Brummer entered service in May 1916 with few apparent problems and did not take part in the Battle of Jutland. In autumn 1917 the German naval staff chose Brummer and Bremse to supplement the U-boat campaign by attacking Scandinavian convoys. Because the ships were known minelayers, British forces might hunt for a mining sortie instead of preparing for surface raiders. A more ambitious proposal would have based the cruisers in the Azores with tanker support. It foundered on the difficulty of getting them there and replenishing their coal, although oil could be transferred at sea.
Notable Point · 21:32-23:16
From fast minelayer to convoy raider
Brummer's mine-warfare identity could mislead British planners while the ships were instead sent to attack Scandinavian convoys.