Profile drawing of Z27
127,0 mOverall length
3605 tMaximum displacement
37,5 knMaximum speed
320 - 332Complement

Design and service

The story of Z27

Z27 was part of the 8th destroyer flotilla - also called the "Narvik" flotilla, stationed in Kirkens and used for unsuccessful operations along the Murmansk coast until the end of 1941 when returned to Germany. Z27 was used in a mine laying operation in the Barents Sea and Operation Sizilien and was transferred to France in November 1943 where it was sunk by British cruisers Glasgow and Enterprise on 28. 12.

1943 in the Gulf of Biscay together with torpedo boats T25 and T26.

Operational history

Service timeline

The destroyers Z25, Z26 and Z27 and the torpedo boats T2, T5, T7, T8 and T11 are attached to the Baltic fleet to prevent an escape of Soviet ships into the Baltic Sea.

Transfer of Z23, Z25 and Z27 to North-Norway.

Operations of Z23, Z24, Z25 and Z27 against the Kola coast. After a battle against the British MTB Hazard and Speedy (hit 4 times), the destroyers return to their base.

The 8.Z-Flotilla, constiting of Z23, Z24, Z25 and Z27 sails out of the Ofotfjord.

Z23, Z24, Z25 and Z27 operate at the Lofoten.

Z23, Z24, Z25 and Z27 escort the Adolf Lüderitz from Tromsö to Kirkenes.

Z26 and Z27 are sent back to Germany.

While being transferred to Kristiansand, the heavy cruiser Lützow is escorted by Richard Beitzen, Hans Lody, Z27 and Z29.

Mine laying operation at Jutland by Richard Beitzen, Hans Lody, Z27 and Z29.

Richard Beitzen, Hans Lody, Z27, Z29 and T12 escort the cruiser Lützow from Kristiansand to Trondheim.

The heavy cruiser Lützow is escorted by Richard Beitzen, Z27, Z29 and T7 from Trondheim to Narvik.

Operation Rösselsprung: In a major operation of the battleship Tirpitz and the heavy cruisers Admiral Scheer, Lützow and Admiral Hipper against the allied convoy PQ17, several destroyers and torpedo boats escort the capital ships: Friedrich Ihn, Hans Lody, Karl Galster, Theodor Riedel, Richard Beitzen, Friedrich Eckoldt, Erich Steinbrinck, Z24, Z27, Z28, Z29, Z30, T7 and T15. The operation is cancelled, but the convoy is heavily attacked by U-boats and the Luftwaffe.

Mine laying operation of Richard Beitzen, Friedrich Eckold, Z27 and Z30 near Kanin Nos.

The 5th destroyer flotilla, consisting of Richard Beitzen, Friedrich Eckoldt, Z27 and Z30, escort the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper during an operation into the Barents Sea to attack allied shipping.

Z27 sinks the Russian submarine hunter BO-78 and the tanker Donbass.

At a glance

Technical profile

Dimensions, armament, protection and performance.

Dimensions

Size (Max)
3605 t
Length (Total)
127,0 m
Length (Waterline)
121,9 m
Beam
12,0 m
Draft
4,65 m
Crew
320 - 332

Armament

15 cm L/48 C/36 (5,9")
4
3,7 cm L/83 C/30
4
2 cm MG L/65 C/30
5 (12 since 1942)
53,3 cm Torpedo tubes
8
Mines
60
Depth Charge launcher
4

Machinery

Shafts
2
Turbines
2
Type
Wagner (Deschimag build)

Performance

Total Performance
70000 shp
Speed
37,5 kn
Range
2174 miles at 19 kn

Construction record

Z27

Laid down
Deschimag Bremen, 27.12.1939
Launched
01.08.1940
Commissioned
26.02.1941
Fate
sunk 28.12.1943
Cost
13,18 Mio Reichsmark