Guide to the Records of the German Navy (as filmed by the AJCP)
M291-M336A
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2019
Collection Summary
- Creator
- German Navy. Kaiserliche Marine. Marine-Kabinett; Kaiserliche Oberkommando der Marine; Reichsmarine Amt
- Title
- Records of the German Navy (as filmed by the AJCP)
- Date Range
- September 1854 - October 1944
- Collection Number
- M291-M336A
- Extent
- 166 items
- Language of Materials
- German
- Repository
- Australian Joint Copying Project
- Sponsor
- The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) online portal was created with the assistance of the Australian Public Service Modernisation Fund, 2017-2020. The National Library of Australia gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the other foundation AJCP partners, the State Library of New South Wales and The National Archives of the UK, and all other organisations which supported the work of the AJCP, the world's most extensive collaborative copying project, operating from 1948 to 1997.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Reports and correspondence 1854-1885 concerning expeditions in Japanese, Chinese and Southeast Asian waters. The expeditions had commercial and strategic purposes.
Conditions Governing Access
Available for Access.
Conditions Governing Use
Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the owner of the original material.
Preferred Citation
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.Items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
For example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February-23 September 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
Archival History
Filmed as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project, 1959 (AJCP Reel: M291-M336A). Original microfilm digitised as part of the NLA AJCP Online Delivery Project, 2017-2020.
At the end of World War II, Allied forces seized large quantities of records of the German Navy and shipped them to Britain. They were held in the Historical Section of the Admiralty. Many of the records were microfilmed by the German War Documents Project. In addition, the Universities of Cambridge, Hawaii and Michigan and the Australian Joint Copying Project arranged for selected files to be filmed. In 1959 the records were returned to the Federal Republic of Germany, where they became the responsibility of the Bundes Verteidigungs Ministerium in Bonn.
All these files were filmed selectively in the late 1950s while they were in the custody of the British Admiralty.
Existence and Location of Originals
Das Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archives), Freiburg Military Archive, Wiesentalstraße 10, Freiburg, Germany.
For further information, see Das Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archives). [http://www.bundesarchiv.de/index.html.en].
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn8036459] as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Related Materials
Copies of printed charts recording the routes and mine-laying of German raiders in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are held by the National Library of Australia collection reference: MS 995 (https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2654249).
Finding Aid Note
This finding aid is a revised online version of the original finding aid prepared by the Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP), published by the National Library of Australia in 2018. The original AJCP finding aids were unpublished typescripts or photocopies available from libraries that held copies of the original microfilm.
Dates used in this finding aid refer to the date range of the records selected for filming rather than to the date range of the Series or Files.
Pieces that were not filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project have not been included in this Finding Aid.
Subjects
Africa; Antarctica; Atlantis, German raider; Boxer Rebellion (1900); China; Dutch in Asia; French in Asia; Germans in Asia; Germans in Australia; Germans in the Pacific; Germany; Hawaii; Indian Ocean; Japan; Komet, German raider; Kormoran, German raider; Maps, plans and charts; Orion, German raider; Pacific Ocean; Philippines; Pinguin, German raider; Portuguese in Asia; Samoa; Tonga; World War I; World War II
Bibliography
Originally cited in Australian Joint Copying Project Handbook. Part 8: Miscellaneous (M) Series.Third Edition,, published 1998. Entry 185, p. 68.[ http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-397322928]
Biographical / Historical
The Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) was created in 1871, succeeding the small navies of the Kingdom of Prussia and the North German Federation (1867-1870). Its existence was recognised in the new constitution, but until 1888 it was commanded by generals and its role was mainly limited to coastal defence. In contrast to Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, Emperor Wilhelm II aspired to create a great German maritime empire. He became Grand Admiral of the German Navy and in 1889 made major changes to the organisation of the Admiralty. It was split into the Navy Cabinet, (Marine-Kabinett) responsible for appointments, promotions and issuing orders to naval forces, the Imperial High Command (Kaiserliche Oberkommando der Marine), responsible for ship deployments and strategy, and the Navy Office (Reichsmarine Amt) responsible for the construction and maintenance of ships and obtaining supplies. The Navy Office was headed by a State Secretary, who was responsible to the Chancellor and who advised the Reichstag on naval matters.
In 1899 the Imperial High Command was replaced by the Imperial Admiralty Staff (Admiralstab). Headed by Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, the Navy Office, was the more influential body. It was located in the Leipzigerplatz in Berlin and in 1906 employed 60 senior naval officers and 57 senior civil servants. At that time, the Imperial Admiralty Staff employed 36 naval officers, many of them junior, and no senior civil servants. Tirpitz remained State Secretary until 1916.
The German Navy in the 1870s and 1880s was quite small, but in the 1890s the Government took measures to expand it in order to defend its colonies and challenge the hegemony of the British Navy. The Navy Bill of 1898 authorised the maintenance of a fleet of 19 battleships, 8 armoured cruisers, 12 large cruisers and 30 light cruisers. The 1900 Navy Bill doubled the number of ships. In the following years, expenditure on the Navy increased rapidly and the naval arms race with Britain was a major cause of the international tensions that preceded World War I.
From the 1880s onwards Germany had a small cruiser squadron operating in the Pacific, divided between an Australian Station and an East Asia Station. In 1897 it acquired territory at Kiautschou Bay in northern China where it established a naval base. The lease was cancelled in 1914.
Following Germany's defeat in World War I, most of the Navy's modern ships were scuttled at Scapa Flow in June 1919. The Reichsmarine replaced the Kaiserliche Marine. Under the Treaty of Versailles, it was only allowed six battleships, six cruisers and twelve destroyers. In 1935 it was superseded by the Kriegsmarine, a branch of the Wehrmacht. The Oberkommando der Marine, headed in 1935-1943 by Admiral Erich Raeder, was the highest command and administrative authority of the Kriegsmarine. Raeder was also the commander of the Seekriegsleitung (Maritime Warfare Command).
The Kriegsmarine was involved in World War II from its outset. In 1939-1941 several German auxiliary cruisers were active in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, destroying merchant vessels and laying mines. Between August and December 1940 the Orion and the Komet operated in the Pacific Ocean, raiding Nauru and approaching the Australian and New Zealand coasts on several occasions. The Atlantis and the Pinguin operated in the Indian Ocean, until the Pinguin was sunk by HMS Cornwall in May 1941. The best-known of the German raiders was the Kormoran, which engaged with the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney off the coast of Western Australia in November 1941. In the fighting the Kormoran was sunk, but the majority of the crew were rescued. The badly-damaged Sydney sailed southwards and disappeared; none of its crew survived. (Both ships were located on the seabed in 2008.)
Admirals who held the office of State Secretary of the Navy Office
- Karl Heusner (1889-1890)
- Friedrich von Hollman (1890-1897)
- Alfred von Tirpitz (1897-1916)
- Eduard von Capelle (1916-1918)
- Paul Behncke (Sept.-Oct. 1918)
Item Descriptions
Fonds 1. Records of Reichs-Marine-Amt, 1854 - 1913
50 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reels M291-M304.
Die mit Japan anzuknüpfenden Handels-verbindungen respektive eine dorthin und nach Canton zu sendende Expedition, vol. 1, September 1854 - March 1859 (File XII.2.4.7)
Die Expedition nach den chinesischen Gewaessern, vol. 3, January 1860 - December 1860 (File XII.2.4.7)
Die Veroefflentlichung der Ergebnisse der ostasiatischen Expedition, vol. 1, May 1863 - December 1865 (File XII.2.4.10)
Die Expedition S.M.S. Korv. Gazelle nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 1, July 1862 - March 1864 (File XII.2.4.12)
Die Expedition S.M.S. Korv. Gazelle nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 2, April 1864 - March 1867 (File XII.2.4.12)
Die von den Attaches der ostasiatischen Gesandtschaft geführten Tagebüecher, vol.1, September 1860 - February 1862 (File XII.2.4.A7)
Entsendung von Kriegsfahrzeugen nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 1, May 1867 - September 1869 (File XII.2.4.19)
Entsendung von Kriegsfahrzeugen nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 2, October 1869 - February 1871 (File XII.2.4.19)
Entsendung von Kriegsfahrzeugen nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 3, March 1871 - October 1874 (File XII.2.4.19)
Entsendung von Kriegsfahrzeugen nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 4, November 1874 - December 1876 (File XII.4.19)
Entsendung von Kriegsfahrzeugen nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 5, January 1877 - July 1880 (File XII.4.19)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach den asiatischen Gewässern, vol. 6, August 1880 - December 1883 (File XII.4.19)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach den asiatischen Gewässern, vol. 7, February 1884 - July 1886 (File XII.4.19)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach den asiatischen Gewässern, vol. 8, August 1886 - January 1889 (File XII.4.19)
Entsendung S.M. Schiffe nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 1, August 1889 - December 1894 (File XII.4.19)
Entsendung S.M. Schiffe nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 2, January 1895 - August 1912 (File XII.4.19)
Entsendung S.M. Schiffe nach den ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 1, October 1891 - November 1902 (File XII.4.19)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach ostasiatischen Gewässern, vol. 1, October 1877 - October 1884 (File XII.4.19)
Die Entsendung von Krieggschiffen nach Australien und den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 1, March 1875 - December 1876 (File XII.2.4.38)
Die Entsendung von Krieggschiffen nach Australien resp. den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 2, January 1879 - December 1880 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach Australien resp. den Südsee Inseln, vol. 3, April 1881 - April 1884 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach Australien resp. den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 4, May 1884 - April 1885 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach Australien resp. den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 5, May 1885 - September 1886 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach Australien resp. den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 6, October 1886 - December 1887 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach Australien resp. den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 7, January 1888 - March 1889 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung S.M. Schiffe nach der Südsee-Station, vol. 1, April 1889 - February 1893 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung S.M. Schiffe nach der Südsee-Station, vol. 2, March 1893 - October 1894 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung S.M.Schiffe nach der Südsee-Station, vol. 3, November 1894 - December 1897 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Schiffen nach der Südsee-Station, vol. 1, April 1899 - October 1899 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach der Südsee- Station, vol. 1, June 1876 - October 1878 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 2, November 1878 - November 1879 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 3, January 1880 - October 1887 (File XII.2.4.38)
Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen nach den Südsee-Inseln, vol. 4, November 1887 - January 1889 (File XII.2.4.38)
Fonds 2. Records of the Admiralstab der Marine Abteilung B, 1880 - 1917
94 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reels M305-M332.
Deutschland. Kolonien in Asien (Befestigungen), vol. 1, October 1899 - December 1910 (File II.D.23a)
Deutschland. Berichte über die Operationen auf Ponape zur Unterdrückung des Aufstandes, vol. 1, March 1911 - May 1911 (File II.D.23b)
Deutschland. Berichte über die Operationen auf Ponape zur Unterdrückung des Aufstandes, vol. 2, March 1911 - September 1912 (File II.D.23b)
Ostasiatische Station, vol. 1 Gg, August 1896 - March 1898 (File VII.1-1)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
Ostasiatische Station. Telegramme über Schiffsbewegungen, vol. 17, July 1908 - January 1913 (File VII.1-1a)
Ostasiatische Station. Militärpolitische Berichte, vol. 1, September 1904 - December 1908 (File VII.1-1c)
Ostasiatische Station. Militärpolitische Berichte, vol. 2, January 1909 - December 1910 (File VII.1-1c)
Ostasiatische Station. Militärpolitische Berichte, vol. 3, November 1910 - December 1911 (File VII.1-1c)
Ostasiatische Station. Militärpolitische Berichte, vol. 4, June 1912 - September 1913 (File VII.1-1c)
Australische Station, vol. 1 Gg, November 1900 - August 1913 (File VII.1-2)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
Australische Station, vol. 2 Gg, December 1913 - December 1914 (File VII.1-2)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
China. Ganz geheime Nachrichten, vol. 1 Gg, February 1897 - July 1913 (File II. China 1a)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
China. Material, Maschinen, Kessel, Probefahrten, vol. 3, April 1907 - January 1917 (File II. China 4)
China. Boxeraufstand im Jahre 1900, vol. 1 Gg, July 1900 - September 1900 (File II. China 11b)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
China. Boxeraufstand im Jahre 1900, vol. 2 Gg, September 1900 - April 1901 (File II. China 11b)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
Zusammenstellung der Ereignisse in China während des Boxeraufstandes, vol. 1, July 1900 - June 1901 (File II. China 11c)
China. Besatzungstruppen in China (International), vol. 1, June 1901 - May 1914 (File II. China 11d)
Die Chinesische Marine. Schulen, Schulschiffe und sonstige Ausbildung, vol. 1, October 1887 - October 1913 (File II. China 14)
China. Unruhen. Zeitungsausschnitte, Revolution in China, vol. 1, May 1911 - November 1911 (File II. China 29)
China. Unruhen. Zeitungsausschnitte, Revolution in China, vol. 2, December 1911 - January 1912 (File II. China 29)
China. Unruhen. Zeitungsausschnitte, Revolution in China. Vol. 3, February 1912 - November 1912 (File II. China 29)
Frankreich. Kolonien in Asien, vol. 1 Gg, April 1904 - September 1911 (File II. Fr. 23b)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
Holland. Kolonien in Asien, vol. 1 Gg, March 1902 - April 1911 (File III. Holl. 23c)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
Japan. Ganzgeheime Nachrichten, vol. 1 Gg, May 1902 - September 1913 (File II. Japan 1a)
Gg = Ganzgeheime (top secret)
Japan. Organisation, Allgemeine Bestimmungen, vol. 2, January 1908 - February 1912 (File II. Japan 2)
Fonds 3. Records of the Oberkommando der Marine, Seekriegsleitung, 1939 - 1944
22 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reels M333-M336.
Die Fahrt des Hilfskreuzers 'Schiff 16' (Atlantis), Berlin, February 1943 (File Case GE)
(84p. + maps)
Die Fahrt des Hilfskreuzers 'Schiff 41' (Kormoran), Berlin, December 1943 (File Case GE)
(48pp + maps)
Die erste Fahrt des Hilfskreuzers 'Schiff 45' (Komet), Berlin, July 1944 (File Case GE)
(57p. + maps)
Operative und taktische Űberlegungen zur Hilfskreuzer-Kriegführung 'Schiff 16', November 1941 (File Case GE)