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{{Infobox military unit
  
{{Infobox military unit
 
|unit_name = People's Navy<br/>''Volksmarine'' (VM)
  
|unit_name = People's Navy<br/>''Volksmarine'' (VM)
−
|image = [[Image:Insignia of the Volksmarine.svg|180px]]
 +
|image=Insignia of the Volksmarine.svg
  +
|image_size=180px
 
|caption = Insignia of the ''Volksmarine''.
  
|caption = Insignia of the ''Volksmarine''.
 
|dates = 1956–1990
  
|dates = 1956–1990
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|size = 18,300 personnel
  
|size = 18,300 personnel
 
|command_structure = [[National People's Army]]
  
|command_structure = [[National People's Army]]
−
|garrison = [[Rostock]]
 +
|garrison = Rostock
 
|garrison_label = H/Q
  
|garrison_label = H/Q
 
|battles = [[Cold War]]
  
|battles = [[Cold War]]
−
|anniversaries =
 
 
|decorations = [[Orders, decorations, and medals of East Germany|''See article'']]
  
|decorations = [[Orders, decorations, and medals of East Germany|''See article'']]
 
|disbanded = 2 October 1990
  
|disbanded = 2 October 1990
  +
−
<!-- Insignia -->
  
−
|identification_symbol = [[Image:Flag of warships of VM (East Germany).svg|150px]]
 +
|identification_symbol = [[File:Flag of warships of VM (East Germany).svg|150px]]
 
|identification_symbol_label = Naval Ensign (1960–1990)
  
|identification_symbol_label = Naval Ensign (1960–1990)
−
|identification_symbol_2 = [[Image:Flag of German Democratic Republic.svg|150px]]
 +
|identification_symbol_2 = [[File:Flag of German Democratic Republic.svg|150px]]
 
|identification_symbol_2_label = Naval Jack (1960–1990)<ref>Arrangement concerning the carrying of flags, pennants and standards on ships and boats of the People's Navy - Flag array 'of 12 July 1979 , § 2 (3).</ref>
  
|identification_symbol_2_label = Naval Jack (1960–1990)<ref>Arrangement concerning the carrying of flags, pennants and standards on ships and boats of the People's Navy - Flag array 'of 12 July 1979 , § 2 (3).</ref>
  +
−
<!-- Commanders -->
  
 
|commander1 = {{List collapsed|title=''See list''|1=[[Felix Scheffler]],<br/><small>(1956)</small><br/>[[Waldemar Verner]],<br/><small>(1957–1959)</small><br/>[[Wilhelm Ehm]],<br/><small>(1959–1961)</small><br/>[[Heinz Neukirchen]],<br/><small>(1961–1963)</small><br/>[[Wilhelm Ehm]],<br/><small>(1963–1987)</small><br/>[[Theodor Hoffmann (admiral)|Theodor Hoffmann]],<br/><small>(1987–1989)</small><br/>[[Hendrik Born]]<br/><small>(1989–1990)</small>}}
  
|commander1 = {{List collapsed|title=''See list''|1=[[Felix Scheffler]],<br/><small>(1956)</small><br/>[[Waldemar Verner]],<br/><small>(1957–1959)</small><br/>[[Wilhelm Ehm]],<br/><small>(1959–1961)</small><br/>[[Heinz Neukirchen]],<br/><small>(1961–1963)</small><br/>[[Wilhelm Ehm]],<br/><small>(1963–1987)</small><br/>[[Theodor Hoffmann (admiral)|Theodor Hoffmann]],<br/><small>(1987–1989)</small><br/>[[Hendrik Born]]<br/><small>(1989–1990)</small>}}
 
|commander1_label = Commanders
  
|commander1_label = Commanders
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On 1 March 1956, the GDR formally created its ''Nationale Volksarmee (NVA)'' (National People's Army), and the ''VP&ndash;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.
  
On 1 March 1956, the GDR formally created its ''Nationale Volksarmee (NVA)'' (National People's Army), and the ''VP&ndash;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]] 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]]. 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.
 +
Following the building of the [[Berlin Wall]] 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. 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.
  
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.
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==Operative tasks==
  
==Operative tasks==
−
The People's Navy was operationally incorporated into the ''United Baltic Sea Fleets'' of the [[Warsaw Pact]] states. Its designated area of operations was the [[Baltic Sea]] 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 People's Navy was operationally incorporated into the ''United Baltic Sea Fleets'' of the [[Warsaw Pact]] states. Its designated area of operations was the Baltic Sea 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 for the prevention of ″[[republikflucht]]″ (people leaving the GDR without official permission). 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.
  
The 6th Border Brigade (Coast) had a special responsibility for the prevention of ″[[republikflucht]]″ (people leaving the GDR without official permission). 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.
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==Organization==
  
==Organization==
−
The People's Navy was headed by the ''Kommando der Volksmarine'' (People's Navy HQ Command) in [[Rostock]]-[[Gehlsdorf]]. It was structured as follows (in 1985):
 +
The People's Navy was headed by the ''Kommando der Volksmarine'' (People's Navy HQ Command) in Rostock-[[Gehlsdorf]]. It was structured as follows (in 1985):
−
*1st Flotilla in [[Peenemünde]],
 +
*1st Flotilla in Peenemünde,
−
*4th Flotilla in [[Rostock]]-[[Warnemünde]],
 +
*4th Flotilla in Rostock-Warnemünde,
−
*6th Flotilla at Bug on [[Rügen]] Island,
 +
*6th Flotilla at Bug on Rügen Island,
−
*6th Border Brigade (Coast) in [[Rostock]].
 +
*6th Border Brigade (Coast) in Rostock.
   
 
In addition there were:
  
In addition there were:
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*one Combat Swimmer Command (KSK-18) in [[Kühlungsborn]]
  
*one Combat Swimmer Command (KSK-18) in [[Kühlungsborn]]
 
*one Coastal Missile Regiment (Ground Support) (KRR-18) in [[Schwarzenpfost]]
  
*one Coastal Missile Regiment (Ground Support) (KRR-18) in [[Schwarzenpfost]]
−
*one Coastal Defense Regiment (Ground Support) (KVR-18) in [[Rostock]](from 1988)
 +
*one Coastal Defense Regiment (Ground Support) (KVR-18) in Rostock(from 1988)
−
*one Naval Propaganda Company (PRK-18) in Rostock-[[Warnemünde]]
 +
*one Naval Propaganda Company (PRK-18) in Rostock-Warnemünde
 
*the Maritime Hydrographic Service of the GDR (SHD) in Rostock
  
*the Maritime Hydrographic Service of the GDR (SHD) in Rostock
 
*testing and other special facilities
  
*testing and other special facilities
 
*training facilities
  
*training facilities
 
**Naval NCO Academy "Walter Steffens" in Parow (naval training of NCOs and seamen)
  
**Naval NCO Academy "Walter Steffens" in Parow (naval training of NCOs and seamen)
−
**Naval Officers Academy "Karl Liebknecht" in [[Stralsund]] (training of naval officers)
 +
**Naval Officers Academy "Karl Liebknecht" in Stralsund (training of naval officers)
 
**NCO School for Support Services at [[Dänholm]] near Stralsund (technical training of NCOs)
  
**NCO School for Support Services at [[Dänholm]] near Stralsund (technical training of NCOs)
   
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* Fighter-bomber: [[Sukhoi Su-22|Sukhoi Su-22M4 Fitter-K]]
  
* Fighter-bomber: [[Sukhoi Su-22|Sukhoi Su-22M4 Fitter-K]]
   
−
== Music ==
 +
==Music==
   
 
The People's Navy's band played a number of specially-composed musical pieces. Most notable is "Präsentiermarsch der Volksmarine", which was composed by Ludwig Schmidt for use at ceremonial events. "Unsere Volksmarine" was also written for use at parades. The instrumental pieces written for the People's Navy fell out of use after the reunification of Germany, and are not used by the modern [[Deutsche Marine]].
  
The People's Navy's band played a number of specially-composed musical pieces. Most notable is "Präsentiermarsch der Volksmarine", which was composed by Ludwig Schmidt for use at ceremonial events. "Unsere Volksmarine" was also written for use at parades. The instrumental pieces written for the People's Navy fell out of use after the reunification of Germany, and are not used by the modern [[Deutsche Marine]].
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*None
  
*None
   
−
===Admiral===
+
===Admiral===
 
*[[Waldemar Verner]]
  
*[[Waldemar Verner]]
 
*[[Wilhelm Ehm]]
  
*[[Wilhelm Ehm]]
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*Hans Hofmann
  
*Hans Hofmann
 
 
−
===Konteradmiral===
+
===Konteradmiral===
 
*[[Felix Scheffler]]
  
*[[Felix Scheffler]]
 
*Richard Fischer
  
*Richard Fischer
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==External links==
  
==External links==
 
* [http://www.mks-kss.de/ Marinekameradschaft KSS e.V. site] - Includes information on 1st & 4th Flotillas (in German)
  
* [http://www.mks-kss.de/ Marinekameradschaft KSS e.V. site] - Includes information on 1st & 4th Flotillas (in German)
  +
  +
{{Wikipedia|Volksmarine}}
   
 
[[Category:Naval history of Germany]]
  
[[Category:Naval history of Germany]]

Latest revision as of 01:50, 15 December 2019

People's Navy
Volksmarine (VM)
Insignia of the Volksmarine
Insignia of the Volksmarine.
Active 1956–1990
Disbanded 2 October 1990
Country Flag of German Democratic Republic East Germany
Allegiance National Defence Council
Type Navy
Role Coastal defence
Size 18,300 personnel
Part of National People's Army
H/Q Rostock
Engagements Cold War
Decorations See article
Commanders
Commanders
Insignia
Naval Ensign (1960–1990) Flag of warships of VM (East Germany)
Naval Jack (1960–1990)[1] Flag of German Democratic Republic

The Volksmarine (English: People's Navy), was the official designation of the naval forces of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was part of the National People's Army, established on 1 March 1956.

History

Soon after the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War the Soviet Union 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 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. 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, and few if any former People's Navy vessels remain in service with the modern-day German Navy. The last commander of the People's Navy, Vizeadmiral Hendrik Born, wrote a multi-paragraph commentary for Dieter Flohr and Peter Seemann's 2009 book, Die Volksmarine, a comprehensive and picture-oriented history of the People's Navy.

Operative tasks

The People's Navy was operationally incorporated into the United Baltic Sea Fleets of the Warsaw Pact states. Its designated area of operations was the Baltic Sea 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 for the prevention of ″republikflucht″ (people leaving the GDR without official permission). 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.

Commanders

Organization

The People's Navy was headed by the Kommando der Volksmarine (People's Navy HQ Command) in Rostock-Gehlsdorf. It was structured as follows (in 1985):

  • 1st Flotilla in Peenemünde,
  • 4th Flotilla in Rostock-Warnemünde,
  • 6th Flotilla at Bug on Rügen Island,
  • 6th Border Brigade (Coast) in Rostock.

In addition there were:

  • one Torpedo Technical Support Company (TTK-18) in Sassnitz (servicing anti-submarine torpedoes)
  • one Naval Helicopter Wing (MHG-18) in Parow near Stralsund
  • one Naval Flight Wing (MFG-28) in Laage
  • one Navy Engineering Battalion (MPiB-18) in Sassnitz
  • one Combat Swimmer Command (KSK-18) in Kühlungsborn
  • one Coastal Missile Regiment (Ground Support) (KRR-18) in Schwarzenpfost
  • one Coastal Defense Regiment (Ground Support) (KVR-18) in Rostock(from 1988)
  • one Naval Propaganda Company (PRK-18) in Rostock-Warnemünde
  • 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 Stralsund (training of naval officers)
    • NCO School for Support Services at Dänholm near Stralsund (technical training of NCOs)

Material

Frigate Koni East German

The Koni class frigate Rostock

Jasmund1986

The intelligence ship Jasmund

East German Nordperd (E-35)

The Frosch II class support ship Nordperd

The People's Navy was equipped with:

Music

The People's Navy's band played a number of specially-composed musical pieces. Most notable is "Präsentiermarsch der Volksmarine", which was composed by Ludwig Schmidt for use at ceremonial events. "Unsere Volksmarine" was also written for use at parades. The instrumental pieces written for the People's Navy fell out of use after the reunification of Germany, and are not used by the modern Deutsche Marine.

Volksmarine admirals

There were 37 Admirals in the history of the Volksmarine and its predecessor organizations. They were:

Flottenadmiral

  • None

Admiral

Vizeadmiral

Konteradmiral

  • Felix Scheffler
  • Richard Fischer
  • John Streubel
  • Rudi Wegner
  • Heinz Irmscher
  • Lothar Heinecke
  • Heinrich Jordt
  • Walter Kühn
  • Werner Henninger
  • Klaus Kahnt
  • Hans-Joachim Dönitz
  • Joachim Münch
  • Wolfgang Laue
  • Hans Heß
  • Werner Kotte
  • Rolf Rödel
  • Herbert Städtke
  • Günther Pöschel
  • Helmut Milzow
  • Friedrich Elchlepp
  • Eberhard Grießbach
  • Egon Nitz
  • Dr. Karl Weiß
  • Hans Partzsch
  • Herbert Bernig
  • Gerhard Müller
  • Peter Miethe

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Arrangement concerning the carrying of flags, pennants and standards on ships and boats of the People's Navy - Flag array 'of 12 July 1979 , § 2 (3).

References

  • Siegfried Breyer, Peter Joachim Lapp: Die Volksmarine der DDR, Bernard & Graefe Verlag, ISBN 3-7637-5423-7
  • Robert Rosentreter: Im Seegang der Zeit, Vier Jahrzehnte Volksmarine, Ingo Koch Verlag, ISBN 3-935319-07-X
  • Klaus Froh, Rüdiger Wenzke: Die Generale und Admirale der NVA. Ein biographisches Handbuch. 4. Auflage. Ch. Links, Berlin 2000, ISBN 3-86153-209-3

External links

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Volksmarine and the edit history here.
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