Type 1936B: a better destroyer that arrived in too few numbers

The Type 1936B returned to 127 mm guns, but their mounts elevated only to 30 degrees and depressed 10 degrees below horizontal. Its two twin 37 mm anti-aircraft mounts could elevate to 85 degrees, while three quadruple and three single 20 mm mounts supplied additional close-range fire. Two quadruple 21-inch launchers provided eight torpedo tubes, alongside depth charges and mine capacity. Roll keels sought to improve stability, although the sharply raked bow frames left seakeeping problems. Sonar, passive hydrophones, and radar above the bridge added to the ships' theoretical capability. Production remained the larger problem: the account describes three uncompleted orders and only five ships built. The loss of Z35 and Z36 in a German defensive mine barrage then removed two scarce destroyers after little more than a year in service.