KMS
Karlsruhe of
the K class Cruisers was built at Deutsche Werle, Kiel. and laid down on
the 27th July 1926 , launched 20th August 1927 and completed 6th November
1929. These were the first cruisers of the German navy to incorporate
electric welding technique. and the new triple 5.9 inch (150mm) gun
turret. In 1929 became a training ship and made a world cruise. but
weakness in her Hull plating meant she had to be refitted and structural
repairs at San Diego during the cruise. in April 1936 at the outbreak of world war two, KMS Konigsberg
undertook mine laying duties in the North sea. On the 9th April 1904
during the Norwegian campaign she joined Task Force 4 for the invasion of
Kristiansand and Arendal. On the 9th April 1940 she was torpedoed
and damaged by HM Submarine Truant. and later sunk by Torpedoes from
German torpedo Boat Grief off Kristiansand.
KMS Koln a K class Cruiser
of the Kriegsmarine./ built by Wilhelmshaven Navy yard, and laid down 7th
August 1926, launched 23rd May 1928 and completed 15th January 1930. These were the first cruisers of the German navy to incorporate
electric welding technique. and the new triple 5.9 inch (150mm) gun
turret. During 1936 - 1939 used as part of the scooting forces, in
the non intervention Patrol during the Spanish Civil war. at the outbreak of world war two, KMS Konigsberg
undertook mine laying duties in the North sea on the 9th April 1904
during the Norwegian campaign she joined Task Force 3 for the invasion of
Bergen. between 1940 and 1942 Koln served in the Baltic. In 1943
became part of the stand by dforce in Norway. In 1944 served against
Russia and also used as a training ship for cadets. On the 3rd March
Koln went for refit at Wilhelmshaven Navy yard. and on the 30 April 1945
was bomb by the Royal Air Force and sunk, settling on the bottom with her
super structure above the waterline.. On the 6th April she was
decommissioned but later used for local defence battery. Scrapped in
1946.
KMS Konigsberg of
the K class Cruisers was built at Wilhelmshaven navy yard. and laid down on
the 12th April 1926 , launched 26th march 1927 and completed 17th April
1929. These were the first cruisers of the German navy to incorporate
electric welding technique. and the new triple 5.9 inch (150mm) gun
turret. at the outbreak of world war two, KMS Konigsberg
undertook mine laying duties in the North sea and became the flagship of the
Senior Officer of the scouting Forces. on the 9th April 1904
during the Norwegian campaign she joined Task Force 3 for the invasion of
Bergen. and was damaged by shore based artillery, during the landing
operations. she remained at Bergen as part of the local defense
forces. while the rest of task force 3 returned to Germany. While at Bergen
she was attacked by British Fleet Air Arm Skuas on the 10th April
1940. which started major fires onboard she was put out of action.
In 1943 the wreck was re flotted and dry docked, but capsized on the 22nd September
1944 and abandoned and finally broken up.
Displacement: 6650
tons. 8130 tons deep load. Speed: 32 knots, Range 5,200 miles
at 19 knots. Compliment 820 - 850. Armament: Nine
5.9 inch (150mm) guns in (3 x 3) Six 3.5 inch ( 88mm)
Eight 37mm AA (4 x 2 ) twelve 21 inch Torpedo Tubes ( 4 x 3 ) plus 2
aircraft.
