View source for German destroyer Z17 Diether von Roeder

{{Short description|Type 1936-class destroyer}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp - NH 83980.jpg
| Ship caption = [[Sister ship]] [[German destroyer Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp|''Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp'']] underway, {{Circa|1939}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = [[Nazi Germany]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
| Ship name = ''Z17 Diether von Roeder''
| Ship namesake = Diether von Roeder
| Ship ordered = 6 January 1936
| Ship builder = [[AG Weser]] ([[Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG|Deschimag]]), [[Bremen]]
| Ship original cost = 
| Ship yard number = 919
| Ship way number = 
| Ship laid down = 9 September 1936
| Ship launched = 19 August 1937
| Ship sponsor = 
| Ship christened = 
| Ship completed = 
| Ship commissioned = 29 August 1938
| Ship fate = [[Scuttled]], 13 April 1940
| Ship notes = 
| Ship badge = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = [[Type 1936 destroyer]]
| Ship displacement = *{{convert|2411|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} ([[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard]])
*{{convert|3415|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} ([[deep load]])
| Ship length = {{convert|123.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} ([[o/a]])
| Ship beam = {{convert|11.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = {{convert|4.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = *2 × shafts
*2 × geared [[steam turbine]] sets
| Ship speed = {{convert|36|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = {{convert|2050|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|19|kn}}
| Ship power = *{{convert|70000|PS|kW shp|lk=on|abbr=on}}
*6 × [[water-tube boiler]]s
| Ship complement = 323
| Ship armament = *5 × single [[12.7 cm SK C/34 naval gun|{{convert|12.7|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} guns]]
*2 × twin [[3.7 cm SK C/30|{{convert|3.7|cm|in|1|abbr=on}}]] [[AA gun]]s
*6 × single [[2 cm FlaK 30|{{convert|2|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}}]] AA guns
*2 × quadruple {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s
*4 × [[depth charge]] throwers
*60 [[naval mine|mines]]
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

'''''Z17 Diether von Roeder''''' was one of six [[Type 1936 destroyer]]s built for the ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' (German Navy) in the late 1930s. Completed in 1938, the ship spent most of her time training although she did participate in the [[1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania|occupation of Memel]] in early 1939. At the beginning of [[World War II]] in September, the ship was initially deployed to lay [[minefields]] off the German coast, but was soon transferred to the [[Skagerrak]] where she inspected neutral shipping for contraband goods. In late 1939, the ship helped lay an offensive [[minefield]] off the English coast that claimed seven merchant ships.

During [[Operation Weserübung|the German invasion of Norway]] in April 1940, ''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' was tasked to attack [[Narvik]] and participated in both the [[First Naval Battle of Narvik|First and]] [[Second Naval Battle of Narvik|Second Naval Battles of Narvik]]. She was crippled by British destroyers during the first battle, but was able to severely damage a British destroyer during the second battle, before she had to be [[scuttled]] to prevent her capture.

==Design and description==
''Diether von Roeder'' had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|123.4|m|ftin|sp=us}} and was {{convert|120|m|ftin|sp=us}} [[Length at the waterline|long at the waterline]]. The ship had a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|11.8|m|ftin|sp=us}}, and a maximum [[draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|4.5|m|ftin|sp=us}}. She displaced {{convert|2411|LT|t|sp=us}} at [[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard load]] and {{convert|3415|LT|t|sp=us}} at [[deep load]]. The two Wagner geared [[steam turbine]] sets, each driving one [[propeller shaft]], were designed to produce {{convert|70000|PS|kW shp|lk=on|abbr=on}} using steam provided by six Wagner [[water-tube boiler]]s. ''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' had a designed speed of {{convert|36|kn|lk=on}},<ref name=g9/> but she reached {{convert|41.45|kn|1}} from {{convert|72500|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}} during her [[sea trial]]s.<ref>Koop & Schmolke, p. 98</ref> The ship carried a maximum of {{convert|739|t|LT|0|sp=us}} of [[fuel oil]] which gave a range of {{convert|2050|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|19|kn}}. Her crew consisted of 10 officers and 313 sailors.<ref name=g9>Gröner, p. 202</ref>

The ship carried five [[12.7 cm SK C/34 naval gun|{{convert|12.7|cm|adj=on|sp=us}} SK C/34 guns]] in single mounts with [[gun shield]]s, two each [[superfire|superimposed]], fore and aft of the [[superstructure]]. The fifth mount was positioned on top of the rear deckhouse. The guns were numbered from 1 to 5 from front to rear. Her [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] armament consisted of four [[3.7 cm SK C/30|{{convert|3.7|cm|adj=on|sp=us}} SK C/30]] guns in two twin mounts abreast the rear [[funnel (ship)|funnel]] and six [[2 cm FlaK 30/38/Flakvierling|{{convert|2|cm|adj=on|sp=us|1}} C/30]] guns in single mounts. The ship carried eight above-water {{convert|53.3|cm|in|adj=on|sp=us}} [[torpedo tube]]s in two power-operated mounts.<ref name=g9/> Two reloads were provided for each mount. She had four [[depth charge]] launchers and mine rails could be fitted on the rear deck that had a maximum capacity of 60 [[naval mine|mines]].<ref>Whitley, p. 68</ref> 'GHG' ([[Gruppenhorchgerät]]) passive [[hydrophone]]s were fitted to detect [[submarine]]s and an active [[sonar]] system was installed by the end of 1939.<ref>Whitley, pp. 71–72</ref>

==Construction and career==
''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' was named after [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] (''Kapitänleutnant'') Diether von Roeder who commanded the 13th Torpedo Boat Half-Flotilla in World War I and was killed in action on 11 June 1918. The ship was ordered from [[AG Weser]] ([[Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG|Deschimag]]) on 6 January 1936. She was [[laid down]] at Deschimag's [[Bremen]] shipyard as [[yard number]] W919 on 9 September, [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 19 August 1937, and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 29 August 1938. From 23 to 24 March 1939, the ship was one of the destroyers that escorted [[Adolf Hitler]] aboard the [[heavy cruiser]] {{ship|German cruiser|Deutschland||2}} to occupy Memel. She participated in the fleet exercise the next month in the western Mediterranean and made several visits to Spanish and Moroccan ports in April and May. In July, ''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' joined her sisters {{ship|German destroyer|Z18 Hans Lüdemann||2}} and {{ship|German destroyer|Z19 Hermann Künne||2}} making port visits in Norway.<ref>Koop & Schmolke, pp. 24, 98; Whitley, pp. 81–82</ref>

When World War II began in September, she was initially deployed in the [[German Bight]] where she laid defensive minefields. The ship then patrolled the Skagerrak to inspect neutral shipping for contraband goods.<ref>Rohwer, pp. 2, 5</ref> On the night of 17/18 October, [[Rear Admiral]] (''Konteradmiral'') [[Günther Lütjens]], aboard his [[flagship]] [[German destroyer Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp|''Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp'']], led {{ship|German destroyer|Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt||2}}, ''Z17 Diether von Roeder'', ''Z18 Hans Lüdemann'', ''Z19 Hermann Künne'', and [[German destroyer Z20 Karl Galster|''Z20 Karl Galster'']] as they laid a [[minefield]] off the mouth of the [[River Humber]]. The British were unaware of the minefield's existence and lost seven ships totaling {{GRT|25,825|disp=long}}.<ref>Hervieux, p. 112; Whitley, p. 86</ref>

===Norwegian Campaign===
{{see also|Battles of Narvik}}
[[File:UK-NWE-Norway-2.jpg|left|thumb|A map of the Ofotfjord|400px]]
''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' was allocated to Group 1 for the Norwegian portion of [[Operation Weserübung]] in April 1940. The group's task was to transport the 139th Mountain Infantry Regiment (''139. Gebirgsjäger Regiment'') and the headquarters of the [[3rd Mountain Division (Germany)|3rd Mountain Division]] (''3. Gebirgs-Division'') to seize [[Narvik]]. The ships began loading troops on 6 April and set sail the next day.<ref>Whitley, p. 96</ref> When they arrived off the [[Ofotfjord]] on the morning of 9 April, the ship remained at the mouth of the [[fjord]] while the other destroyers continued into the fjord to land their troops; she was tasked to serve as a [[picket ship]] to warn of any British attempt to interfere with the landings. ''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' was relieved later in the day to land her troops, but resumed her task the following night. [[Lieutenant Commander]] (''Korvettenkapitän'') Erich Holtorf, the ship's [[captain (nautical)|captain]], believed that his orders ended at dawn and returned to Narvik harbor.<ref>Haarr, pp. 323, 330–331, 339</ref>

Unbeknownst to the Germans, the five destroyers of the British [[2nd Destroyer Flotilla]], [[HMS Hardy (H87)|''Hardy'']], [[HMS Havock (H43)|''Havock'']], [[HMS Hunter (H35)|''Hunter'']], [[HMS Hotspur (H01)|''Hotspur'']], and [[HMS Hero (H99)|''Hero'']] were not far behind him, invisible in the dark and snow. They torpedoed two German destroyers and badly damaged two others while ''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' fired all of her torpedoes blindly at the harbor entrance and attempted to engage the British ships with her guns despite the driving snow. All of the torpedoes missed, possibly because their depth controls were set too deep, and her gunfire was ineffective. Visibility cleared as the leading British ships finished their attack on the harbor and several of them engaged ''Z17 Diether von Roeder''. She was hit by at least five {{convert|4.7|in|adj=on}} shells that destroyed No. 3 gun, severed the controls to the [[rudder]], damaged the center and aft [[Fire room|boiler rooms]], knocking out all power, and set an oil tank on fire. The British shells killed nine of the ship's crew; most of the survivors were used to help secure the town of Narvik. ''Z17 Diether von Roeder''{{'}}s radios were taken ashore and used to improve communications with other German commands within Norway.<ref>Haarr, pp. 339, 341–342, 349, 354</ref>

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-758-0056-35, Norwegen, deutsche Kriegsschiffe.jpg|thumb|''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' (front) at Narvik, the destroyer in the back is [[German destroyer Z9 Wolfgang Zenker|''Z9 Wolfgang Zenker'']]. The smaller vessels are captured Norwegian patrol boats.]]
Over the next several days, the ship's damage was evaluated and the Germans estimated that it would take at least a week to make her mobile again. In the meantime, her light weapons were off-loaded and her stern was tied to the [[pier]] in the harbor with her [[bow (ship)|bow]] angled outwards. This meant that only her two forward guns could bear on targets. On the night of 12/13 April, [[Commander]] (''Fregattenkapitän'') [[Erich Bey]], the senior surviving German officer, received word to expect an attack the following day by British [[capital ship]]s escorted by a large number of destroyers and supported by carrier aircraft. The [[battleship]] {{HMS|Warspite|03|2}} and nine destroyers duly appeared on 13 April, although earlier than Bey had expected, and caught the Germans out of position.<ref>Haar, pp. 357, 360</ref>

When the British destroyers {{HMS|Punjabi|F21|2}} and {{HMS|Bedouin|F67|2}} appeared at the harbor mouth, engaging {{ship|German destroyer|Z12 Erich Giese||2}}, the 25 [[gunner (artillery)|gunners]] left on board opened fire on whatever British ships were visible, including ''Warspite''. One of the ''Z17 Diether von Roeder''{{'}}s shells hit the battleship's [[bridge (nautical)|bridge]], but only caused minor damage. The British initially thought that they were fired upon by coastal artillery in the smoke and confusion, but a report from a [[Fairey Swordfish]] [[torpedo bomber]] from ''Warspite'' revealed the German ship. The destroyer {{HMS|Cossack|F03|2}} moved through the sunken [[freighter (cargo ship)|freighter]]s to investigate and opened fire at {{convert|2500|m|yd|sp=us}}. She started making hits with her second salvo and set the German ship's stern aflame, but ''Z17 Diether von Roeder''{{'}}s return fire was devastating. The British destroyer was hit at least seven times that severed the steam pipe to the forward boiler room, damaged the center boiler room, started a fire, and knocked out her steering gear, causing her to [[Ship grounding|run aground]]. The German shells killed 9 men and wounded 21. The destroyer {{HMS|Kimberley|F50|2}} and ''Warspite'' returned fire, the latter even hitting ''Z17 Diether von Roeder'' once, but the gunners had abandoned ship once their ammunition was exhausted and only the three-man demolition party was still aboard when the destroyer {{HMS|Foxhound|H69|2}} approached. They lit the fuses and ran ashore; the depth charges packed into her interior exploded when the British ship was less than {{convert|50|m|yd|sp=us}} away with a [[boarding party]] ready.<ref>Haarr, pp. 364–365</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
*{{Cite book |last=Gröner|first=Erich|title=German Warships 1815&ndash;1945|year=1990 |location=Annapolis, Maryland|volume=1: Major Surface Warships|publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-87021-790-9|author-link=Erich Gröner}}
* {{cite book|last=Haarr|first=Geirr H.|title=The German Invasion of Norway, April 1940|year=2009 |publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=978-1-59114-310-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/germaninvasionof00geir}}
* {{cite book|last=Hervieux|first=Pierre|title=Warship|editor-last=Roberts |editor-first=John |publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=Greenwich, England|year=1980|volume=IV|chapter=German Destroyer Minelaying Operations Off the English Coast (1940–1941)|isbn=0-87021-979-0|pages=110–17}}
*{{cite book |last1=Koop |first1=Gerhard|last2=Schmolke |first2=Klaus-Peter|title=German Destroyers of World War II |year=2003 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-59114-307-1|name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book|last=Rohwer|first=Jürgen|title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two |publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=2005 |edition=Third Revised |isbn=1-59114-119-2|author-link=Jürgen Rohwer}}
*{{cite book |last=Whitley|first=M. J. |title=German Destroyers of World War Two |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1991 |isbn=978-1-55750-302-2|author-link=Michael J. Whitley}}

==External links==
* [http://www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine/ships/destroyer/index.html Kriegsmarine destroyers]

{{Type 1936 destroyers}}
{{April 1940 shipwrecks}}
{{coord|68|25|N|17|24|E|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Z17 Diether von Roeder}}
[[Category:1937 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Bremen (state)]]
[[Category:Type 1936 destroyers]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in April 1940]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Norwegian Sea]]
[[Category:Scuttled vessels of Germany]]