The two small cruisers Wiesbaden and Frankfurt were build under the 1912 naval construction program. They were the first German small cruisers equipped with 15 cm guns, a step to close the gap with the heavier armed British cruisers. In all other respects they were only slightly improved to their predecessors.

The Frankfurt took part in the Battle of Jutland in the 2nd Reconnaissance Group. The ship survived and did participate in the operations at the Baltic Islands. It was scuttled at Scapa Flow on 21.06.1919, but the British were able to raise the ship again. It was delivered to the USA and sunk as a target ship on 28.07.1921.