In addition to the destroyer production of those naval powers that represented the victors of World War I, the period between 1935 and September 1939 saw the return of two former maritime forces. The first of these, and the cause of much anxiety among other nations, was Germany. In May 1935, Hitler repudiated the Treaty of Versailles in keeping with his goal to once again make Germany a world power. The first class of German destroyer built since World War I was the 1934 class that served as the blueprint of all subsequent destroyer construction for Nazi Germany. Four of these ships were launched in 1935. Like all
subsequent destroyer types and many of those in the past, 1934-class vessels were designed to ship mines if necessary.
One drawback of this class that extended to later designs was its engines. German engineers incorporated a new high-pressure steam propulsion plant that was intended to produce greater power output. An additional negative aspect was the fact that these ships were rather unstable in a seaway. As a result, Germany was not the successful destroyer producer that it had been in the years before World War I. These problems were duplicated in an improved 1934 class of 12 ships that were launched between 1936 and 1937. The following class, however, was an improvement.Although the six 1936-class ships retained the problematic high-pressure steam propulsion plant, they were designed with a new feature to help correct problems with seaworthiness. This was the clipper bow, a feature that marked some capital ships of the German Navy and had been tried by other powers.
Clipper bows, named after fast sailing ships of the nineteenth century, were those where the sides of the bow flared out to better plow through the water and thereby help the ship maintain its speed in a seaway. These ships were consequently much better seafaring boats. By September 1939, the German Navy had made a relatively quick return to the family of destroyer powers. All of these vessels, which were originally known simply by their pennant numbers, were eventually named after famous German naval figures of World War I.Germany’s wartime production paled in comparison to that of Japan and consisted
only of conventional destroyers. Most German vessels built during the war were variations of the 1936 type. With 19 units in three classes, they were launched between December 1939 and January 1944. The vulnerability of German shipyards to Allied strategic bombing attacks and shortages of material in the latter years of the war prevented the launch of three additional classes. Construction began on 8 of the 13 projected ships, but none ever left their shipyards.
The last German destroyer launched was the one-ship 1942 type that resembled its 1936 predecessor, but with heavier armament in keeping with the trend in all of the navies of the combatants. This vessel never entered service, being
bombed soon after its launch. Despite the deterioration of Germany’s destroyer program, the fleet was enlarged further through vessels seized from countries occupied during the war. One modern Dutch destroyer and a Greek vessel were taken. A French destroyer was also procured, but it was under construction at the time and never completed.
1898 Type large torpedo boat
The 1898 Type or S90 class of torpedo boats was a group of large torpedo boats built for the German Imperial Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) in the early 20th century. They were Hochsee-Torpedoboot (“High seas torpedo boat”) built to varying designs by Schichau at Elbing (36 vessels) and Germaniawerft at Kiel (12 vessels). German torpedo boats were designated by shipbuilder, with the first letter of their designation reflecting their builder, S for Schichau and G for Germaniawerf.
S90 class torpedo boat
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S90 | S90 class | 24-10-1899 | -- | Scuttled 17-10-1914 |
SMS S91 | S90 class | 24-04-1900 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 26-05-1921 |
SMS S92 | S90 class | 27-06-1900 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 26-05-1921 |
SMS S93 | S90 class | 14-07-1900 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 26-05-1921 |
SMS S94 | S90 class | 27-07-1900 | -- | Stricken on 26-10-1920; Sold for scrape 13-05-1921 |
SMS S95 | S90 class | 29-08-1900 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 15-05-1921 |
SMS S96 | S90 class | 27-09-1900 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 2605-1921 |
SMS S97 | S90 class | 28-05-1900 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 2605-1921 |
SMS S98 | S90 class | 04-11-1900 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 2605-1921 |
SMS S99 | S90 class | 13-12-1900 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 2605-1921 |
SMS S100 | S90 class | 18-04-1901 | -- | Sunk in collision in the Baltic with ferry Preussen on 15-10-1915 |
SMS S101 | S90 class | 30-05-1901 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
SMS S102 | S90 class | 18-07-1901 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
SMS S103 | S90 class | 17-09-1901 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 26-05-1921 |
SMS S104 | S90 class | 07-10-1901 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 26-05-1921 |
SMS S105 | S90 class | 17-11-1901 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 26-05-1921 |
SMS S106 | S90 class | 09-12-1901 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 26-05-1921 |
SMS S107 | S90 class | 27-01-1902 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
G108 class torpedo boat
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G108 | G108 class | 26-03-1902 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Broken up at Hamburg |
SMS G109 | G108 class | 19-06-1902 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
SMS G110 | G108 class | 21-01-1903 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Broken up at Hamburg |
SMS G111 | G108 class | 21-07-1902 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
SMS G112 | G108 class | 06-09-1902 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
SMS G113 | G108 class | 16-10-1902 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
S114 class torpedo boat
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S114 | S114 class | 25-10-1902 | -- | Stricken on 09-11-1920; sold for scrap 07-07-1921 |
SMS S115 | S114 class | 22-03-1903 | -- | Sunk by HMS Undauned in the battle of Texel on 17-10-1914 |
SMS S116 | S114 class | 28-03-1903 | -- | Sunk by torpedo from HNLMS submarine E.9 on 06-10-1914 |
SMS S117 | S114 class | 21-05-1903 | -- | Sunk by HMS Undauned in the battle of Texel on 17-10-1914 |
SMS S118 | S114 class | 09-07-1903 | -- | Sunk by HMS Undauned in the battle of Texel on 17-10-1914 |
SMS S119 | S114 class | 06-0901903 | -- | Sunk by HMS Undauned in the battle of Texel on 17-10-1914 |
S120 class torpedo boat
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S120 | S114 class | 07-05-1904 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-06-1921 |
SMS S121 | S114 class | 17-06-1904 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-06-1921 |
SMS S122 | S114 class | 05-08-1904 | -- | Sunk by mine in the North Sea on 05-10-1918 |
SMS S123 | S114 class | 23-08-1904 | -- | Sunk by mine in the North Sea on 01-05-1916 |
SMS S124 | S114 class | 08-10-1904 | -- | Sunk in Baltic by collision with Danis SS Anglodane 30-11-1914 |
SMS S125 | S114class | 04-04-1905 | -- | Stricken on 26-10-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
No images available
S126 class torpedo boat
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S126 | S114 class | 30-04-1905 | -- | Stricken on 26-10-1921; Sold for scrap 13-05-1921 |
SMS S127 | S114 class | 07-06-1905 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 28-05-1921 |
SMS S128 | S114 class | 08-07-1905 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 13-06-1921 |
SMS S129 | S114 class | 10-08-1905 | -- | Wrecked in the North Sea on 05-11-1915 |
SMS S130 | S114 class | 17-09-1905 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 28-05-1921 |
SMS S131 | S114 class | 06-10-1905 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 28-05-1921 |
No images available
G132 class torpedo boat
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G132 | G132 class | 28-08-1906 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 28-05-1921 |
SMS G133 | G132 class | 10-12-1906 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 28-05-1921 |
SMS G134 | G132 class | 06-03-1907 | -- | Stricken on 09-11-1902; Sold for scrap 13-06-1921 |
SMS G135 | G132 class | 24-01-1907 | -- | Stricken on 25-05-1921; Sold for scrap 10-10-1921 |
SMS G136 | G132 class | 16-03-1907 | -- | Stricken on 21-07-1921; Sold for scrap 20-08-1921 |
G137 class torpedo boat
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G137 | G137 class | 24-07-1907 | -- | Stricken on 22-03-1921; Sold for scrap 28-05-1921 |
1906 Type large torpedo boat
The S138 class was a group of sixty-five torpedo boats built for the German Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy) and the Ottoman Navy in the early 1900s. Almost all of the boats served with the German fleet, with only four being sold to the Ottoman Empire in 1910. The German and Ottoman boats saw action in World War I, and several were lost. One Ottoman boat successfully torpedoed and sank a British battleship in 1915. In 1917 and 1918, the German members of the class were all renamed to replace the builder prefix with a standardized “T” prefix. Following Germany’s defeat, many of the members of the S138 class were scrapped, either after having been seized as war prizes by the victorious Allied powers or by Germany to comply with the naval disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. Some boats continued in German service through World War II, after which the surviving vessels were all seized as war prizes.
S138 class torpedo boat (1906 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S138 / T138 | S132 class | 07-05-1907 | -- | Mind and sunk 07-07-1918 nearby island of Terschelling |
SMS S139 / T139 | S132 class | 06-07-1907 | -- | Fate unknown |
SMS S140 / T140 | S132 class | 03-08-1907 | -- | Sold for scrap 22-03-1921 |
SMS S141 / T141 | S132 class | 09-09-1907 | -- | Scraped 1933 |
SMS S142 / T142 | S132 class | 20-09-1907 | -- | Sold for scrap 02-12-1920 |
SMS S143 / T143 | S132 class | 12-10-1907 | -- | Sold for scrap 25-03-1930 |
SMSS144 / T144 | S132 class | 03-12-1907 | -- | Sold for scrap 08-10-1928 |
SMS S145 / T145 | S132 class | 17-12-1907 | -- | Sold for scrap 22-03-1921 |
SMS S146 / T146 | S132 class | 20-11-1907 | -- | Sold for scrap 08-10-1928 |
SMS S147 / T147 | S132 class | 10-04-1908 | -- | Sold for scrap 02-12-1920 |
SMS S148 / T148 | S132 class | 08-03-1908 | -- | Scraped 1935 |
SMS S149 / T149 | S132 class | 27-07-1908 | -- | Scraped 1927 |
V150 class torpedo boat (1907 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V150 | V150 class | 20-11-1907 | -- | Sunk in a collision with V57 18-05-1915 in the Jade. |
SMS V151 / T151 | V150 class | 29-02-1908 | -- | Transfered to the USA 04-01-1946, Scrapped in 1948 |
SMS V152 / T152 | V150 class | 10-04-1908 | -- | Sold for scrap 31-03-1931, Scrapped in 1949 |
SMS V153 / T153 | V150 class | 09-05-1908 | -- | Transfered to the USA 22-12-1945, Scrapped in 1949 |
SMS V154 / T154 | V150 class | 05-06-1908 | -- | Sold for scrap 08-10-1928, Scrapped in 1935 |
SMS V155 / T155 | V150 class | 25-06-1908 | -- | Sunk in Swinemunde 22-04-1945,Scrapped later |
SMS V156 / T156 | V150 class | 21-07-1908 | -- | Sunk on 03-05-1945, Scrapped later |
SMS V157 / T157 | V150 class | 27-08-1908 | -- | Mined and sunk 17:25 on 22-10-1943 |
SMS V158 / T158 | V150 class | 08-10-1908 | -- | Transfered to USSR as "Prozorlivyi" 15-01-1946, Scrapped 1950 |
SMS V159 / T159 | V150 class | 02-11-1908 | -- | Trasfered to the UK 20-08-1920, Scrapped in 1922 |
SMS V160 / T160 | V150 class | 15-12-1908 | -- | Trasfered to the UK 20-08-1920, Scrapped in 1922 |
SMS V161 / T161 | V150 class | 17-09-1908 | -- | Trasfered to the UK 03-10-1920, Scrapped in 1922 |
No images available
V162 class torpedo boat (1908 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V150 | V150 class | 20-11-1907 | -- | Sunk in a collision with V57 18-05-1915 in the Jade. |
SMS V151 / T151 | V150 class | 29-02-1908 | -- | Transfered to the USA 04-01-1946, Scrapped in 1948 |
SMS V152 / T152 | V150 class | 10-04-1908 | -- | Sold for scrap 31-03-1931, Scrapped in 1949 |
SMS V153 / T153 | V150 class | 09-05-1908 | -- | Transfered to the USA 22-12-1945, Scrapped in 1949 |
SMS V154 / T154 | V150 class | 05-06-1908 | -- | Sold for scrap 08-10-1928, Scrapped in 1935 |
SMS V155 / T155 | V150 class | 25-06-1908 | -- | Sunk in Swinemunde 22-04-1945,Scrapped later |
SMS V156 / T156 | V150 class | 21-07-1908 | -- | Sunk on 03-05-1945, Scrapped later |
SMS V157 / T157 | V150 class | 27-08-1908 | -- | Mined and sunk 17:25 on 22-10-1943 |
SMS V158 / T158 | V150 class | 08-10-1908 | -- | Transfered to USSR as "Prozorlivyi" 15-01-1946, Scrapped 1950 |
SMS V159 / T159 | V150 class | 02-11-1908 | -- | Trasfered to the UK 20-08-1920, Scrapped in 1922 |
SMS V160 / T160 | V150 class | 15-12-1908 | -- | Trasfered to the UK 20-08-1920, Scrapped in 1922 |
SMS V161 / T161 | V150 class | 17-09-1908 | -- | Trasfered to the UK 03-10-1920, Scrapped in 1922 |
No images available
S165 class torpedo boat (1908 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S165 | S165 class | -- | -- | Sold to Turkey as "Muavenet-i Milliye", Scapped in 1921 |
SMS S166 | S165 class | -- | -- | Sold to Turkey as "Yadigar-i Millet", Sunk on 10-07-1917 |
SMS S167 | S165 class | -- | -- | Sold to Turkey as "Numune-i Hamiyet", Scapped in 1921 |
SMS 168 | S165 class | -- | -- | Sold to Turkey as "Grayret-i Vatanye, Wrecked ion 30-10-1916 |
No images available
G169 class torpedo boat (1908 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G169 / T169 | G169 class | 29-04-1909 | -- | Transfered to teh UK 05-08-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS G170 / T170 | G169 class | 14-09-1909 | -- | Sold 22-03-1921 and scrapped later that year |
SMS G171 | G169 class | 04-01-1910 | -- | Sunk in collision with SMS Zahringen 14-09-'12; blown up 1912 |
SMS G172 / T172 | G169 class | 04-01-1910 | -- | Mined and sunk 04:28 07-07-1918 in the North Sea |
SMS G173 / T173 | G169 class | 24-01-1910 | -- | Transfered to the UK 03-09-1920, scrapped 1922 |
SMS G174 / T174 | G169 class | 06-07-1910 | -- | Transfered to the UK 05-08-1920, scrapped 1922 |
SMS G175 / T175 | G169 class | 04-12-1910 | -- | Renamed Sleipner; Sold for scrap 23-09-1926 |
No images available
S176 class torpedo boat (1909 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S176 / T176 | S176 class | 23-09-1910 | -- | Transfered to teh UK 15-09-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS S177 | S176 class | 16-02-1911 | -- | Mined and sunk 09:46 23-12-1915 in the Baltic |
SMS S178 / T178 | S176 class | 09-12-1910 | -- | Sunk in collision with SMS York 04-03-1913; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS S179 / T179 | S176 class | 08-03-1911 | -- | Transfered to teh UK 05-08-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
V180 class torpedo boat (1909 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V180 / T180 | V180 class | 04-01-1910 | -- | Transfered to Brazil 05-08-1920; Scrapped 1921 |
SMS V181 / T181 | V180 class | 11-03-1910 | -- | Transfered to Japan 20-08-1920; Scrapped 1921 |
SMS V182 / T182 | V180 class | 04-05-1910 | -- | Transfered to the UK 05-08-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS V183 / T183 | V180 class | 12-05-1910 | -- | Transfered to the UK 05-08-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS V184 / T184 | V180 class | 29-06-1910 | -- | Transfered to the UK 05-08-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS V185 / T185 | V180 class | 20-09-1910 | -- | Transfered to the USSR as " Vystrel"; Scrapped 1945 |
SMS V186 / T186 | V180 class | 21-04-1911 | -- | Transfered to the UK 05-08-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS V187 | V180 class | 04-05-1911 | -- | Sunk by gunfire Battle of Heligoland Bight 10:00 28-08-1914 |
SMS V188 | V180 class | 22-05-1911 | -- | Torpedoed and sunk by Brittissh sub E-16 14:00 26-07-1915 |
SMS V189 / T189 | V180 class | 22-06-1911 | -- | Transfered to the UK, stranded on Brittish coast; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS V190 / T190 | V180 class | 05-08-1911 | -- | Transfered to the USA in 1945; Scrapped 1946 |
SMS V191 / T191 | V180 class | 28-09-1911 | -- | Mined and sunk 17:45 17-12-1915 in the Baltic |
SMS V184
No image available
SMS V185
No image available
SMS SV190
No image available
G192 class torpedo boat (1910 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G192 / T192 | G192 class | 08-05-1911 | -- | Transfered to the UK 28-04-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS G193 / T193 | G192 class | 25-06-1911 | -- | Transfered to the UK 28-04-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS G194 | G192 class | 02-08-1911 | -- | Rammed and Sunk by HMS Cleopatra 26-03-1916 (North Sea) |
SMS G195 / T195 | G192 class | 08-09-1911 | -- | Transfered to the UK 28-04-1920; Scrapped 1922 |
SMS G196 / T196 | G192 class | 02-10-1911 | -- | Transfered to the USSR as " Pronzitelnyj", scrapped later |
SMS G197 / T197 | G192 class | 10-11-1911 | -- | Transfered to the UK 28-04-1920; Scrapped 1921 |
1911 Type large torpedo boat
The German V1-class torpedo boats was a class of 26 large torpedo boats in service with the Imperial German Navy, Reichsmarine, Kriegsmarine and Royal Hellenic Navy in the early 20th century.
V1 class destroyer (1911 program)
The V1-class torpedo boats were a group of six small, agile vessels constructed for the Imperial German Navy between 1911 and 1913, designed primarily for high-speed torpedo attacks within fleet formations during naval battles. These were the initial Vulcan-built ships of the broader V-class, among the first German torpedo boats equipped with steam turbines. The class originated from a 1911 design shift toward more maneuverable torpedo boats to better integrate with the battle line of the High Seas Fleet. The original orders included eight hulls numbered V1 through V6 (with two extras), but the first V5 and V6 were sold incomplete to Greece in July 1912. Identical replacements were promptly built and completed for German service by mid-1913. During World War I, the V1-class served extensively in the North Sea as part of torpedo boat flotillas, participating in patrols, minelaying, and skirmishes, including actions at the Battle of Jutland. V4 was torpedoed and sunk by British forces on 1 June 1916. Post-war, the five survivors (V1, V2, V3, V5, and V6) underwent modernization in 1921–1922 under the Reichsmarine.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V1 | V1 class | 11-09-1911 | -- | Stricken 27-03-1929, Scrapped later |
SMS V2 | V1 class | 28-03-1912 | -- | Stricken 18-11-1929, Scrapped later |
SMS V3 | V1 class | 02-05-1912 | -- | Stricken 18-11-1929, Scrapped later |
SMS V4 | V1 class | 15-06-1912 | -- | Sunk 01-06-1916 during Battle of Jutland |
SMS V5 | V1 class | -- | -- | Sold to Greece july 1912 as "Keravnos"; Scrapped 1921 |
SMS V6 | V1 class | -- | -- | Sold to Greece july 1912 as "Nea Genea"; Scrapped 1957 |
SMS V1
No image available
SMS V4
No image available
G7 class destroyer (1911 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G7 / T107 | G7 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to the USSR as "Porazajuscij", Scrapped in 1957 |
SMS G8 / T108 | G7 class | unknown | -- | Training vessel 1936, Trasfered to UK 06-01-'16, Scrapped 1946 |
SMS G9 | G7 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 04:15 03-05-1918 |
SMS G10 / T110 | G7 class | unknown | -- | Sunk 05-05-1945 in the river Trave, Lubeck |
SMS G11 / T111 | G7 class | unknown | -- | Bombed and sunk 03-04-1945 in Scheerhafen, Kiel |
SMS G12 | G7 class | unknown | -- | Damaged in collision with V1 06:00 08-09-1915 and sunk |
No images available
S13 class destroyer (1912 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S13 | S13 class | 02-07-1912 | -- | Sunk 08.56 06-11-1914, following a torpedo explosion. |
SMS S14 | S13 class | 01-11-1914 | -- | sunk by int. explosion, 19-02-1915 in the Jade; scrapped 1915 |
SMS S15 | S13 class | 01-11-1912 | -- | mined 21-08-1917 in the English Channel; Scrapped 1917 |
SMS S16 | S13 class | 01-10-1912 | -- | mined and sunk 18:15 20-01-1918. |
SMS S17 | S13 class | 07-12-1912 | -- | mined and sunk 16-05-1917 |
SMS S18 | S13 class | 12-01-1913 | -- | Collided with battleship "Hannover" 23-05-'22; Scrapped 1935 |
SMS S19 | S13 class | 29-03-1913 | Sold for scrap 31-03-1931; scrapped 1935 | |
SMS S20 | S13 class | 01-11-1913 | ||
SMS S21 | S13 class | 20-06-1913 | ||
SMS S22 | S13 class | 23-07-1913 | mined and sunk 21:35 26-03-1916 | |
SMS S23 / T123 | S13 class | 01-11-1913 | Renamed "Komet", 23-04-1939; fate since Nov.1944 is unknown. | |
SMS S24 | S13 class | 27-08-1913 | Surrendered to the UK, 28-04-1920; stranded on coast. |
No more images available
1913 Type large torpedo boat
The V25 class (also known as the Type 1913) was a class of torpedo boat built for the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine). It was numerically the largest class ever built for the High Seas Fleet, consisting of 71 ships. Of the class, 32 were sunk during World War I, several to mines in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Of those that survived the war 29 were scuttled with the German fleet at Scapa Flow, one was destroyed by a mine on the way there, four were given to Britain and were not scuttled while one was given to Italy and France.
V25 class destroyer (1913 program)
The V25-class torpedo boat, was a class of twelve large coastal torpedo boats constructed for the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) between 1913 and 1914, representing the largest and most advanced torpedo boat design in the High Seas Fleet at the outset of World War I. These vessels, built in two batches (V25–V30) and (S31–S36). Designed as versatile “large torpedo boats” to bridge the gap between traditional torpedo craft and full destroyers, the V25 class emphasized speed, seaworthiness, and offensive capability for fleet screening, minelaying, and torpedo attacks in the North Sea, reflecting Germany’s prewar naval expansion. Commissioned into service by mid-1914, they formed the backbone of several torpedo boat flotillas. Throughout the war, the class saw intensive action in the North and Baltic Seas.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V25 | V25 class | 27-06-1914 | -- | Mined and sunk 04:00 13-02-1915 (79 killed). |
SMS V26 | V25 class | 27-08-1914 | -- | Surrendered to UK at Cherbourg, 13-02-1920; scrapped in 1922. |
SMS V27 | V25 class | 02-09-1914 | -- | Sunk during the Battle of Jutland, 17:40 31-05-1916. |
SMS V28 | V25 class | 22-09-1914 | -- | Surrendered to UK at Cherbourg, 13-02-1920; scrapped in 1922. |
SMS V29 | V25 class | 19-10-1914 | -- | |
SMS V30 | V25 class | 16-11-1914 | -- | Mined and sunk 20-11-1918 while en route. |
No images available
S31 class destroyer (1913 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S31 | S31 class | 09-08-1914 | -- | Mined and sunk 23:00 19-08-1915, the Gulf of Riga (11 killed). |
SMS S32 | S31 class | unknown | -- | Scuttled 21-06-1919; raised 19-06-1925 and scrapped |
SMS S33 | S31 class | unknown | -- | Torpedoed and sunk by British submarine L 10 11:43 3-10-1918. |
SMS S34 | S31 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 03:05 03-10-1918, North Sea (70 killed). |
SMS S35 | S31 class | 04-12-1914 | -- | Sold to Greece Apr 1914, 31-05-1916, Battle of Jutland |
SMS S36 | S31 class | 04-01-1915 | -- | Sold to Greece Apr '14, scuttled 21-06-'19; raised and scrapped |
No images available
G37 class destroyer (1914 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G37 | G37 class | 29-06-1915 | -- | mined and sunk 04:55 04-11-1917 (4 killed). |
SMS G38 | G37 class | 30-07-1915 | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS G39 | G37 class | 20-08-1915 | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS G40 | G37 class | 16-09-1915 | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS G41 | G37 class | 14-10-1915 | -- | Damaged in collision with V 69, 22-10-917, laid up in Bruges. |
SMS G42 | G37 class | 10-11-1915 | -- | Sunk by HMS Broke, Battle of Dover Strait 21-04-'17 (36 killed). |
No images available
V43 class destroyer (1914 program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V43 | V43 class | unknown | -- | Transf. to USA, 1920; sunk as target off Cape Henry, 15-07-'21. |
SMS V44 | V43 class | unknown | -- | Transf. to UK, 1920; used as target,beached off Whale Island,. |
SMS V45 | V43 class | 30-09-1915 | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS V46 | V43 class | 31-10-1915 | -- | Transf to France, 1920; scrapped Cherbourg, 1924. |
SMS V47 | V43 class | unknown | -- | non-seaworthy, unable to evacuate and scuttled 02-11-1918. |
SMS V48 | V43 class | 10-12-1915 | -- | Sunk, 21:50 31-05-1916, during the Battle of Jutland (87 killed). |
No more images available
S49 class destroyer (mobilization program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S49 | S49 class | 12-06-1915 | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS S50 | S49 class | 15-08-1915 | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS S51 | S49 class | 07-09-1915 | -- | ransfered to UK in 1920; scrapped, Rosyth, 1922. |
SMS S52 | S49 class | 28-09-1915 | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS S53 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS S54 | S49 class | unknown | -- | transfered to UK, 1920; scrapped Rosyth, 1922. |
SMS S55 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS S56 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS S57 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 22:18 10-11-1916, Gulf of Finland (2 killed). |
SMS S58 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 04:25 11-11-1916, Gulf of Finland (0 killed). |
SMS S59 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 05:48 11-11-1916, Gulf of Finland (0 killed). |
SMS S60 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to Japan, 1920; scrapped 1920. |
SMS S61 | S49 class | unknown | -- | scuttled, Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, 02-10-1918. |
SMS S62 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 21:30 10-07-1918 (27 killed). |
SMS S63 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to Italy, 23-05-1920 as "Ardimentoso"; scrapped '37 |
SMS S64 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk, Battle of Moon Sound, 18-10-1917 (6 killed). |
SMS S65 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS S66 | S49 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 20:40 10-07-1918 (76 killed). |
No images available
V67 class destroyer (mobilization program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V67 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Built at Hamburg; scuttled, Ghent–Terneuzen, 02-10-1918. |
SMS V68 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Built at Hamburg; mined and sunk 15:05 08-08-1918 (18 killed). |
SMS V69 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Scuttled, Ghent, 02-10-1918. |
SMS V70 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Built at Hamburg; scuttled 21-06-1919. |
SMS V71 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to UK, 13-05-1920; scrapped 1921. |
SMS V72 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 03:45 11-11-1916, Gulf of Finland (0 killed). |
SMS V73 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to UK, 1920; scrapped Grangemouth 1922. |
SMS V74 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Sunk, explosion while loading mines, Zeebrugge, 25-05-1918. |
SMS V75 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Built at Hamburg; mined and sunk 10-11-1916, Gulf of Finland. |
SMS V76 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Built at Hamburg; mined and sunk 11-11-1916, Gulf of Finland . |
SMS V77 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Built at Hamburg; scuttled, Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, 02-10-1918' |
SMS V78 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22-11-1918; scuttled 21-06-1919. |
SMS V79 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to France as "Pierre Durand"; stricken 15-02-1933. |
SMS V80 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to Japan, 1920; scrapped, 1922. |
SMS V81 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to UK, 1920; scrapped. |
SMS V82 | V67 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to UK, 1920; used as target, partially scrapped 1922. |
SMS V83 | V67 class | unknown | -- | built at Hamburg; scuttled 21-06-1919. |
SMS V84 | V67 class | unknown | -- | built at Hamburg; mined and sunk 26-05-1917 (5 killed). |
No images available
G85 class destroyer (mobilization program)
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G85 | G85 class | 14-12-1915 | -- | |
SMS G86 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21 Jun 1919. |
SMS G87 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 06:20 30-03-1918 (43 killed). |
SMS G88 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Torpedoed by a Coastal Motor Boat, Zeebrugge, 08-4-1917. |
SMS G89 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22 Nov 1918; scuttled 21-06-1919. |
SMS G90 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 03:52 11-11-1916, Gulf of Finland (11 killed). |
SMS G91 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22-11-1918; scuttled 21-06-1919. |
SMS G92 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Interned, Scapa Flow, 22-11-1918; scuttled 21-06-1919. |
SMS G93 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 06:30 30-03-1918 (10 killed). |
SMS G94 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 05:40 30-03-1918 (13 killed). |
SMS G95 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Transfered to UK 05-08-1920; scrapped, Sunderland, 1921. |
SMS G95 | G85 class | unknown | -- | Mined and sunk 01:30 26-06-1917 (4 killed). |
No images available
1914 Type Destroyer
B97 class destroyer
The B 97 class was a class of eight destroyers built for and operated by the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) during the First World War. They served throughout the war, with one being lost in 1915, five being scuttled at Scapa Flow in 1919 and one being transferred to Italy, where it remained in use until 1939.
As part of its 1912 construction programme, the Imperial Russian Navy placed orders for 22 large modern destroyers (the Orfey-class destroyer) for its Baltic Fleet. In order to speed delivery of these ships, orders for the ship’s machinery were placed overseas, including in Germany. The outbreak of the First World War, with Germany declaring war on Russia on 1 August, led to delivery of these machinery sets to be stopped. The AG Vulcan shipyard in Stettin proposed to use this
machinery to power a class of large destroyers for the Imperial German Navy. German navy was at first unenthusiastic about Vulcan’s proposal, as its torpedo flotillas consisted of smaller torpedo boats, but Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz ordered eight of these ships.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS B97 | B97 class | 13-02-1915 | -- | Transf. to Italy as Cesare Rossarol on 01-12-1924. Stricken'39. |
SMS B98 | B97 class | 24-03-1915 | -- | Went aground in Lopness Bay '20 where parts can still be seen. |
SMS V99 | B97 class | 20-04-1915 | -- | Mined in the Battle of the Gulf of Riga on 17-08-1915. |
SMS V100 | B97 class | 17-06-1915 | -- | Scuttled at Scapa Flow 21-06-1919. Scrapped in 1921. |
SMS B109 | B97 class | 08-06-1915 | -- | Scuttled at Scapa Flow 21-06-1919. Scrapped in 1926. |
SMS B110 | B97 class | 26-06-1915 | -- | Scuttled at Scapa Flow 21-06-1919. Scrapped 1926. |
SMS B111 | B97 class | 10-08-1915 | -- | Scuttled at Scapa Flow 21-06-1919. Scrapped 1926. |
SMS B112 | B97 class | 03-09-1915 | -- | Scuttled at Scapa Flow 21-06-1919. Scrapped 1926. |
G101 class destroyer (ex Argentinian vessels)
The G101 class was a class of four large torpedo boats (rated as destroyers) that were ordered for the Argentine Navy from the German shipyard Germaniawerft in 1912. They were still building on the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 when they were seized on behalf of the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy). All four ships completed in 1915 and serving
through the rest of the war, with three ships present at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Three ships were scuttled at Scapa Flow in 1919 and one sunk as a target by American aircraft in 1921.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS G101 | G101 class | Unknown | -- | ex Santiago; Scuttled 21-06-1919. |
SMS G102 | G101 class | Unknown | -- | ex San Luis; Transfered to USA 1920; Sunk as target 13-07-'21. |
SMS G103 | G101 class | Unknown | -- | ex Santa Fé; Scuttled 21-06-1919. |
SMS G104 | G101 class | Unknown | -- | ex Tucuman; Scuttled 21-06-1919. |
V105 class destroyer (ex Netherlands vessels)
Designed and built as Z1 – Z4 for the Netherlands, seized 10 Aug 1914.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V105 / Z1 | V105 class | 23-03-1915 | -- | Transf. to Brazil '20; sold to Britain, and exchanged with A 69 with Poland as "Mazur"; sunk by German aircraft 01-09-19139. |
SMS V106 / Z2 | V105 class | 25-01-1915 | -- | Transfered to Brazil 20-08-1920; Scrapped. |
SMS V107 / Z3 | V105 class | 1915 | -- | Mined and sunk 08-05-1915 off Libau (1 killed).. |
SMS V108 / Z4 | V105 class | 1915 | -- | Transf. to Poland '20 as "Kaszub" ;sunk by boiler explosion 1925 |
No images available
1916 Type Destroyer
S113 class destroyer
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S113 | S113 class | -- | -- | Transf. France 23-05-'20 as "Amiral Sénès", sunk as target '38. |
SMS S114 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 75% finished; sold 03-11-1919; Scrapped Bremerhaven. |
SMS S115 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 60% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; Scrapped Bremerhaven. |
SMS S116 | S113 class | -- | -- | Transf. to Italy 23-05-1920 as "Premuda"; Scrapped, 1939. |
SMS V117 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 75% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; scrapped, Hamburg 1921. |
SMS V118 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 60% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; Scrapped, Hamburg 1921 |
SMS G119 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 90% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; later scrapped at Kiel. |
SMS G120 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 75% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; Scrapped, Kiel, 1921. |
SMS G121 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 68% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; Scrapped, Kiel, 1921. |
SMS B122 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 65% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; Scrapped, Kiel, 1921. |
SMS B123 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 50% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; Scrapped, Hamburg,'21. |
SMS B124 | S113 class | -- | -- | About 40% finished; sold, 03-11-1919; Scrapped, Hamburg 1921 |
No images available
1916 MOB Type Large Torpedo Boat
V125 class destroyer
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS V125 | V125 class | 23-12-1916 | -- | Trasfered to UK, 1920; Scrapped, Newport, 1922. |
SMS V126 | V125 class | 29-08-1917 | -- | Transfered to France, 1920; Scrapped, (boilers reused) |
SMS V127 | V125 class | 25-09-1916 | -- | Transfered to Japan, 1920; Scrapped, Dordrecht, 1922. |
SMS V128 | V125 class | 15-11-1917 | -- | Transfered to UK, 1920; scrapped, Grangemouth, 1922. |
SMS V129 | V125 class | 20-12-1917 | -- | Repl. for SMS V 30, which was lost en route; Scuttled 21-06-'19 |
SMS V130 | V125 class | 02-02-1918 | -- | Transf. to France, 03-08-1920 as "Buino" ; rem. from service, '33 |
No images available
S131 class destroyer
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS S131 | S131 class | 11-08-1917 | -- | Scuttled 21-06-1919, raised and scrapped in 1925. |
SMS S132 | S131 class | 02-10-1917 | -- | Transf. to USA after the war as target, Sunk 15-07-1921. |
SMS S133 | S131 class | 21-02-1918 | -- | Given to France after the war as "Chastang", scrapped in 1934. |
SMS S134 | S131 class | 04-01-1918 | -- | Given to France after the war as "Vesco", scrapped in 1935. |
SMS S135 | S131 class | 15-03-1918 | -- | Given to France after the war as "Mazare" , scrapped in 1935. |
SMS S136 | S131 class | 30-04-1918 | -- | Scuttled 21-06-1919, raised and scrapped in 1928. |
SMS S137 | S131 class | 14-06-1918 | -- | Beached 21-06-1919 and scrapped in 1922. |
SMS S138 | S131 class | 29-07-1918 | -- | Scrapped in 1926. |
SMS S139 | S131 class | 15-04-1918 | -- | Given to France after the war as "Deligny", scrapped in 1934. |
No images available
H145 class destroyer
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS H145 | H145 class | 04-08-1918 | -- | Scuttled 21-06-1919, raised and scrapped in 1928. |
SMS H146 | H145 class | 03-10-1918 | -- | Given to France after the war as "Rageot de la Touche". |
SMS H147 | H145 class | 13-07-1920 | -- | Given to France after the war as "Marcel Delage". |
23 Type Torpedo Boat
The Type 23 torpedo boat (also known as the Raubvogel (bird of prey) or the Möwe class) was a group of six torpedo boats built for the Reichsmarine during the 1920s. During World War II, they played a minor role in the Norwegian Campaign of 1940, Albatros being lost when she ran aground. The Type 23s spent the next several months escorting minelayers as they laid minefields and escorting ships before the ships were transferred to France around September. Möwe was torpedoed during this time and did not return to service until 1942. They started laying minefields for the rest of the war. Most of the surviving ships returned to France in 1942 and helped to escort the capital ships sailing from France to Germany through the English Channel in the Channel Dash. They helped to escort blockade runners, commerce raiders and submarines through the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay throughout 1942 and 1943. In 1944, the Type 23s were mostly occupied with laying mines. Greif was sunk by British aircraft and Kondor was badly damaged by a mine in May. The two surviving operational boats, Falke and Möwe, attacked Allied ships during the Invasion of Normandy in June with little success and they were sunk by British bombers later that month. Kondor, the last survivor, was wrecked by bombers at the end of July.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS Möwe | Type 23 class | 01-10-1926 | -- | Sunk by aircraft, 16-06-1944 |
SMS Falke | Type 23 class | 15-07-1928 | -- | Sunk by aircraft, 14-06-1944 |
SMS Greif | Type 23 class | 15-07-1927 | -- | Sunk by aircraft, 24-05-1944 |
SMS Kondor | Type 23 class | 15-7-1928 | 28-06-1944 | Mined, 23-05-1944, constructive total loss 31-07-1944. |
SMS Albatros | Type 23 class | 15-05-1927 | 07-12-1932 | Ran aground and wrecked, 09-04-1940 |
SMS Seaadler | Type 23 class | 15-03-1927 | -- | Sunk by British Motor Torepedo Boats during action 13-05-1942. |
24 Type Torpedo Boat
The Type 24 torpedo boat (also known as the (German: Raubtier (Carnivore) class) was a group of six torpedo boats built for the Reichsmarine during the 1920s. One was sunk in an accidental collision shortly before the start of World War II in September 1939 and the others escorted ships and searched for contraband for several months of the war. After being transferred to France late in the year, the Type 24s started laying their own minefields in the English Channel. The surviving boats were refitted in early 1941.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS Wolf | Type 24 class | 15-11-1928 | -- | Mined, 08-01-1941 |
SMS Iltis | Type 24 class | 01-10-1928 | -- | Sunk by British Motor Torpedo Boats in action, 13-05-1942. |
SMS Jaguar | Type 24 class | 15-08-1929 | -- | Bombed, 14-06-1944 |
SMS Leopard | Type 24 class | 15-04-1929 | -- | Sunk in collision with the minelayer SMS Preussen, 30-04-1940 |
SMS Luchs | Type 24 class | 15-04-1929 | -- | |
SMS Tiger | Type 24 class | 15-01-1929 | -- | Wrecked in collision with destroyer Z3 Max Schultz, 27-08-1939 |
1934 Type Destroyer
This class of four ships was the first German destroyer class. It was designed around a new type of engine, using high pressure steam. This should have allowed higher speed, while saving space and crewmembers. The engine was however so complicated and prone to breakdown, that it forced the navy to assign even more very highly qualified personnel on board to operate and service them. As a result of stability problems, the range of the ships had to be restricted by navy regulations, allowing them to use only half of the fuel carried, to prevent the ships from becoming too light. The bow proved to be of faulty design, resulting in the ships being rather wet in heavy seas. This was fixed by rebuilding all four ship of the class before 1939. Four destroyers were laid down between October 1934 and January 1935. Only one ship survived the war. The ships were named after German navy personnel killed in World War I.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS Z1 Leberecht Maass | 1934 type | 14-01-1937 | -- | Sunk after friendly fire bomb hits, 22-02-'40, Operation Wikinger. |
SMS Z2 George Thiele | 1934 type | 027-02-1937 | -- | Beached on 13-04-1940, damaged during the Battles of Narvik. |
SMS Z3 Max Schultz | 1934 type | 08-04-1937 | -- | Sunk after friendly fire bomb hits, 22-02-'40, Operation Wikinger. |
SMS Z4 Richard Beitzen | 1934 type | 13-05-1937 | -- | Scrapped in 1947 |
1934 A Type Destroyer
The Type 1934A destroyers, also known as the Z5 class, were a group of twelve destroyers built in the mid-1930s for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine. Twelve destroyers laid down between July and November 1935. They were only slightly modified from the design of the preceding 1934 class and continued their predecessors’ limited endurance and magazine capacity – factors which contributed to the heavy German losses in the Second Battle of Narvik. Five survived the war.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS Z5 Paul Jacobi | 1934 A type | 29-06-1937 | 7 May 1945 | Transferred to France as war reparation Desaix, scrapped 1958 |
SMS Z6 Theodor Riedel | 1934 A type | 02-07-1937 | -- | Transferred to France as the Kleber, scrapped 1958 |
SMS Z7 Hermann Schoemann | 1934 A type | 09-09-1937 | -- | Sunk 02-05-1942 by the British cruiser Edinburgh |
SMS Z8 Bruno Heinemann | 1934 A type | 08-01-1938 | -- | Sunk 25-01-1942 by a mine near Calais |
SMS Z9 Wolfgang Zenker | 1934 A type | 02-07-1938 | -- | Scuttled on 13-04-1940 |
1934 A type | 13-09-1938 | 09-05-1944 | Taken over by UK after the war, scrapped 1946–1949 | |
SMS Z11 Bernd von Arnim | 1934 A type | 06-12-1938 | -- | Scuttled on 13-04-1940 |
SMS Z12 Erich Giese | 1934 A type | 04-03-1939 | -- | Sunk 13-04-1940 |
SMS Z13 Erich Koellner | 1934 A type | 28-03-1939 | -- | Sunk 13-04-1940 |
SMS Z14 Friedrich Ihn | 1934 A type | 06-04-1938 | -- | Transfered to USSR as "Prytkiy (Прыткий)", scrapped 1952 |
SMS Z15 Erich Steinbrinck | 1934 A type | 31-05-1938 | -- | Transferred to USSR as the "Pylkiy (Пылкий)", scrapped 1958 |
1934 A type | 28-07-1938 | -- | Sunk 31-12-1942 by HMS Sheffield, battle of the Barents Sea |
SMS Z7, Z8
SMS Z10 – Z16
No Images available
1936 Type Destroyer
The Type 1936 destroyers, also known as the Z17 class, were a group of six destroyers built for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine during the late 1930s, shortly before the beginning of World War II. All six sister ships were named after German sailors who had been killed in World War I. They were engaged in training for most of the period between their completion and the outbreak of war. When the war began in September 1939, the sisters helped to lay minefields in the German Bight and then helped to lay multiple minefields off the British coast in late 1939 and early 1940.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
1934 type Z17 | 29-08-1938 | -- | Beached and destroyed during the Battles of Narvik, 13-04-1940 | |
SMS Z18 Hans Lüdemann | 1934 type Z17 | 08-10-1938 | -- | Beached and destroyed during the Battles of Narvik, 13-04-1940 |
SMS Z19 Hermann Künne | 1934 type Z17 | 12-01-1939 | -- | Beached and destroyed during the Battles of Narvik, 13-04-1940 |
SMS Z20 Karl Galster | 1934 type Z17 | 21-03-1939 | -- | Transferred to the USSR, 1946; scrapped, 1958 |
SMS Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp | 1934 type Z17 | 20-06-1939 | -- | Sunk by torpedo during the Battles of Narvik, 10-04-1940 |
SMS Z22 Anton Schmitt | 1934 type Z17 | 24-09-1939 | -- | Sunk by torpedo during the Battles of Narvik, 10-04-1940 |
1936 A Type Destroyer
The Type 1936A destroyers, also known as the Z23 class, were a group of fifteen destroyers built for the Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine from 1938 to 1943. They were known to the Allies as the Narvik class. In common with other German destroyers launched after the start of World War II, the Narviks were unnamed, known only by their hull numbers Z23 to Z39. Despite reusing earlier ship designs as a basis, with modifications to improve seaworthiness, the ships were wet in heavy seas, especially fitted with heavy turrets. After much effort, the problem was traced to a newly designed stern. However, this problem was somewhat offset by the fact that the twin mount was fully enclosed and had a high maximum elevation, allowing limited use against aircraft. These ships reverted to the traditional German practice of giving torpedo ships numbers rather than names. Four survived the war.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS Z23 | Z23 class | 15-09-1940 | 21-08-1944 | Bomb hit 12-08-1944. Taken by France "Leopard", Scrapped '51 |
SMS Z24 | Z23 class | 26-10-1940 | -- | |
SMS Z25 | Z23 class | 30-11-1940 | -- | Taken by France and renamed Hoche. Scrapped in 1958. |
SMS Z26 | Z23 class | 11-01-1941 | -- | Sunk by UK Trinidad and Eclipse, 29-03-1942 in the Barents Sea |
SMS Z27 | Z23 class | 26-02-1941 | -- | Sunk by UK Glasgow and Enterprise, 28-12-1943, Bay of Biscay. |
SMS Z28 | Z23 class | 09-08-1941 | -- | Sunk by British bombers on 03-03-1945. Baltic Sea. |
SMS Z29 | Z23 class | 25-06-1941 | -- | |
SMS Z30 | Z23 class | 15-11-1941 | -- | Taken by Norway and given to UK, target ship, scrapped 1949. |
1936 A MOB Type Destroyer
When war broke out in 1939, planned new destroyer classes were cancelled and twelve additional 1936A vessels (Z31 to Z42, although the last three were to be cancelled) were ordered with slight modifications to speed construction and save materials. “Mob” stands for “Mobilmachung” (Mobilisation). In war service, the engines were more reliable than in earlier ships but at the end of the war, heavy corrosion was discovered. Seven of this sub-class were built: one was sunk, another two were severely damaged and not repaired. The remaining four were war booty allocated to the Allies.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS Z31 | Z23 class | 11-04-1942 | -- | Taken by France, Renamed Marceau. Scrapped in 1958. |
SMS Z32 | Z23 class | 15-09-1942 | -- | |
SMS Z33 | Z23 class | 06-02-1943 | -- | Taken by USSR, Renamed Provorniy. Sunk as target ship in 1961. |
SMS Z34 | Z23 class | 05-06-1943 | -- | Taken by US, Scuttled by US Navy on 26-03-1946 near Jutland. |
SMS Z37 | Z23 class | 16-07-1942 | 24-08-1944 | Collided with destr. Z32 on 1-1-1944 and damaged. Scrapped in 1949 |
SMS Z38 | Z23 class | 20-03-1943 | -- | Taken by UK, Renamed Nonsuch, Scrapped between 1949 and 1950 |
SMS Z39 | Z23 class | 21-08-1943 | -- | Taken by UK, transf. to US DD939, given to France, Scrapped in '64 |
1936 B Type Destroyer
The Type 1936B destroyers were a group of five destroyers built for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine between 1941 and 1942, of which only three were completed and saw service. Eight ships of this design were ordered, but the orders for three ships were cancelled before construction began. Z35 was the first ship of the class to be completed and was commissioned in mid-1943. Her sister ships, Z36 and Z43, followed in 1944. Z44 was sunk during an air raid in 1944 before she was completed while Z45 was never completed. Both ships were scrapped after the war.The three that were commissioned were all lost.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS Z35 | Type 1936B | 22-09-1943 | -- | Sunk by mines, 12-12-1944 |
SMS Z36 | Type 1936B | 19-02-1944 | -- | Sunk by mines, 12-12-1944 |
SMS Z40 | Type 1936B | Cancelled | -- | Cancelled, June and October, 1940 |
SMS Z41 | Type 1936B | Cancelled | -- | Cancelled, June and October, 1940 |
SMS Z42 | Type 1936B | Cencelled | 24-08-1944 | Cancelled, June and October, 1940 |
SMS Z43 | Type 1936B | 31-05-1944 | -- | Scuttled, 03-05-1945 |
SMS Z44 | Type 1936B | -- | -- | Sunk, 29-07-1944 |
SMS Z45 | Type 1936B | -- | -- | Scrapped, 1946 |
SMS Z36
No Image available
SMS Z40 – Z45
No Images available
101 Type Hamburg class Destroyer
The Type 101 Hamburg class was a class of destroyers built during post-war Germany. They were specifically designed to operate in the Baltic Sea, where armament and speed is more important than seaworthiness. They were named after Bundesländer. The Hamburg class destroyers were replaced by the Brandenburg class frigates.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS D181 Hamburg | Hamburg class | 23-03-1964 | 24-02-1994 | Scrapped in 1998 |
SMS D182 Schleswig-Holstein | Hamburg class | 12-10-1964 | 15-12-1994 | Scrapped in 1998 |
SMS D183 Bayern | Hamburg class | 06-07-1965 | 16-12-1993 | Scrapped in 1998 |
SMS D184 Hessen | Hamburg class | 08-10-1968 | 29-03-1990 | Scrapped in 1991 |
103 Type Lutjens class Destroyer
The Type 103 Lütjens class was the last class of destroyers in service with the German Navy. The ships were US Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyers but with some modifications to meet German requirements. They were replaced by the new Sachsen-class frigates, designated frigate even though they are much larger and more capable in all aspects than the Lütjens-class destroyers.
Name | Class | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
SMS D185 Lutjens | Lutjens class | 22-03-1969 | 18-12-2003 | |
SMS D186 Molders | Lutjens class | 23-02-1969 | 28-05-2003 | Museum ship in Marinearsenal Wilhelmshaven, Archived 02-06-2021 |
SMS D187 Rommel | Lutjens class | 02-05-1970 | 30-09-1998 | cannibalized, Scrapped in Aliağa (Turkey), 2004 |
