German World War II destroyers

Zerstörer 1934
Class overview
Builders:	Deutsche Werke, Kiel
Built:	1934–1935
In commission:	1937–1947
Completed:	4
Lost:	3
General characteristics
Class and type:	Zerstörer 1934
Displacement:	3,155 long tons (3,206 t) maximum
Length:	119 m (390 ft 5 in) o/a 114 m (374 ft) w/l
Beam:	11.30 m (37 ft 1 in)
Draught:	4.23 m (13 ft 11 in)
Propulsion:	2 × Wagner geared turbines, 70,000 PS (51,000 kW; 69,000 shp) 2 shafts
Speed:	36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Range:	1,900 nmi (3,500 km; 2,200 mi) at 19 kn (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Complement:	325
Armament:	5 × 12.7 cm (5 in) guns 4 × 3.7 cm guns 6 × 2 cm guns 8 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes 60 mines

The scuttled wreck of the Bernd von Arnim in the Rombaksfjord near Narvik.
Class overview
Builders:	AG Weser (Deschimag), Bremen Germaniawerft, Kiel Blohm & Voß, Hamburg
Built:	1935–1936
In commission:	1937–1958
Completed:	12
Lost:	7
General characteristics
Class and type:	Type 1934A-class destroyer
Displacement:	2,223 metric tons (2,188 long tons)
Length:	119 m (390 ft 5 in) o/a 114 m (374 ft) w/l
Beam:	11.30 m (37 ft 1 in)
Draft:	4.23 m (13 ft 11 in)
Installed power:	70,000 PS (51,000 kW; 69,000 shp)
Propulsion:	2 shafts, 2 × Wagner geared steam turbines 6 × water-tube boilers
Speed:	36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Range:	2,040 nmi (3,780 km; 2,350 mi) at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Complement:	325
Armament:	5 × 12.7 cm (5 in) guns 4 (later 14) × 3.7 cm guns 6 (later 10) × 2 cm guns 8 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes 60 mines

Class overview
Builders:	DeSchiMAG
Built:	1938–1941
In commission:	1940–1958
Completed:	8
Lost:	4
General characteristics
Class and type:	Zerstörer 1936A (Narvik-class)
Displacement:	3,605 long tons (3,663 t) maximum
Length:	127 m (416 ft 8 in) o/a 121.90 m (399 ft 11 in) w/l
Beam:	12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Draught:	4.65 m (15 ft 3 in)
Propulsion:	2 × Wagner geared turbines, 70,000 shp 2 shafts
Speed:	37.5 knots (69.5 km/h; 43.2 mph)
Range:	2,180 nmi (4,040 km; 2,510 mi) at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Complement:	330
Armament:	4 or 5 × 15 cm (5.9 in) guns 4 (later 10) × 3.7 cm guns 8 (later 20) × 2 cm guns 8 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes 60 mines 4 × depth charge launchers

Z39 under US flag as DD-939 in 1945
Class overview
Builders:	DeSchiMAG Germaniawerft, Kiel
Built:	1940–1943
In commission:	1942–1964
Completed:	7
Lost:	1
General characteristics
Class and type:	Zerstörer 1936A (Mob)
Displacement:	3,700 long tons (3,800 t) maximum
Length:	127 m (416 ft 8 in) o/a 121.90 m (399 ft 11 in) w/l
Beam:	12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Draught:	4.62 m (15 ft 2 in)
Propulsion:	2 × Wagner geared turbines, 70,000 shp 2 shafts
Speed:	37.5 knots (69.5 km/h; 43.2 mph)
Range:	2,240 nmi (4,150 km; 2,580 mi) at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Complement:	330
Armament:	5 × 15 cm (5.9 in) guns 4 (later 14) × 3.7 cm guns 12 (later 18) × 2 cm guns 8 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes 60 mines 4 × depth charge launchers

At the outbreak of the Second World War Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine had 21 destroyers (Ger: Zerstörer) in service, while another one was just being completed. These 22 vessels - comprising 3 classes (Type 34, 34A and 36) - had all been built in the 1930s, making them modern vessels (no destroyers remained in German hands following the close of the First World War). Including that final pre-war vessel, 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 Armistice with the Allies 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. During World War II, destroyers were administratively grouped into one of several destroyer flotillas.

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.

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 a faulty design, resulting in the ship to get too 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.

The ships were: