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
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