Types 1934, 1934A
Five SK 12.7cm L/45 in single gunhouses, two forward three aft.* No 3 gun aboard Z 5 Paul Jacobi, Z 10 Hans Lody and Z 15 Erich Steinbrinck was unshipped in favour of additional anti-aircraft guns in 1944. As her main armament for a few months after commissioning in 1938, Z 8 Bruno Heinemann carried four ‘U to f’ quickfiring 15cm on a U-boat/T-boat gun mount. The AA battery consisted of four 3.7cm and six (increased in 1942 to eight) 2cm. Under the ‘Barbara’ programme Z 5 Paul Jacobi was equipped with six more 3.7cm in three twin mountings located two abaft No 2 gun, two abaft the after funnel and two replacing No 3 gun. Nine extra 2cm barrels were added, two twins on the forecastle deck either side of the bridge platform together with a 2cm quadruple and a single on the deckhouse roof. Z 10 Hans Lody had additional 3.7cms as for Paul Jacobi. but two 2cm twins probably replaced two singles as well. Z 15 Erich Steinbrinck was given additional 3, 7cms as for Paul Jacobi. plus an extra twin on a platform enlarged for a quadruple; two 2cm singles were positioned on the forecastle deck either side of the bridge and a 2cm quadruple was placed on the deckhouse aft. Z 6 Theodor Riedel ended her war career with fourteen and Z 14 Friedrich Ihn with eighteen 2cm AA.
Type 1936
Five SK 12.7em L/45 in single gunhouses; four 3.7em; and six (later nine) 2cm. Z 20 Karl Galster was the only survivor of the type after Narvik. The outline sketch (q.v.) of the vessel shows a quadruple AA mounting on the after deckhouse, and additional AA weapons grouped around the after funnel and bridge.
Type 1936A
Upon commissioning each destroyer had four TK 15cm L/48 guns in single gunhouses. one forward and three aft. but from 1942–43 the forward gunhouse aboard Z 23–25 was unshipped and replaced by one TK 15cm twin turret, increasing the number of 15cm barrels to five. Z 29 was similarly converted under the 1944 ‘Barbara’ rearmament programme. The AA battery comprised originally four, later five and from 1942–43 twelve 3.7cm; and six or seven, and from 1942–43 up to sixteen 2cm. Z 28 and Z 30 had ten of each calibre, while Z 30 later had seven 3.7cm and fourteen 2cm. ‘Barbara’ additions for Z 25 were two 3.7cm flak twins on the deckhouse roof abaft the turret forward and four 3.7cm singles, two either side of the after funnel and two on the superstructure abreast No 3 gun; sixteen 2cm barrels were also added, two flak twins on both sides of the 3.7cm mounting forward and both sides of the bridge, plus two quadruples on an enlarged platform replacing No 3 gun. Z 29 received twenty additional 2cm. nine more 3.7cm and two 5.5cm experimental guns. Two 3.7cm singles were placed either side of No 3 gun and a 2cm quadruple and a 3.7-cm single were installed on an enlarged platform close to No 3 gun. Two 3.7cm twins replaced the 2cm guns either side of the after funnel, and the 2cm battery was augmented further by two quadruples in front of the bridge structure and three twins, one each on the main deck aft, on the forecastle deck and either side of the bridge. There were probably two 5.5cm prototypes at the midships 3.7cm position.
Type 1936A (Mob)
The standard fit was one TK 15cm twin turret forward and three TK 15cm L/48 in single gunhouses aft, although Z 31 initially had four TK 15cm L/48 in four single gunhouses, one forward three aft. The AA battery consisted of four 3.7cm and ten 2cm. In the ‘Barbara’ programme Z 39 received fourteen additional 3.7cm guns, two twins forward of the bridge, one twin either side of, and two singles on. a platform abaft the after funnel and two more twins alongside the former of No 3 gun position. Two 2cm twins were located either side of the bridge and two quadruples and two singles on the extended deckhouse near No 3 gun position, making fourteen 2cm barrels in all. Z 33 received no ‘Barbara’ allotment and made do in 1945 with antiaircraft weapons from the wreck of the heavy cruiser Lützow (ex Deutschland), No 3 gun being unshipped and mounted on Z 34. Her 3.7cm suite at the end of the war was ten, two twin mountings before the bridge, two more on a platform amidships and one on the No 3 gun position. One quadruple, two twins and four singles made up the 2-cm battery. Z 34 carried one, and possibly two more, 4cm Bofors guns and two RaG 8.6cm rocket launchers in addition to six 3.7cm and eighteen 2cm. Z 38 had latterly six 3.7cm and sixteen 2cm. Z 31 ultimately had fourteen 3.7cm and twelve 2cm; her 15cm twin turret forward was destroyed by enemy action in January 1945 and replaced by an SK 10.5cm L/45 in a single gunhouse.
Type 1936B (Mob)
The gun armament comprised five SK 12.7cm L/45 in single gunhouses, four 3.7cm and fourteen to sixteen 2cm.
WEAPONS AS PERCENTAGES OF FULL LOAD DISPLACEMENT (after Witte)
Data
15cm TK C/J6 on C/36 single Lafette mounting
Manufacturer; |
Rheinmetall/Borsig |
|
Gun: |
Calibre |
149.1mm |
Muzzle velocity |
835ms |
|
Barrel length |
L/48 (7.165mm) |
|
Bore length |
L/45.7 (6.815mm) |
|
Designed gas pressure |
3.000kg/m2 |
|
Barrel life |
1,000 rounds |
|
Recoil force at 0° elevation |
58,000kg |
|
Length of grooving |
5.587mm |
|
Type of grooving |
Cubic parabola. 45/30cal |
|
No of grooves |
44 |
|
Weight of gun plus breech |
8,564kg |
|
Maximum range |
21.950m |
|
Ammunition: |
Weight of projectile |
45.3kg |
Weight of powder |
6kg |
|
With nose fuse |
3.89kg |
|
Type of powder |
Fp()2 |
|
Length of projectile |
700kg |
|
With nose fuse |
678.9mm |
|
Weight of cartridge |
23.5kg |
|
With nose fuse |
24kg |
|
Length of cartridge |
865 mm |
|
Fuse type |
Time S/30, impact C/27 |
|
Mounting: |
Elevation/depression |
+30°/–10° |
Training |
±360° = 720° |
|
Manual elevation. 1 turn handwheel |
1° 52′ |
|
Manual training, 1 turn handwheel |
3° |
|
Weight of cradle |
1.730kg (from 1942;earlier 1,500kg) |
|
Weight of gun bed |
2,400kg |
|
Weight of pedestal |
3,885kg |
|
Weight of sights |
650kg |
|
Weight of electric drive |
450kg |
|
Weight of shield |
3,185kg |
|
Total weight |
16,100kg |
|
Armour: |
Front |
10mm |
Sides |
6mm |
|
Roof |
6mm |
Variations for C/38 twin mounting (turntable mounting. 15cm turret:
Barrel elevation |
+65°/–10° |
|
Manual elevation, 1 turn handwheel |
1° 30′ |
|
Manual training, 1 turn handwheel |
4° 30′ or 3° 45′ |
|
Weight of cradle |
4,300kg |
|
Weight of pedestal |
22,250kg |
|
Weight of sights |
650kg |
|
Weight of electric drive |
2,400kg |
|
Weight of shield |
13,750kg |
|
Total weight |
60.400kg |
|
Armour: |
Front |
30mm |
Sides |
20mm |
|
Roof |
20mm |
|
Rear |
5mm |
12.7cm C/34 on C/34 centre pivot mounting
Manufacturer: |
Rheinmetall |
|
Gun: |
Calibre |
128mm |
Muzzle velocity |
830ms |
|
Barrel length |
L/45 (5760mm) |
|
Bore length |
L/42.5 (5,430mm) |
|
Barre! life |
1,650 rounds |
|
Recoil force at 0° elevation |
38,000kg |
|
Length of grooving |
4.536mm |
|
Type of grooving |
Cubic parabola, 35/30cal |
|
No of grooves |
40 |
|
Weight of gun plus breech |
3.645kg |
|
Maximum range |
17,400m |
|
Ammunition: |
Weight of projectile |
28kg |
Weight of powder |
8.5kg |
|
Type of powder |
Fp 02 |
|
Length of projectile |
564.7mm |
|
Weight of cartridge |
16kg |
|
Length of cartridge |
732mm |
|
Propellant |
RPC/32 |
|
Fuse(nose) |
C/27 |
|
Fuse (nose + time) |
S/60 |
|
Mounting: |
Elevation/depression |
+ 30°/–10° |
Training |
±360° = 720° |
|
Manual elevation. 1 turn handwheel |
2.95° |
|
Manual training, 1 turn handwheel |
3.08° |
|
Weight of cradle |
1,320kg |
|
Weight of gun hed |
2.605 kg |
|
Weight of sights |
530kg |
|
Weight of electric drive |
260kg |
|
Weight of shield |
1.870kg |
|
Total weight |
10,220kg |
|
Armour: |
Front |
8mm |
Sides |
8mm |
|
Roof |
8mm |
10.5cm SK C/732 on C/32 centre pivotal mounting
Manufacturer: |
Rheinmetall/Borsig |
|
Gun: |
Calibre |
105mm |
Muzzle velocity |
780ms |
|
Barrel length |
L/45 (4,740mm) |
|
Bore length |
L/42 (4,400mm) |
|
Designed gas pressure |
2,850kg/cm2 |
|
Barrel life |
4,100 rounds |
|
Recoil force at 0° elevation |
22,600kg |
|
Weight of gun plus breech |
1,765kg |
|
Maximum range |
15,175m |
|
Ammunition: |
Weight of projectile |
15.1kg |
Weight of powder |
3.8kg |
|
Length of projectile |
459mm |
|
Weight of cartridge |
24kg |
|
Length of cartridge |
1.050mm |
|
Mounting: |
Barrel elevation |
+70°/–10° |
Manual elevation. 1 turn handwheel |
3° |
|
Manual training. 1 turn handwheel |
3° |
|
Weight of cradle |
655kg |
|
Weight of gun bed |
2,100kg |
|
Weight of sights |
350kg |
|
Weight of electric drive |
21 Okg |
|
Weight of shield |
1,670kg |
|
Total weight |
6,750kg |
|
Armour: |
Front |
12mm |
Sides |
4 mm |
|
Roof |
4mm |
3.7cm SK C/30 on C/30 twin mounting
Gun: |
Calibre |
37mm |
Muzzle velocity |
1,000ms |
|
Muzzle energy |
38 megatonnes |
|
Barrel length |
L/83 (3,074mm) |
|
Bore length |
L/80(2,960mm) |
|
Designed gas pressure |
3,450kg/cm: |
|
Barrel life |
7,500 rounds |
|
Recoil force at 0° elevation |
1,000kg |
|
Length of grooving |
2,554mm |
|
Type of grooving |
Cubic parabola, 50/35cal |
|
No of grooves |
16 |
|
Weight of gun plus breech |
243kg |
|
Maximum range: |
||
Horizontal |
8,500m |
|
Vertical |
6,800m |
|
Tracer |
4,800m |
|
Ammunition: |
Weight of projectile |
0.742kg |
Weight of powder |
0.365kg |
|
Type of powder |
Fp02 |
|
Length of projectile |
IA2mm |
|
Weight of cartridge |
0.97kg |
|
Length of cartridge |
381mm |
|
Propellant |
RPC/32 |
|
Fuse |
C/30 (C/34 for tracer C/34) |
|
Tracer burn time |
12sec |
|
Rate of fire: |
||
Theoretical |
160rds/min |
|
En practice |
80rds/min |
|
Mounting: |
Barrel elevation |
+85°/–10° |
Training |
±360° = 720° |
|
Manual elevation. 1 turn handwheel |
3° |
|
Manual [raining. 1 turn handwheel |
4° |
|
Weigh! of cradle |
152.5 kg |
|
Weight of moving mass |
243kg |
|
Weight of gun bed |
2.162kg |
|
Weight of base |
71kg |
|
Weight of sights |
87kg |
|
Weight of electric drive |
630kg |
|
Total weight |
3.670kg |
3.7cm M/42 on LM/42 mounting
Manufacturer: Rheinmetall/Borsig
Gun |
Calibre |
37mm |
Muzzle velocity (HE shell) |
850ms |
|
Muzzle energy |
24.4 megatonnes |
|
Barrel length |
L/69 (2,568mm) |
|
Barrel life |
7,000 rounds |
|
Recoil force at 0° elevation |
1,240kg |
|
Length of grooving |
2,289mm |
|
Type of grooving |
Constant radius, 7° = 25.6cal |
|
No of grooves |
16 |
|
Weight of gun plus breech |
109kg |
|
Ammunition: |
Weight of projectile (HE shell) |
0.61 kg |
Weight of cartridge |
0.51kg |
|
Total weight |
1.3kg |
|
Fuse type |
Nose fuse 40 |
|
Fuse ignition |
Double fuse case |
|
Magazine contents |
8 rounds |
3.7cm 43/M
Gun: |
Calibre |
37mm |
Muzzle velocity: |
||
HE shell |
870ms |
|
AP shell |
770ms |
|
AP 40 shell |
1.150ms |
|
Muzzle energy |
21.8 megatonnes |
|
Barrel length |
L/57 (2.109mm) |
|
Designed gas pressure |
2,900kg/cnr |
|
Barrel life |
8000 rounds |
|
Recoil force at 0° elevation |
1,500kg |
|
Length of grooving |
1,838 mm |
|
Type of grooving |
Kupa 3°/5° |
|
No of grooves |
20 |
|
Weight of gun plus breech |
127kg |
|
Maximum range: |
||
Horizontal |
6,400m |
|
Vertical |
4,800m |
|
Ammunition: |
Weight of projectile: |
|
HE shell |
0.625kg |
|
AP shell |
0.685kg |
|
Total weight |
L5kg |
|
Total length |
368mm |
|
Detonator |
Nose fuse |
|
Fuse type |
Double fuse case |
|
Magazine contents |
8 rounds |
|
Mounting: |
Barrel elevation |
+90°/–10° |
Train |
360° |
|
Weight |
c. 1,900kg |
2cm C/30 on sinele-mounted C/30
Manufacturer: |
Rhcinmetall |
|
Gun: |
Calibre |
20mm |
Muzzle velocity |
835ms |
|
Barrel length |
L/65 (1,300mm) |
|
Bore length |
L/65( 1,300mm) |
|
Designed gas pressure |
2,800kg/cm2 |
|
Barrel life |
22.000 rounds |
|
Recoil force at 0° elevation |
250kg |
|
Length of grooving |
720mm |
|
Weight of gun plus breech |
64kg |
|
Maximum range: |
||
Horizontal |
4,900m |
|
Vertical |
3,700m |
|
Ammunition |
Weight of projectile |
0.134kg |
Weight of powder |
0.0395kg |
|
Length of projectile |
78.5 mm |
|
Rate of fire: |
||
Theoretical |
280rds/min |
|
In practice |
I20rds/min |
|
Mounting: |
Barrel elevation |
+85°/–11° |
Weight of moving parts |
43kg |
|
Weight of mounting |
||
less sights |
282kg |
|
Total weight |
420kg |
2cm C/38 on C/30 mounting
Gun: |
Details as for 2cm C/30 except: |
|
Recoil force at 0° elevation |
290kg |
|
Weight of gun plus breech |
420kg |
|
Ammunition: |
Details as for 2cm C/30 except: |
|
Rate of fire |
||
Theoretical |
480rds/min |
|
In practice |
220rds/min |
2cm Flak 35 on C/38 quadruple mounting
Manufacturer: |
Mauser/Rhetnmetall |
|
Gun: |
4×2cm C/38 |
|
Ammunition: |
Details as for 2cm C/38 except: |
|
Rate of fire |
||
Theoretical |
1,800rds/min |
|
In practice |
880rds/min |
|
Mounting: |
Weight of moving parts 410kg |
|
Weight of mounting less sights |
828kg |
|
Weight of sights |
96.6kg |
|
Weight of electric drive |
500kg |
|
Total weight |
2.150kg |
4cm Flak 28 (Bofors) L/60
This weapon was originally a 1924 Krupp development. The Reichswehr was not interested, and the gun was apparently sold to Sweden.
5.5cm Flak/Gerät 58
This fully automatic, air-cooled gun was a gas-pressure loader and was manufactured in land and naval versions. It was intended for the Type 1942C destroyers; some prototypes were completed, and according to unconfirmed reports one or another of them were tested aboard Z 29. Further details are not known.
The early sketches of the Gerät 58 (5.5cm Flak) released by the Marinewaffenamt (Naval Ordnance Office) on 9 October 1944.
The gun was triaxially or even quadriaxially stabilised, and it had the same twin mounting as that used by the Army. The magazine held five rounds and the rate of fire was between 120 and 150 rounds per minute. Single-round firing was also possible. The following data are theoretical.
Gun: |
Calibre |
55 mm |
Weight of gun |
650kg |
|
Weight of barrel |
350kg |
|
Length overall |
6,000mm |
|
Length of barrel |
4,220mm |
|
Length of grooving |
3,750mm |
|
No of grooves |
20 (depth 0.75mm. breadth 4.34mm) |
|
Spin |
Increasing towards muzzle |
|
Weight of projectile |
2kg |
|
Weight of charge |
1.1kg |
|
Length of projectile |
665 mm |
|
Muzzle velocity |
1.020ms |
|
Explosive content |
25% |
|
Total weight of salvo (full magazine) |
5.3kg |
|
Flight times: |
||
Range 1,000m |
1. Isec |
|
Range 2,000m |
2.5sec |
|
Range 3,000m |
4.34sec |
|
Range 4,000m |
6.75sec |
Torpedoes
The standard torpedo was the G7a.
Calibre |
533mm |
|
Drive |
Compressed air |
|
Warhead |
||
Range: |
||
At 30 knots |
15,000m |
|
At 40 knots |
5,000m |
|
At 45 knots |
4,500m |
Mines
The standard mines were the EMC (contact) and EMF (magnetic) types.
Depth Charges
Two types were normally carried—WBF (Wasserbombe F) and WBG.
8.6cm Rocket Launcher (Abschußgerät M42/43)
Launcher: |
Calibre |
86mm |
Length of launcher |
C. 1270mm |
|
Weight of launcher |
C. 27kg |
|
Weight of mounting |
C. 36kg |
|
Train |
360° |
|
Maximum elevation |
90° |
|
Ammunition: |
8.6cm rocket casing (HE) |
|
Weight |
c. 8.4kg |
|
Length |
417mm |
|
Propellant |
Black powder |
|
Range |
400, 600 or 800m |
|
Warhead |
Corresponding toan 8.8cm shell |
Guidance equipment (parachute-/wire-steered) R.Dg.400/R.Dg.1000:
Weight |
5kg(R.Dg.400) |
|
5.3kg(R.Dg.1000) |
||
Length |
392mm (R.Dg.400) |
|
426mm (R.Dg.1000) |
||
Propellant |
Black powder |
|
Range |
400 or 1,000m |
|
Deployment altitude |
300–400)m (R.Dg. 400) |
|
800–1,000m(R.Dg.1000) |
||
Flare: |
Weight |
4.3kg |
Length |
392mm |
|
Propellant |
Black powder |
|
Range: |
||
Horizontal |
1,000m |
|
Vertical |
350m at 40° elevation |
|
Burn period |
30sec |
Fire Control and Sensors
The standard fire direction instrument for the 15cm and 12.7cm main armament was a 4m rangefinder located one on the bridge superstructure and another on the after deckhouse. A 1.25m range finder served the 3.7cm anti-aircraft guns and a portable 70cm unit was used for the 2cm AA. Rangefinding radar (FuMO) was used in combination with gunlaying optics for running calculations of aircraft altitude and bearing. The fire control units functioned independently. They were electrically driven and triaxially stabilised against ship movement.
In 1942 the Hazemeyer/Hengelo company offered the OKM a quadraxial stabilised chassis for the 5.5cm AA gun. The system was designed for multi-purpose batteries aboard battleships, cruisers and destroyers; for various reasons, in automatic AA weapons the quadraxial-based gun is the most advantageous, the fourth axis being the vertical. The project was forced through in combination with SAM and Rheinmetall, but although a few prototypes were tested it came to nothing as a result of the winding-down of research projects towards the end of the war.
Locating Devices
Destroyers were equipped with S-Anlagen (hydrophone systems), the 36 receiver microphones being arrayed on either side of the foreship below the waterline.
Radar
The individual radar sets, installations and aerials were of the standard Kriegsmarine type, but there were variations between destroyers. The external location of radar ‘mattresses’ was as follows:
Z 4 Richard Beitzen: After mid-1941: FuMO 24/25 and FuMO 63 Hohentwiel
Z 5 Paul Jacobi: In 1941 a non-rotatable FuMO 21 aerial. 4m × 2m. on bridge. In 1944 this was replaced by FuMO 24/25 to allow rotation-the foremast being remodelled into a ‘goalpost’-type mast—and FuMO 63 Hohentwiel replaced the searchlight on the after funnel. FuMB Metox was also installed.
Z 6 Theodor Riedel: A FuMO 21 non-rotatable aerial on the bridge was later replaced by FuMO 24/25. From 1944 a FuMO 63 íreplaced the searchlight on the after funnel and FuMB Metox was installed
Z 10 Hans Lody: In 1944 the foremast was rebuilt as a ‘goalpost’ for a 6m × 2m rotatable FuMO 24/25 aerial. FuMO 63 Hohentwiel replaced the searchlight on the after funnel and FuMB Metox was installed.
Z 14 Friedrich Ihm: After April 1941 the ship was fitted with FuMO 24/25 and FuMO 63 Hohentwiel. FuMB Metox was also added.
Z 15 Erich Steinbrinck: In 1944 the foremast was converted to a ‘goalpost’ for a rotatable FuMO 24/25. and FuMO 63 Hohentwiel was fitted.
Z 20 Karl Galster: In 1942 the ship received a FuMO 24/25 on the bridge, two FuMO 63 Hohentwiel—one aerial replacing the searchlight abaft the after funnel—and FuMB Metox.
Z 24; FuMO-21 and FuMB Metox installed.
Z 25: In 1944–45 a FuMO 63 Hohentwiel replaced the searchlight on the after funnel. A FuMO 24/25 installed on the bridge had the necessary clearance not to require the ‘goalpost’ conversion. The unit was replaced in 1944 by a FuMO 21. a FuMB 6 Palau located above it and a FuMB-3 Bali at the masthead. A FuMB Metox was installed.
Z 31: In 1944/45 a FuMO 63 Hohentwiel replaced the searchlight on the after tunnel and a FuMB Metox was fitted, In 1945 an experimental FuMO 231 Euklid AA radar was installed.
Z 33: A FuMO 24/25 was installed, as were a FuMB 31. a FuMB 4 Palau plus one FuMB 4. 9 or 10 aerial and one FuMZ 6. At the masthead were an FuMB 3 Bali and FuMB 26 Tunis. A FuMB 6 Palau and FuMB 4 Sumatra were added atop the bridge. In 1944–45 a FuMO 63 Hohentwiel replaced the searchlight on the after funnel.
Z 34: A FuMO 24/25 and FuMB 34 were installed. In 1944–45 a FuMO 63 Hohentwiel replaced the searchlight on the rear funnel.
Z 37: The ship was fitted with a FuMB Metox.
Z 38: A FuMO 21 was fitted on the bridge and four FuMB 4 Sumatra aerials were located around the foremast searchlight platform.
Z 39: A FuMO 21 was fitted on the bridge and four FuMB4 Sumatra aerials were located around the foremast searchlight platform. At the masthead were FuMB 3 Bali and FuMO 81 Berlin-S. The ship also received a FuMO 63 Hohentwiel.
Z 28, Z 29, Z 30: The ship was fitted with a FuMO 24/25 and in 1944–45 a FuMO 63 Hohentwiel replaced the searchlight on the after funnel
Z 35, Z 36, Z 43: Fitted with a FuMO 24/25.
Unidentified unit: From 1942 one ship was fitted with a 1.9m × 6.4m FuMO 32 with Radattel beam (so-called because the two halves of the receiving aerial were connected by a lead and the electric motor which ran the device made a noise which gave rise to the nickname).
* ‘ L/’ plus a numeral is the barrel length expressed in multiples of the calibre. Thus ‘15cm L/48’ gives a barrel length of 720cm.