Königsberg

The three K-class light cruisers were the first modern German cruisers completed after World War I. Their 15 cm main guns were mounted in enclosed triple turrets rather than the single mounts used by earlier German light cruisers. The two aft turrets were offset from the centerline to improve their arcs of fire.

Welding was used for about 85 percent of the hull to save weight, but the resulting structure lacked the strength required for prolonged operations in heavy seas. Limited range and structural weakness made the ships unsuitable for their intended commerce-raiding role in the North Atlantic. Königsberg, originally ordered as Kreuzer B, was laid down on 12 April 1926 and completed three years later.

Karlsruhe entered service in November 1929, followed by Köln in January 1930. Before World War II, all three cruisers undertook training cruises and foreign visits. During the war they operated in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Königsberg and Karlsruhe were lost during Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Norway, while Köln was sunk near the end of the war.

Königsberg entered service in April 1929 and spent much of the prewar period on training duties, foreign visits and a deployment off Spain. After taking part in North Sea minelaying operations at the beginning of the Second World War, she carried troops to Bergen during Operation Weserübung. Norwegian coastal artillery at Bergen damaged the cruiser on 9 April 1940, leaving her unable to return to Germany with the rest of the squadron. The following day, Fleet Air Arm Skua dive bombers struck the ship with three bombs and sank her in Bergen harbor. The wreck was raised in 1942 and subsequently used as a U-boat pier.