Germany (1896) Friedrich III, Wilhelm II, Wilhelm der Grosse, Karl der Grosse, Barbarossa The “Emperors” class – This class of 5 battleships (the “emperors”) included the Friedrich III, Wilhelm II, Wilhelm der Grosse, Karl der Grosse and Barbarossa. Very different from the Brandenburg in all respects, they would formed the basis of the other following … Read more
WW1 German Destroyers Germany (1898-1918) German Destroyers of the great war By their denomination alone “Hochseetorpedoboote”, these ships were not only bigger derivatives of torpedo-boats. By range, size and armament they were meant to escort the Hochseeflotte in the high seas, and not staying in close vicinity of German naval bases. Compared to the Italian … Read more
SMS Nassau, Rheinland, Posen, Westfalen Germany’s first dreadnoughts The four Nassau (Nassau, Westfalen, Rheinland, Posen) were the first monocaliber battleships of the German Navy. They were not however ordered or designed in response to the HMS Dreadnought as often assumed but predated her in the Admiralstab. Another confirmation the monocaliber type was “in the air” … Read more
Germany (1906) Battleships Deutschland, Hannover, Pommern, Schleisen, Schleswig-Holstein The five battleships of the Deutschland class were the last pre-dreadnoughts built in Germany. Ordered in 1903-1905 just as HMS Dreadnought was under construction, they were completed and accepted into service in 1906-1908 and virtually obsolete by 1914. Tirpitz eluded these criticisms by arguing that future dreadnoughts … Read more
