Kriegsmarine

Active	1935–1945
Disbanded
Country	Nazi Germany
Allegiance
Branch
Type	Navy
Role
Size
Part of
Garrison/HQ

The Kriegsmarine was the navy of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It was one of the three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the armed forces of Nazi Germany, alongside the Heer (army) and the Luftwaffe (air force). The Kriegsmarine played a significant role during World War II, engaging in various naval battles and operations.

History

The Kriegsmarine was established in 1935, following the renaming of the Reichsmarine, which was the navy of the Weimar Republic. The establishment of the Kriegsmarine marked a significant expansion and modernization of Germany's naval forces, in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which had imposed strict limitations on the size and capabilities of the German military after World War I.

Under the leadership of Grand Admiral Erich Raeder, the Kriegsmarine embarked on an ambitious shipbuilding program, which included the construction of battleships, U-boats, and other warships. The aim was to challenge the naval supremacy of the Royal Navy and to secure Germany's maritime interests.

Major Operations

The Kriegsmarine was involved in several key operations during World War II:

• Operation Weserübung: The invasion of Norway and Denmark in April 1940, which aimed to secure strategic positions in Scandinavia and protect Germany's iron ore supply from Sweden.

• Battle of the Atlantic: A prolonged naval campaign to disrupt Allied shipping routes across the Atlantic Ocean. The Kriegsmarine deployed U-boats in "wolfpack" tactics to attack convoys, aiming to cut off supplies to Great Britain.

• Operation Rheinübung: The sortie of the battleship Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in May 1941, which resulted in the sinking of the British battlecruiser HMS Hood but ultimately led to the destruction of the Bismarck.

Decline and Dissolution

As the war progressed, the Kriegsmarine faced increasing challenges. The Allies improved their anti-submarine warfare tactics, and the introduction of convoy systems and radar technology reduced the effectiveness of U-boat attacks. The Kriegsmarine also suffered from resource shortages and strategic missteps.

In 1943, Karl Dönitz replaced Raeder as the commander of the Kriegsmarine. Despite efforts to revitalize the U-boat fleet, the Kriegsmarine was unable to turn the tide of the war. Following Germany's defeat in May 1945, the Kriegsmarine was dissolved, and its remaining ships were either scuttled or distributed among the Allied powers.

Legacy

The legacy of the Kriegsmarine is complex. While it demonstrated tactical innovation and bravery, particularly in the U-boat campaigns, it was also a tool of Nazi aggression and contributed to the devastation of World War II. The post-war Bundesmarine (Federal Navy) of West Germany and the Volksmarine (People's Navy) of East Germany were established under different political contexts and with different missions.

Also see

• Wehrmacht
• Luftwaffe
• Heer
• U-boat
• Battle of the Atlantic
• Bismarck (battleship)