German Cruisers and Destroyers: The Backbone of the Kriegsmarine German cruisers and destroyers were the versatile backbone of the Kriegsmarine during WWII. Heavy cruisers like the Prinz Eugen, commissioned in 1940, reached speeds of 32 knots and carried eight lethal 8-inch guns. Meanwhile, Z-class destroyers, built throughout the late 1930s, were exceptionally fast at 38 knots and uniquely armed with massive 5.9-inch main batteries. These ships performed vital roles, from commerce raiding to es