What was the Kriegsmarine and during what period did it operate?

The Kriegsmarine was the navy of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It served as one of the three main branches of the German armed forces, the Wehrmacht, alongside the Army (Heer) and the Air Force (Luftwaffe).

What naval forces did the Kriegsmarine supersede?

The Kriegsmarine superseded the Imperial German Navy of the German Empire (1871–1918) and the inter-war Reichsmarine of the Weimar Republic (1919–1935).

How did the Treaty of Versailles impact the German navy after World War I?

The Treaty of Versailles imposed severe restrictions on Germany's navy, limiting its personnel to 15,000, restricting capital ships to six vessels under 10,000 tons, and prohibiting submarines and aircraft carriers. It also banned naval aviation.

How did Germany attempt to circumvent the Treaty of Versailles regarding its naval capabilities?

Germany worked to circumvent the treaty's restrictions by developing submarines through a Dutch design office and a torpedo research program in Sweden, where the G7e torpedo was developed.

What was Plan Z, and what was its objective?

Plan Z was a massive shipbuilding program ordered in January 1939, aiming to achieve naval parity with the British Royal Navy by 1944. It envisioned building approximately 800 ships by 1947, with a target completion date of 1945.

How did the outbreak of World War II affect Plan Z?

Upon the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Plan Z was shelved. Resources were redirected to a crash program for submarines (U-boats) instead of capital surface warships, as submarines could be ready for war more quickly.

Who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine during the Nazi era?

Adolf Hitler was the Supreme Commander of all German forces, including the Kriegsmarine. He exercised his authority through the Oberkommando der Marine (OKM).

What were the primary roles of the Kriegsmarine during World War II?

The Kriegsmarine's primary roles included engaging in the Battle of the Atlantic with U-boats and commerce raiders, supporting land operations with coastal artillery and flak batteries, and conducting various naval campaigns.

What were "Wolfpacks," and when was this tactic largely abandoned?

Wolfpacks were rapidly assembled groups of submarines that attacked British convoys during the early part of the Battle of the Atlantic. This tactic was largely abandoned by May 1943 due to mounting U-boat losses.

Name some of the most famous surface commerce raiders of the Kriegsmarine.

Notable surface commerce raiders included the heavy cruisers *Admiral Graf Spee* and *Admiral Scheer*, and the battleship *Bismarck*. These ships disrupted Allied shipping lanes.

What happened to the Kriegsmarine's remaining ships after World War II?

After the war, the remaining Kriegsmarine ships were divided among the Allied powers. Some were used for minesweeping, others were scuttled (sometimes loaded with chemical weapons), and some were used for target practice or integrated into Allied navies.

What were the limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles on the German navy regarding ship types and numbers?

The Treaty of Versailles limited Germany to 15,000 personnel, six capital ships (under 10,000 tons), six cruisers, twelve destroyers, and twelve torpedo boats. Crucially, it prohibited submarines and aircraft carriers, and banned naval aviation.

How did the Kriegsmarine participate in the Spanish Civil War?

Kriegsmarine ships were deployed to Spanish waters under the guise of enforcing non-intervention, but in reality, they supported the Nationalists. They also conducted humanitarian operations and evacuated refugees.

What was the significance of the Bismarck's sortie into the Atlantic in 1941?

During its first sortie into the Atlantic (Operation Rheinübung), the battleship *Bismarck* sank the British battlecruiser HMS *Hood* and severely damaged HMS *Prince of Wales*. However, the *Bismarck* was later hunted down and sunk by superior British forces after being crippled.

What was the "First Happy Time" for German submarines?

The "First Happy Time" refers to the period when German submarines had significant success with few losses against British convoys, particularly after the Fall of France and the conquest of Norway provided improved access to Atlantic shipping routes.

What was the "Second Happy Time" for the German Navy?

The "Second Happy Time" refers to the period after Germany's declaration of war on the United States in December 1941. During operations like Drumbeat, U-boats sank many Allied merchant ships off the US coast due to unpreparedness, though American industrial capacity soon offset these losses.

What was the "Channel Dash" in February 1942?

The "Channel Dash" (Operation Cerberus) involved the battleships *Scharnhorst* and *Gneisenau*, and the heavy cruiser *Prinz Eugen*, successfully sailing from Brest through the English Channel to German ports and then Norway, despite British attempts to stop them.

What was the role of the battleship Tirpitz in Norway?

Stationed in Norwegian ports, the battleship *Tirpitz* served as a "fleet in being," posing a threat to Allied shipping and acting as a defense against a potential Allied invasion. It was eventually sunk by British bombers in November 1944.

What were the Kleinkampfverbände (Small Battle Units)?

The *Kleinkampfverbände* were special naval units formed as a desperate measure against the superior strength of the Western Allies from 1944. They included frogmen, manned torpedoes, and explosive motorboats, with midget submarines like the *Molch* and *Seehund* being particularly effective.

What were the Monsun Gruppe (Monsun Boats)?

Between 1943 and 1945, the *Monsun Gruppe* operated U-boats in the Indian Ocean from Japanese bases in the Dutch East Indies and Malaya. They were used for sinking Allied convoys and exchanging war supplies with Japan.

What factors contributed to the U-boat fleet's heavy losses starting in 1943?

Allied anti-submarine tactics, improved equipment like radar and sonar, better escort numbers and equipment, new weapons, and improved tactics all contributed to the heavy losses suffered by the U-boat fleet, particularly during "Black May" in 1943.

What were the Elektroboot U-boats (Types XXI and XXIII)?

The "Elektroboot" U-boats were a new generation of submarines designed to operate submerged at all times. They had the potential to counter Allied advantages but were deployed too late in the war to see significant combat.

What was the Kriegsmarine's role in the occupation of Liepāja, Latvia, concerning anti-Jewish measures?

Following the capture of Liepāja in June 1941, the Kriegsmarine commandant implemented anti-Jewish regulations, including requiring yellow stars, restricting movement, and demanding the surrender of property, contributing to the persecution of the Jewish population.

What was the significance of the Kriegsmarine's surface ships being blockaded in port as a "fleet in being"?

After December 1943, most German surface ships were blockaded in or near their ports as a "fleet in being." This strategy aimed to tie up Allied naval forces, though it also meant these ships were seldom involved in offensive actions.

What was the role of the Kriegsmarine's torpedo boats?

Torpedo boats evolved from small, torpedo-focused vessels into effective small destroyers, equipped with mines, torpedoes, and guns. Two classes of fleet torpedo boats were planned but not built in the 1940s.

How many E-boats (Schnellboote) were built for the Kriegsmarine?

Over 200 E-boats, which were fast attack craft equipped with torpedo tubes, were built for the Kriegsmarine.

What were the Kriegsmarine's Vorpostenboote?

The *Vorpostenboote* were auxiliary patrol boats, mostly civilian ships drafted and fitted with military equipment, used extensively by the Kriegsmarine in coastal operations during the war.

What was the U-bootwaffe?

The *U-bootwaffe* was the Submarine Arm of the Kriegsmarine, comprising its fleet of submarines. At the war's outbreak, it had 57 submarines, a number that increased significantly until mid-1943 when losses began to match new constructions.

What were the Kriegsmarine's Milchkuh (Milkcow) submarines?

Type XIV submarines were specialized vessels known as "Milchkuh" (Milkcow) submarines. Their purpose was to support distant U-boat operations by refueling and resupplying them.

What was the Seekriegsleitung?

The *Seekriegsleitung* (Naval War Office) was a key component of the *Oberkommando der Marine* (OKM), responsible for directing naval warfare operations under the overall command of Hitler.

What was the Kriegsmarine's primary communication encryption method?

The Kriegsmarine utilized an eight-rotor system of Enigma encoding for its communications, a sophisticated cipher machine system used by German forces during the war.

What was the significance of the Schleswig-Holstein in the opening shots of World War II?

The pre-dreadnought battleship *Schleswig-Holstein* fired the opening shots of World War II by bombarding the Polish military transit depot at Westerplatte on September 1, 1939.

What were the Deutschland-class ships reclassified as in 1940, and why?

In 1940, the *Deutschland*-class ships were reclassified by the Kriegsmarine as heavy cruisers (*Schwere Kreuzer*). This reclassification reflected modern commentary favoring this classification and the ships' capabilities.

What was the fate of the Admiral Graf Spee after the Battle of the River Plate?

Following the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939, the *Admiral Graf Spee* was scuttled by her own crew in the Rio de la Plata estuary.

What were the Kriegsmarine's auxiliary cruisers, and how did they operate?

Auxiliary cruisers were merchant ships converted for commerce raiding. Nine of these ships, designated HSK (Handelstörkreuzer), sailed under false flags in all oceans, disrupting Allied shipping with considerable effect.

What were the challenges faced by German World War II destroyers?

Early classes of German destroyers suffered from instability, were wet in heavy weather, experienced engine problems, and had limited range. While later designs improved, further development was curtailed by the war.

What was the Kriegsmarine's role in the Operation Tanne Ost?

In September 1944, amphibious units of the Kriegsmarine unsuccessfully attempted to capture the strategic island of Suursaari in the Gulf of Finland from Finland, Germany's former ally, as part of *Operation Tanne Ost*.

What was the Kriegsmarine's role in the evacuation of German civilians in 1945?

In the final stages of the war, the Kriegsmarine conducted large rescue operations, evacuating approximately two million civilians and troops from East Prussia and Danzig. They also assisted in evacuating populations from Pomerania and Stettin.

What were the Kriegsmarine's coastal artillery and flak units responsible for?

The Kriegsmarine's coastal batteries protected German coasts and occupied territories like France and Norway, often as part of the Atlantic Wall. Naval bases were defended by flak batteries against air raids, and the Kriegsmarine also operated *Seetakt* sea radars along the coasts.

What was the Marinestoßstruppkompanie and its role in the invasion of Poland?

The *Marinestoßstruppkompanie* (Naval Shock Troop Company) was part of the Kriegsmarine's marines. It landed in Danzig from the battleship *Schleswig-Holstein* to conquer a Polish bastion at Westerplatte, marking an early amphibious action.

What were the main types of U-boats operated by the Kriegsmarine?

The principal types were the long-range Type IX (used in the western/southern Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans), the numerous Type VII (primarily in the North Atlantic), and the small Type II (for coastal waters). Types X and XIV were specialized minelayers and support submarines, respectively.

Who were some of the top U-boat aces in World War II, and what were their achievements?

Notable U-boat aces included Otto Kretschmer (274,333 tons, 47 ships), Wolfgang Lüth (225,712 tons, 43 ships), and Erich Topp (193,684 tons, 34 ships). Günther Prien is also noted for sinking HMS *Royal Oak* inside Scapa Flow.

What was the German Mine Sweeping Administration (GMSA)?

The GMSA was an organization formed after the war, consisting of 27,000 members of the former Kriegsmarine and 300 vessels. It was employed by the Royal Navy from June 1945 to January 1948 for minesweeping operations.

What new German navies were established after World War II?

In West Germany, the *Bundesmarine* (Federal Navy) was established in 1956 upon joining NATO. In East Germany, the *Volksmarine* (People's Navy) was established in 1956. Following reunification, the *Deutsche Marine* (German Navy) was formed.

What was the Kriegsmarine's involvement in the invasion of Norway in April 1940?

The Kriegsmarine was heavily involved in the invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung), suffering significant losses, including the heavy cruiser *Blücher* sunk at Oscarsborg Fortress and ten destroyers lost in the Battles of Narvik.

What was the Kriegsmarine's organizational structure for its naval regions?

The Kriegsmarine had regional commands covering significant naval areas, such as the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Norway, and the Atlantic. These regions were further subdivided as necessary and commanded by high-ranking officers like Generalsadmirals or Admirals.

What was the purpose of the Kriegsmarine's naval aviation units like Bordfliegergruppe 196?

*Bordfliegergruppe 196* operated catapult-launched spotter planes like the Arado Ar 196 from warships. These aircraft provided reconnaissance and spotting support for naval operations.

What were the main types of capital ships completed by the Kriegsmarine?

The Kriegsmarine completed four battleships: the *Scharnhorst*-class (*Scharnhorst* and *Gneisenau*) and the *Bismarck*-class (*Bismarck* and *Tirpitz*). It also operated *Deutschland*-class pocket battleships/heavy cruisers.

What was the fate of the Kriegsmarine's U-boats at the end of the war?

At the war's conclusion, the remaining U-boats were either surrendered to the Allies or scuttled by their own crews.

What was the purpose of the Type XIV submarines, known as "Milchkuh"?

Type XIV submarines were specialized vessels known as "Milchkuh" (Milkcow) submarines. Their purpose was to support distant U-boat operations by refueling and resupplying them, extending their operational range.

What was the Kriegsmarine's involvement in the Battle of Westerplatte?

The Kriegsmarine participated in the Battle of Westerplatte during the invasion of Poland. The pre-dreadnought battleship *Schleswig-Holstein* fired the opening shots of World War II by bombarding the Polish military transit depot.

Kriegsmarine Wiki: The Kriegsmarine: Germany's Naval Ambitions and Operations in WWII

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The Kriegsmarine: An Overview

Naval Force of Nazi Germany

The Kriegsmarine served as the navy of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It succeeded the Imperial German Navy and the inter-war Reichsmarine. As one of the three branches of the Wehrmacht, alongside the Heer (Army) and Luftwaffe (Air Force), it played a significant role in Germany's military strategy during the period.

Treaty Violations and Rearmament

In defiance of the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed severe limitations on Germany's naval capabilities, the Kriegsmarine underwent rapid expansion throughout the 1930s. The treaty prohibited submarines and limited the size and tonnage of other vessels. Germany circumvented these restrictions through clandestine development and construction programs.

Global Reach and Ambitions

The Kriegsmarine's ambitions, particularly under Plan Z, aimed for naval parity with major powers like Great Britain. This involved extensive shipbuilding, including capital ships and a significant submarine fleet. Its operations spanned the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, and even the Indian Ocean, reflecting Germany's global military objectives.

Historical Trajectory

Spanish Civil War Involvement

The Kriegsmarine's initial military deployment occurred during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Under the guise of enforcing non-intervention, German warships covertly supported the Nationalist faction. This period saw naval engagements and incidents, including the shelling of Almería by the Admiral Scheer in retaliation for an attack on the Deutschland.

Plan Z and WWII Shift

The ambitious Plan Z, initiated in 1939, envisioned a massive fleet by 1945. However, the outbreak of World War II led to its shelving. Resources were redirected towards submarine construction, prioritizing U-boats for the critical Battle of the Atlantic over capital surface warships. This strategic shift defined much of the Kriegsmarine's wartime effort.

Structure and Command

Supreme Command

Adolf Hitler held ultimate authority as Supreme Commander. Operational command was exercised through the Oberkommando der Marine (OKM). Key figures included Commanders-in-Chief Erich Raeder and later Karl Dönitz, who oversaw naval strategy and operations.

Operational Structure

The Kriegsmarine was organized into regional commands (e.g., Nordsee, Norwegen), squadron commands (Battleships, Cruisers, Submarines), and temporary flotilla commands for specific operations. Specialized units like coastal artillery, flak batteries, and naval aviation (though largely under the Luftwaffe) supported its activities.

Ranks and Uniforms

The Kriegsmarine employed a distinct system of ranks and uniforms, reflecting its naval heritage and military structure. Various service, parade, and specialized uniforms were issued, including tropical and summer variants for different operational environments.

Naval Assets

Surface Fleet

The surface fleet comprised battleships (Bismarck-class, Scharnhorst-class), heavy cruisers (Deutschland-class, Admiral Hipper-class), light cruisers, destroyers, torpedo boats, and auxiliary cruisers. Despite significant losses, several major units remained operational until the war's end.

Submarine Force (U-Boote)

The U-boat arm was the Kriegsmarine's most effective weapon, particularly in the Battle of the Atlantic. Types VII and IX were predominant. Despite heavy losses (around 60% of commissioned U-boats), U-boats inflicted significant damage on Allied shipping, with notable aces achieving remarkable success.

Top 10 U-boat Aces in World War II
Name	Shipping Sunk
Otto Kretschmer	274,333 tons (47 ships sunk)
Wolfgang Lüth	225,712 tons (43 ships)
Erich Topp	193,684 tons (34 ships)
Karl-Friedrich Merten	186,064 tons (29 ships)
Viktor Schütze	171,164 tons (34 ships)
Herbert Schultze	171,122 tons (26 ships)
Georg Lassen	167,601 tons (28 ships)
Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock	166,596 tons (22 ships)
Heinrich Liebe	162,333 tons (30 ships)
Günther Prien	160,939 tons (28 ships), plus HMS Royal Oak

Captured and Auxiliary Vessels

Beyond its purpose-built fleet, the Kriegsmarine utilized numerous captured vessels from occupied nations. Merchant ships were converted into auxiliary cruisers, serving as commerce raiders across the globe. Thousands of smaller craft, including minesweepers and patrol boats, also formed part of its extensive inventory.

Wartime Engagements

Battle of the Atlantic

The Kriegsmarine's primary strategic effort was the Battle of the Atlantic, aimed at disrupting Allied supply lines. U-boats, employing wolfpack tactics, inflicted heavy losses, particularly in the early war years. Allied counter-measures, including improved sonar, radar, and convoy systems, eventually turned the tide.

Global Campaigns

Kriegsmarine operations extended beyond the Atlantic. They participated in the invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung), engaged in the Mediterranean, and supported campaigns in the Arctic and Black Seas. Surface actions, such as the pursuit of HMS Hood by the Bismarck, marked significant naval encounters.

War Crimes and Accountability

Certain actions undertaken by the Kriegsmarine involved war crimes. These included the targeting of civilian shipping, such as the sinking of the SS Athenia, and documented instances of anti-Jewish measures in occupied territories, such as those ordered in Liepāja. Post-war trials addressed some of these offenses.

Major Enemy Warships Sunk

Allied Naval Losses

The Kriegsmarine achieved notable successes against Allied naval forces throughout World War II. The following table details some of the major warships sunk or destroyed by German naval actions:

Ship	Type	Date	Action
HMS Courageous (Royal Navy)	Fleet aircraft carrier	17 September 1939	Torpedoed by submarine U-29
HMS Royal Oak (Royal Navy)	Battleship	14 October 1939	Torpedoed at anchor by submarine U-47
HNoMS Eidsvold (Royal Norwegian Navy)	Coastal defence ship	9 April 1940	Torpedoed in Narvik harbor by destroyer Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp
HNoMS Norge (Royal Norwegian Navy)	Coastal defence ship	9 April 1940	Torpedoed in Narvik harbor by destroyer Z11 Bernd von Arnim
Jaguar (French Navy)	Large destroyer	23 May 1940	Torpedoed by torpedo boats S21 and S23
HMS Glorious (Royal Navy)	Fleet aircraft carrier	8 June 1940	Sunk by battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst
HMS Hood (Royal Navy)	Battlecruiser	24 May 1941	Sunk by the battleship Bismarck
HMS Ark Royal (Royal Navy)	Fleet aircraft carrier	14 November 1941	Torpedoed by submarine U-81, sank while under tow
HMAS Sydney (Royal Australian Navy)	Light cruiser	19 November 1941	Sunk by the auxiliary cruiser Kormoran (Kormoran also sunk)
HMS Dunedin (Royal Navy)	Light cruiser	24 November 1941	Torpedoed by submarine U-124
HMS Barham (Royal Navy)	Battleship	25 November 1941	Torpedoed by submarine U-331
HMS Galatea (Royal Navy)	Light cruiser	14 December 1941	Torpedoed by submarine U-557
HMS Audacity (Royal Navy)	Escort carrier	21 December 1941	Torpedoed by submarine U-751
HMS Naiad (Royal Navy)	Light cruiser	11 March 1942	Torpedoed by submarine U-565
HMS Edinburgh (Royal Navy)	Light cruiser	2 May 1942	Torpedoed and scuttled
HMS Hermione (Royal Navy)	Light cruiser	16 June 1942	Torpedoed by submarine U-205
HMS Eagle (Royal Navy)	Aircraft carrier	11 August 1942	Torpedoed by submarine U-73
HMS Avenger (Royal Navy)	Escort carrier	15 November 1942	Torpedoed by submarine U-155
HMS Welshman (Royal Navy)	Minelaying cruiser	1 February 1943	Torpedoed by submarine U-617
HMS Abdiel (Royal Navy)	Minelaying cruiser	10 September 1943	Sunk by mines laid by E-boats
HMS Charybdis (Royal Navy)	Light cruiser	23 October 1943	Torpedoed by torpedo boats T23 and T27
HMS Penelope (Royal Navy)	Light cruiser	18 February 1944	Torpedoed by submarine U-410
USS Block Island (US Navy)	Escort carrier	29 May 1944	Torpedoed by submarine U-549
HMS Scylla (Royal Navy)	Light cruiser	23 June 1944	Mine hit, declared total loss
ORP Dragon (Polish Navy)	Light cruiser	7 July 1944	Torpedoed by manned torpedo, scuttled
HMS Nabob (Royal Navy)	Escort carrier	22 August 1944	Torpedoed by submarine U-354, abandoned
HMS Thane (Royal Navy)	Escort carrier	15 January 1945	Torpedoed by submarine U-1172, declared total loss

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References

Wolves Without Teeth: The German Torpedo Crisis in World War Two p. 24

Uboat.net, U-boats in the Mediterranean â Overview

Uboat.net, U-boat Operations â The Monsun U-boats

Submarines: an illustrated history of their impact Paul E. Fontenoy p.39

Dribins, Leo, GÅ«tmanis, Armands, and Vestermanis, MarÄ£ers, Latvia's Jewish Community: History, Tragedy, Revival (2001) at page 224

E. GrÃ¶ner, Die Schiffe der deutschen Kriegsmarine. 2nd Edition, Lehmanns, MÃ¼nchen, 1976. C. Bekker, Verdammte See, Ein Kriegstagebuch der deutschen Marine. KÃ¶ln, Neumann / GÃ¶bel, no date.1976,

E. GrÃ¶ner, Die Schiffe der deutschen Kriegsmarine. 2nd Edition. 1976, MÃ¼nchen, Lehmanns Verlag.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Kriegsmarine Wikipedia page

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The Kriegsmarine: Germany's Naval Ambitions and Operations in WWII

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The Kriegsmarine: An Overview ℹ️

⚓ Naval Force of Nazi Germany

📜 Treaty Violations and Rearmament

🗺️ Global Reach and Ambitions

Historical Trajectory ⏳

🇪🇸 Spanish Civil War Involvement

🚀 Plan Z and WWII Shift

Structure and Command 🏛️

👑 Supreme Command

🗂️ Operational Structure

👕 Ranks and Uniforms

Naval Assets 🚢

💥 Surface Fleet

🌊 Submarine Force (U-Boote)

🚢 Captured and Auxiliary Vessels

Wartime Engagements ⚔️

🌊 Battle of the Atlantic

🌍 Global Campaigns

⚖️ War Crimes and Accountability

Major Enemy Warships Sunk 🎯

🚢 Allied Naval Losses

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Kriegsmarine: An Overview

Naval Force of Nazi Germany

Treaty Violations and Rearmament

Global Reach and Ambitions

Historical Trajectory

Spanish Civil War Involvement

Plan Z and WWII Shift

Structure and Command

Supreme Command

Operational Structure

Ranks and Uniforms

Naval Assets

Surface Fleet

Submarine Force (U-Boote)

Captured and Auxiliary Vessels

Wartime Engagements

Battle of the Atlantic

Global Campaigns

War Crimes and Accountability

Major Enemy Warships Sunk

Allied Naval Losses

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice