Kriegsmarine
Origins and Formation
The Kriegsmarine, the navy of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945, was officially created by the Versailles Treaty's prohibition of the rearmament of Germany after World War I. The Versailles Treaty, signed in 1919, limited the size of the German navy and prohibited the construction of submarines. Despite these restrictions, the German navy, known as the Reichsmarine, secretly worked on the development of submarines and other naval technologies throughout the 1920s and early 1930s.
Expansion under the Third Reich
With the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in 1933, the Reichsmarine was expanded and reorganized into the Kriegsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was given a significant role in Hitler's plans for rearmament and expansion, with a particular focus on the development of submarines, or U-boats, and battleships. The Kriegsmarine also expanded its surface fleet with the construction of new cruisers, destroyers, and aircraft carriers.
Role in World War II
The Kriegsmarine played a significant role in World War II, particularly in the Atlantic, where its U-boats waged a prolonged and deadly campaign against Allied shipping. The Kriegsmarine also participated in the invasion of Norway in 1940 and the Battle of the Mediterranean.
Notable Ships and Technologies
The Kriegsmarine was known for its advanced naval technologies, including the Type VII U-boat, the most produced submarine class in history, and the Bismarck, one of the largest battleships ever built. The Kriegsmarine also developed advanced naval radar and sonar systems, as well as the first operational military jet aircraft, the Heinkel He 178.
End of the Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was disbanded after Germany's defeat in World War II. Its remaining ships were divided among the Allied powers, and its personnel were either demobilized or tried for war crimes. The Kriegsmarine's legacy is controversial due to its association with the Nazi regime and its involvement in World War II.