Z13 Erich Koellner

Destroyer

Service Data

In Service: 28 August 1939 to 13 April 1940

Production Data

Ordered:
Builder: F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel
Construction No: 539
Laid down: 12 October 1935
Launched: 18 March 1937
Commissioned: 28 August 1939

Technical Data

Type: Destroyer / Zerstörer
Class: Zerstörer 1934A

Displacement: 2,270 tons standard 3,190 tons full load
Length: 120 m
Beam: 11.3 m
Draft: 4.23 m
Propulsion: 2 × shafts 2 × Wagner geared turbines producing up to 70,000 shp
Propellers:
Speed: 38.7 knots
Range: 1,825 nautical miles at 19 knots
Crew: 325 men and officers
Armament:
5 × 12.7 cm L/45 SK C/34
carried 600 rounds
4 × 3.7 cm L/83 SK C/30
carried 8000 rounds
6 × 2 cm MG L/65 C/30
carried 12000 rounds
8 × 2 cm MG L/65 C/30 after mid 1942
carried 16000 rounds
8 × 53.3 cm torpedo tubes
8 torpedo's carried
4 × depth charge launchers
60 mines
Armour
Aircraft:
Electronics:
Operators: Kriegsmarine
Variants:

Other: Destroyers
Articles:

History

Career

28 August 1939
The destroyer Erich Koellner is commissioned.

22 February 1940
The destroyer Erich Koellner takes part in operation Wikinger (German sortie into the North Sea) along with Leberecht Maaas, Friedrich Eckold, Max Schulz, Richard Beitzen, and Theodor Riedel, They receive orders to proceed against British shipping at Dogger Bank. On the way there a Luftwaffe bomber attacks the destroyers, sinking the Lebercht Maas. During the rescue of Lebercht Maas crew, Max Schulz hits a mine and is lost with all hands

8 April 1940
The destroyer Erich Koellner takes part in operation Weserübung (Invasion of Denmark and Norway) along with Anton Schmitt, Wilhlem Heidkamp, Diether von Roeder, Erich Giese, Georg Thiele, Bernd von Arnim, Hans Lüdemann, Hermann Künne and Wolfgang Zenker.

13 April 1940
The destroyer Erich Koellner is sunk by British destroyers. 31 crew lost. Position 68° 24N 16° 48E.

1963
The destroyer Erich Koellner is raised.

1963
The destroyer Erich Koellner is broken up, and scrapped.

Commanders

Alfred Schulze-Hinrichs
Takes command on August 1939
Ends command on April 1940

Gallery

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Sources

German Warships, 1815-1945: Major Surface Vessels.
ISBN-10: 0851775330

German Warships, 1815-1945: U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels.
ISBN-10: 155750301X

German warships of the Second World War.
ISBN-10: 0668040378

For a complete list of sources