View source for Type 1936A destroyer

{{Short description|Class of German warships}}
{| {{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = German destroyer Z39 underway off Boston on 12 September 1945.jpg
| Ship caption = ''Z39'' in September 1945
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Builders = 
| Operators = *{{Navy|Nazi Germany|name=''Kriegsmarine''}}
* {{navy|France}}
* {{navy|Soviet Union}}
* {{navy|United Kingdom}}
* {{navy|United States|1912}}
| Class before = [[Type 1936 destroyer]]
| Class after = [[Type 1936B destroyer]]
| Subclasses = Type 1936A, Type 1936A (Mob)
| Built range = 1938–1943
| In commission range = 1940–1958
| Total ships completed = 15
| Total ships cancelled = 
| Total ships lost = 7
| Total ships retired = 8
| Total ships scrapped = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = (as built)
| Ship type = Destroyer
| Ship displacement = *{{convert|2543|-|2657|LT|t|lk=on}} ([[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard]])
| Ship length = {{convert|127|m|ftin|abbr=on}} ([[o/a]])
| Ship beam = {{convert|12|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|4.38|-|4.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = *2 × shafts
* 2 × geared [[steam turbine]] sets
| Ship speed = {{convert|36|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = {{convert|2600|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|19|kn}}
| Ship power =* 6 × [[water-tube boiler]]s
*{{convert|70000|PS|kW shp|lk=on|abbr=on}}
| Ship complement = 321–335
| Ship armament = *4 × single '''or''' 1 × twin and 3 × single [[15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun|15 cm (5.9 in) guns]]
* 2 × twin [[3.7 cm SK C/30|{{convert|3.7|cm|in|abbr=on}}]] [[AA gun]]s
* 5–10 × [[2 cm FlaK 30|{{convert|2|cm|in|abbr=on}}]] AA guns
* 2 × quadruple {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s
* 4 × [[depth charge]] throwers
* 60 × [[naval mine|mines]]
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''Type 1936A destroyers''', also known as the '''''Z23'' class''', were a group of fifteen [[destroyer]]s built for the [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' from 1938 to 1943. They were known to the [[Allies of World War II|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''.

==Design==
[[File:Narvik-class destroyer.jpg|left|thumb|300px|American ship recognition drawing]]
In terms of armament, they were closer to light cruisers than the typical destroyer. The use of {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on|1}} guns was atypical of destroyers which tended to have guns around {{convert|120|–|127|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} in calibre. They were intended to carry two forward guns in a twin turret, but as the twin turrets were not ready in time, early class 1936As carried a single mounted gun forward.

Despite being powerful the ships were not without their flaws. There were problems with the reliability of the high pressure steam engines and seakeeping in rough seas due to the newly designed bow and heavy forward artillery.

The eight ships of the Type 1936A design (''Z23'' to ''Z30'') were all laid down between 1938 and 1940. The seven destroyers numbered from ''Z31'' to ''Z39'' were classed as Zerstörer 1936A (Mob); they were laid down in 1940 and 1941 and were slightly larger and had some internal modifications (including engines that caused less trouble than with their predecessors) from the original design to shorten construction times.

==Description==
The ships had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|127|m|ftin}} and were {{convert|121.9|m|ftin}} [[Length at the waterline|long at the waterline]]. They had a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|12|m|ftin}}, and a maximum [[draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|4.38|-|4.65|m|ftin}}. They displaced {{convert|2543|-|2657|LT|t}} at [[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard load]] and {{convert|3519|-|3691|LT|t}} at [[deep load]]. The ship's [[hull (watercraft)|hull]]s were divided into 16 [[watertight compartment]]s and they were fitted with a [[double bottom]] that covered 47% of their length [[amidships]].<ref>Gröner, pp. 203–04</ref> Their crew consisted of 11–15 officers and 305–20 sailors; when serving as a flagship an additional 4 officers and 19 sailors were assigned.<ref>Koop & Schmolke, p. 27</ref>

The Type 1936As were powered by two Wagner geared [[steam turbine]] sets, each driving a single three-bladed {{convert|3.2|-|3.35|m|ftin|adj=on}} [[propeller]], using steam provided by six high-pressure Wagner [[water-tube boiler]]s with [[superheater]]s that operated at a pressure of {{convert|70|atm|kPa psi|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} and a temperature of {{convert|450|-|480|°C}}. The turbines were designed to produce {{convert|70000|PS|kW shp|lk=on}} for a speed of {{convert|36|kn|lk=on}}.<ref>Koop & Schmolke, p. 41</ref> The ships carried a maximum of {{convert|835|t|LT|0}} of [[fuel oil]] which gave a range of {{convert|2600|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|19|kn}}.<ref name=g4>Gröner, p. 204</ref>

===Armament and sensors===
[[File:German Narvik class destroyer, 3rd Group, starboard view, 1941 (26250868244).jpg|right|thumb|Narvik-class destroyer, starboard view, 1941]]
The main armament of the Type 1936A ships was intended to be five 45-[[caliber (artillery)|calibre]] [[15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun|{{convert|15|cm|adj=on|1}} TbtsK C/36 guns]] in a twin-[[gun turret]] forward and the three other guns in single mounts with [[gun shield]]s aft of the main [[superstructure]], but delivery of the turrets was delayed and all of the Type 36A class was delivered with four single 15&nbsp;cm guns with one gun forward and three aft. ''Z28'' was the sole exception as its armament was arranged with two single mounts fore and aft. ''Z23'', ''Z24'', ''Z25'' and ''Z29'' were later fitted with the turret. All of the Type 36A (Mob) ships except ''Z31'' were built with the turret and that ship received one later.<ref>Whitley, pp. 64, 66, 201</ref> The single mounts had a range of elevation from −10° to +30° while the guns in the turret could be elevated to 65°. The TbtsK C/36 gun fired {{convert|45.3|kg|lb|adj=on}} projectiles at a [[muzzle velocity]] of {{convert|835|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} which gave them a maximum range of {{convert|21950|m|yd}}.<ref>Koop & Schmolke, p. 35</ref> The hand-loaded gun had a maximum rate of fire of 7–8 [[Cartridge (firearms)|rounds]] per minute and the ships carried a total of 480 shells for them.<ref>Whitley, pp. 66, 201</ref>

Their anti-aircraft armament consisted of four 80-calibre [[3.7 cm SK C/30|{{convert|3.7|cm|adj=on}} SK C/30]] guns in two twin mounts abreast the aft [[funnel (ship)|funnel]].<ref name=w1>Whitley, p. 201</ref> The power operated mounts had a maximum elevation of 85° which gave the guns a ceiling of {{convert|6800|m|ft}}; horizontal range was {{convert|8500|m|yd}} at an elevation of 37.5°. The single-shot SK C/30 fired {{convert|0.748|kg|lb|adj=on}} projectiles at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|1000|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} at a rate of 30 rounds per minute.<ref>Campbell, p. 256</ref> The mounts were stabilized, but their [[gyroscope]]s were undersized and could not cope with sharp turns or heavy [[Ship motions|rolling]].<ref>Whitley, p. 67</ref> They were also fitted with five to ten fully automatic 65-calibre [[2 cm FlaK 30/38/Flakvierling|{{convert|2|cm|adj=on|1}} C/30]] guns in quadruple and single mounts.<ref name=w1/> The gun had an effective rate of fire of about 120 rounds per minute. Its {{convert|0.134|kg|lb|adj=on}} projectiles were fired at a muzzle velocity of {{convert|835|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}<ref>Koop & Schmolke, p. 37</ref> which gave it a ceiling of {{convert|3700|m|ft}} and a maximum horizontal range of {{convert|4800|m|yd}}.<ref>Campbell, p. 258</ref>

The ships carried eight above-water {{convert|53.3|cm|in|adj=on|0}} [[torpedo tube]]s in two power-operated mounts. Two reloads were provided for each mount. The standard torpedo for the Type 36B destroyers was the [[G7a torpedo]].<ref>Whitley, p. 68</ref> It had a {{convert|300|kg|adj=on}} [[warhead]] and three speed range settings: {{convert|14,000|m|yd}} at {{convert|30|kn}}; {{convert|8,000|m|yd}} at {{convert|40|kn}} and {{convert|6,000|m|yd}} at {{convert|44|kn}}.<ref>Campbell, p. 263</ref> They had four [[depth charge]] launchers and mine rails could be fitted on the rear deck that had a maximum capacity of 60 [[naval mine|mines]]. 'GHG' ([[Gruppenhorchgerät]]) passive [[hydrophone]]s were fitted to detect [[submarine]]s and a ''S-Gerät'' [[sonar]] was also probably fitted. The ships were equipped with a ''FuMO'' 24/25 [[radar]] set above the [[bridge (nautical)|bridge]].<ref>Gröner, pp. 203–206; Koop & Schmolke, pp. 103–107, 113, 116–119; Whitley, pp. 68, 71–73, 201</ref>

==Ships==
The class, including the 36A (Mob), consisted of 15 ships. All were built in [[Bremen]] by [[AG Weser]] shipyard (part of [[Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG]]/Deschimag) apart from ''Z37'', ''Z38'' and ''Z39'' which were built by [[Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft|Germania]] (Kiel).

===1936A===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of Type 1936A destroyers
|-
! scope="col" | Ship
! scope="col" | Laid down
! scope="col" | Commissioned
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z23||2}}
| 15&nbsp;November 1938
| 15&nbsp;September 1940
| data-sort-value="21 August 1944" | Badly damaged by bomb hit on 12 August 1944 and decommissioned on 21 August. Taken by France after the war and renamed ''Leopard''. Scrapped in 1951.
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z24||2}} 
|  2&nbsp;January 1939 
| 26&nbsp;October 1940 
| data-sort-value="25 August 1944" | Sunk on 25 August 1944 near [[Le Verdon]] by [[Royal Air Force|British]] bombers.
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z25||2}} 
| 15&nbsp;February 1939
| 30&nbsp;November 1940
| data-sort-value="1958" | Taken by France after the war and renamed ''Hoche''. Scrapped in 1958.
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z26||2}} 
|  1&nbsp;April 1939 
| 11&nbsp;January 1941 
| data-sort-value="29 March 1942" | Sunk in battle by the British cruiser {{HMS|Trinidad|C46|2}} and destroyer {{HMS|Eclipse|H08|2}} on 29 March 1942 in the [[Barents Sea]] while attacking [[Convoy PQ 13]].
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z27||2}} 
| 27&nbsp;December 1939
| 26&nbsp;February 1941
| data-sort-value="28 December 1943" | Sunk [[Operation Stonewall|in battle]] with British light cruisers {{HMS|Glasgow|C21|2}} and {{HMS|Enterprise|D52|2}} on 28 December 1943 in the [[Bay of Biscay]].
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z28||2}} 
| 30&nbsp;October 1939 
|  9&nbsp;August 1941 
| data-sort-value="3 March 1945" | Sunk by British bombers on 3 March 1945 near [[Saßnitz]] in the [[Baltic Sea]].
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z29||2}} 
| 21&nbsp;March 1940
| 25&nbsp;June 1941
| data-sort-value="16 December 1946" | Taken by Britain after the war and given to the United States. [[Scuttled]] because of her poor condition by [[US Navy]] on 16 December 1946 near [[Jutland]].
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z30||2}} 
| 15&nbsp;April 1940 
| 15&nbsp;November 1941 
| data-sort-value="1949" | Taken by Norway after the war and given to Britain. Used as target ship and scrapped in 1949.
|}

===1936A (Mob)===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of Type 1936A (Mob) destroyers
|-
! scope="col" | Ship
! scope="col" | Laid down
! scope="col" | Commissioned
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z31||2}} 
|  1&nbsp;September 1940
| 11&nbsp;April 1942
| data-sort-value="1958" | Taken by France after the war and renamed ''Marceau''. Scrapped in 1958.
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z32||2}} 
|  1&nbsp;November 1940
| 15&nbsp;September 1942
| data-sort-value="9 June 1944" | Damaged in battle with Canadian destroyers {{HMCS|Haida||2}} and {{HMCS|Huron|G24|2}} on 9 June 1944 during the [[Battle of Ushant (1944)|Battle of Ushant]] and [[Run aground|beached]]. Later destroyed by air attacks. 
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z33||2}} 
| 22&nbsp;December 1940
|  6&nbsp;February 1943
| data-sort-value="1961" | Taken by [[Soviet Union]] after the war and renamed ''Provorniy'' (''Проворный''). Sunk as target ship in 1961.
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z34||2}} 
| 15&nbsp;January 1941 
|  5&nbsp;June 1943 
| data-sort-value="26 March 1946" | Taken by US after the war. Scuttled because of her poor condition by US Navy on 26 March 1946 near [[Jutland]].
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z37||2}} 
| 1940 
| 16&nbsp;July 1942
| data-sort-value="24 August 1944" | Collided with destroyer ''Z32'' on 1 January 1944 and badly damaged. Decommissioned on 24 August and scuttled the same day in [[Bordeaux]]. Scrapped in 1949
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z38||2}} 
| 1940
| 20&nbsp;March 1943
| data-sort-value="1949" | Taken by Britain after the war and renamed {{HMS|Nonsuch|D107|2}}. Used for testing effects of underwater explosions, contrary to expectations it broke in half during the first test<ref>Brown, p. 172</ref> and was scrapped between 1949 and 1950.
|-
! scope="row" | {{ship|German destroyer|Z39||2}} 
| 1940 
| 21&nbsp;August 1943 
|data-sort-value="1964" | Taken by Britain after the war and given to US. Renamed ''DD-939'' and used for testing. Given to France in 1947 and used as spare part supply for other German vessels in service. Scrapped in 1964.
|}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|20em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last= Brown |first= David K. |date= 2000 |title= Nelson to Vanguard: Warship Design and Development, 1923–1945 |publisher= Chatham |location= London |isbn= 9781861761361}}
* {{cite book |last= Campbell |first= John |title= Naval Weapons of World War II |date= 1985 |publisher= Naval Institute Press |location= Annapolis, Maryland |isbn= 0-87021-459-4}}
*{{Cite book |last=Gröner|first=Erich|title=German Warships 1815&ndash;1945|year=1990 |location=Annapolis, Maryland|volume=1: Major Surface Warships|publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-87021-790-9|author-link=Erich Gröner}}
* {{cite book |last1= Koop |first1= Gerhard |last2= Schmolke |first2= Klaus-Peter |title= German Destroyers of World War II |date= 2003 |publisher= Naval Institute Press |location= Annapolis, Maryland |isbn= 1-59114-307-1 |name-list-style= amp}}
*{{cite book |last=Whitley|first=M. J. |title=German Destroyers of World War Two |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1991 |isbn=978-1-55750-302-2|author-link=Michael J. Whitley}}

===Further reading===
{{Commons category|Zerstörer 1936A class destroyer}}
* {{cite book |last= Rohwer |first= Jürgen |title= Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two |publisher= Naval Institute Press |location= Annapolis, Maryland |date= 2005 |edition= Third Revised |isbn= 1-59114-119-2|author-link=Jürgen Rohwer}}
*{{cite book|author1-last=Sieche|author1-first=Erwin|editor1-last=Chesneau|editor1-first=Roger |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946|year=1980|publisher=Conway Maritime Press |location=London |isbn=0-85177-146-7|name-list-style=amp|chapter=Germany|pages=218–254}}

{{Type 1936 destroyers}}
{{WWII German ships}}

[[Category:Destroyer classes]]
[[Category:Type 1936A-class destroyers| ]]
[[Category:World War II destroyers of Germany| ]]

[[de:Zerstörer 1936#Unterklasse Zerstörer 1936A]]