Armament

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

 

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

 

Manual training. 1 turn handwheel

 

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

 

Manual [raining. 1 turn handwheel

 

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.

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