Ships in class Graf Zeppelin-class aircraft carrier

1 ships in class

1.1 flugzeugträger graf zeppelin
1.2 flugzeugträger b
1.3 flugzeugträger c , d

ships in class

the graf zeppelin moored @ stettin, mid-1941. improved atlantic bow , 2 empty openings 15cm (5.9-inch) gun casemates (just below , forward of funnel), telescoping masts , ends of twin catapult tracks on flight deck visible.

construction on kriegsmarine s 2 aircraft carriers had been fitful start due shortage of welders , delays in obtaining materials.

flugzeugträger graf zeppelin

work started on flugzeugträger in 1936. laid down on 28 december year, , launched on 8 december 1938. however, incomplete april 1940, when changed strategic situation led work on being suspended. however, spring of 1942 usefulness of aircraft carriers in modern naval warfare had been amply demonstrated, , on 13 may 1942, hitler s authorization, german naval supreme command ordered work resumed on carrier.

with technical problems, such demand newer planes designed carrier use, , need modernization, progress delayed. german naval staff hoped these changes accomplished april 1943, carrier s first sea trials taking place in august same year. however, late january 1943 hitler had become disenchanted kriegsmarine, perceived poor performance of surface fleet, ordered of larger ships taken out of service , scrapped. of 2 february 1943, construction on carrier ended good.

graf zeppelin languished next 2 years in various baltic ports. on 25 april 1945, scuttled @ stettin (now szczecin, poland), ahead of advancing red army. ship subsequently raised soviets , used target practice , sunk in 1947. wreck discovered in 2006 polish researchers in baltic off władysławowo, @ head of hel peninsula.

flugzeugträger b

the contract build ship awarded friedrich krupp germaniawerft in kiel in 1938, planned launch date on 1 july 1940. work on flugzeugträger b began in 1938 halted on 19 september 1939 because, germany @ war great britain , france, priority had shifted u-boat construction. hull, completed armored deck, sat rusting on slipway until 28 february 1940, when admiral raeder ordered broken , scrapped. scrapping completed 4 months later.

the kriegsmarine never named vessel before launched, given designation b ( graf zeppelin s designation before launch). had been completed, aircraft carrier have been named peter strasser in honor of world war leader of naval airships peter strasser.

flugzeugträger c , d

in 1937, kriegsmarine planned 2 additional aircraft carriers of graf zeppelin class official designations c , d. both these carriers planned operational 1943. however, end of 1938, plan changed build these 2 carriers plus further units smaller carriers.