Kaiserliche Marine

The Kaiserliche Marine or Imperial Navy was the German Navy created by the formation of the German Empire and existed between 1871 and 1919; it grew out of the Prussian Navy and the Norddeutsche Bundesmarine. Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly expanded the Navy, causing a naval arms race between Germany and the British Empire. The undefeated navy was largely destroyed at Scapa Flow in 1919 by its own officers after the loss of the land war on the Western Front of World War I. Capital ships of the Kaiserliche Marine were designated SMS, for Seiner Majestät Schiff (His Majesty's Ship).

Related Topics:
German Navy - German Empire - 1871 - 1919 - Prussian Navy - Norddeutsche Bundesmarine - Wilhelm II - Germany - British Empire - Scapa Flow - Western Front - World War I

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