 knots
Power: Decahydronaphthalene (Decalin) Wet-Heater.

Initially they sported six 50 cm (19.7 in) torpedo tubes in two triple mounts aft amidships, and had raild for 30 mines. After 1931 the tubes were replaced by 533-millimeter equivalents for the G7a torpedo. Seeting below:
G7a 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
Warhead: 617 lbs. (280 kg) Hexanite.
Guidance: Federapparattorpedo; 1944 Lagenunabhängiger Torpedo
Warhead: 300-kg (660 lb)
Speed/range settings: 14,000 m (15,000 yd)/30 knots; 8,000 m (8,700 yd)/40 kts; 6,000 m (6,600 yd)/44 knots.

Mines

They could also carry up to 30 mines. These were likely EMC Contact Mines, placed on trolley rails. Spherical mines, 44 inch (1.12 m) in diameter. Charge 661 lbs. (300 kg). 7 Hertz horns. Could be moored in 55, 109, 164 or 273 fathoms (100, 200, 300 or 500 m). First captured by the British in October 1939. more on navweaps

Upgrades (1941-44)

Wartime additions: Two more 2 cm guns in single mounts forward of No. 2 gun. Late 1942, replaced by a single flakvierling (quadruple 2 cm mount). Three 2 cm guns were also repositioned around the aft funnel and two more mounted on the bridge wings, one in front of the bridge in single mounts. Only concerned two ships.

Sensors (KMS Jaguar only, 1944)

FuMB Ant 4 “Sumatra”

FunkMessBeobachtung: Passive Radar detector. Broad-band diagonal antennas. 1943, broadband dipole. It has flat, drop-shaped branches mounted in front of a reflecting area. In order to receive horizontally as well as vertically polarized waves, the dipole is tilted. Its reception angle is +- 50 degrees. To be able to survey the whole area, the antennas of the Sumatra installation are mounted on all four sides of the ship.

FuMO 63

FunkMessOrtung. Active Radar. Could be detected. Small type, Hohentwiel-K.

Assessment

These TBs served at first in what was called the 3rd Torpedo Boat Half Flotilla of the Reichsmarine. But by late 1936, the new Kriegsmarine reorganized its torpedo boats into full flotillas. Leopard and Luchs were in the 2nd Torpedo Boat Flotilla (TBF), Wolf, Iltis, Jaguar and Tiger to the 3rd TBF. Both went to Spain during the Spanish Civil War, escorting major ships since there were still few destroyers for the task. From June 1938, Leopard and Luchs joined the 4th TBF and the others were in refitting or reserve. On 1 July 1938, the 3rd Flotilla was disbanded and renamed the 6th.

Tiger was the first loss, sunk, rammed by a German destroyer in night training. She still wore her peacetime dark grey livery also sported in WWI, and it was decided this was a clear hazard. All ships were soon repainted in standard Kriegsmarine medium sea grey. Night manoeuver procedures were also changes and no such accident repeated in the same way.
Z3 Captain later testified he failed completely to see the nearby Tiger when starting a manoeuver, and was blamed to not have communicated it clearly.

Tiger (TG), Luchs (LU), Jaguar (JA) and Iltis (IT) at anchor, c. 1934

The 4th Flotilla was also disbanded, assets transferred to the 5th and 6th TBs so all four (but Jaguar in refit) Type 24s supported the North Sea mining raid from 3 September 1939. On 13, 18 and 19 November they escorted bacl a minelaying mission of the English coast. Typical also was their Skagerrak inspection of neutral shipping, looking for “contraband goods”, which was repeated from 14 to 16 December.
Iltis was out refitting but Leopard back, and they took part in the invasion of Norway in April 1940, Leopard and Wolf to Bergen, Luchs, to Kristiansand. Jaguar joined her lately. They assisted the crippled Lützow. While back in the Skaggerak on 30 April, Leopard collided with (was rammed by the minelayer Preussen) and sank, leaving four ships in class and the war barely on.

The 6th Flotilla was disbanded in April and all four ended in the 5th Flotilla for escort missions between Norway and Germany. Luchs soon went down attributed either by a mine or submarine on 26 July 1940. The remainder three were sent to the English Channel in October against Allied shipping and were later diverted to minelaying missions. Wolf was sunk on 8 January perhaps by a German mine off Dover, leaving two ships left in class.

Iltis and Jaguar continued minefields missions, escorting ships in the Bay of Biscay (North Atlantic raid) and were refittted in the Netherlands, were back in the Skagerrak (convoy escort duties) then back to France by January 1942 (rconstituted 5th Flotilla) in Channel escort and the “Channel Dash” in February 1942. Then they escorted commerce raiders a mission fatal to Iltis on 13 May 1942, in the hands of British MTBs. Jaguar went on in escorting German blockade runners in the Bay of Biscay, was retransferred to Norwegian waters by early 1943, and back to France midway to escort U-boats, helped laying a minefield in the Channel, March 1944 and in June 1944 sortied against Allied shipping but she ended destroyed by bombs after a RAF air raid on 14/15 June while in port.

So what to conclude about these ships ? While a propaganda coup as the first modern destroyers built in Germany post-WWI, they were mostly a transitional design still influenced by previous Hochseetorpedoboote, and were already criticized for their lack of range (which condemned them to mostly local escort work and not fleet deployments). They were hampered by poor agility, as shown by two collision, and equally unimpressive handling in poor weather. They were certainly not the most suited for escort work either, with a small size preventing increase in armament and a heavy torpedo load that made them sluggish for no gain. They were mostly suvived by the previous Type 23 or Raubvogel class (“birds of prey”) and only Jaguar could have been modernized, but never had the time.

Career of the Raubvogel

Wolf was laid down on 8 March 1927, launched on 12 October 1927 and completed on 15 November 1928, initially assigned to the 3rd Torpedo Boat Half-Flotilla and by late 1936 to the 2nd Torpedo Boat Flotilla. She made several sorties to Spain as part of the non-belligerence patrols in the Spanish Civil War. By June 1938, Tiger was transferred to the 3rd Torpedo Boat Flotilla which became the 6th Flotilla on 1 July. Note that was the same for her sisters so we will not go back to this again.

Wolf supported North Sea mining operations from 3 September 1939 and on 17–19 October with Iltis, Leopard and three destroyers she was in the Skagerrak for “contraband patrols”. On 13, 18 and 19 November, the 6th Flotilla and one or two light cruisers met destroyers returning from minelaying missions off the English coastn and again on 24–25 November. She took part in the Norwegian Campaign with Leopard within Group 3 under Konteradmiral Hubert Schmundt (flag KMS Köln) to seize Bergen. After loading troops in Cuxhaven she escorted the depot ship Carl Peters independently and joined Group 3 on the afternoon of 8 April. She landed her troops at dawn on 9 April. Later she proceeded in the Korsfjorden around midnight when spotted by a Norwegian patrol boat which alerted the defenses. They tried to flash British id light signals when challenged. Leopard took the lead in Byfjorden around 04:00 but was fired upon by Kvarven Fort, Hellen Fort, missing. They reached Bergen harbor at 04:13, landing troops.

It was signalled British ships at sea nearby as well as possible British bombers, so Köln, Leopard and Wolf returned in open seas, streaming their minesweeping gear, curring the cable of two mines which were floated out, while more reports came in. It was decided to head for Maurangerfjord, dropping anchor at 02:00. The plan was to head for Wilhelmshaven the following evening and soon two destroyers, Kondor and Möwe joined in to lay a minefield in the Skaggerak on 29–30 April. Wolf was refitted in Stettin until August 1940 and joined the 5th Torpedo Boat Flotilla, escorting the minelayers Stralsund and Skaggerak from Le Havre to Brest on 28–29 September. She sortied at the Isle of Wight on 8–9 October and on 11–12 October, sinking two Free French submarine chasers, two British trawlers. She arrived at St. Nazaire but on 8 January 1941, after laying mines off Dover with Kondor she struck a mine while back and sank with 45 men.

“Polecat” was laid down on 8 March 1927, launched on 12 October 1927 and completed on 1 October 1928. She supported North Sea mining operations from 3 September 1939, tookpart in “contraband patrols” in the Skagerrak on 17–19 October. On 13, 18 and 19 November she was part of the minelaying mission off the English coast, followed by another contraband patrol on the 25th. However, she accidentally rammed and sank the submarine U-15 on 30 January 1940.
Afer hull repairs in Wesermünde until May she was in exercises until 26 July and sortied from Stavanger with Luchs to escort back Gneisenau to Kiel for repairs, and were underway at 12:45 when a explosion devastated Luchs at 15:49, she broke in half off Jæren, at the time attributed to a submarine. Some sailors were rescued. She passed onto the 5th TB Flotilla and operated with Jaguar, Falke, Greif, Kondor, T2, T3 for the southwestern North Sea minelaying on 14–15 August and then 31 August–2 September, 6–7 September. Iltis and Jaguar alone were off Dover on 29–30 October and 2–3 December 1940.
Iltis, Seeadler and Z4 Richard Beitzen escorted minelayers at the northern entrance to the Channel on 23–24 January 1941 and Iltis and Jaguar laid minefields off Eastbourne on 25–26 February and 5–6 March, then escorted Scharnhorst and Gneisenau into Brest on 22 March after their successful raid.

Iltis was overhauled at Wilton-Fijenoord (Rotterdam) until June 1941 and was transferred to the Skagerrak on convoy escort duties until October. She went France in January 1942 and joined the 5th Flotilla. She escorted Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen on 12 February in the Channel Dash. From 12 March to 2 April she escorted the commerce raider Michel through the Channel and engaged HMS Walpole and Fernie. Next she escorted the commerce raider Stier from 12 to 19 May but on the 13th, they were intecepted by British motor torpedo boats. They managed to hit Iltis, which broke in two and went down with 115 crewmen.

Jaguard was laid down on 4 May 1927, launched on 15 March 1928 and completed on 15 August 1929. She was in the 3rd TB Half-Flotilla and by 1936 3rd TBF, paatrolling the coasts of Spain in the Civil War. In wartime she took part in Skaggerak anti-contraband patrols and was in refit at Wesermünde until March 1940. She was deployed in the Norwegian Campaign with Falke, notably assisting the crippled heavy cruiser Lützow and arrived at Kristiansand on 11 April. On 4–5 June Falke and Jaguar were based in Kiel for ASW patorls to Skaggerak and sorties against Allied convoys evacuating Norway (Gneisenau, Scharnhorst, Hipper sortie). From 21–23 June she escorted back Scharnhorst from Norway. In the 5th TBF with Kondor, Falke, T2, T7, T8 she escorted minelayers to the southwestern North Sea (7–8 August, 14–15 August, 31 August–2 September, 6–7 September). She took part in the sortie at the Isle of Wight (8–9 October) and laid minefields off Dover on 29–30 October and 2–3 December.
Jaguar and Iltis laid a minefield off Eastbourne on 25–26 February and 5–6 March, escorted Scharnhorst and Gneisenau into Brest on 22 March and was in refit in Rotterdam until May. She was in escort duties in the Skagerrak until October 1941 and joine dthe 5th Flotilla in France in February 1942. She took part in the Channel Dash and from 12 March to 2 April, escorted KMS Michel and by September and October, several blockade runners in the Bay of Biscay to Japan.
On 11 March 1943 with Greif she escorted Tirpitz and Scharnhorst from Trondheim to Bogen Bay and same to Altafjord with Lützow and Nürnber on 22-24 March. Jaguar, Greif, Z4 screened Nürnberg from Harstad to Trondheim and Kiel between 27 April and 3 May. On 3–7 May with Greif and Möwe she escorted minelayers in the North Sea and was back to the Bay of Biscay to escort U-boats until early August 1943.
The 4th & 5th TBF Jaguar, Möwe, Greif, Kondor, T27, T29 laid mines off Le Havre and Fécamp on 21-22 March 1944. They were transferred from Cherbourg to Le Havre on 23/24 May. Jaguar, Greif, Falke, Kondor, Möwe were attacked underway by Allied aircraft. From D-Day on 6 June, the 5th Flotilla (Jaguar, Falke, Möwe, T28) made several sorties from Le Havre and were unsuccessful, claiming HNoMS Svenner on 6 June. RAF Bombers caught them in harbour on 14/15 June and destroyed Jaguar and Falke.

Leopard was laid down on 4 May 1927, launched on 15 March 1928 and completed on 1 June 1929. She was in the 2nd TBF, patrolled during the Spanish Civil War and in 1938, was in the 4th TBF. Her unit was disbanded in 1939 and she joined the 6th TBF for the North Sea mining operations and then contraband patrols. In the Norwegian Campaignw with Wolf she was in Group 3 (Konteradmiral Hubert Schmundt) see above with Wolf for details. In the lead, she dodged Kvarven Fort and Hellen Fort shells, and landed her troops in Bergen. One morning, Lezopard crew’s were astonished to see an antiquated Norwegian Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk M.F.11 floatplane landing close to them, until realizing his mistake and taking off without a shot being fired… When proceeding to Wilhelmshaven and escorting a group of minelayers from the Skaggerak on 30 April, Leopard was accidentally rammed by night, by the minelayer Preussen. Here, her bacd handling showed up. Her hull was holed and she sank rapidly with almost all hands.

“Lynx” was laid down on 2 April 1927, launched on 15 March 1928 and completed on 15 April 1929 and in 1936 she was in the 2nd TBF for patrols off Spain and from 1938, the 4th TBF, then 6th in 1939. She supported the North Sea mining operations. Later in retaliation for boarding and seizure of KMS Graf Spee’s supplier Altmark (in Norwegian waters, causing an international Incident on 16 February), the Kriegsmarine organized Operation Nordmark hunting down Allied merchantmen in the North Sea up to the Shetlands and the 2nd DF escorted by Luchs and Seeadler accompanied Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Admiral Hipper on 18 February. In Norway from April 1940, she was in Group 4 under Ksz Friedrich Rieve (Karlsruhe) bound to Kristiansand arriving on the 9th in heavy fog but were spotted and were fired upon by Odderøya Fortress at 05:32. Luchs and Seeadler returned fire. She was loaded with troops and was ordered to turn away under smoke screen at 05:45. The fortress was pounded by Heinkel He 111s from Kampfgeschwader 4 and it was believed the fortress waa destroyed after a spectacular explosion. Rieve ordered all ships back at 05:55, but the Norwegian defenses hold on and scored hits. Rieve withdrew again and later at 06:50 ordered Luchs and Seeadler to steam through the narrows, hampered by fog. They withdrew again, more air support called for until they were spoted by a British reconnaissance aircraft. Another attempt at 09:00 was foiled and troops instead were loaded on small E-boats before a last attempt was made to storm the harbor although signal confusion caused the Norwegians to hold fire. The Germans landed without resistance at 10:45. At 18:58 while back, HMS Truant hit the cruiser (dead in the water) while the two TBs hunted down the sub but Truant escaped. She later assisted Lützow, also crippled by a British submarine off the Danish coast (11 April).
On 26 July Luchs and Iltis sortied from Stavanger to escort back Gneisenau but while udnerway at 12:45 and an explosion rocked Luchs at 15:49 and she broke in half off Jæren, sank with 102 men. Lookouts from Gneisenau reported torpedo tracks and this was atributed postwar to HMS Thames.

Tiger was laid down on 2 April 1927, launched on 15 March 1928 and completed on 15 January 1929. She was in the 3rd TB Half-Flotilla and by 1936, 2nd TBF, taking part in the Spanish Civil War patrols, and by June 1938, 3rd TBF, then 6th Flotilla on 1 July 1939. She was training with other torpedo boats and destroyers in the Baltic Sea when at 02:34 on 27 August, Z3 Max Schultz accidentally rammed Tiger (it was night and in bad weather, and the TB still sported her peacetime dark greay livery). Her hull cut through like butter and broke her keel. She sank at 03:13 (2 dead, six wounded, survivors rescued by the destroyer). Z3 had no casulaties but her bow was mushed and needed repairs. She was the only one in her class to sink in peacetime. Soon after it was decided to paint all ships in standard medium grey.

Read More/Src

Books

Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press (NIP).
Friedman, Norman (2011). Naval Weapons of World War One: Guns, Torpedoes, Mines and ASW Weapons of All Nations.
Gröner, Erich (1990). German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 1: Major Surface Warships. NIP
Haarr, Geirr H. (2010). The Battle for Norway – April–June 1940. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing.
Haarr, Geirr H. (2013). The Gathering Storm: The Naval War in Northern Europe September 1939 – April 1940. NIP
Haarr, Geirr H. (2009). The German Invasion of Norway, April 1940. NIP
Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Revised ed.). NIP
Sieche, Erwin (1980). “Germany”. In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1922–1946.
Whitley, M. J. (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Cassell & Co.
Whitley, M. J. (1991). German Destroyers of World War Two. NIP

Links

on german-navy.de/
on navypedia.org/
on en.wikipedia.org/
navweaps.com/ radars light kriegsmarine ships, TBs, DDs
more photos on commons.wikimedia.org

Model Kits

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metal wargaming raubtier figurine see also