ALFRED VON TIRPICZ

Tirpicz considered the creator of a large fleet, with which Germany entered the First World War. However, gross admiral did not have the possibility to control the fleet, the organization of which he has invested so much power.

Alfred Tirpicz born March 19, 1849 in Kyustrine. He came from poor families Burger. In the real school of the Alfred had mediocre success. On the advice of schoolfellow Maltsana it in spring 1864 passed the entrance examinations in Berlin naval academy. Navy has not used that time very popular in Germany. In 1866 the young man had gunners on a sailing corvette "Niobeya, which in the English Channel awaited clash with Austrian steam corvettes" archduke Charles. " In 1870, he served as second lieutenant in the strongest ship first armored squadron "Konig Wilhelm". Squadron out to sea, but did not engage in battle with the superior power of the French. Sailors are held constant patrol service, vysmatrivaya stripped anchors mines. In 1871, Tirpicz was a senior officer of gunboat "Blitz" - statsionera on the Elbe, which in 1872 sent to protect the fishing of herring German industrialists. In 1873, when Tirpicz was watch officer on "Carl Friedrich, a ship sent to protect the interests of German nationals in Spain, where was the civil war, the ship participated in conjunction with the British in the capture of vessels of insurgents, opened fire seaside town.

In the 70 years of a young artillery officer Tirpicz recommended mechanized artillery case and sought to improve the training, ensuring the ultimate goal. When in 1877 it became clear the importance of mine arms, in Fiume Tirpicz sent for admission Uaytheda min. He presided over a torpedo case in May 1878, in 1879 and 1880 demonstrated the successful firing of the torpedoes and the Crown Emperor. Seaman recommended torpedo weapons, as well as other innovations, just as they became a real force that, as he wrote, "to establish in the shortest possible time and with limited means, a first-class fleet, and not a museum of experimental samples. At an early stage Tirpicz to address technical issues, but after the fact to the surface surfaced over the use of torpedoes as a new weapon. During the winter months, a seaman torpedo trials organized courses for officers and non-commissioned officers. The technique was applied to the ships they trained officers. Tirpicz teach seamen to independence, helped to overcome the fear of the then clashes. Starting with a single maneuver, he begins to bands, making the level of training higher than on other ships. Sailor inspired officers, maneuvers that allow for deficiencies in the tactics, but do not guarantee that the successful action in the exercise can be a recipe in the event of war. He preached the principles for minonostsev in action: "move and shoot at moving closer to the middle", "act according to circumstances. " Thanks to the efforts Tirpicz development does not go towards the establishment of the coastal fleet. He insisted on building minonostsev available for action in the North Sea. However Tirpicz believed that weapons of mine will never replace the battleship as the primary force fleet.

In 1886 Tirpicz have led them to set up mine inspections, which joined the military leadership training, workshops and shipyards. In 1887, commanded the fleet Tirpicz minonostsev that accompanied the future Kaiser Wilhelm, and met the Prince of interest to naval technology. However, subsequent naval ministers weakly represented the role of mine arms. Tirpicz had to make an effort to save the torpedo case. In the years 1889-1890, he commanded ships in the Mediterranean Sea "Preiss, and Württemberg. Then it wanted to determine the inspector yards, but at the suggestion of Chancellor von Caprivi Kaiser appointed his chief of staff of the Baltic Fleet.

Once during a discussion at the luncheon for seafarers in Kiel in spring of 1891, Wilhelm II was unhappy that he did not propose ways to improve the status, Tirpicz comment. Perhaps for this reason that in January 1892 Kaiser Tirpicz appointed Chief of Staff of the High Command. He was the person who had the vast knowledge of history and tactical and strategic training, suggested that a high seas fleet tactics. He invited to the headquarters of professionals who worked with him in mine inspections. In the first place, he drew attention to increasing training and opposed land-based approach to mobilize, in which the ships were to be a peaceful time, half the crew to refer to the raised court and lose combat effectiveness. Tirpicz asked to give him freedom of action in the field of intellectual training of the fleet, instructing all other issues, State Secretary for Maritime Affairs.

Tirpicz disagreed with the practice in which the statute contains a set of evolution. In autumn 1892 the exercises between maritime authority and the supreme command of varied, and was drafted constitution, a draft of which was preparing Tirpicz. The next step was the improvement of training on ships. In autumn the ships have joined under the direct supervision of the High Command. Of the ships created a substantial connection, but the strength of the fleet was so small that only through "sham" the ships were able to present at the battle of two fleet exercises. Based on the years 1892-1894 maneuvers were developed by linear tactics squadron and the principle of organization in which a tactical unit - no more than a squadron of 8 ships, with a greater number of squadron joined in a common structure. The presence of junior leader, led a squadron in the smoke of battle allowed to act independently, even if the Chief of the signals were not visible. Tirpicz restored the word "battleship. " He claimed that during this period of his greatest achievement was the development of the military spirit in the navy.

Navy while the work put cruising war. In a report on the fleet, which the Kaiser personally like to read to the deputies in the winter of 1894-1895 years, it is also based on this thesis. However Tirpicz managed to report to state the meaning of Wilhelm II to one of its dokladnyh notes in which he argued that the tactic of institutional development should be a battle. The next day, he said, not only for cruising the war, but also on the battle-fleet, which resulted in the surprise of Deputies, is not known which way will go navy. Upon receipt of the December 1895 order Kaiser to the conclusion of the note by the High Command on the construction of the fleet, Tirpicz outlined his approach. He believed that not only been a tactical necessity in the battle-fleet, but also political, because rapid economic and demographic rise of Germany, demanded participation in the spoils of peace, and this inevitably led to clashes with the mistress Sea - England. Already could say, whether Germany is not too late to line colonies. In addition, the alignment of forces in Europe made an alliance with Germany, valuable not so much because of the army, but because of the fleet.

In spring of 1896 Tirpicz appointed commander of the East Asian cruising squadron. He received the task to find a point on the coast of China for the construction of a naval base, for protecting the interests of German trade depended on the British fleet docks in Hong Kong. Tirpicz thought the only suitable and with the military, and from an economic point of view of Qingdao. Thanks to his perseverance, after much hesitation Berlin agreed with the admiral.

In spring 1897 Tirpicz was ordered to go back and through the United States arrived in Berlin. Its going to appoint the State Secretary of the sea. Immediately officer commented on the draft law on the fleet, that focuses on large foreign fleets. He said Kaiser, that because the strong ocean cruising, and the war against England was not possible without bases and because of its particular geographical situation of Germany, to protect the interests of the country requires a large fleet of Helgoland and the Thames. He believed that it was necessary to create a navy, an alliance which would have been beneficial, up to this task should be to avoid international conflicts. Admiral asked to consult with him on policy matters relating to the use of foreign ships. Tirpicz obtained consent, but in the future Kaiser High Command and not violated the pledge.

Providing current affairs deputy, Tirpicz engaged in the preparation of shipbuilding program. He insisted that the program adopted as law. This is required for the discipline of maritime authorities, the Reichstag and the Kaiser with his rich imagination. Germany could not afford to create a museum of different types of ships. Fleet should develop with confidence that under the law means will be provided.

Thanks to the support of influential persons to whom addressed Tirpicz, and extensive print campaign in support for the development of law on the Navy shipbuilding program was adopted. But Admiral understand that after the 6-year program, the minimum needed to be implemented in 1897 and following. As early as 1900, followed by innovation (appendix) to the law relating to price increases, because of offensive action against the British and Americans of German courts, novel took quickly. Second shipbuilding program has been developed taking into account the competition of Germany and England to the sea, nothing can not be attributed to the doubling of the number of ships. Tirpicz wanted to avoid threats to England, but because antiangliyskoy campaign in the press had to say in December 1899 in the Reichstag, that the program is provided in the event of a collision with the most powerful fleet in the North Sea. He sought to create a balance of power in which the fight against the German fleet would be risky for the British. Program in 1900. By excluding the cruiser for the Foreign Service, the Reichstag has supported the establishment of a linear fleet.

Photo — «Alfred Von Tirpicz»

Sam Tirpicz Kaiser has promised that by the end of the performance of the program will receive 38 armored vehicles to escort the fleet and that, second only to English, will guarantee the security of the country. In the same year, a sailor was the nobility.

Thanks to the measures taken at modest cost to create a managed fleet, numerically inferior English, but surpasses it for survivability, armor protection, and other qualities. In parallel, had to solve the problem of the expansion of locks and canals that could be put to sea the ships of large size. Tirpicz gently used new items. In particular, the submarines, he proposed to put in the series, when tested, and nautical designs. Boats Admiral proposed to build in the quantity required to deal with the hostile traffic. Doubts about the effectiveness of airships, he supported the development of Marine aviation.

As the fleet Tirpicz made, except that kreysiruyuschih squadron linking Germany with its citizens abroad, and new ships went to the long voyage, in order to obtain practice and show its flag.

Tirpicz acted as a political figure who had to navigate between the demands of Kaiser and managers office. Most often, the admiral is not made known to the foreign policy actions that could be perceived as a challenge to the UK or other countries. Often, a foreign policy were the people who violated the principles of the admiral: in every possible way to preserve peace and avoid incidents that offend the British. Sam Kaiser allow public remarks that could be perceived as a threat to marine enemies. Tirpicz considered necessary to maintain good relations with Russia, but the building of the railroad Berlin - Baghdad, and rejection of the treaty with Russia in 1890 caused the Russian-French alliance and the rise of anti-sentiment. He believed that the foreign policy of Germany before World War II led to a weakening of its prestige in the world and the deterioration of relations with many countries, including the United States and Japan.

Since 1906, sought Tirpicz built each year, on average, 3 large ships and shorten their service to quickly update the ship′s structure. This has caused concern in England. Tirpicz to reduce this concern, was agreed to consolidate the supremacy of the British fleet over the German in the ratio 16:10, which suggested that Churchill. However, maritime agreement was never reached, because of the lying economic contradictions between the two countries, fighting for dominance in the world.

In the years 1908-1918 Tirpicz was a member of the Prussian Chamber of Lords. After the Agadir crisis in 1912, he proposed to hold in the first line of not 2 but 3 squadron to be able to increase the training of seafarers serving the entire term of the same ship. In talks with British ambassador Hodtsenom he agreed to the minimum assignment, but stubbornly Englishman understood that Britain would only be the refusal of Germany to development of the fleet.

In 1911 Tirpicz received the rank of admiral gross. But in 1911-1912, it had no time to resign, fighting for the establishment of the Marine force in accordance with the Law of the fleet in 1900.

In the 1912-1914 year by reducing the number of ships built per year, from three to two, the Anglo-German relations have improved. In 1913 an agreement was reached even on the basis of the ratio of 16:10. However, it is not worth it to overestimate the improvement. In 1914, requested Tirpicz increase costs to the service fleet in foreign waters, along with the reckless actions of diplomacy led to a protest in England. But relations between the two countries appeared so well that for the first time in many years, the English squadron arrived in Germany at the Kiel Week celebrations. She left after the assassination in Sarajevo.

Tirpicz at the beginning of negotiations that led to war, it was not in Berlin. He returned only on 27 July, when the Emperor ordered the fleet came to the ports. He did not know about the dangers of going to war in England. However, when Germany declared war on Russia, and was preparing to declare war on France, Tirpicz noted that the passage of German troops through Belgium would lead to entry into the war in England. And so it happened.

27 and August 28, Gross-Admiral insisted that the policy should be sent to spearhead against England, but was virtually alone. The government, contrary to the suggestions of Maritime State Secretary, went out for reconciliation with England on the sea, leading to opposite results, look Tirpicz supporter of the war. It was agreed the fleet co-operation with the army, which is considered secondary action of the sea. Gross Admiral saw the main road of pressure on the British in the capture of the coast from Calais and Flanders, and sea battles. However, the majority involved not to irritate England, using only the existence of the fleet.

Tirpicz also believed that the Navy has made a considerable effort by providing navigation in the Baltic and the flank of the army, defending the neutrality of Holland and Denmark and the protection of a close blockade of German coast, creating a threat to allies in the Mediterranean and encourage to join the war on Turkey. He ottyanul vast resources and one and a half to two million Britons on the maintenance of their own huge fleet, easier than the army. Progress has been cruising and operations, which cost three times cheaper than they have caused damage. However, the result would have been better if the authorities take the right decisions and there was a marine management agency.

Plans Tirpicz 1890-s were calculated on the neutrality of England. However, when in the mid 90-ies of the changed circumstances, Marine Secretary of State had not participated in the development of plans, but in the last pre-war years from him, the plan to hide. Tirpicz was surprised that the plan the Navy in the North Sea should be a small war to weaken the enemy, and only when convenient circumstances allowed to act actively. General Maritime Headquarters (Genmor) waiting for the British attacks and battles with Helgoland. Tirpicz also believed that it was necessary to take the lead, taking advantage of gusts of seafarers and the fact that Englishmen do not know the technical superiority of the German ships.

When the British attack on Helgoland against them had been expelled only cruiser, the main force had remained at the base, although it was easy to strike and destroy the fleet of the enemy from their shores. However, the loss of 3 cruisers instead of revaluation plans resulted in a defensive trend intensified. Kaiser sought to avoid losses and all the major outputs of the ships to harmonize with him. Attempting to explain the monarch Tirpicz fatal for such a strategy has led to the alienation between them.

Tirpicz considered major causes of deterioration in sentiment in the courts of his fleet of omission and agitation Socialists. Inaction also stemmed from the position Genmora command and control fleet. Attempts to reach Tirpicz action fleet led to its isolation. The proposal to put it at the head of the Joint Command fleet Genmorom Kaiser did not agree. He realized that his recommendations are not followed.

Tirpicz believed that the existing rules of the Law of the Sea does not correspond to the changed circumstances. In response to violations of the law of the sea the British gross Admiral considers necessary underwater blockade. When this issue was discussed Genmor the fall of 1914, Tirpicz proposed not to declare the blockade of the coast of England earlier than a requisite number of submarines, and start small, with the blockade of the mouth of the Thames. But in February it was decided to declare a dangerous zone for shipping coastal waters of England and the English Channel, causing resentment in many countries. Protests by the United States following the sinking of "Luzitanii" led to the limitation of the submarine war, making it ineffective; sentence Tirpicz accuse America of violating neutrality in connection with the supply of its arms to the warring countries are not used. Only in 1916 the command of the army agreed to Tirpicz that the only way to reverse the situation in the war - use unlimited underwater warfare. Because Kaiser rejected the proposal on the submarine war, and even drew Tirpicz for a meeting on the subject, March 12, Admiral had another his resignation and received it March 17, 1916. He was still in April, trying to influence the decision to refuse U. S. demands to halt the German underwater warfare, but without success. In spring 1917, the loss of England in tonnage as a result of unrestricted submarine war were so great, that put the country on the brink of disaster. Tirpicz believed that the surface fleet in autumn 1914 the first and underwater - in the spring of 1916, could lead to victory.

In September 1917, together with B. Kapp Tirpicz founded the German domestic shipment in order to cause the German people of a national movement opposed to socialists - the supporters of peace at any price, and thereby show abroad, that Germany does not run out of force of resistance. But the German government did not take advantage of the existing traffic in order to achieve a better end of the war, and accused the party of anneksionizme. As a result of a misunderstanding of the Government of the party could not succeed. Wolfgang Kapp March 13, 1920, together with a group of officers reyhsvera (Lyudendorf, etc. ) raised a rebellion, but on 17 March it had put down the Berlin workers.

In 1919, Tirpicz published "Memories" (Russian translation 1957), which explained the defeat of Germany that the fault of the political leadership of the German fleet had not received proper use. In 1924-1928, it had - a member of the Reichstag of the German National People′s Party. Died Tirpicz March 6, 1930 in Ebenhauzene, near Munich.

His name was called one of the biggest battleship of Hitler′s navy.