Z 1 Leberecht Maass is commissioned at Deutsche Werke, Kiel, on 14 January 1937.
Z 1 as completed with rounded bridge, and flying the pennant of the FdT at the masthead.
Leberecht Maass after her 1938 refit to modify the bows, with additional sheer and rake for improved sea-keeping.
Georg Thiele after her first refit, with angular bridge and spray deflector forward.
Z 2 Georg Thiele at Memel, 23 March 1939.
Another photograph of Georg Thiele at Memel on 23 March 1939, affording a view of the two after 12.7cm guns, the 2cm AA on the deckhouse (guns covered) and the port propeller guard. Minesweepers can be seen in the background.
Thiele on 13 April 1940, after having been run on to the rocks in Rombakenfjord.
Georg Thiele’s forecastle projects from the water in Rombakenfjord. She remains in this position today.
Z 3 Max Schultz as originally completed, with rounded bridge.
Z 3 in April 1939, photographed from the bridge of another destroyer in Spanish waters during Fleet manoeuvres.
Z 3 Max Schultz with new bridge and modified bows.
Z 4 Richard Beitzen as completed, with rounded bridge. The ship is seen working up, 7 June 1937.
Z 4 after refit, with rectangular bridgework and modified bows.
Richard Beitzen at the Naval Review of 22 August 1938.
Richard Beitzen dressed overall for Hitler’s birthday, 20 April 1938. Below the ‘tub’ is a loudspeaker with ventilation piping to the left, and in the distance is the rear of a twin 3.7cm mounting.
Z 4 on 17 June 1939 after returning home from the Mediterranean, having been rammed by the fleet escort F 7.
Z 4’s forecastle in the severe winter of 1940, coated with ice.
Beitzen off Brittany in the autumn of 1940.
Z 4 in refit at Kiel, autumn 1941: a view from aft.
Z 4, in camouflage, during Operation ‘Cerberus’—the ‘Channel Dash’ of February 1942.
Z 5 Paul Jacobi during her formal commissioning into the Kriegsmarine at Bremen on 29m June 1937.
Paul Jacobi at Wilhelmshaven in the summer of 1937. Astern of her is the old cruiser Medusa, relegated to the status of accommodation ship.
Z 5 negotiating a lock of the Kiel Canal in 1938, before the war a frequent procedure—sometimes every other day—for destroyers in transit from the Baltic to the North Sea and vice-versa during manoeuvres and training. This photograph provides a view of the forward torpedo tubes and the bridge structure forward of the forefunnel. Below, on the funnel mantle, is the compact boiler ventilator housing. Very evident here are the long pipes attached to the funnel: some are exhaust gas and ventilation pipes, others are for blowing the boiler after opening or shutting down the safety valves. The derricks either side are for lowering or raising the ship’s boats.
A pre-war study of Z 5.
Z 5 Paul Jacobi at Trondheim in the spring of 1940. Notice the camouflaged after 12.7cm gunhouses and the flak crew at readiness.
Jacobi takes on supplies, Trondheim, spring 1940.
Heavy units occasionally made forays from Trondheim. Jacobi is seen here with the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper off the starboard quarter. The forward 12.7cm guns are cleared for action.
A dazzle-camouflaged Z 5, photographed in 1943.
Paul Jacobi in 1945 at Wilhelmshaven. The destroyer now has the so-called ‘goalpost’ foremast (to enable the radar ‘mattress’ to be rotated) and also an ‘Atlantic’ bow.
Z 6 Theodor Riedel as completed, with rounded bridge.
Z 6 Theodor Riedel on 22 August 1938 during the Naval Review. She has been refitted with a ‘box’-shaped bridge, and her bows have been given what amounts to no more than a cosmetic alteration designed to improve sea-keeping. At the foretop is the Hungarian national flag in honour of VIP Admiral Horthy.
Z 6 sheers to port during high-speed formation manouevres with 2. Zerstörerflottille in 1938. Even in a light swell and glassy sea, she was a wet ship.
Running in formation in line abeam, the black smoke pouring from the forefunnel indicates that Z 6 has too little air for the correct combustion balance in her boilers.
German destroyers execute a turn to port while steaming in line abreast and refuelling (as appears to be the case—notice the hose connection between the two leading ships). Theodor Riedel is nearest the camera.
Z 6 Theodor Riedel wearing camouflage, in Norwegian waters during 1941.
Z 6 Theodor Riedel in Norwegian waters in 1942, camouflage-painted and fitted with tripod mast and radar antenna.
Riedel in November 1942. with an additional 2cm AA mounting forward of the forecastle breakwater.
Z 6 in Norway in 1943, her camouflage paintwork now showing a different pattern. Many units varied their camouflage according to circumstance.
In February 1946 some of the destroyers originally allocated to Britain were handed over to the French Navy. This photograph shows (from right) Z 6 Theodor Riedel, Z 5 Paul Jacobi, Z 25 and Z 31 at Cherbourg.
Z 7 Hermann Schoemann as originally completed, with rounded bridge.
Hermann Schoemann during trials over the measured mile at Neukrug.
Hitler in Z 7’s wheelhouse to witness torpedo practice in Eckernförde Bay, 22 July 1938. Other members in the party included Göring and Keitel.
Summer visitors aboard Z 7 Hermann Schoemann: Keitel (left foreground) and Hitler with Korvettenkapitan Schulte-Mönting after inspecting the ship’s company. Following her return to Kiel, Z 7 took Göring to Brunsbüttel to re-join his private yacht Carin II.
Hermann Schoemann during the Naval Review of 22 August 1938 to mark the launching of the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen.
On 1 May 1942 the destroyers Z 7 Hermann Schoemann, Z 24 and Z 25 sailed from Kirkenes to attack convoy QP. 11, the escort for which was numerically far superior to the German force. A cruiser of the escort, Edinburgh, had been disabled by a torpedo from U 456, but when approached by the German destroyers early on 2 May she managed to score heavily on Z 7. The photograph shows the destroyer in a sinking condition, with a list to port.
Z 8 Bruno Heinemann at the August 1938 Naval Review.
Z 8 alongside the commissioning quay at Deschimag, Bremen, on 8 January 1938. This destroyer was, as an experiment, fitted with four obsolete 15cm guns, (No 4 gun being in view here). They were later unshipped in favour of four 12.7cm weapons.
Z 8 Bruno Heinemann in the icy Jade estuary off Wilhelmshaven during the winter of 1939, at the outset of an offensive minelaying operation. Each mine is seated on a trolley and placed on a rail track mounted on the upper deck.
Z 8 Bruno Heinemann (left) and Z 14 Friedrich Ihn at La Pallice in the spring of 1941. At this time there was little danger of air attack. The crews wear tropical kit while working, and an awning has even been erected to keep the deck cool. Both destroyers have the tripod mast, and Z 8 also has a radar antenna.
Z 8 moored off the French Naval Academy at Brest in 1941 and wearing temporary hull camouflage.
Bruno Heinemann in full camouflage, Biscay, 1941.
Z 9 Wolfgang Zenker took part in the first naval battle of the war, against Polish units early on 3 September 1939. However, after failing to break out from Narvik on 10 April 1940, she fought to the last in Rombakenfjord and was then scuttled.
Z 10 Hans Lody is commissioned at Germania Werft, Kiel, 17 September 1938. A U-boat is in the background.
Z 10 (right) and Z 20 Karl Galster in the Holtenau Lock of the Kiel Canal. Notice the differing forms of the hulls forward, particularly the greater flare of the ‘Atlantic bow’ of Z 20 (which ship has also been fitted with a tripod foremast).
Hans Lody stops a merchantman (the hull of which is seen far right) for contraband investigation in the Skagerrak or Kattegat, autumn 1939.
Z 10 leaves the Holtenau Lock to transit the Kiel Canal, 28 July 1940. Notice, on the quarterdeck, the depth charges and two small handling cranes, the latter for deploying and streaming the paravanes or ‘otters’ (which are clearly visible).
Z 10 Hans Lody, port side amidships, in the summer of 1941. The boilers forward are apparently getting up steam. Notice the pipework at the rear of the forward funnel (compare with Z 5 Paul Jacobi).
In grounding incidents, the propellers were usually damaged: Z 10 in drydock, on 3 July 1942 with her starboard blades shaven.
Hans Lody in camouflage at Kiel, March 1943.
Z 10 in the summer of 1945 at the Bonte Quay, Wilhelmshaven; astern are Z 15 Erich Steinbrinck and Z 33. Notice the ‘goalpost’ foremast, which some destroyers received to help cope with the huge radar mattress.
Hans Lody in January 1946 under tow to Portsmouth, where she was commissioned by the Royal Navy as R 38 for experimental purposes.
Z 11 Bernd von Arnim is commissioned at Kiel, 6 December 1938.
Bernd von Arnim in ice during the severe winter of 1939/40. During the Norwegian operation she fought an action on three successive days: on 8 April in the North Sea against the British destroyer Glowworm, scoring several hits; on the 9th in Narvikfjord, when she torpedoed and sank the coast defence ship Norge; and on the 10th in Ofotfjord, when, with Z 2 Georg Thiele, she engaged and disabled the British destroyer Hardy.
Z 12 Erich Giese commissions at Kiel, 4 March 1939.
Z 12 working up on 12 April 1939.
Erich Giese sinking at the approach to inner harbour, Narvik, 13 April 1940
Z 13 Erich Koellner in 1939.
Z 13 and another destroyer docked at the Westwerft, Wilhelmshaven, winter 1939.
A model of the fjord-fissured landscape of Narvik, looking from the east above Ofotfjord towards the sea. In the foreground is a part of Rombakenfjord; to the right, the spit of land lies opposite the town of Narvik behind the large promontory. The model was built in 1941-42 by ‘young sailors of 2. Marine-Unteroffizier-vorschule (2nd Naval Preparatory School) at Hohenschwangau and stood until the end of the war in the Winter Garden (a barracks annexe) together with the ship’s bell and naval ensign from Z 13. These and other honours were packed in a chest just before the capitulation and buried near the school. The exact location is not known.
Crewmen from Erich Koellner at work near the ship’s two propellers, clearing away ice and snow during a spell in drydock
This photograph, taken from a British warship, shows Z 13 positioned in Djupvik Bay on 13 April 1940 as advance gun battery—it had apparently not been thought appropriate to arm her with torpedoes as well—to delay the entry of the expected British naval force. Here she is under fire from the battleship Warspite during her eleven-minute battering. The width of the fjord at this point is 10km.
Z 14 Friedrich Ihn in drydock during completion work. This photograph shows the keel wedge added to the ship’s flat bottom to stream the flow downwards. It was hoped that this would have the effect of lengthening the resistancereducing trough abaft the stern (a measure equivalent to lengthening the hull). The resistant stern-heavy trim was indeed reduced, and, depending on the load, this resulted in an increase of up to half a knot in speed, but ultimately the measure was not all that successful.
A prewar view of Z 14 at sea.
Above: Friedrich Ihn in camouflage, running escort for the battleship Gneisenau, Biscay, 1941.
Z 14 at the Hoplaelven Pier in Norway. The censor touched out the radar antenna.
Lock Gate III, 6 February 1946: Z 20 Karl Galster and Z 14 Friedrich Ihn leave Wilhelmshaven for delivery to the Soviet Union. Both vessels entered service with the Red Navy, first as destroyers and later as accommodation ships.
Z 15 Erich Steinbrinck under repair at Trondheim after a collision with a Norwegian freighter on 26 November 1943.
Z 15 at Cuxhaven, in May 1945. At this time she had only one serviceable engine. Note the ‘goalpost’ foremast.
After transfer to Wilhelmshaven, Z 15 was repaired for delivery to the Soviet Union. She is seen here flanked by Z 33 (to starboard) and an unidentified destroyer.
Steinbrinck at Wilhelmshaven, summer 1945; behind her is Paul Jacobi. The ‘goalpost’ and the 2×6m antenna are prominent, with, at top, the FuMB Sumatra aerial. Note the two 3.7cm twin mountings on the bridge platforms.
The Steubenhöft at Cuxhaven on 6 April 1940, shortly before troops embarked for the invasion of Norway. Z 16 is seen here with other destroyers.
Z 17 Diether von Roeder in April 1939. She was the fastest of all the named German destroyers over the measured mile, achieving 41.45 knots at Neukrug in the Baltic the previous November.
Diether von Roeder at Narvik on 10 April 1940 after the first clash with British destroyers. Notice the shell hits in the hull below the forefunnel and No 2 gun.
Z 17, unable to fire her guns or make way, moored stern-to at the Postpier at Narvik with her bows facing towards the sea. The ship had been prepared as a floating bomb for the entry of the British naval force into the inner fjord. As a British destroyer cautiously approached her on 13 April 1940, a Gebirgsjäger machine-gunner in the rocks above the town lost his nerve and opened fire. The British destroyer reversed out at high speed and the chance was lost.
Z 18 Hans Lüdemann prewar. The Type 1936 destroyers are easily identified by the searchlight platform on the mainmast set higher than the forefunnel cap
Z 18 with fires raging astern, aground in Rombakenfjord on 13 April 1940. Two boats from the British destroyers Hero and Icarus went alongside and the vessel was searched, but nothing of value was found, after which a torpedo from Hero reduced the German ship to a wreck.
The wreck of Hans Lüdemann in 1941.
The Narvik Seaman’s Home where survivors from Lüdemann and other destroyers were lodged between 15 and 28 April 1940. After the Allied landing at Narvik, these crewmen were forced to withdraw into the hills.
Z 19 Hermann Künne lowering the ship’s pinnace: a photograph taken in April 1939.
Hermann Künne ablaze after being scuttled in Herjangsfjord, 13 April 1940.
The wreck of Z 19 Hermann Künne in 1941.
Z 20 Karl Galster in ice in the outer Jade, 18 or 19 February 1940.
Z 20 Karl Galster alongside at Brest, 1941, affording a good view of the bridge. The guns and fire control equipment are covered by tarpaulins.
A dashing representation of the destroyer engagement off Plymouth on 18-19 November 1940. This painting, which hung in the entrance hall to the Reichs Chancellery in Berlin, reputedly shows Z 20.
Karl Galster, with radar antenna, in spring 1944.
Galster at Wilhelmshaven in the summer of 1945
The commissioning ceremony for Z 21 Wilhelm Heidkamp at Bremen, 10 June 1939.
Heidkamp running trials between June and September 1939, with main guns elevated. As flag vessel of the Führer der Zerstörer (CinC Destroyers), she led the destroyer force into Narvik, sinking, on the way, the Norwegian coast defence ship Eidsvold.
Wilhelm Heidkamp torpedoed and partially submerged at Narvik on 10 April 1940 following the explosion of her after magazine. She lost her stern section, which accommodated the FdZ, Kommodore Friedrich Bonte, and his staff, plus 83 of the destroyer’s complement.
Z 22 Anton Schmitt ‘s commissioning ceremony at Bremen on 24 September 1939. She was the last of the named German destroyers to enter service.
Left, top: Anton Schmitt was the last of the Type 1936s and entered service after the outbreak of war. Pleasing to the eye with their sleek form and raked bow—although still suffering from topweight—the Type 1936 ships, unlike the earlier 1934 versions, did not rely on minimum bunkerage for stability. Z 22 was hit by two torpedoes and sunk while queuing to refuel at Narvik on 10 April 1940.
Z 23, seen here in the winter of 1942 alongside the Hoplealven Pier, was the first German destroyer to be fitted with a twin turret on the forecastle.
Z 23 outbound in 1942 in Norwegian waters, loaded with mines and effecting a mailbag transfer with another destroyer. Notice the square liferafts atop the gurihouses.
Three photographs of Z 23 in the Bay of Biscay in 1943 labouring in a strong swell, showing how difficult it was for German destroyers to remain fully combat-ready or bring their weapons to bear in inclement conditions.
Z 23 anchored in the Gironde estuary in 1944 after a mission which has left its mark on the hull.
It was not always possible for destroyers to return to home yards for repair—besides which, they were urgently needed where they were—and refits were severely curtailed. One way of getting things done was to use U-boat bunkers, as here at La Pallice. The photograph shows the forecastle of Z 23, the stern being inside the bunker. This measure required the deck structures abaft the bridge to be dismantled. The forward section was of course exposed to air attack. The photograph was taken between 1 and 16 August 1944, and Z 23 did not survive her refit unscathed: during an air raid on 10 August she was bombed beyond useful repair, towed into the harbour basin and decommissioned. Z 24 was repaired successfully in the La Pallice U-boat bunker between January and May 1944.
Z 24 wearing a dazzle paint scheme, photographed in the Bay of Biscay in 1941.
Z 24, now fitted with a 15cm twin turret on the forecastle deck.
Superficial damage to Z 24 after being strafed by a low-flying fighter in the Bay of Biscay, 10 April 1943.
The career of Z 24 came to a violent end on 24 August 1944. Whilst she was lying in the roadstead at Le Verdon with the torpedo boat T 24, Beaufighters of Nos 236 and 404 Squadrons RAF carried out an attack lasting 45 seconds, sinking T 24 (lower vessel). Z 24 received serious damage but managed to reach port, only to capsize the next day. One crewman was lost. The two units had sailed to attack the Allied invasion fleet.
Z 25 in the Bremerhaven roads.
Z 25 anchored near Bornholm on 26 May 1941 and, judging by the grid markings on the hull forward, acting as a torpedo target ship.
A view from starboard of Z25’s bridge. Notice the laterally stowed floats.
Z 25 on 2 May 1943 in Arctic waters. Despite the season, the icing is severe.
Z 25 in Drydock I, Wilhelmshaven, in December 1945, shortly before being taken over by Allied crews; this and the following photograph are usually incorrectly described as having been taken in the summer. Notice the spray deflector between the anchor cluse and No 1 gun turret. In the background, in Dock V, can be seen the light cruiser Nürnberg, and in Dock II two former torpedo boats of the Imperial Navy—T 151 Komet, used as a remote control vessel for the target ship Hessen, and T 153 Eduard von Jungmann, a radar training boat—can be made out.
Another view of Z 25 in dock. Across the dock entrance are a number of torpedo boats in a cluster and across the basin is the wreck of the light cruiser Köln.
Z 26 at sea in camouflage.
In an ill-fated operation against convoy PQ.13, the destroyers Z 24, Z 25 and Z 26 sailed from Kirkenes on 18 March 1942 and in poor visibility next morning encountered the light cruiser Trinidad, which quickly found Z 26’s range. The photograph shows the first hit on the destroyer.
Z 26 escaped in a squall, and there now followed a period of hide-and-seek in which torpedoes were exchanged, Trinidad being hit by her own torpedo. Z 26 was brought to a standstill when torpedoed by the British destroyer Eclipse. Z 24 and Z 25 scored heavily on Eclipse but allowed her to escape and remained to save the survivors of Z 26 before the latter went down. Death came quickly in the Arctic waters.
The death plunge of Z 26. German destroyers and U-boats rescued 96 of her crew, but 240 were lost.
Z 27 fitting out at Deschimag, Bremen, 1941.
Z 27 in the customary dazzle scheme for Norwegian waters, with a Kampfgruppe including the heavy cruisers Admiral Hipper, Admiral Scheer and Lützow.
Z 28 commissioning, 9 August 1941.
Z 28 in September 1941, showing the enlarged deckhouse aft.
Z 28 alongside the heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer at an anchorage near Trondheim, summer 1942.
Z 28 in Norwegian waters, deceptively camouflaged with a false, painted bow wave.
Z 29 passing through a snowscape.
Z 29 in disruptive camouflage, at anchor in Norway.
Z 29 on 6 June 1945, alongside the quay in the Kaiserhafen at Wesermünde. The destroyer was by this time in such poor condition as to be beyond repair, and the Allies sank her with a cargo of unwanted munitions in the Skagerrak.
Z 30 in her original form, with a flying bridge above the two banks of torpedo tubes either side of the after funnel. These were later unshipped.
Z 30 in camouflage finish and alongside a makeshift pier in Norway.
Z 31 at anchor in Altafjord, with the backdrop of the snow-covered mountains—an apparently peaceful picture. The destroyer has a 15cm single gunhouse on the forecastle; this would later be replaced by a twin turret.
Activity in the narrow waters of a fjord as Z 31 passes some torpedo boats, one of which is T 20. At the outbreak of war the tactical numbers painted on the hull were removed and the vessels’ tactical numbers or abbreviations—for example, ‘ES’ for ‘Erich Steinbrinck’, or, as in this case, ‘20’ (just above the shoulder of the sailor on the quay nearest the vessel)—were painted on the bridge coaming where they could be concealed when required by sliding boards. It is unusual to see such a designation in a shore photograph: the identification was only supposed to be exhibited at sea—and removed in contact with the enemy—or when entering or leaving port.
In January 1945 several destroyers returning from northern Norway to Germany was intercepted near Sognefjord by a superior enemy force which included the light cruisers HMS Diadem and HMS Mauritius. The destroyers disengaged at speed and made for Bergen, but Z 31 received seven hits and suffered 55 dead and 24 wounded. The photograph shows hits to the forward section of the destroyer and the ruins of the main twin turret.
Shell damage on the starboard side directly below the 15cm turret forward.
The 15cm twin turret seen from directly behind. After emergency repairs at Bergen, Z 31 made Horten in Oslofjord for a temporary refit which included the addition of a 10.5cm single gunhouse to replace the wrecked twin turret.
Z 31’s wrecked twin turret from the port side (the turret is trained astern).
Two photographs of Z 31 taken in the summer of 1945 at Wilhelmshaven, The destroyer is leaving the Westwerft (West Yard) for the ‘Frozen Fleet’ anchorage, ready for delivery to the Allies. Notice that she has retained the 10.5cm single gun on the forecastle.
A camouflaged Z 32 at anchor in the Gironde in 1943
On 9 June 1944, en route for Brest, Z 32, ZH 1, Z 24 and T 24 were engaged by British destroyers off Wissant. The flotilla dispersed, but Z 32 regained contact with the enemy and was badly damaged. She was run aground near the île de Bas and subjected to further attacks from the air by RAF Coastal Command. The photograph shows the burning wreck of Z 32. Twenty-six of her crew were lost.
The wreck of Z 32 on the rocks.
Many destroyer captains adhered rigidly to the official disruptive camouflage scheme. Z 33’s commander was one.
After the war, all German destroyers and torpedo boats scheduled for distribution amongst the Allies were shepherded into a group in the eastern chamber of No IV lock at Wilhelmshaven, December 1945. At far left is Z 33; beyond the tug are torpedo boats.
Z 33 about to clear No III Lock, Wilhelmshaven, on 15 January 1946 prior to her voyage to the Soviet Union. In the adjacent lock chamber can be seen the funnel of the U-boat tender Otto Wiinsche, which had also been promised to the Russians and meanwhile had the task of escorting the vessels to the rendezvous point and returning to port with the German crews.
Two views of Z 33 leaving Wilhelmshaven.
Z 34 in Norwegian waters.
A stern view of Z 34.
Z 35 in the Baltic, 1944. Initially based at Reval in Estonia, this vessel was one of the four destroyers giving valuable offshore gunnery support to German land forces in Estonia and Latvia during the 1944 rearguard actions and withdrawal. While minelaying in thick fog as flag vessel of 8. Z-Flottille on 12 December 1944 in the Gulf of Finland, she ran into the adjacent Nashorn minefieldand was lost with all hands.
A photograph of Z 36 taken against the sun in the Baltic, 1944. Operational from June 1944, Z 36 served with Kampfgruppe II, using her guns to cover the German withdrawals from Estonia and Latvia. During the ill-fated ‘Nil’ minelaying operation of 12 December 1944, she suffered the same fate as Z 35 and went down with all hands.
Z 37 under construction, seen from forward. The turret foundations and bridge superstructure are already in place.
Z 37 under tow to the fitting-out basin at Germania Werft, Kiel, after her launching on 24 February 1941.
Z 37 nearing completion at Kiel, summer 1942.
A starboard broadside view of Z 37 after her commissioning.
Z 37 on exercises with Z 32 (laying smoke) in the Bay of Biscay in 1943.
On 29 January 1944 Z 32 and Z 37 collided in the Bay of Biscay. A torpedo head aboard the latter destroyer detonated, causing a fire which ignited 3.7cm ready ammunition. Z 37 was towed into drydock at Bordeaux by Z 23, and she remained there until the capitulation of German forces in the area. She was decommissioned in August 1944, her guns were unshipped for use as shore batteries and her machinery was rendered unusable. This photograph shows Z 37 in November 1944. She was eventually scrapped by the French in 1949.
Z 38 cruising through the waters of a snowy Norwegian fjord.
Z 38 was allocated to Great Britain and used for various trials, including underwater explosions. The photograph shows one of the latter at the instant of detonation.
Z 39 after her commissioning at Kiel.
Z 39 in camouflage paintwork in Finnish waters, where she operated during the first half of 1944.
Z 39 under netting alongside the quay at Baltisch Port, Estonia, in 1944. On 23 June she was bombed by a Soviet aircraft offshore, and she remained hors de combat until 1 April 1945.
Z 39’s after torpedo tubes. The control position has an armoured dome.
The external radar equipment of Z 39 as on 11 August 1945: 1. FuMO 24/25; 2. FuMB 4 Sumatra (fixed on the platform); 3. infra-red or detector (?); 4. FuMB 26 Tunis antenna; 5. FuMB Bali; 6. FuMB 81 Berlin-S.
Z 39 was sailed to the United States in 1945 and used for tests. In this photograph she is seen in drydock at the Boston Navy Yard. Notice the cut-down barrel of the superfiring 15cm gun.
Z 43 was the last destroyer of the series to enter commission. She is seen here during trials off Bornholm in the summer of 1944. The design of the degaussing coil seen along the hull at upper deck level varied from ship to ship. Z 43 was the only destroyer of three to survive the ill-fated ‘Nil’ minelaying operation. After the hectic four months of escort duties and shore bombardment sorties experienced by most German units subsequently, she was scuttled off Flensburg on 3 May 1945.