 SMS A 68
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators | |
| Built | 1914–1918 |
| In service | 1914–1950 |
| Planned | 113 |
| Completed | 92 |
| Cancelled | 21 |
| Lost | 30 |
The A-class torpedo boats were a class of German single-funnelled torpedo boat/light destroyer designed by the Reichsmarineamt for operations off the coast of occupied Flanders in the First World War. The "A" designation was to avoid confusion with older classes and designs. They were classed officially as "coastal torpedo boats" (German: Küstentorpedoboote) to differentiate from larger, ocean-going torpedo boats.
Six groups of vessels were built under the class between 1914 and 1918, increasing in displacement from 109 tons to 335 tons. All had a raised forecastle, shallow draught, and carried one (for most) or two (for A1-A25) 17.7 in (45 cm) torpedo tubes amidships.