During their intensive trials the Tour Type 1934 destroyers manifested so many weaknesses—especially basic design weaknesses—that their relegation from Fleet to training duties was seriously discussed from an early stage, although the debate was abandoned on the outbreak of war. The naval reconstruction plan taking effect in 1939 foresaw Z I Leberecht Maass being replaced by Z 29 as Führer der Torpedoboote (FdT) flagship on 1 April 1941. The creation of the post of Führer der Zersiörer (FdZ) restored Z 1 to her flag role, although she was now listed for attachment to the torpedo school as a training ship from 1 October 1941. Z 2 Georg Thiele and Z 3 Max Schultz were to be removed from Fleet duty between 1 July and 1 November 1941 for the torpedo-school training role, and Z 4 Richard Beitzen would be attached to the Flugzeugträgergeschwader(Aircraft Carrier Squadron) from 1 August 1942. These three vessels would be replaced in front line service by Z. 37–39.
Although there is a certain uniformity in the outward appearance among the destroyer types, there were many differences, large and small, visible in peacetime and emphasised as the war progressed. They are so numerous as to defy comprehensive description, and only the most important differences, modifications. conversions and peculiarities are listed here.
Types 1934/1934A
Sea trials showed that because of excessive topweight the freeboard was inadequate. For this reason (the general stability was borderline and poor longitudinally. while the decks shipped a lot of water. In the course of scheduled refits after the destroyers entered commission, the decks and inner bottom were strengthened and the anti-roll equipment was unshipped and replaced by stabiliser keels. From 1935–36 a wooden wedge was Fitted at the stern abaft the rudder, although this was removed between 1940 and 1942. In l938–39a bow protection device with an extensible pole was installed, and at the same lime the foreship was lengthened by about a metre and raised by 50cm. On Z 7 and subsequent vessels the Totholz (deadwood) added to the lateral plan below the waterline was increased in order to improve the turning circle.
On Z 1–4 the hull form forward below the waterline had a quadrant profile either side and from 1938 a spray deflector was added to the ships’ sides between the anchor cluse and No 1 gun. The thickness of the deflector added to Z 2 in 1937–38 was broader than in the other three units. The first half-rounded bridges were made square during conversion work (this applied also to Z 5–7).
Z 5–16 had a more angular form below the waterline and the frames forward had a more pronounced outward flare. Two large-diameter steam pipes were fitted to the forward surface of the after funnel and Z 5–8 and 9–13 received a thinner steam pipe to the rear of the fore-funnel. Z 14–16 had two thick, and between them four thin, steam pipes on the forward surface of the after funnel.
Between 1939 and 1941 the deslroyerts of this type had a degaussing coil installed above the waterline. From 1940 the searchlight platform on the mainmast was removed, although the bracing struts for the mast remained. In 1941–42 a 2cm quadruple mounting was installed on the after deckhouse.
On Z 4–6, Z 10 and Z 14–15 the cowl of the fore-funnel was reduced in height by between 1.2 and 0.7m and the after funnel cowl by 0.7. From 1944, to enable the huge FuMO radar antenna rotate, the lower section of the foremast aboard Z 5, Z 10 and Z 15 was removed and replaced by a ‘goalpost’, what remained of the foremast mast being filled to the ‘crossbar’.
During the course of the war. Z 5 and Z 15 received an ‘Atlantic’ bow with anchor cluses, and No 3 12.7cm gun was landed in favour of a new platform for the 3.7cm AA mounting. The mainmast was brought forward and given two bracing struts. In 1944 radar ranging equipment was installed abaft the after runnel, replacing the searchlights there on Z 5, Z6 and Z 10.
Type 1936
Six large-diameter and one or two small-diameter steam pipes were filled lo the surface of the forefunnel of Z 17–22. A slightly modified arrangement of the propellers improved the ships’ turning circle. The problem of topweight that afflicted the earlier destroyers was also apparent in the Type 1936.
In 1939 a forward-projecting adjustable pole was fitted at the forefoot for the bow protection gear. Except in 2 20 Karl Galster, which returned it for experimental purposes, the anti-roll equipment was abandoned and replaced by stabiliser keels. Z 20-22 were refitted with an ‘Atlantic’ bow, and in 1942 bracing struts were added to the foremast aboard Z 20 and FuMO radar was installed on top of the bridge and abaft the after funnel. A degaussing coil was added below the level of the main deck and the forecastle deck.
Types 1936A, 1936A (Mob) and 1936B (Mob)
The titling of the 15cm twin turret (adding about 65 tonnes topside) resulted in the Type 1936A destroyers being poor sea boats and subject to speed restrictions in heavy seas, and as a result of complaints by commanders, the Type 1936B (Mob) reverted to the original 12.7cm armament. Two rudders in the propeller stream gave better turning qualities, wooden add-ons below the waterline assisting in course-keeping. A different arrangement of bunkers and tanks provided better stability, and (he restrictions on fuel consumption (from the point of view of stability) were lifted, despite the remaining problem of the twin turret. On the other hand the redesign of the frames forward brought no benefit. The pole at the foot of the stem was removed from Z 25 and Z 28 as the war progressed, and Z 25 received a modified, more rounded stem.
Z 25. Z 28–30. Z 33–36 and Z 43 were fitted with FuMO radar, and a second FuMO set was installed aboard Z 25, Z 28–30 and Z 33–34 in place of the searchlight abaft the after funnel. Differing tripod masts and funnel caps were evident among the type. Z 25 and Z 28 had temporarily, Z 39 permanently and Z 38 finally a second degaussing coil along the forecastle forward. although on Z 39 this encircled the ship, covered at the level of the main deck by the spray deflector. Until 1943 Z 30 had flying bridges above her torpedo tubes. On Z 28 the mainmast was originally at the aft end of the enlarged deckhouse erected for the FdZ staff.
Some destroyers had distinguishing emblems: on the bridge face Z 30 displayed a four-leafed clover and Z 38 a black panther in flight with a rolled umbrella beneath its armpit. Z 39 carried the Greek royal coat of arms on the side of the 15cm twin turret, while on the side of the Z 43’s bridge was a springing jaguar.
Weapons
All the destroyers were filled with eight 53.3cm torpedo tubes in two quadruple sets, to port and starboard of the after funnel. Up to sixiy mines were carried—the Type 1936B (Mob) carried only 32–36 mines—along with paravane-type minesweeping gear for the ship’s own protection. All units had depth charges and throwers.
In November 1944 it was decided to upgrade the ships’ anti-aircraft battery in a gradual programme, by, for example, filting two additional 3.7cm twins at the level of No 2 gun forward of the bridge, two more twins replacing the singles amidships and three further twins replacing No 3 gun; 3.7cm-calibre guns would supplant the 2cm singles aboard destroyers fitted with a 15cm main armament, and additional light AA mountings would be positioned on the bridge.
As the borders of the Reich became increasingly compressed, the programme could only be partially completed. Only a few destroyers were re-armed fully in accordance with the plan, and the additions are described below, though others acquired extra mountings during dockyard refits and fitted them according to the ‘Barbara’ instructions.
Z 5 Paul Jacobi (far left), with Z 29, Z 8 Bruno Heinemann and Z 4 Richard Beitzen , at Hoplaelven ncar Trondheim, 17 January 1942. All four have radar.