Air defense at anchor

Floating AA Batteries

Obsolete and captured warships became heavily armed stationary platforms positioned beneath Allied bomber routes approaching the German and occupied coastlines.

7 converted ships

A desperate defense

Old hulls, modern anti-aircraft guns

Most propulsion machinery was removed and the ships were towed into position. Naval artillery crews operated modern anti-aircraft weapons, radar and communications equipment from these anchored batteries.

Profile of Arcona

Floating AA battery

Arcona

1901–1948
The former light cruiser Arcona became a stationary anti-aircraft battery in 1940 and survived the war before being scrapped in 1948.Explore ship →
Profile of Ariadne

Floating AA battery

Ariadne

1904–1955
Converted from a former Dutch coastal-defense ship, Ariadne served as a floating anti-aircraft battery and remained afloat until 1955.Explore ship →
Profile of Medusa

Floating AA battery

Medusa

1901–1945
The elderly cruiser Medusa was converted into a stationary anti-aircraft battery in 1940 and was lost during the final year of the war.Explore ship →
Profile of Niobe

Floating AA battery

Niobe

1900–1944
The captured Norwegian coastal-defense ship Eidsvold was rebuilt as floating anti-aircraft battery Niobe and destroyed in 1944.Explore ship →
Profile of Nymphe

Floating AA battery

Nymphe

1898–1945
The former light cruiser Nymphe entered service as a floating anti-aircraft battery in 1941 and remained in that role until 1945.Explore ship →
Profile of Thetis

Floating AA battery

Thetis

1898–1947
The old cruiser Thetis served as a stationary anti-aircraft platform from 1941 and survived until its postwar disposal.Explore ship →
Profile of Undine

Floating AA battery

Undine

1908–1975
Converted into a floating anti-aircraft battery, Undine survived the war and continued in postwar service until 1975.Explore ship →