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The Kriegsmarine, the navy of Nazi Germany, operated exclusively before World War II, ceasing all activities in 1939.
Answer: False
The statement that the Kriegsmarine operated exclusively before World War II and ceased in 1939 is factually incorrect. The Kriegsmarine was the naval force of Nazi Germany and was active throughout the duration of World War II.
Adolf Hitler exercised direct command over the Kriegsmarine through the Oberkommando der Marine (OKM).
Answer: True
As the Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht, Adolf Hitler held ultimate authority over all branches, including the Kriegsmarine. The Oberkommando der Marine (OKM) served as the high command through which his directives were implemented.
The *Seekriegsleitung* was responsible for the design and construction of new U-boat types.
Answer: False
The *Seekriegsleitung* (Naval War Office) was primarily responsible for directing naval warfare operations. The design and construction of U-boat types fell under the purview of the Oberkommando der Marine (OKM) and its technical departments.
The Kriegsmarine's coastal artillery primarily defended naval bases against air raids.
Answer: False
Kriegsmarine coastal artillery units were primarily tasked with defending coastlines and naval installations against naval threats and amphibious assaults, as well as supporting land operations, rather than solely defending against air raids.
The Kriegsmarine's organizational structure included regional commands covering areas like the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic.
Answer: True
The Kriegsmarine was organized into regional commands, such as those overseeing the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Norway, and the Atlantic, to manage its widespread operations.
The Kriegsmarine's ship design bureau was highly effective due to the close collaboration between experienced officers and theoretical architects.
Answer: False
The Kriegsmarine's ship design bureau suffered from a structural flaw where experienced officers lacked theoretical design knowledge, and architects lacked practical sea experience, leading to design deficiencies in the surface fleet.
The *Seekriegsleitung* was the primary intelligence branch of the Kriegsmarine.
Answer: False
The *Seekriegsleitung* (Naval War Office) was responsible for the strategic direction and execution of naval warfare, not primarily for intelligence gathering, which was handled by other departments within the OKM.
Define the Kriegsmarine and specify its period of operation.
Answer: The navy of Nazi Germany (1935-1945).
The Kriegsmarine constituted the naval forces of Nazi Germany, operating from 1935 to 1945. It was an integral component of the Wehrmacht, alongside the Heer (Army) and Luftwaffe (Air Force).
Which naval forces did the Kriegsmarine supersede?
Answer: The Reichsmarine and the Imperial German Navy.
The Kriegsmarine succeeded the Reichsmarine (1919-1935) and the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) of the German Empire (1871-1918).
Who held the ultimate command authority over the Kriegsmarine during the Nazi era?
Answer: Adolf Hitler, as Supreme Commander.
As the Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht, Adolf Hitler held ultimate authority over all branches, including the Kriegsmarine. The Oberkommando der Marine (OKM) served as the high command through which his directives were implemented.
The Kriegsmarine's *Seekriegsleitung* was part of which larger organization?
Answer: The Oberkommando der Marine (OKM).
The *Seekriegsleitung* (Naval War Office) was a principal component within the Oberkommando der Marine (OKM), the supreme command authority for the Kriegsmarine.
Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles permitted Germany to maintain a significant fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers.
Answer: False
The Treaty of Versailles imposed severe restrictions on Germany's naval capabilities, explicitly prohibiting the maintenance or construction of submarines and aircraft carriers.
Plan Z was initiated in 1939 with the objective of achieving naval parity with the British Royal Navy by 1945.
Answer: True
Plan Z, a comprehensive naval expansion program, was indeed initiated in 1939 with the ambitious goal of achieving parity with the British Royal Navy by 1944-1945, though its full implementation was disrupted by the outbreak of war.
The outbreak of World War II led to the acceleration of Plan Z, prioritizing the construction of capital surface warships.
Answer: False
Contrary to accelerating Plan Z, the outbreak of World War II led to its suspension. Resources were instead redirected towards the rapid construction of U-boats, deemed more immediately effective.
The Treaty of Versailles allowed Germany to build an unlimited number of destroyers.
Answer: False
The Treaty of Versailles imposed strict limits on the number of destroyers Germany was permitted to maintain, restricting them to twelve vessels.
According to the Treaty of Versailles, what naval capability was strictly prohibited for Germany?
Answer: Submarines and aircraft carriers.
The Treaty of Versailles imposed stringent limitations on Germany's naval forces, notably prohibiting the maintenance or construction of submarines and aircraft carriers, alongside other restrictions on ship numbers and tonnage.
How did Germany initially attempt to circumvent the Treaty of Versailles regarding submarine development?
Answer: Through a Dutch design office and torpedo research in Sweden.
Germany sought to circumvent the treaty's prohibitions by engaging in submarine design and torpedo research through entities located abroad, such as a Dutch design office and a Swedish research program.
What was the primary goal of Plan Z?
Answer: To construct a fleet aiming for parity with the British Royal Navy by 1944.
Plan Z was a naval construction program initiated in 1939 with the objective of building a fleet capable of challenging the British Royal Navy, aiming for parity by 1944.
What immediate effect did the outbreak of World War II have on Plan Z?
Answer: It was shelved, with resources shifted to submarine production.
Upon the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Plan Z was suspended, and resources were redirected towards the rapid expansion of the U-boat fleet.
The primary role of the Kriegsmarine during World War II was exclusively focused on submarine warfare in the Atlantic.
Answer: False
While submarine warfare was a critical component, the Kriegsmarine's roles also encompassed surface fleet operations, commerce raiding, coastal defense, and support for land operations.
Wolfpack tactics, involving groups of submarines attacking convoys, were successfully employed throughout the entire Battle of the Atlantic until its conclusion.
Answer: False
Wolfpack tactics were highly effective in the early stages of the Battle of the Atlantic but became increasingly unsustainable and were largely abandoned by May 1943 due to mounting U-boat losses and improved Allied anti-submarine measures.
The "First Happy Time" for German submarines occurred after Germany's declaration of war on the United States.
Answer: False
The "First Happy Time" predates the declaration of war on the United States, occurring primarily after the Fall of France in 1940, when U-boats gained access to new operational areas.
The *Monsun Gruppe* operated U-boats primarily in the North Atlantic from 1943 to 1945.
Answer: False
The *Monsun Gruppe* was notable for its operations in the Indian Ocean, utilizing bases in Southeast Asia, rather than the North Atlantic.
Allied advancements in radar, sonar, and improved anti-submarine tactics contributed to the heavy losses of the U-boat fleet starting in 1943.
Answer: True
The period from 1943 onwards saw a significant increase in U-boat losses, largely attributable to the effectiveness of Allied technological advancements and tactical adaptations in anti-submarine warfare.
The *U-bootwaffe* began World War II with over 100 submarines.
Answer: False
At the commencement of World War II, the *U-bootwaffe* possessed approximately 57 submarines, a number significantly less than 100.
Approximately 70% of Kriegsmarine U-boat crewmen were killed during World War II.
Answer: True
The U-boat service experienced exceptionally high casualty rates; approximately 70% of U-boat crewmen, or around 28,000 out of 40,000, perished during the war.
During the Battle of the Mediterranean, German submarines suffered heavy losses and none returned to their home bases.
Answer: True
German U-boat operations in the Mediterranean between 1941 and 1944 resulted in significant losses, and none of the submarines deployed to this theater successfully returned to their home ports.
What tactic involved rapidly assembled groups of submarines attacking convoys, later abandoned due to high losses?
Answer: Wolfpacks
Wolfpacks were tactical formations of submarines that coordinated attacks on Allied convoys. This tactic proved unsustainable due to increasing Allied countermeasures and was largely discontinued by mid-1943.
The 'Second Happy Time' for German submarines is associated with which period?
Answer: The time after Germany declared war on the United States in late 1941.
The "Second Happy Time" refers to the period of high U-boat success off the coast of North America following Germany's declaration of war on the United States in December 1941, exploiting the initial unpreparedness of Allied defenses.
The *Monsun Gruppe* (Monsun Boats) were notable for operating U-boats in which region?
Answer: The Indian Ocean
The *Monsun Gruppe* operated U-boats primarily in the Indian Ocean, utilizing bases in Southeast Asia and engaging Allied shipping in that theater.
Which factor significantly contributed to the heavy losses suffered by the U-boat fleet starting in 1943?
Answer: Increased effectiveness of Allied anti-submarine warfare and equipment.
The period from 1943 onwards saw a significant increase in U-boat losses, largely attributable to the effectiveness of Allied technological advancements (radar, sonar) and tactical adaptations in anti-submarine warfare.
How many U-boat crewmen were estimated to have been killed during World War II?
Answer: Approximately 28,000
The U-boat service experienced exceptionally high casualty rates; approximately 70% of U-boat crewmen, or around 28,000 out of 40,000, perished during the war.
During the Spanish Civil War, Kriegsmarine ships were deployed to support the Republican faction.
Answer: False
Kriegsmarine vessels deployed during the Spanish Civil War primarily supported the Nationalist faction, under the guise of non-intervention patrols.
The sinking of HMS *Hood* was a significant event during the *Bismarck*'s first sortie into the Atlantic in 1941.
Answer: True
During Operation Rheinübung, the battleship *Bismarck*'s engagement with British naval forces resulted in the destruction of HMS *Hood*, a pivotal moment in the sortie.
The "Channel Dash" involved the successful passage of German capital ships through the English Channel to reach Norwegian waters.
Answer: True
Operation Cerberus, known as the "Channel Dash," successfully saw German capital ships transit the English Channel from Brest to German ports and subsequently Norway in February 1942.
The battleship *Tirpitz* was primarily used for offensive operations against Allied shipping in the Atlantic.
Answer: False
Stationed primarily in Norway, the *Tirpitz* functioned mainly as a "fleet in being" to deter Allied invasions and tie up Allied naval assets, rather than conducting extensive offensive commerce raiding.
After December 1943, most German surface ships were actively engaged in offensive operations far from their home ports.
Answer: False
Following December 1943, most German surface ships were largely confined to port or operated defensively as a "fleet in being," rather than engaging in widespread offensive operations far from their bases.
The Kriegsmarine's torpedo boats were primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare.
Answer: False
While torpedo boats evolved to carry various armaments, their primary design focus was not exclusively anti-submarine warfare; they were versatile light craft used for escort, patrol, and attack roles.
The pre-dreadnought battleship *Schleswig-Holstein* fired the final shots of World War II.
Answer: False
The *Schleswig-Holstein* fired the opening shots of World War II by bombarding Westerplatte. It did not fire the final shots.
The *Deutschland*-class ships were reclassified as battleships in 1940.
Answer: False
In 1940, the *Deutschland*-class ships were reclassified as heavy cruisers (*Schwere Kreuzer*), not battleships.
The *Admiral Graf Spee* was captured intact by the British after the Battle of the River Plate.
Answer: False
Following the Battle of the River Plate, the *Admiral Graf Spee* was scuttled by its own crew in the estuary of the Rio de la Plata, rather than being captured intact.
German World War II destroyers were known for their exceptional stability and range.
Answer: False
Early classes of German destroyers suffered from significant issues, including poor stability, wetness in heavy seas, and engine reliability problems, limiting their operational effectiveness.
Operation Tanne Ost was a successful Kriegsmarine operation to capture a strategic island from Finland in 1944.
Answer: False
Operation Tanne Ost, an attempt by Kriegsmarine amphibious units to capture Suursaari island from Finland in September 1944, proved unsuccessful.
The *Marinestoßstruppkompanie* was part of the Kriegsmarine's marines and participated in the initial landing at Westerplatte.
Answer: True
The *Marinestoßstruppkompanie*, a unit of Kriegsmarine marines, was involved in the assault on Westerplatte, Poland, during the opening actions of World War II.
The Kriegsmarine suffered minimal losses during the invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung).
Answer: False
The Kriegsmarine sustained substantial losses during Operation Weserübung, including the heavy cruiser *Blücher* and numerous destroyers, significantly impacting its fleet strength.
The Kriegsmarine completed only one battleship class, the *Bismarck*-class, during World War II.
Answer: False
The Kriegsmarine completed two battleship classes: the *Bismarck*-class and the *Scharnhorst*-class.
The Kriegsmarine's involvement in the Battle of Westerplatte consisted solely of naval gunfire support.
Answer: False
The Kriegsmarine's involvement at Westerplatte included naval gunfire support from the *Schleswig-Holstein*, but also deployed naval infantry units for the assault.
In the Battle of the Barents Sea, German surface ships successfully attacked and destroyed an Allied convoy.
Answer: False
During the Battle of the Barents Sea in December 1942, the German surface force failed to press its attack decisively against the Allied convoy, leading to a strategic failure.
The Kriegsmarine's participation in Operation Weserübung resulted in no significant losses for its fleet.
Answer: False
Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Norway, inflicted severe losses on the Kriegsmarine, particularly among its destroyer flotillas and heavy cruisers.
Which of the following was NOT listed as a primary role of the Kriegsmarine during World War II?
Answer: Conducting large-scale amphibious assaults on enemy coastlines.
While the Kriegsmarine supported land operations and engaged in commerce raiding and submarine warfare, large-scale amphibious assaults were not a primary role; such operations were typically undertaken by the Army with naval support.
Which of these ships was a famous surface commerce raider of the Kriegsmarine?
Answer: The battleship *Bismarck*
The battleship *Bismarck*, along with heavy cruisers like *Admiral Graf Spee* and *Admiral Scheer*, served as prominent surface commerce raiders, disrupting Allied shipping lanes.
What was the 'Channel Dash' (Operation Cerberus)?
Answer: The successful passage of German battleships through the English Channel.
Operation Cerberus, commonly known as the 'Channel Dash,' was the successful transit of German capital ships (*Scharnhorst*, *Gneisenau*, and *Prinz Eugen*) through the English Channel in February 1942.
The battleship *Tirpitz* spent much of World War II stationed in which country?
Answer: Norway
The battleship *Tirpitz* was based in Norwegian fjords for a significant portion of World War II, serving as a threat to Allied convoys and a deterrent against invasion.
In 1940, the Kriegsmarine reclassified its *Deutschland*-class ships as:
Answer: Heavy cruisers (*Schwere Kreuzer*)
In 1940, the *Deutschland*-class ships, initially termed 'pocket battleships,' were officially reclassified by the Kriegsmarine as heavy cruisers (*Schwere Kreuzer*).
What was the fate of the *Admiral Graf Spee* after the Battle of the River Plate?
Answer: It was scuttled by its own crew in the estuary.
Following the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939, the *Admiral Graf Spee* was scuttled by its own crew in the Rio de la Plata estuary to avoid capture or further engagement.
What problem plagued early classes of German World War II destroyers?
Answer: Poor stability and engine reliability.
Early German destroyer designs suffered from critical issues including poor stability, a tendency to be 'wet' in rough seas, and frequent engine malfunctions, which hampered their operational capabilities.
The *Marinestoßstruppkompanie* was involved in which early World War II action?
Answer: The bombardment and landing at Westerplatte, Poland.
The *Marinestoßstruppkompanie*, a unit of Kriegsmarine marines, participated in the assault on Westerplatte, Poland, during the opening actions of World War II, alongside naval gunfire support.
Which event marked the opening shots of World War II, involving the Kriegsmarine?
Answer: The bombardment of Westerplatte by the *Schleswig-Holstein*.
The opening shots of World War II are widely recognized as the bombardment of the Polish military depot at Westerplatte by the Kriegsmarine battleship *Schleswig-Holstein* on September 1, 1939.
What was the significance of the Kriegsmarine's surface ships being blockaded in port as a "fleet in being"?
Answer: They served as a 'fleet in being' to tie up Allied forces, but saw little action.
After late 1943, major German surface ships often remained in port, functioning as a "fleet in being." This strategy aimed to compel the Allies to maintain defensive forces against them, though it limited the ships' own offensive capabilities.
The *Kleinkampfverbände* were large capital ships designed for fleet engagements.
Answer: False
The *Kleinkampfverbände* (Small Battle Units) comprised specialized, often midget, naval craft such as manned torpedoes, explosive motorboats, and small submarines, designed for specific tactical roles, not large fleet engagements.
The Elektroboot U-boats (Types XXI and XXIII) were designed to operate primarily on the surface.
Answer: False
The Elektroboot U-boats represented a new generation designed specifically for extended submerged operations, utilizing advanced battery technology.
Over 200 E-boats (Schnellboote), equipped with torpedo tubes, were built for the Kriegsmarine.
Answer: True
The Kriegsmarine commissioned the construction of more than 200 E-boats (Schnellboote), which were fast attack craft armed with torpedoes.
The *Vorpostenboote* were advanced U-boat designs intended for deep-sea operations.
Answer: False
The *Vorpostenboote* were auxiliary patrol boats, typically converted civilian vessels, primarily used for coastal duties, not advanced U-boat operations.
The 'Milchkuh' submarines (Type XIV) were designed for direct combat against Allied warships.
Answer: False
The Type XIV 'Milchkuh' submarines were specialized support vessels designed to refuel and resupply other U-boats, thereby extending their operational range, not for direct combat.
The Kriegsmarine used a simple code based on the Lorenz cipher for its primary communications.
Answer: False
The Kriegsmarine employed a sophisticated eight-rotor Enigma system for its primary communications, not the Lorenz cipher, which was used for higher-level strategic communications.
Auxiliary cruisers were merchant ships converted for commerce raiding, operating under false flags.
Answer: True
Auxiliary cruisers, designated HSK, were indeed converted merchant vessels employed by the Kriegsmarine for commerce raiding across global shipping lanes, often utilizing false flags.
The *Bordfliegergruppe 196* was responsible for operating land-based reconnaissance aircraft over the Atlantic.
Answer: False
*Bordfliegergruppe 196* operated catapult-launched seaplanes from warships, providing reconnaissance and spotting support directly from naval vessels, not as land-based aircraft.
The Type XIV submarines, known as 'Milchkuh', were crucial for extending the operational range of other U-boats.
Answer: True
The Type XIV 'Milchkuh' submarines served as mobile supply depots, refueling and resupplying other U-boats at sea, thereby significantly extending their operational range and endurance.
The Kriegsmarine's *Kleinkampfverbände* were primarily used for large-scale fleet engagements against Allied capital ships.
Answer: False
The *Kleinkampfverbände* were specialized units employing small craft and personnel for tactical missions, not for large-scale fleet engagements against capital ships.
The Kriegsmarine's *Vorpostenboote* were primarily used for long-range oceanic patrols.
Answer: False
*Vorpostenboote* were auxiliary patrol vessels mainly employed in coastal waters and for local security duties, not for extended oceanic patrols.
The Kriegsmarine's *Milchkuh* submarines were designed to hunt down and sink Allied merchant ships.
Answer: False
The 'Milchkuh' (Type XIV) submarines were specialized supply vessels intended to support other U-boats, not to engage in combat operations against merchant shipping.
Which of the following was a type of special naval unit, including frogmen and midget submarines, formed by the Kriegsmarine in 1944?
Answer: Kleinkampfverbände
The *Kleinkampfverbände* (Small Battle Units) were specialized formations established in 1944, comprising units like frogmen, manned torpedoes, and midget submarines, designed for specific tactical roles.
What was the main design innovation of the Elektroboot U-boats (Types XXI and XXIII)?
Answer: Ability to operate submerged for extended periods.
The Elektroboot U-boats represented a new generation designed specifically for extended submerged operations, utilizing advanced battery technology that allowed for significantly longer underwater endurance.
The Kriegsmarine's auxiliary cruisers, designated HSK, operated by:
Answer: Sailing under false flags to disrupt Allied shipping.
Auxiliary cruisers (HSK) were converted merchant ships that operated globally under false flags to disguise their identity and disrupt Allied shipping lanes through commerce raiding.
What was the purpose of the Type XIV submarines, nicknamed 'Milchkuh'?
Answer: To refuel and resupply other U-boats on distant operations.
The Type XIV 'Milchkuh' submarines served as mobile supply depots, refueling and resupplying other U-boats at sea, thereby significantly extending their operational range and endurance.
What was the Kriegsmarine's primary communication encryption method?
Answer: An eight-rotor Enigma system.
The Kriegsmarine employed a sophisticated eight-rotor Enigma system for its primary communications, a complex cipher machine system utilized by German forces during the war.
Why were the *Kleinkampfverbände* formed?
Answer: As a desperate measure against the superior strength of the Western Allies.
The *Kleinkampfverbände* were established in 1944 as a response to the overwhelming material superiority of the Allied forces, employing specialized units for tactical missions.
What was the primary function of the *Bordfliegergruppe 196*?
Answer: Providing reconnaissance and spotting support from warships.
*Bordfliegergruppe 196* operated catapult-launched seaplanes from Kriegsmarine warships, providing essential reconnaissance and spotting services for naval operations.
After World War II, all surviving Kriegsmarine ships were immediately scrapped by the Allied powers.
Answer: False
Surviving Kriegsmarine vessels were divided among the Allied powers, used for minesweeping, scuttled, or repurposed, rather than being immediately and universally scrapped.
In 1945, the Kriegsmarine played a significant role in evacuating German civilians and troops from Eastern territories.
Answer: True
During the final months of the war, the Kriegsmarine conducted extensive evacuation operations, transporting approximately two million civilians and military personnel from threatened Eastern territories.
The German Mine Sweeping Administration (GMSA) was formed before the war to clear naval mines.
Answer: False
The German Mine Sweeping Administration (GMSA) was established after World War II, utilizing former Kriegsmarine personnel and vessels for minesweeping operations under Allied supervision.
Following World War II, West Germany established the *Volksmarine*, while East Germany established the *Bundesmarine*.
Answer: False
The post-war German navies were established with reversed designations: the *Bundesmarine* was formed in West Germany, and the *Volksmarine* in East Germany.
At the end of the war, all Kriegsmarine U-boats were surrendered intact to the Allies.
Answer: False
While many U-boats were surrendered, a significant number were scuttled by their crews, and not all were intact upon their disposition.
The Kriegsmarine's role in the 1945 evacuations was limited to transporting troops, excluding civilians.
Answer: False
The Kriegsmarine's evacuation efforts in 1945 encompassed both military personnel and a substantial number of civilians fleeing the advancing Soviet forces.
What happened to the Kriegsmarine's remaining ships after World War II?
Answer: They were scuttled, used for minesweeping, or divided among Allied powers.
Surviving Kriegsmarine vessels were subjected to various fates post-war, including division among the Allied victors, scuttling (sometimes laden with chemical weapons), use in minesweeping operations, and target practice.
Which post-WWII German navy was established in West Germany upon joining NATO?
Answer: Bundesmarine
Following World War II, the *Bundesmarine* (Federal Navy) was established in West Germany in 1956 upon its integration into NATO.
The Kriegsmarine commandant in Liepāja implemented regulations that aided in the persecution of the Jewish population after the city's capture in 1941.
Answer: True
Upon the capture of Liepāja in June 1941, the Kriegsmarine commandant enacted decrees targeting the Jewish population, including mandatory yellow stars, movement restrictions, and property confiscation, thereby facilitating their persecution.