Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven

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Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven
Industry Shipbuilding
Fate Dismantled after World War II
Founded 1918
Defunct 1945
Headquarters Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Products Warships
U-boats

Kriegsmarinewerft (or Reichsmarinewerft prior to 1935) Wilhelmshaven was between 1918 and 1945 a naval shipyard in the German Navy's extensive base located in Wilhelmshaven (80 miles (130 km) west of Hamburg).

History

Reichsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven (Wilhelmshaven Reich Navy Shipyard) was founded after World War I on the grounds of Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven (Wilhelmshaven Imperial Shipyard) that had been closed down after World War I.

In 1935, its name was changed to Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven (Wilhelmshaven War Navy Shipyard) when the name of the German navy was changed from Reichsmarine to Kriegsmarine in then Nazi Germany (officially Third Reich or - in German - Drittes Reich, 1933-1945).

During World War II (WW2), 1939-1945, the main shipyard's activities were building u-boats and repairing of damaged war ships. In 1945, it had about 17000 co-workers.

In May 1945 Polish and British troops reached Wilhelmshaven. After WW2, the shipyard was dismantled and 95% was blown up by the British occupying forces.

Since 1957 part of the former shipyard is used as an arsenal for the German Navy (Deutsche Bundesmarine).

Ships built by Reichsmarinewerft/Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven (selection)

References

  • G. Koop, K. Galle, F. Klein, Von der Kaiserlichen Werft zum Marinearsenal, Bernard & Graefe Verlag München, 1982, ISBN 3-7637-5252-8