Germany's High Sea Fleet, in the World War

by Reinhard Scheer

A clear, firsthand look at Germany’s naval power and strategy in World War I. This history follows Scheer’s leadership and the fleet’s actions across the North Sea, Baltic, and the U-boat campaigns, explaining how Germany built and used its High Seas Fleet in a war that reshaped naval power.

The book blends narrative with analysis, tracing decisions, battles, and the lessons learned from early engagements through major operations at sea. It frames the strategic aims, the challenges faced, and the consequences of naval choices on the course of the war.


Gain insight into the goals and constraints that shaped Germany’s naval planning and shipbuilding.
Learn about key operations, battles, and turning points that influenced sea power in 1914–1917.
Explore the U-boat campaign, its strategic role, and how it affected broader war effort.
Understand the balance between offensive actions at sea and defending maritime lines of supply.


Ideal for readers of military history and those curious about naval strategy, leadership decisions, and the dynamics of wartime sea power.

Genres: History, World War I, Germany, British Literature

402 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1920

Reviews

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I found this book very easy to read, considering that it is a translation from German, so good marks on that front.

This book is part memoir, part history and part political statement. Scheer's first hand account of his naval progression throughout the war is thoroughly enjoyable. It is good to have a background knowledge on the history of naval warfare in the Great War, but also not essential.

This books one failing, although understandable, is Scheer's to get bogged down in politics and in laying blame for events or using them as justifications for the German navies actions. Particularly unrestricted submarine warfare.

However, as history is nearly always portrayed by the victors, it is valuable to have these views as propaganda and Misinformation are prevalent on all sides. It is only by understanding all aspects of a story that we can hope to reconstructed a closer representation of the facts.

Highly recommended

Thanks for reading

[John A · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good book from the other side just after the war.