Emden, 1920s.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP5529

Emden, 1920s.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP550

Emden in for Repairs.

KMS Emden

Type:                            German Light Cruiser

Builder:                        Navy Yard - Wilhelmshaven

Laid Down:                  18 Dec 1921

Launched:                   07 Jan 1925

Commissioned:         15 Oct 1925.

Displacement:            5,600 tons standard;   6,900 tons full load.

Dimensions:               Length 508.8 ft,  Beam 46.9 ft,  Draught 19.0 ft

Propulsion:                  2 shafts;  Brown-Boveri geared-turbines;  10 boilers;  45,900shp;

                                    29.4kt;   5,300nm at l8 kt;  6,700nm at 14 kt.

Armament:                  8 x 5.9 in;     3 x 3.5 in;     4 x 20mm;    4 x 21 in.

Complement:              650.

History:

The cruiser Emden was the first major warship to be built under the limitations imposed by the Versailles Treaty.  She was laid down in 1921 and completed in 1925, her design being based on that of the Koln, the last cruiser to be built during the recent war.  For the first time, electrical welding was used to build a warship of this size.  Emden's main purpose, however, was not as a fighting ship, but to train the young officers and cadets needed to form nucleus of the new Reichsmarine.  In 1926 her aft funnel was modified slightly by being raised to the same height as the forward funnel.  From the period October 1926 – 29^th March 1933 she acted as a training ship, which included five international voyages.  After a brief refit at Wilhelmshaven she carried on this role again for the next four years, which included a further six international voyages.  One of her commanding officers during this time was Karl Dönitz (Sept 34 to Sept 35).  In March 1939 she played a minor role as a fishery protection vessel off Iceland.  Supported by torpedo boats, Emden laid mines in the North Sea in August.  Whilst sheltered in Wilhelmshaven she shot down a Blenheim Bomber, which crashed, into her bow.  This resulted in the first naval casualties of the war (4^th Oct 1939).  After repairs she continued in the training role.  As part of operation Weserubung, Emden helped transported troops from Swinemunde on 6^th Apr 1940.  She then went to Kiel and joined Squadron 5, comprising the Lutzow and the ill-fated Blucher (lost, 8^th April 1940), Emden’s embarked troops deployed at the Drobak Narrows to attack Norwegian Forts.  She then went to Oslofiord and acted as a communications post for all three services from 10^th April.  In November she once again took on the training role.  In late September 1941 she joined the cruiser Leipzig and together they bombarded Russian shore batteries at Cape Rista and also sank the soviet MTB 83.  She once again became a training ship before commencing a major refit at Wilhelmshaven from June to November 1942.  Further training duties followed until November 1944, before she mined the Skagerrak.  On 9^th December she ran aground at Oslofiord and had to be towed to Pillau by Ice Breakers.  After a six day journey she limped into Kiel harbour for her last refit.  During an air raid on Kiel on the night of 9^th /10^th April 1945, she became heavily damaged and was beached in Heikendorfer Bay.  She was de-activated on the 26^th April and blown up on 3rd May 1945.  Her remains were broken up in 1948.

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