The Kaiser's Legacy | Submarine Quandry | Intelligence
Raeder's Task | The Z-Plan | Spee's Problems | Langsdorff of the Graf Spee

Raeder’s Task

Eric Raeder entered the Imperial Navy in 1894. As a young navigating officer he served on the Kaiser’s yacht. Later he served with Rear Admiral Prince Heinrich as signal officer on Deutschland. These close encounters with the Royal Family reinforced his enthusiasm toward the monarchy.

Admiral Eric Raeder

During the First World War, Raeder had first-hand battle experience. He served as staff officer for Admiral Hipper, C-in-C of the elite battle cruiser squadron. When the Treaty of Versailles completed the Second World War in 1919, the German navy had fallen into national disrespect. Naval mutinies had spread inland. The navy had surrendered the fleet without a decisive battle then scuttled the bulk of the heavy ships in Scapa Flow. Germany’s weary population now placed the navy in low esteem.

In 1928, the defense minster General Groener appointed Admiral Raeder to lead the new Republican Reichsmarine. No one was better motivated than Reader to resurrect the German navy into world class form. A new battle fleet lay foremost in his thoughts.

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