In 1934, with the coming introduction of high pressure turbines, a proposal was made for a new training vessel. Planned as 'Ersatz Hay' (to replace Hay, a modified tender of pre-WW1 days), the order for the new ship was given in Oktober 1934 and the keel was laid down in December. She was launched in May 1935 and her comissioning was in Februrary 1936. The name Brummer, was for an aggressiv fly and was a traditional name in the German navy.
The design had three purposes: Primarily Brummer was an artillery training ship for Flak weapons. Additionally, she was a testbed for the new high pressure turbines and could also serve as a minelayer in war. The main armament consisted of four 88mm Flak L/76 C/32 in twin mounts and two 88mm Flak L/45 C/13 in single mount C/13, but all weapon points were designed to be interchangable. Light AA consisted of four 37mm Flak L/83 C/30 in twin mount C/30 and two 20mm FlaMG L/65 C/30 in single mount C/30. In her function as minelayer, she could carry up to 150 mines.
After inital problems with her engines, she began training duties in 1937, which included visits to northern European harbours.
With the outbreak of the war, Brummer followed her wartime purpose and conducted minelaying operation in the access to the Batltic Sea. At the beginning of 1940 she was used at as a commerce raider and later supported the German troops in Norway as a transporter. On her way back from Norway, on Janurary 14th, 1940, Brummer was attacked by the British submarine Sterlet. The torpedo attack cut off her bow, but the crew managed to keep the ship afloat for nine more hours before Brummer finally sunk.
Many thanks go to KimWerner, for making this great badge!
