Flottenbegleiter translates to Fleet Escort. Not convoy escort, though they were used in that role when necessary. These ships were built to undertake the roles of anti-aircraft and anti-submarine escorts to the large fleet units. Their roles were kept distinct by the absence of torpedoes. These ships were equivalent to the fastest frigates. The ships were designed for deep sea work and had a speed that allowed them to operate with the battlefleet. Long range was achieved by utilising diesel engines for the power plant. These were part of the extensive modernisation of the fleet undertaken by the Germanic States after 1934.
The Germanic States Navy built a series of these craft utilising the same hull and propulsion systems with slight differences in armament. Two of these vessels were laid down per year with the last of the class being completed in 1941. A new class was laid down with the updated weaponry then available.
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These were very capable ships for their size, lots of AA guns for their primary purpose of Fleet Escorts. They proved very useful in the Norwegian campaign where their good AA armament helped to secure ports until such time as airpower could be provided.
