Königsberg

Ballistics

Armor Model

Overview

The Versailles Treaty allowed the German navy to have six light cruisers, each with a displacement not exceeding 6,000 tons. In 1921–25, Germany built the first post-war cruiser, whose design was based on wartime projects. In 1926, three ships of an improved design were laid down. The armament was placed in three triple turrets, two of which were located in the stern. Both aft turrets were offset from the centerline to facilitate firing at sharp angles. A combined diesel-steam turbine power plant was used. Königsberg, the lead ship of the type, was built in Wilhelmshaven. At the start of World War II, the cruiser laid minefields in the North Sea and then participated in the invasion of Norway. In April 1940, during the naval landing in Bergen, Königsberg was damaged by Norwegian coastal batteries and sank. The next day, British bombers destroyed the cruiser.