Volksmarine
Encyclopedia
German Democratic Republic
The German Democratic Republic , informally called East Germany by West Germany and other countries, was a socialist state established in 1949 in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany, including East Berlin of the Allied-occupied capital city...
(GDR). It was part of the National People's Army
National People's Army
The National People’s Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic .The NVA was established in 1956 and disestablished in 1990. There were frequent reports of East German advisors with Communist African countries during the Cold War...
, established in 1956.
History
Soon after the end of World War II the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and the beginning of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
initiated the rearming of its satellite state in East Germany. This included the gradual formation of maritime forces.
Beginning in 1950, Soviet naval officers helped to establish the Hauptverwaltung Seepolizei (Main Administration Sea Police), which was renamed Volkspolizei-See (VP-See) (People's Police - Sea) on 1 July 1952. At the same time parts of the erstwhile maritime police were reorganized into the new Grenzpolizei-See (Border Police - Sea), to guard the sea frontiers, and incorporated into the Deutsche Grenzpolizei (German Border Police) that had been set up in 1946. By 1952 the VP-See is estimated to have numbered some 8,000 personnel.
On 1 March 1956, the GDR formally created its Nationale Volksarmee (NVA) (National People's Army), and the VP-See became the Verwaltung Seestreitkräfte der NVA (Maritime Forces Administration of the NVA) with about 10,000 men. In November 1960, these maritime forces of the National People's Army were officially designated Volksmarine (People's Navy). Over the next years the navy gradually received a number of new ships, mostly built in the GDR. Only the coastal protection ships and some of the fast torpedo boats were provided by the Soviet Union, as were all helicopters, and some auxiliary craft were purchased from Poland.
Following the building of the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
on 13 August 1961 the Grenzbrigade Küste der Grenzpolizei (GBK) (Coastal Border Brigade of the Border Police) was incorporated into the People's Navy. With the reorganization of 1965 all attack forces, i.e., the fast torpedo boats, were combined into a single flotilla (the 6th Flotilla) and stationed on the Bug peninsula of the island of Rügen
Rügen
Rügen is Germany's largest island. Located in the Baltic Sea, it is part of the Vorpommern-Rügen district of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.- Geography :Rügen is located off the north-eastern coast of Germany in the Baltic Sea...
. In the 1970s the People's Navy had grown to about 18,000 men. In the 1980s some of the ships were replaced and the People's Navy acquired Soviet-built fighter-bombers.
In 1988, the People's Navy had brief hostile confrontations with Polish naval forces over a maritime border dispute; in subsequent negotiations about two thirds of the disputed maritime area were allocated to the GDR.
The People's Navy was dissolved, like all other branches of the former National People's Army, on 2 October 1990 – the day before the official reunification of Germany. Some of its staff was assumed into the Bundesmarine (which was henceforth called Deutsche Marine), some by the German Border Police. Most of the ships and other equipment were scrapped or sold.
Operative tasks
The People's Navy was operationally incorporated into the United Baltic Sea Fleets of the Warsaw PactWarsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
states. Its designated area of operations was the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
and the entrances to the Baltic Sea. Its task was to keep the sea lanes open for Soviet reinforcements and to participate in offensive actions against the coasts of hostile nations in the Baltic Sea. For these purposes, it was equipped with light forces such as anti-submarine ships, fast torpedo boats, minesweepers as well as landing craft. Routine duty was heavily focused on extensive reconnaissance activities, carried out mainly by the minesweepers and specialized electronic surveillance boats.
The 6th Border Brigade (Coast) had a special responsibility concerning the prevention of republikflucht
Republikflucht
"Republikflucht" and "Republikflüchtling" were the terms used by authorities in the German Democratic Republic to describe the process of and the person leaving the GDR for a life in West Germany or any other Western country .The term...
. With effect from 1 November 1961 it was subordinated to the People's Navy. It had a substantial number of small patrol boats and surveillance posts along the coast, and its task was to prevent anyone from leaving the GDR without official exit permission.
Commanders
- Konteradmiral Felix SchefflerFelix SchefflerFelix Scheffler , World War II Wehrmacht veteran, Konteradmiral, and first Chief of the East German People's Navy ....
(1 Mar 1956-31 Dec 1956) - Vizeadmiral Waldemar VernerWaldemar VernerWaldemar Verner was chief of the People's Navy of the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic and brother of Paul Verner....
(1 Jan 1957-31 Jul 1959) - Konteradmiral Wilhelm EhmWilhelm EhmWilhelm Ehm a World War II Wehrmacht veteran and East German Admiral who was Deputy Minister of National Defense of the German Democratic Republic and head of the People's Navy .- Early life :Ehm's father was a carpenter who served as an armorer and a bugler in the...
(1 Aug 1959-31 July 1961) - Konteradmiral Heinz NeukirchenHeinz NeukirchenHeinz Neukirchen was officer in the World War II Kriegsmarine, Vice Admiral in the People's Navy of the German Democratic Republic as well as President of the East German Directorate of Maritime and Port Industries...
(1 Aug 1961-24 Feb 1963) - Konteradmiral Wilhelm EhmWilhelm EhmWilhelm Ehm a World War II Wehrmacht veteran and East German Admiral who was Deputy Minister of National Defense of the German Democratic Republic and head of the People's Navy .- Early life :Ehm's father was a carpenter who served as an armorer and a bugler in the...
(25 Feb 1963-30 Nov 1987) - Vizeadmiral Theodor HoffmannTheodor Hoffmann (admiral)Theodor Hoffmann East German Admiral who served as the head of the People's Navy and as the last Minister of National Defense of the Germany Democratic Republic and head of the National People's Army.-Early life:Hoffmann worked from 1949 to 1951 in agriculture...
(1 Dec 1987-17 Nov 1989) - Vizeadmiral Hendrik BornHendrik BornHendrik Born is a former Vizeadmiral of the East German Navy and the last chief of the People's Navy and its youngest Vizeadmiral.- Childhood :...
(11 Dec 1989-2 Oct 1990)
Organization
The People's Navy was headed by the Kommando der Volksmarine (People's Navy HQ Command) in RostockRostock
Rostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...
-Gehlsdorf. It was structured as follows (in 1985):
- 1st Flotilla in PeenemündePeenemündeThe Peenemünde Army Research Center was founded in 1937 as one of five military proving grounds under the Army Weapons Office ....
, - 4th Flotilla in RostockRostockRostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...
-WarnemündeWarnemündeWarnemünde is a sea resort and northmost district of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, situated on the Baltic Sea in the northeast of Germany at the estuary of the river Warnow.- History :...
, - 6th Flotilla at Bug on RügenRügenRügen is Germany's largest island. Located in the Baltic Sea, it is part of the Vorpommern-Rügen district of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.- Geography :Rügen is located off the north-eastern coast of Germany in the Baltic Sea...
Island, - 6th Border Brigade (Coast) in RostockRostockRostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...
.
In addition there were:
- one Torpedo Technical Support Company (TTK-18) in SassnitzSassnitzSassnitz is a town on the Jasmund peninsula, Rügen Island, in the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The population as of 2007 was 10,747....
(servicing anti-submarine torpedoes) - one Naval Helicopter Wing (MHG-18) in ParowParow, GermanyParow is a village a few miles north of Stralsund in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is part of the municipality Kramerhof. The German Navy's Engineering School is at Parow. It moved from Kiel in 2002. The Minentaucher train there....
near Stralsund - one Naval Flight Wing (MFG-28) in LaageLaageLaage is a municipality in the Rostock district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is situated on the river Recknitz, 23 kilometres southeast of Rostock. Rostock Laage Airport is located a few kilometres west of Laage....
- one Navy Engineering Battalion (MPiB-18) in SassnitzSassnitzSassnitz is a town on the Jasmund peninsula, Rügen Island, in the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The population as of 2007 was 10,747....
- one Combat Swimmer Command (KSK-18) in KühlungsbornKühlungsbornKühlungsborn is a Seebad town in the Rostock district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is situated on the Baltic Sea coast, 11 km northwest of Bad Doberan, and 25 km northwest of Rostock....
- one Coastal Missile Regiment (Ground Support) (KRR-18) in Schwarzenpfost
- one Coastal Defense Regiment (Ground Support) (KVR-18) in RostockRostockRostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...
(from 1988) - one Naval Propaganda Company (PRK-18) in Rostock-WarnemündeWarnemündeWarnemünde is a sea resort and northmost district of Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, situated on the Baltic Sea in the northeast of Germany at the estuary of the river Warnow.- History :...
- the Maritime Hydrographic Service of the GDR (SHD) in Rostock
- testing and other special facilities
- training facilities
- Naval NCO Academy "Walter Steffens" in Parow (naval training of NCOs and seamen)
- Naval Officers Academy "Karl Liebknecht" in StralsundStralsund- Main sights :* The Brick Gothic historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.* The heart of the old town is the Old Market Square , with the Gothic Town Hall . Behind the town hall stands the imposing Nikolaikirche , built in 1270-1360...
(training of naval officers) - NCO School for Support Services at DänholmDänholmDänholm is a small island on the German coast of the Baltic Sea. It is situated in the Strelasund just east of Stralsund. Both bridges linking Rügen with the mainland, Rügendamm and Rügenbrücke, run over it...
near Stralsund (technical training of NCOs)
Material
- Landingcraft
- Minelayers and minesweepers
- Fast torpedo and missile boat
- Coastal defense ships
- Submarine hunters
- Intelligence ships
- Training ships
- Support craft
- Three squadrons of combat helicopters: Mil Mi-4MÄ HoundMil Mi-4The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles.-Design and development:...
Mil Mi-8 HipMil Mi-8The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
, Mi-14PL Haze-AMil Mi-14|-See also:-External links:******...
and Mil Mi-14BT Haze-BMil Mi-14|-See also:-External links:******... - Fighter-bomber: Sukhoi Su-22M4 Fitter-K
Volksmarine admirals
There were 37 Admirals in the history of the Volksmarine and its predecessor organizations. They were:Admiral
- Waldemar VernerWaldemar VernerWaldemar Verner was chief of the People's Navy of the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic and brother of Paul Verner....
- Wilhelm EhmWilhelm EhmWilhelm Ehm a World War II Wehrmacht veteran and East German Admiral who was Deputy Minister of National Defense of the German Democratic Republic and head of the People's Navy .- Early life :Ehm's father was a carpenter who served as an armorer and a bugler in the...
- Theodor HoffmannTheodor Hoffmann (admiral)Theodor Hoffmann East German Admiral who served as the head of the People's Navy and as the last Minister of National Defense of the Germany Democratic Republic and head of the National People's Army.-Early life:Hoffmann worked from 1949 to 1951 in agriculture...
Vizeadmiral
- Hendrik BornHendrik BornHendrik Born is a former Vizeadmiral of the East German Navy and the last chief of the People's Navy and its youngest Vizeadmiral.- Childhood :...
- Heinz NeukirchenHeinz NeukirchenHeinz Neukirchen was officer in the World War II Kriegsmarine, Vice Admiral in the People's Navy of the German Democratic Republic as well as President of the East German Directorate of Maritime and Port Industries...
- Bruno Wansierski
- William Nordin
- Gustav Hesse
- Günter Kutzschebauch
- Hans Hofmann
Konteradmiral
- Felix SchefflerFelix SchefflerFelix Scheffler , World War II Wehrmacht veteran, Konteradmiral, and first Chief of the East German People's Navy ....
- Richard Fischer
- John Streubel
- Rudi Wegner
- Heinz Irmscher
- Lothar Heinecke
- Heinrich Jordt
- Walter Kühn
- Werner Henninger
- Klaus Kahnt
- Hans-Joachim DönitzHans-Joachim DönitzHans-Joachim Dönitz was a Rear Admiral in the East German Navy ....
- Joachim Münch
- Wolfgang Laue
- Hans Heß
- Werner Kotte
- Rolf Rödel
- Herbert Städtke
- Günther Pöschel
- Helmut Milzow
- Friedrich ElchleppFriedrich ElchleppFriedrich Elchlepp was a World War II German Navy Oberleutnant zur See, a lawyer and a Konteradmiral in the East German People’s Navy .- Early life :His father was a teacher. Elchlepp served in the German Navy from 1941-1945...
- Eberhard Grießbach
- Egon Nitz
- Dr. Karl Weiß
- Hans Partzsch
- Herbert Bernig
- Gerhard Müller
- Peter Miethe
See also
- National People's ArmyNational People's ArmyThe National People’s Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic .The NVA was established in 1956 and disestablished in 1990. There were frequent reports of East German advisors with Communist African countries during the Cold War...
- Awards and decorations of East Germany
- Soviet Baltic FleetBaltic FleetThe Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...
External links
- Marinekameradschaft KSS e.V. site - Includes information on 1st & 4th Flotillas (in German)