German World War II Destroyers
At the outbreak of the Second World War, the German Navy, the Kriegsmarine, had 21 destroyers (Ger: Zerstörer). These had all been built in the 1930s, making them modern vessels. A further 19 were brought into service during the war and more were captured from opposing navies, including the Italian Navy (Regia Marina) after the Italian surrender in 1943.
German destroyer classes were generally known by the year of their design. Because of their size, use and weaponry, some vessels classified as "fleet torpedo boats", Flottentorpedoboot, are also described.
Class general characteristics are taken from the first of each class, and may differ slightly for individual ships, particularly when they were refitted. Post-war, some surviving ships had significant changes to armament.
Read more about German World War II Destroyers: Zerstörer 1934, Zerstörer 1934A, Zerstörer 1936, Zerstörer 1936A "Narvik", Zerstörer 1936A (Mob), Zerstörer 1936B, Zerstörer 1936C, Zerstörer 1938A/Ac, Zerstörer 1938B, Zerstörer 1942, Zerstörer 1944, Zerstörer 1945, Destroyer Sized Craft
Famous quotes containing the words german, world, war and/or destroyers:
“Have you never heard of German Becoming, of German Wandering, of the endless migratings of the German soul? Even foreigners know our word ‘Wanderlust.’ If you like, the German is the eternal student, the eternal searcher, among the peoples of the earth.”
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955)
“Is it a world to hide virtues in?”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“It’s always the generals with the bloodiest records who are the first to shout what a hell it is. And it’s always the war widows who lead the Memorial Day parades.”
—Paddy Chayefsky (1923–1981)
“Armies, though always the supporters and tools of absolute power for the time being, are always the destroyers of it too; by frequently changing the hands in which they think proper to lodge it.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)