Difference between revisions of "S-204 Lang"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' -->
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German motor torpedo boat {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the earliest pre-orders offered to access the fleet closed beta test before being removed from the store with the wide-release of the closed beta test in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]].
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One of the best-known individual Schnellboots, the S-204 Lang, painted with a characteristic black panther, was originally built in the German Lürssen shipyard. Through most of its career, it operated from the Netherlands and the port of Kiel. It never got into direct combat against any Allied vessels, being used primarily as a patrol vessel. It became an icon when photos of its arrival under the white flag to the British naval base became public. In 1946, the S-204 was gifted to the USSR as a part of war reparations and eventually was broken up in the 1950s. The vessel can be found on covers of books, in model kits, and playable in War Thunder!
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was one of the earliest [[wt:en/news/4355-shop-black-friday-thanksgiving-discounts-have-ended-en|pre-orders offered to access the fleet closed beta test]]. It was introduced into the game and removed from the store with the wide-release of the closed beta test in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]], and hasn't returned for sale since. She's a very fast, but also fragile vessel, which is best used for capturing the points and harassing enemy vessels, rather than engaging in short-range duels. Both her torpedoes and mines are excellent, making it possible to use her even in high BR matches with destroyers, but the overall large size makes her an easier target than more widely used torpedo boats. One should be especially cautious of fully exposing her sides, as she makes for a large, easy target with a relatively low crew count to resist even enemy machine guns.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Armour}}
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''Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.''
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<!-- ''Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.'' -->
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Unlike most low-BR vessels, Schnellboots have an armoured bridge, with 13 mm hardened steel sloped between 22 and 76°, which makes it relatively rare to lose control over the vessel. While this, combined with a relatively large size, might make the vessel appear to be very survivable, in reality it's a fragile vessel. A low crew count, few internal compartments, wooden hull, and the necessity to expose its sides to deliver the bulk of the firepower, make it an easy target to destroy.
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The best survivability can be achieved by moving directly towards or away from the enemy, where a single compartment is exposed to the enemy fire. The second-best option is to approach the enemy at an angle, where the exposed silhouette remains relatively small.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Mobility}}
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Mobility}}
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''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.''
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[[File:S-204 lang decals.jpg|thumb|With the purchase of S-204 Lang one receives three decals: Lang and Panther, visible on the superstructure, and Star above "TA" placed on the aft of the vessel.]]
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<!-- ''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.'' -->
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With a top speed of 109 km/h, the S-204 can beat even the hydrofoils in a straight line. It's one of the fastest naval vessels in the game, making it perfect for capturing the points and relocating to more comfortable locations when dealing with a bluewater vessels. For its large size, the vessel remains relatively manoeuvrable, being able to even dodge incoming high-calibre projectiles. That being said, its large size also impacts the turning circle, making it easier to crash into islands or other surface obstacles while manoeuvring in narrow areas of the map designed for smaller coastal vessels.
  
 
{{NavalMobility}}
 
{{NavalMobility}}
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=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
{{Specs-Economy}}
 
{{Specs-Economy}}
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Much like all of the premium vessels, S-204 comes with all modifications unlocked and installed. But given the engagement ranges it typically fights it, it might be best to uninstall the Torpedo Mode modification, in order to trade shorter range for a much higher speed of the G7a torpedoes.
  
 
== Armament ==
 
== Armament ==
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=== Primary armament ===
 
=== Primary armament ===
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Primary}}
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Primary}}
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<!-- ''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.'' -->
 
{{main|2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)|2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)}}
 
{{main|2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)|2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)}}
  
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''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''
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The main weapons of the S-204 are the three 20 mm cannons. A single-mount on the bow, and a twin-mount in the mid-section of the vessel. The bow-mounted 20 mm is the only gun on the vessel able to shoot at surface targets directly ahead.
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In terms of the ammunition choice, the Universal or APT magazines are recommended against surface targets, while HET magazines are best used against aerial targets.
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APT magazines have an advantage in being able to pierce through the ship, oftentimes entering through the bow and exiting through the rear of a small torpedo boats. These are best used against ships approaching directly frontally (e.g. in an attempt to bow tank).
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HET magazines are highly advantageous against aerial targets, there they'll do the highest amount of damage per the round hit, while also offering the best chance of igniting the fuel tanks. Alternatively, they can be used against a particularly small boats, such as [[LS 3]] or [[G-5]].
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* '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}
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* '''20 mm HET magazines:''' {{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}
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* '''20 mm APT magazines:''' {{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}
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{{:2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)/Ammunition|HEF-T, AP, AP-T, HEF}}
  
 
=== Secondary armament ===
 
=== Secondary armament ===
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Secondary}}
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Secondary}}
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{{main|3.7 cm FlaK-Lafette C/36 (37 mm)}}
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{{main|FlaK-Lafette C/36 (37 mm)}}
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<!-- ''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.'' -->
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Aft of the vessel is a 37 mm secondary gun. Unlike on the regular [[S-100]], the gun shield here is much larger, offering added protection against the enemy gunfire. It can engage enemy aircraft at a very formidable range and offers a good damage output against the coastal vessels.
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The AP ammunition can penetrate through any vessel it would meet, allowing to damage internal components, but it's at the price of much more limited damage. Purely in terms of the destructive potential against naval targets, the Universal belt seems to offer the shortest time to kill, offering a chance to put the enemy on fire, destroy components on the surface, and put armour-piercing rounds into the deep interior of the enemy.
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Against aerial targets, the HE clips are the best, as they will instantly shred the structure of the enemy aircraft, while APT clips require you to directly hit critical components in order to score a kill against an aircraft.
  
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''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.''
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* '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}
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* '''37 mm HE clips:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}
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* '''37 mm APT clips:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}
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{{:FlaK-Lafette C/36 (37 mm)/Ammunition|HEF-I, AP-T}}
  
 
=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
 
=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
 
{{Specs-Fleet-AA}}
 
{{Specs-Fleet-AA}}
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{{main|MG34 (7.92 mm)}}
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[[File:S-204 bridge with two MG 15 gunners.jpg|thumb|Both [[MG 15 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 15]] are located on the bridge, protected by a slope of 12 mm armor]]
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<!-- ''An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. Talk about the ship's anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.'' -->
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{{main|MG 15 (7.92 mm)}}
  
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''An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. Talk about the ship's anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.''
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The anti-air armament is mounted on the bridge, with an extremely narrow field of fire - only only ±16° horizontally and -1°/+40° vertically. The weapon itself is only a single 7.92 mm on each flank, being more symbolic than anything else when it comes to the damage output. This is furthered by the fact that one has to expose the entire side of the vessel to aim at the enemy, which is best avoided as it makes the large silhouette of the S-204 a very easy target.
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{{Clear}}
  
 
=== Additional armament ===
 
=== Additional armament ===
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Additional}}
 
{{Specs-Fleet-Additional}}
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[[File:S-204 minelaying.jpg|thumb|Dropping [[EMF mine]]s off the back]]
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<!-- ''Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes. If there is no additional armament, remove this section.'' -->
 
{{main|G7a (533 mm)|EMF mine}}
 
{{main|G7a (533 mm)|EMF mine}}
  
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''Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes. If there is no additional armament, remove this section.''
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The G7a torpedoes are excellent for such a low-BR torpedo boat. With an explosive filler equivalent to nearly 360 kg TNT, it's large enough to break through any torpedo bulge. Damage itself is sometimes enough to kill even a heavy cruiser with a single hit, but it will at least cripple any destroyer or a smaller vessel. It's recommended to uninstall the torpedo mode - in most maps there's little need to engage enemy vessels at over 6 km range, and having 45% higher speed makes a huge difference in accurately delivering a torpedo on the target.
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The mines carried are also extremely dangerous, carrying explosive mass second only to the [[UDM-E mine|UDM-E]]. Realistically, the biggest limitation of the vessel in minelaying department is the number of mines carried - with just four available, one struggles to put down anything but a symbolic mine defense around capture points or critical locations. Scoring a kill with the mines is more luck than skill, but there's little disadvantage to taking them onboard, as the mines are unlikely to explode under the gunfire before the crew of the S-204 dies anyway.
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{{Clear}}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
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''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''
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<!-- ''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
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The S-204 Lang can be used exactly the same as its tech-tree equivalent: [[S-100]]. Making a use of all your firepower requires you to expose an entire broadside - if an enemy sprays your entire broadside, you'll most likely die right away. This creates an interesting play style, where one has to either approach or depart from the enemy at a sufficient angle to make use of at least two of your guns, while preferably avoiding being fired upon, and thus - playing on the outskirts of the main engagements. Its excellent top-speed is a huge enabler in playing such a harassing role.
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Much like other fast boats, it finds a great use in contesting the capture points and flanking the enemies. On larger maps it might be beneficial to go for a more distant capture points, often these dedicated to the bluewater vessels, as the S-204 will likely be the first vessel to arrive at the location, long before lumbering destroyers get close enough to kill you and prevent capture.
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Gameplay in the S-204 hugely benefits from regularly checking the minimap and relocating, rather than rushing towards the nearest targets, as a number of gunboats can easily outgun you in a duel.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''
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<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
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[[File:3.7 cm FlaK-Lafette C 36 on S-204.jpg|thumb|[[FlaK-Lafette C/36 (37 mm)|3.7 cm FlaK-Lafette C/36]] features an extended gun shield on the S-204, compared to the regular [[S-100]].]]
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
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*
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* Broadside firepower
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* Very good torpedoes with a reload available
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* Ability to carry both: Mines and torpedoes at the same time
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
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 +
* Below average survivability
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* In most of the frontal arcs, only a single [[2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)|20mm gun]] is able to engage the enemy
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* Large profile makes an easy target for bomber and cannon-equipped fighters alike.
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* Anti-aircraft 7.92 mm MG 15 has an extremely limited field of fire (only ±16° horizontally and -1°/+40° vertically) making it unable to engage anything but enemy planes in a very shallow dive perpendicularly towards the vessel.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
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<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
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[[File:S 204 in Felixstowe 1945-05-13.jpg|thumb|S 204 arriving under the white flag at Felixstowe]]
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S-204 was built in the Lürssen shipyard in [[wikipedia:Bremen-Vegesack|Vegesack]], commissioned on 19 August 1944 to 4. Schnellboot-Flottille in the Netherlands. In the records from July 1944 the S-204 was under the command of OLt..z.S. Hans-Jürgen Seeger, nicknamed HaJü after its commander. On 10 October 1944 flottila was rebased to [[wikipedia:Kiel|Kiel]], on Baltic Sea. Once the Battle of the Bulge has begun, the 4th Schnellboot Flotilla was ordered back to the western front, where it arrived on 28 December 1944. In April 1945 the vessel was nicknamed Lang, under the command of Lt.z.S. Claus Hinrichs.
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Following the 8th of May 1945 surrender, the S-204 was captured by the British forces in [[wikipedia:Rotterdam|Rotterdam]] and carried the chief of the 4th Schnellboot Flotilla, KKpt Kurt Fimmen, along with KptLt Bernd Rebensburg to the British Navy base Beehive in [[wikipedia:Felixstowe|Felixstowe]]. Claus Hinrichs remained the commander of the vessel, and the S-204 arrived at the British base under the white flag (see: picture right).
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The vessel was delivered to the USSR on 4 January 1946 and assigned a new designation TK-1020. The following fate of the boat varies depending on the source.
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* According to the ''Schnellboots Attack'', the vessel was reclassified from TK-1020 to reconnaissance boat РК-1674 on 17 June 1952, then reclassified to the dispatch boat ПОК-47 and finally decomissioned on 21 December 1954 to be broken up (decomissioning date also confirmed by the ''Warships of the Soviet Fleets'').
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* According to Senotrusov Vyacheslav, TK-1020 was assigned to the Baltic Fleet on 7 February 1946 (days before Baltic Fleet was split into 4th and 8th Fleets of the USSR) and after a little bit over 2 years in service, she was mothballed on 28 February 1948. Following that, she was removed from mothballing on 12 January 1949 and transferred for breaking up on 25 September 1950 to the ОФИ.
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A historical fiction book Armada, by Steven Wilson (published by Pinnacle Books), tells a story of the fictional loader for the [[2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)|2 cm/65 C/38]] named Matrose Willy Hellwig in the Chapter 11 of the book.
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The vessel is also known from the 1:72 scale model of the S-100 sold by Revell.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
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<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
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;Skins
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_s_100_s204_lang Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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''Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
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<!-- ''Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the ship;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the ship;''
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
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* [[S-100]], tech-tree equivalent
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* [[S-701]], another premium Schnellboot
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* Other coastal boats avaiable during the Naval closed beta test: [[PT-109]], [[Pr.1124 MLRS]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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* ''encyclopedia page on the ship;''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
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* ''other literature.''
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* [https://www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine/ships/fastattack/schnellboot1940/ships.html <nowiki>[German Naval History]</nowiki> Schnellboot 1939/1940]
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* [http://www.rodericktimms.royalnavy.co.uk/e_boats_surrender_at_felixstowe.html <nowiki>[Roderick James Weston Timms]</nowiki> "E" Boats Surrender at Felixstowe]
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* [http://www.swanseadocks.co.uk/oldsite/german%20E%20boat.html <nowiki>[Retired Section Swansea Docks]</nowiki> German E Boat. S 204]
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* [https://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/km/sboot/sfl4.htm <nowiki>[Württembergische Landesbibliothek]</nowiki> 4. Schnellbootflottille]
 +
* [http://www.foerderverein-museums-schnellboot.de/s-boote/kriegsmarine/buchstaben-4sflt.htm <nowiki>[Förderverein Museums-Schnellboot e.V.]</nowiki> Buchstabenkennung in der 4. SFltl]
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* [http://s-boot.net/englisch/sboats-kriegsmarine-whereabouts.html <nowiki>[Die Schnellboot-Seite]</nowiki> S-Boats in the Kriegsmarine 1935 - 1945: Whereabouts of the S-Boats]
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* [https://navyworld.narod.ru/sb5.htm <nowiki>[Navy of the World]</nowiki> Торпедные катера с S 201 до S 250] by Senotrusov Vyacheslav (Сенотрусов Вячеслав)
 +
* Warships of the Soviet Fleets, 1939–1945: Volume III Naval Auxiliaries, Tom 3 by Przemysław Budzbon, Jan Radziemski and Marek Twardowski
 +
* Schnellboots Attack: German Torpedo Boats of World War Two (Атакуют "Шнелльботы": Германские торпедные катера Второй мировой войны) by Miroslav Morozov, Sergei Patyanin and Mikhail Barabanov (Мирослав Морозов, Сергей Патянин, Михаил Барабанов) - page 108
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{{ShipManufacturer Lürssen}}
 
{{Germany boats}}
 
{{Germany boats}}
 
{{Germany premium ships}}
 
{{Germany premium ships}}

Latest revision as of 20:32, 18 February 2024

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
S-204 Lang
germ_s_100_s204_lang.png
GarageImage S-204 Lang.jpg
S-204 Lang
Germany flag.png Germany
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
2.3 2.3 2.3
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game

Description

One of the best-known individual Schnellboots, the S-204 Lang, painted with a characteristic black panther, was originally built in the German Lürssen shipyard. Through most of its career, it operated from the Netherlands and the port of Kiel. It never got into direct combat against any Allied vessels, being used primarily as a patrol vessel. It became an icon when photos of its arrival under the white flag to the British naval base became public. In 1946, the S-204 was gifted to the USSR as a part of war reparations and eventually was broken up in the 1950s. The vessel can be found on covers of books, in model kits, and playable in War Thunder!

The S-100-class, S204 Lang was one of the earliest pre-orders offered to access the fleet closed beta test. It was introduced into the game and removed from the store with the wide-release of the closed beta test in Update 1.79 "Project X", and hasn't returned for sale since. She's a very fast, but also fragile vessel, which is best used for capturing the points and harassing enemy vessels, rather than engaging in short-range duels. Both her torpedoes and mines are excellent, making it possible to use her even in high BR matches with destroyers, but the overall large size makes her an easier target than more widely used torpedo boats. One should be especially cautious of fully exposing her sides, as she makes for a large, easy target with a relatively low crew count to resist even enemy machine guns.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull40 mm (wood)
Superstructure4 mm (steel)
Number of section3
Displacement117 t
Crew21 people

Unlike most low-BR vessels, Schnellboots have an armoured bridge, with 13 mm hardened steel sloped between 22 and 76°, which makes it relatively rare to lose control over the vessel. While this, combined with a relatively large size, might make the vessel appear to be very survivable, in reality it's a fragile vessel. A low crew count, few internal compartments, wooden hull, and the necessity to expose its sides to deliver the bulk of the firepower, make it an easy target to destroy.

The best survivability can be achieved by moving directly towards or away from the enemy, where a single compartment is exposed to the enemy fire. The second-best option is to approach the enemy at an angle, where the exposed silhouette remains relatively small.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB109 / 33 km/h
RB78 / 24 km/h
With the purchase of S-204 Lang one receives three decals: Lang and Panther, visible on the superstructure, and Star above "TA" placed on the aft of the vessel.

With a top speed of 109 km/h, the S-204 can beat even the hydrofoils in a straight line. It's one of the fastest naval vessels in the game, making it perfect for capturing the points and relocating to more comfortable locations when dealing with a bluewater vessels. For its large size, the vessel remains relatively manoeuvrable, being able to even dodge incoming high-calibre projectiles. That being said, its large size also impacts the turning circle, making it easier to crash into islands or other surface obstacles while manoeuvring in narrow areas of the map designed for smaller coastal vessels.

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 109 33
RB/SB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 78 24

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB1 200 Sl icon.png
RB2 350 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts67 000 Sl icon.png
Aces400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces570 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 100 / 170 / 50 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Mods new aa caliber turrets.png
Anti-Air Armament Targeting
Mods tank ammo.png
37 mm HE clips
Mods tank ammo.png
20 mm HET magazines
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Mods tank ammo.png
37 mm APT clips
Mods tank ammo.png
20 mm APT magazines
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Mods ship art support.png
Artillery Support
Mods torpedo.png
Torpedo Mode
Mods naval mine.png
Mines

Much like all of the premium vessels, S-204 comes with all modifications unlocked and installed. But given the engagement ranges it typically fights it, it might be best to uninstall the Torpedo Mode modification, in order to trade shorter range for a much higher speed of the G7a torpedoes.

Armament

Primary armament

Turret2 cm/65 C/38 automatic cannon
Ammunition2000 rounds
Belt capacity40 rounds
Fire rate480 shots/min
Vertical guidance-4° / 60°
Turret2 x 2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 automatic cannon
Ammunition4000 rounds
Belt capacity40 rounds
Fire rate501 shots/min
Vertical guidance-5° / 60°
Main articles: 2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm), 2 cm/65 Flakzwilling 38 (20 mm)

The main weapons of the S-204 are the three 20 mm cannons. A single-mount on the bow, and a twin-mount in the mid-section of the vessel. The bow-mounted 20 mm is the only gun on the vessel able to shoot at surface targets directly ahead.

In terms of the ammunition choice, the Universal or APT magazines are recommended against surface targets, while HET magazines are best used against aerial targets.

APT magazines have an advantage in being able to pierce through the ship, oftentimes entering through the bow and exiting through the rear of a small torpedo boats. These are best used against ships approaching directly frontally (e.g. in an attempt to bow tank).

HET magazines are highly advantageous against aerial targets, there they'll do the highest amount of damage per the round hit, while also offering the best chance of igniting the fuel tanks. Alternatively, they can be used against a particularly small boats, such as LS 3 or G-5.

  • Universal: AP-T · AP · HEF-T · HEF
  • 20 mm HET magazines: HEF · HEF-T · HEF · AP
  • 20 mm APT magazines: AP · AP-T · AP · HEF

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
HEF-T 2 2 2 2 2 2
AP 36 35 27 20 15 11
AP-T 36 35 27 20 15 11
HEF 2 2 2 2 2 2
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HEF-T 835 0.12 0 0.1 10.54 79° 80° 81°
AP 785 0.15 - - - 47° 60° 65°
AP-T 785 0.15 - - - 47° 60° 65°
HEF 835 0.12 0 0.1 10.54 79° 80° 81°

Secondary armament

Turret3.7 cm FlaK-Lafette C/36 mounting
Ammunition2000 rounds
Belt capacity5 rounds
Fire rate250 shots/min
Main article: FlaK-Lafette C/36 (37 mm)

Aft of the vessel is a 37 mm secondary gun. Unlike on the regular S-100, the gun shield here is much larger, offering added protection against the enemy gunfire. It can engage enemy aircraft at a very formidable range and offers a good damage output against the coastal vessels.

The AP ammunition can penetrate through any vessel it would meet, allowing to damage internal components, but it's at the price of much more limited damage. Purely in terms of the destructive potential against naval targets, the Universal belt seems to offer the shortest time to kill, offering a chance to put the enemy on fire, destroy components on the surface, and put armour-piercing rounds into the deep interior of the enemy.

Against aerial targets, the HE clips are the best, as they will instantly shred the structure of the enemy aircraft, while APT clips require you to directly hit critical components in order to score a kill against an aircraft.

  • Universal: AP-T · HEF-I
  • 37 mm HE clips: HEF-I · HEF-I · HEF-I · HEF-I · AP-T
  • 37 mm APT clips: AP-T · AP-T · AP-T · AP-T · HEF-I

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
HEF-I 3 3 3 3 3 3
AP-T 67 64 53 42 33 26
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HEF-I 845 0.62 0 0.1 44.03 79° 80° 81°
AP-T 815 0.7 - - - 47° 60° 65°

Anti-aircraft armament

2 х Turret7.92 mm MG15 machine gun
Ammunition1500 rounds
Belt capacity75 rounds
Fire rate1000 shots/min
Both 7.92 mm MG 15 are located on the bridge, protected by a slope of 12 mm armor
Main article: MG 15 (7.92 mm)

The anti-air armament is mounted on the bridge, with an extremely narrow field of fire - only only ±16° horizontally and -1°/+40° vertically. The weapon itself is only a single 7.92 mm on each flank, being more symbolic than anything else when it comes to the damage output. This is furthered by the fact that one has to expose the entire side of the vessel to aim at the enemy, which is best avoided as it makes the large silhouette of the S-204 a very easy target.

Additional armament

Setup 14 x 533 mm G7a torpedo
Setup 24 x EMF moored magnetic mine
Setup 34 x 533 mm G7a torpedo
2 x EMF moored magnetic mine
Dropping EMF mines off the back
Main articles: G7a (533 mm), EMF mine

The G7a torpedoes are excellent for such a low-BR torpedo boat. With an explosive filler equivalent to nearly 360 kg TNT, it's large enough to break through any torpedo bulge. Damage itself is sometimes enough to kill even a heavy cruiser with a single hit, but it will at least cripple any destroyer or a smaller vessel. It's recommended to uninstall the torpedo mode - in most maps there's little need to engage enemy vessels at over 6 km range, and having 45% higher speed makes a huge difference in accurately delivering a torpedo on the target.

The mines carried are also extremely dangerous, carrying explosive mass second only to the UDM-E. Realistically, the biggest limitation of the vessel in minelaying department is the number of mines carried - with just four available, one struggles to put down anything but a symbolic mine defense around capture points or critical locations. Scoring a kill with the mines is more luck than skill, but there's little disadvantage to taking them onboard, as the mines are unlikely to explode under the gunfire before the crew of the S-204 dies anyway.

Usage in battles

The S-204 Lang can be used exactly the same as its tech-tree equivalent: S-100. Making a use of all your firepower requires you to expose an entire broadside - if an enemy sprays your entire broadside, you'll most likely die right away. This creates an interesting play style, where one has to either approach or depart from the enemy at a sufficient angle to make use of at least two of your guns, while preferably avoiding being fired upon, and thus - playing on the outskirts of the main engagements. Its excellent top-speed is a huge enabler in playing such a harassing role.

Much like other fast boats, it finds a great use in contesting the capture points and flanking the enemies. On larger maps it might be beneficial to go for a more distant capture points, often these dedicated to the bluewater vessels, as the S-204 will likely be the first vessel to arrive at the location, long before lumbering destroyers get close enough to kill you and prevent capture.

Gameplay in the S-204 hugely benefits from regularly checking the minimap and relocating, rather than rushing towards the nearest targets, as a number of gunboats can easily outgun you in a duel.

Pros and cons

3.7 cm FlaK-Lafette C/36 features an extended gun shield on the S-204, compared to the regular S-100.

Pros:

  • Broadside firepower
  • Very good torpedoes with a reload available
  • Ability to carry both: Mines and torpedoes at the same time

Cons:

  • Below average survivability
  • In most of the frontal arcs, only a single 20mm gun is able to engage the enemy
  • Large profile makes an easy target for bomber and cannon-equipped fighters alike.
  • Anti-aircraft 7.92 mm MG 15 has an extremely limited field of fire (only ±16° horizontally and -1°/+40° vertically) making it unable to engage anything but enemy planes in a very shallow dive perpendicularly towards the vessel.

History

S 204 arriving under the white flag at Felixstowe

S-204 was built in the Lürssen shipyard in Vegesack, commissioned on 19 August 1944 to 4. Schnellboot-Flottille in the Netherlands. In the records from July 1944 the S-204 was under the command of OLt..z.S. Hans-Jürgen Seeger, nicknamed HaJü after its commander. On 10 October 1944 flottila was rebased to Kiel, on Baltic Sea. Once the Battle of the Bulge has begun, the 4th Schnellboot Flotilla was ordered back to the western front, where it arrived on 28 December 1944. In April 1945 the vessel was nicknamed Lang, under the command of Lt.z.S. Claus Hinrichs.

Following the 8th of May 1945 surrender, the S-204 was captured by the British forces in Rotterdam and carried the chief of the 4th Schnellboot Flotilla, KKpt Kurt Fimmen, along with KptLt Bernd Rebensburg to the British Navy base Beehive in Felixstowe. Claus Hinrichs remained the commander of the vessel, and the S-204 arrived at the British base under the white flag (see: picture right).

The vessel was delivered to the USSR on 4 January 1946 and assigned a new designation TK-1020. The following fate of the boat varies depending on the source.

  • According to the Schnellboots Attack, the vessel was reclassified from TK-1020 to reconnaissance boat РК-1674 on 17 June 1952, then reclassified to the dispatch boat ПОК-47 and finally decomissioned on 21 December 1954 to be broken up (decomissioning date also confirmed by the Warships of the Soviet Fleets).
  • According to Senotrusov Vyacheslav, TK-1020 was assigned to the Baltic Fleet on 7 February 1946 (days before Baltic Fleet was split into 4th and 8th Fleets of the USSR) and after a little bit over 2 years in service, she was mothballed on 28 February 1948. Following that, she was removed from mothballing on 12 January 1949 and transferred for breaking up on 25 September 1950 to the ОФИ.

A historical fiction book Armada, by Steven Wilson (published by Pinnacle Books), tells a story of the fictional loader for the 2 cm/65 C/38 named Matrose Willy Hellwig in the Chapter 11 of the book.

The vessel is also known from the 1:72 scale model of the S-100 sold by Revell.

Media

Skins

See also

  • S-100, tech-tree equivalent
  • S-701, another premium Schnellboot
  • Other coastal boats avaiable during the Naval closed beta test: PT-109, Pr.1124 MLRS

External links


Lürssen Werft
Schnellboot 
Type S-38  S-38 · S-38b · MC 485*
Type S-100  S-100 · S-147 · S-204 Lang
Fast Attack Craft 
Jaguar-class  Jaguar
Albatros-class  Albatros · Bussard
  *S-67 in post-war Italian Service

Germany boats
Motor torpedo boats  LS 3 · LS 4 Esau · KM-5 · VS-10
  S-38 · S-38b · S-100 · S-147 · S-204 Lang · S-701
  R-301
  V-990
  Jaguar · Hugin · Pfeil
Motor gun boats  R-41 · R-130 · Krischan der Große
Motor torpedo gun boats  Albatros · Bussard · MZ1 · Pr. 206
Minelayers  VS-8

Germany premium ships
Motor torpedo boats  LS 4 Esau · KM-5 · S-204 Lang · S-701
Minelayers  VS-8
Sub-chasers  M-802
Frigates  Lübeck
Destroyers  Jaguar · Luchs · T31 · Z20 Karl Galster · Z25 · Z47
Light cruisers  Karlsruhe
Heavy cruisers  Prinz Eugen
Battleships  SMS Nassau

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