Ermland file photo [31600]

Ermland

CountryGermany
Ship ClassDithmarschen-class Auxiliary
BuilderF. Schichau Danzig
Ordered18 Feb 1937
Laid Down17 Dec 1937
Commissioned2 Sep 1940
Displacement22,850 tons standard
Length587 feet
Beam72 feet
Draft33 feet
MachineryFour MAN 9cyl diesel engines, two Wagner geared turbines, two shafts
Power Output24,000 shaft horsepower
Speed21 knots
Range12,500nm at 15 knots
Crew208
Armament3x15cm/L48 C36 guns, 2x3.7cm anti-aircraft guns, 4x2cm anti-aircraft guns, 8 machine guns

Contributor:

ww2dbaseCommissioned in Sep 1940, Ermland was one of the Dithmarschen-class auxiliary ships that provided fueling, repairing, and medical services for ocean-going warships of the German Navy. Early in the European War, she supported battleships Scharhorst and Gneisenau. In 1943, she was spotted and attacked by Allied aircraft off Nantes, France, suffering fatal damage as she was broken into two. She was towed closer to shore and was sunk as a blockship at Nantes in Aug 1944.

ww2dbaseSource: german-navy.de

Last Major Revision: Feb 2022

Auxiliary Ermland Interactive Map

Photographs

Ermland at Nantes, France, 23 Mar 1941

Ermland Operational Timeline

18 Feb 1937 The order for the construction of Ermland was issued.
17 Dec 1937 The keel of Ermland was laid down by F. Schichau in Danzig.
2 Sep 1940 Ermland was commissioned into service.
25 Oct 1940 Ermland was ordered to set sail on a supply mission for battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisneau.
28 Oct 1940 Ermland broke through the Denmark Strait into the North Atlantic Ocean, but since battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisneau could not do the same, Ermland was ordered to sail to Brest, France.
25 Jan 1941 Ermland was ordered to set sail on a supporting mission for battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisneau, as a part of Operation Berlin.
23 Mar 1941 Ermland officially completed its supporting mission for battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisneau as a part of Operation Berlin, as the two battlecruisers had arrived in Brest, France on the previous day.
27 May 1941 Ermland departed La Pallice, La Rochelle, France to support damaged battleship Bismarck, but the battleship's sinking led to Ermland's return before the end of the day.
8 Aug 1942 German 3rd Torpedo Boat Flotilla (T10, T13, and T14) began escorting oiler Ermland in an attempt to break out into the Atlantic Ocean.
11 Aug 1942 German oiler Ermland successfully broke out into the Atlantic Ocean via the Bay of Biscay, arriving at Royan, France; she was escorted by torpedo boats T10, T13, and T14 of German 3rd Torpedo Boat Flotilla.
15 Aug 1942 Uckermarck and Ermland departed Royan, France, escorted by torpedo boats T4 and T10, in an attempt to pass through the English Channel for coast of the Bay of Biscay.
16 Aug 1942 Uckermarck and Ermland arrived at La Pallice, La Rochelle, France; they were escorted by torpedo boats T4 and T10.
10 Sep 1942 Ermland struck a mine and suffered some damage.
23 Sep 1943 Ermland was discovered and bombed by Allied aircraft, breaking in two, off Nantes, France.
11 Aug 1944 The wreck of Ermland was towed to Nantes, France and sunk as a block ship.




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Search WW2DB
More on Ermland
Event(s) Participated:
» Operation Berlin

Auxiliary Ermland Photo Gallery
Ermland at Nantes, France, 23 Mar 1941


Famous WW2 Quote
"With Germany arming at breakneck speed, England lost in a pacifist dream, France corrupt and torn by dissension, America remote and indifferent... do you not tremble for your children?"

Winston Churchill, 1935


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!