In 1936 and 1938, a total of 4 new fleet tenders for the fast attack boat flotillas were ordered by the Kriegsmarine. Only the first two were laid down and completed, the other two orders were cancelled with the outbreak of World War II.

The Carl Peters class was build to support an equip the fast attack boats with torpedoes, depth charges, ammunition, fuel and fresh water, in addition they were used as floating barracks and hospitals for the small S-boats.

The Carl Peters was first used during the invasion of Norway where it was damaged while invading Bergen. It was then used in various different operational areas, the British Channel, the Baltic Sea and Finnish waters. The ship sunk after it was hit by a mine on May 14, 1945.