Service history SMS Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm

1 service history

1.1 in german service

1.1.1 construction 1895
1.1.2 1896–1900
1.1.3 boxer rebellion
1.1.4 1901–1910


1.2 in ottoman service

1.2.1 balkan wars

1.2.1.1 battle of elli
1.2.1.2 battle of lemnos
1.2.1.3 subsequent operations


1.2.2 world war i

service history
in german service
construction 1895

kurfürst friedrich wilhelm fourth , final ship of class. ordered battleship d, , laid down @ kaiserliche werft (imperial shipyard) in wilhelmshaven in 1890. first ship of class launched, on 30 june 1891. ceremony attended kaiser wilhelm ii , wife, augusta victoria. commissioned german fleet on 29 april 1894, same day sister brandenburg. while on sea trials, ship suffered several problems propulsion system. therefore decommissioned repairs machinery, before being re-commissioned on 1 november 1894. construction of kurfürst friedrich wilhelm cost german navy 11.23 million marks. upon commissioning, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm assigned division of battle squadron alongside 3 sisters. replaced ironclad bayern squadron flagship on 16 november, under command of vizeadmiral (vice admiral) hans von koester. kurfürst friedrich wilhelm remain flagship next 6 years. division accompanied 4 older sachsen-class ironclads in ii division, though 1901–2, sachsens replaced new kaiser friedrich iii-class battleships. ship training ground later commanders in chief of high seas fleet, including admirals reinhard scheer , franz von hipper, both served aboard ship navigation officers during 1897 , october 1898 september 1899, respectively.

colorized photo of kurfürst friedrich wilhelm while in german service

after entering active service, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , rest of squadron attended ceremonies kaiser wilhelm canal @ kiel on 3 december 1894. squadron thereafter began winter training cruise in baltic sea; first such cruise german fleet. in previous years, bulk of fleet deactivated winter months. during voyage, division anchored in stockholm 7 11 december, during 300th anniversary of birth of swedish king gustavus adolphus. king oscar ii held reception visiting german delegation, included prince heinrich, younger brother of wilhelm ii , commander of battleship wörth. thereafter, further exercises conducted in baltic before ships had put home ports repairs. during dockyard period, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm had funnels extended in height.

1895 began became normal trips heligoland , bremerhaven, wilhelm ii on board. followed individual ship , divisional training, interrupted voyage northern north sea. on trip, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm accompanied sister ship brandenburg; 2 battleships stopped in lerwick in shetland 16 23 march. first time units of main german fleet had left home waters. purpose of exercise test ships in heavy weather; both vessels performed admirably. in may, more fleet maneuvers carried out in western baltic, , concluded visit of fleet kirkwall in orkney. squadron returned kiel in june, preparations under way opening of kaiser wilhelm canal. tactical exercises carried out in kiel bay in presence of foreign delegations opening ceremony.

on 28 june, explosion occurred on 1 of ship s pinnaces killing 7 crewmen , badly injuring future vizeadmiral wilhelm starke. further training exercises lasted until 1 july, when division began voyage atlantic ocean. operation had political motives; germany had been able send small contingent of vessels—the protected cruiser kaiserin augusta, coastal defense ship hagen, , sailing frigate stosch—to international naval demonstration off moroccan coast @ same time. main fleet therefore provide moral support demonstration steaming spanish waters. rough weather again allowed kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , sister ships demonstrate excellent seakeeping. fleet departed vigo , stopped in queenstown, ireland. wilhelm ii, aboard yacht hohenzollern, attended cowes regatta while rest of fleet stayed off isle of wight.

on 10 august, fleet returned wilhelmshaven , began preparations autumn maneuvers later month. first exercises began in heligoland bight on 25 august. fleet steamed through skagerrak baltic; heavy storms caused significant damage many of ships , torpedo boat s41 capsized , sank in storms—only 3 men saved. fleet stayed briefly in kiel before resuming exercises, including live-fire exercises, in kattegat , great belt. main maneuvers began on 7 september mock attack kiel toward eastern baltic. subsequent maneuvers took place off coast of pomerania , in danzig bay. fleet review wilhelm ii off jershöft concluded maneuvers on 14 september. kurfürst friedrich wilhelm went drydock periodic maintenance on 1 october. ironclad baden temporarily replaced flagship until work completed on 20 october. rest of year spent on individual ship training, exception of short trip gothenburg 5 9 november. 3 other ships accompanied kurfürst friedrich wilhelm on visit: ironclads sachsen , württemberg , aviso pfeil. on 9 december, squadron commander shifted flag württemberg while kurfürst friedrich wilhelm went drydock overhaul.

1896–1900

sms kurfürst friedrich wilhelm in 1899

the year 1896 followed same pattern previous year. on 10 march 1896, koester once again raised flag aboard kurfürst friedrich wilhelm. individual ship training conducted though april, followed squadron training in north sea in late april , may. included visit dutch ports of vlissingen , nieuwediep. further maneuvers, lasted end of may end of july, took squadron further north in north sea, norwegian waters. ships visited bergen 11 18 may. during maneuvers, wilhelm ii , chinese viceroy li hongzhang observed fleet review off kiel. on 9 august, training fleet assembled in wilhelmshaven annual autumn fleet training. following conclusion of maneuvers, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm again went dock maintenance, , while out of service, koester transferred flag sachsen 16 september 3 october. koester again flew flag aboard sachsen 15 december 1 march 1897.

kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , rest of fleet operated under normal routine of individual , unit training in first half of 1897. in year, naval command considered deploying division, including kurfürst friedrich wilhelm, naval demonstration off morocco protest murder of 2 german nationals there, smaller squadron of sailing frigates sent instead. typical routine interrupted in august when wilhelm ii , augusta went visit russian imperial court @ kronstadt; both divisions of squadron sent accompany kaiser. had returned neufahrwasser in danzig on 15 august, rest of fleet joined them annual autumn maneuvers. these exercises reflected tactical thinking of new state secretary of reichsmarineamt (rma—imperial navy office), konteradmiral alfred von tirpitz, , new commander of squadron, vizeadmiral august von thomsen. these new tactics stressed accurate gunnery, @ longer ranges, though necessities of line-ahead formation led great deal of rigidity in tactics. thomsen s emphasis on shooting created basis excellent german gunnery during world war i. maneuvers completed 22 september in wilhelmshaven.

the protected cruiser victoria louise (front), kurfürst friedrich wilhelm (center), , weissenburg (rear)

in december, division conducted maneuvers in kattegat , skagerrak, though cut short due shortages in officers , men. fleet followed typical routine of individual , fleet training in 1898 without incident, though voyage british isles included. fleet stopped in queenstown, greenock, , kirkwall. fleet assembled in kiel on 14 august annual autumn exercises. maneuvers included mock blockade of coast of mecklenburg , pitched battle eastern fleet in danzig bay. while steaming kiel, severe storm hit fleet, causing significant damage many ships , sinking torpedo boat s58. fleet transited kaiser wilhelm canal , continued maneuvers in north sea. training finished on 17 september in wilhelmshaven. in december, division conducted artillery , torpedo training in eckernförde bay, followed divisional training in kattegat , skagerrak. during these maneuvers, division visited kungsbacka, sweden, 9 13 december. after returning kiel, ships of division went dock winter repairs.

on 5 april 1899, ship participated in celebrations commemorating 50th anniversary of battle of eckernförde during first schleswig war. in may, , ii divisions, along reserve division baltic, went on major cruise atlantic. on voyage out, division stopped in dover , ii division went falmouth restock coal supplies. division joined ii division @ falmouth on 8 may, , 2 units departed bay of biscay, arriving @ lisbon on 12 may. there, met british channel fleet of 8 battleships , 4 armored cruisers. portuguese king, carlos came aboard kurfürst friedrich wilhelm inspect german flagship. german fleet departed germany, stopping again in dover on 24 may. there, participated in naval review celebrating queen victoria s 80th birthday. fleet returned kiel on 31 may.

in july, fleet conducted squadron maneuvers in north sea, included coast defense exercises soldiers x corps. on 16 august, fleet assembled in danzig once again annual autumn maneuvers. exercises started in baltic , on 30 august fleet passed through kattegat , skagerrak , steamed north sea further maneuvers in german bight, lasted until 7 september. third phase of maneuvers took place in kattegat , great belt 8 26 september, when maneuvers concluded , fleet went port annual maintenance. year 1900 began usual routine of individual , divisional exercises. in second half of march, squadrons met in kiel, followed torpedo , gunnery practice in april , voyage eastern baltic. 7 26 may, fleet went on major training cruise northern north sea, included stops in shetlands 12 15 may , in bergen 18 22 may. on 8 july, ships of division reassigned ii division, , role of fleet flagship transferred commissioned battleship kaiser wilhelm ii.

boxer rebellion

kurfürst friedrich wilhelm saw first major operation in 1900, when division deployed china during boxer rebellion. chinese nationalists laid siege foreign embassies in peking , murdered german minister. @ time, german east asia squadron consisted of protected cruisers kaiserin augusta, hansa, hertha, small cruisers irene, gefion, , gunboats jaguar , iltis, kaiser decided expeditionary force necessary reinforce 8 nation alliance had formed defeat boxers. expeditionary force consisted of kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , 3 sisters, 6 cruisers, 10 freighters, 3 torpedo boats, , 6 regiments of marines, under command of marshal alfred von waldersee. kurfürst friedrich wilhelm served flagship of konteradmiral richard von geißler, took command on 6 july.

on 7 july, geißler reported ships ready operation, , left 2 days later. 4 battleships , aviso hela transited kaiser wilhelm canal , stopped in wilhelmshaven rendezvous rest of expeditionary force. on 11 july, force steamed out of jade bight, bound china. stopped coal @ gibraltar on 17–18 july , passed through suez canal on 26–27 july. more coal taken on @ perim in red sea, , on 2 august, fleet entered indian ocean. on 10 august, ships reached colombo, ceylon, , on 14 august passed through strait of malacca. arrived in singapore on 18 august , departed 5 days later, reaching hong kong on 28 august. 2 days later, expeditionary force stopped in outer roadstead @ wusong, downriver shanghai. there, wörth detached cover disembarkation of german expeditionary corps outside taku forts, while kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , other 2 sister ships joined blockade of yangtze river, included british contingent of 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, 4 gunboats, , 1 destroyer. small chinese fleet stationed upriver did not clear ships action, owing strength of anglo-german fleet.

by time german fleet had arrived, siege of peking had been lifted forces other members of eight-nation alliance had formed deal boxers. in september, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , rest of german fleet moved yellow sea, waldersee, had been given command of ground forces of eight-nation alliance, planned stronger actions against harbors of northern china. on 3–4 september, flagship of east asia squadron, fürst bismarck reconnoitered harbors of shanhaiguan , qinhuangdao. kurfürst friedrich wilhelm went shanhaiguan , sent landing party of 100 men ashore while torpedo crew cleared chinese minefields. returned wusong roads while ships of east asia squadron remained off both ports. since situation had calmed, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , sisters sent hong kong or nagasaki, japan in 1901 overhauls; kurfürst friedrich wilhelm went nagasaki 4 23 january. in march, expeditionary fleet reassembled in tsingtau gunnery , tactical exercises.

on 26 may, german high command recalled expeditionary force germany. fleet took on supplies in shanghai , departed chinese waters on 1 june. fleet stopped in singapore 10 15 june , took on coal before proceeding colombo, stayed 22 26 june. steaming against monsoons forced fleet stop in mahé, seychelles take on more coal. fleet stopped day each take on coal in aden , port said. on 1 august reached cádiz, , met division , steamed germany together. separated after reaching heligoland, , on 11 august after reaching jade roadstead, ships of expeditionary force visited admiral von koester, inspector general of navy. following day, geißler lowered flag aboard kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , expeditionary fleet dissolved. in end, operation cost german government more 100 million marks.

1901–1910

kurfürst friedrich wilhelm went kiel after returning expedition china, on 14 august konteradmiral fischel raised flag aboard ship. assigned squadron second command flagship annual autumn maneuvers. these exercises interrupted visit nicholas ii of russia, came aboard kurfürst friedrich wilhelm. after maneuvers, fischel replaced konteradmiral curt von prittwitz und gaffron on 24 october. in late 1901, fleet went on cruise norway, during kurfürst friedrich wilhelm stopped in oslo. during months of december, january, , february, ship in drydock major repair work.

kurfürst friedrich wilhelm @ anchor circa 1903

the pattern of training 1902 remained unchanged previous years; squadron went on major training cruise started on 25 april. squadron steamed norwegian waters, rounded northern tip of scotland, , stopped in irish waters. ships returned kiel on 28 may. kurfürst friedrich wilhelm participated in annual autumn maneuvers, after decommissioned, new battleship wittelsbach taking place second command flagship. 4 brandenburg class battleships taken out of service major reconstruction. work kurfürst friedrich wilhelm done @ kaiserliche werft shipyard in wilhelmshaven. work included increasing ship s coal storage capacity , adding pair of 10.5 cm guns. plans had called center 28 cm turret replaced armored battery of medium-caliber guns, proved prohibitively expensive. kurfürst friedrich wilhelm last ship of class complete reconstruction, finished on 14 december 1905.

on 1 january 1906 assigned ii squadron , served flagship of first konteradmiral henning von holtzendorff, , during autumn maneuvers of konteradmiral adolf paschen. fleet conducted normal routine of individual , unit training, interrupted cruise norway mid-july august. annual autumn maneuvers occurred usual. kurfürst friedrich wilhelm served second command flagship in squadron of newly created high seas fleet, @ end of 1906 training year, removed active duty , place taken new battleship pommern.

beginning on 1 october 1907, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm assigned reserve squadron in north sea, had been created in 1907 train new crews. 3 sister ships joined in unit; duties typically consisted of training cruises in north sea. 5 25 april, operated training squadron flagship vineta. in september, reserve squadron contributed vessels autumn maneuvers; kurfürst friedrich wilhelm served reserve squadron flagship, coastal defense ships Ägir , frithjof, minelaying cruisers nautilus , albatross, , old avisos blitz, pfeil, , zieten. squadron organized in cuxhaven , joined high seas fleet in german bight on 8 september. participated in main series of exercises off heligoland, , squadron dissolved when maneuvers ended on 12 september.

after completing annual winter overhaul, kurfürst friedrich wilhelm returned reserve squadron in january 1909. starting on 27 march, operated training squadron again, flagship of armored cruiser friedrich carl. between 30 march , 24 april, cruised in central baltic , in waters around rügen. , rest of reserve squadron joined autumn maneuvers in august , battleship schwaben replaced kurfürst friedrich wilhelm flagship of reserve squadron. kurfürst friedrich wilhelm transferred vii division in reserve squadron. continued in routine in 1910; operated training squadron 4 29 april , cruised in skagerrak , western baltic. battleship scheduled take part in autumn maneuvers, shortly before fleet assembled exercises, both , weissenburg sold ottoman empire.

in ottoman service

in late 1909, german military attache ottoman empire began conversation ottoman navy possibility of selling german warships ottomans counter greek naval expansion. after lengthy negotiations, including ottoman attempts buy 1 or more of new battlecruisers von der tann, moltke, , goeben, germans offered sell 4 ships of brandenburg class @ cost of 10 million marks. ottomans chose buy kurfürst friedrich wilhelm , weissenburg, since more advanced ships of class. 2 battleships renamed after famous 16th-century ottoman admirals, hayreddin barbarossa , turgut reis. transferred on 1 september 1910, , german crews took ships constantinople, along 4 new destroyers purchased germany. ottoman navy, however, had great difficulty equipping barbaros hayreddin , turgut reis; navy had pull trained enlisted men rest of fleet put crews them. both vessels suffered condenser troubles after entered ottoman service, reduced speed 8 10 knots (15 19 km/h; 9 12 mph).

a year later, in september 1911, italy declared war on ottoman empire. 2 battleships , ancient central battery ironclad mesûdiye—which had been built in mid-1870s—had been on summer training cruise since july, , prepared conflict. on 1 october, shortly after outbreak of war, barbaros hayreddin , rest of ottoman fleet moored @ beirut. following day, fleet departed constantinople repairs in preparation engage italian fleet. nevertheless, bulk of ottoman fleet, including barbaros hayreddin, remained in port duration of war. end of war, barbaros hayreddin , sister in poor condition. rangefinders , ammunition hoists main battery guns had been removed, telephones did not work, , pipes pumps badly rusted. of watertight doors not close, , condensers remained problematic.

balkan wars

the first balkan war broke out in october 1912, when balkan league attacked ottoman empire. condition of barbaros hayreddin, ships of ottoman fleet, had deteriorated significantly. during war, barbaros hayreddin conducted gunnery training along other capital ships of ottoman navy, escorted troop convoys, , bombarded coastal installations. on 17 october, barbaros hayreddin , turgut reis steamed İğneada. 2 days later, 2 battleships bombarded bulgarian artillery positions near varna. on 30 october, barbaros hayreddin outside varna blockade port along destroyer nümune-i hamiyet. on 17 november, barbaros hayreddin , mesûdiye bombarded bulgarian positions in support of corps, aid of artillery observers ashore. battleships gunnery poor, though provided morale boost defending ottoman army dug in @ Çatalca. 15 20 november, ship stationed @ büyükçekmece along sister ship , several other warships, saw no action against small bulgarian navy.

in december 1912, ottoman fleet reorganized armored division, included barbaros hayreddin flagship, 2 destroyer divisions, , fourth division composed of warships intended independent operations. on next 2 months, armored division attempted break greek naval blockade of dardanelles, resulted in 2 major naval engagements.

battle of elli


painting depicting greek fleet during battle of elli

at battle of elli on 16 december 1912, ottomans attempted launch attack on imbros. ottoman fleet sortied dardanelles @ 9:30; smaller craft remained @ mouth of straits while battleships sailed north, hugging coast. greek flotilla, included armored cruiser georgios averof , 3 hydra-class ironclads, sailing island of lemnos, altered course northeast block advance of ottoman battleships. ottoman ships opened fire on greeks @ 9:40, range of 15,000 yd (14,000 m). 5 minutes later, georgios averof crossed on other side of ottoman fleet, placing ottomans in unfavorable position of being under fire both sides. @ 9:50 , under heavy pressure greek fleet, ottoman ships completed 16-point turn, reversed course, , headed safety of straits. turn poorly conducted, , ships fell out of formation, blocking each other s fields of fire.

by 10:17, both sides had ceased firing , ottoman fleet withdrew dardanelles. ships reached port 13:00 , transferred casualties hospital ship resit paşa. battle considered greek victory, because ottoman fleet remained blockaded. during battle, barbaros hayreddin hit twice. first shell struck afterdeck , killed 5 men assigned damage control party. second shell jammed rear turret, placing out of action. shell fragments hit damaged several boilers , caused fire in 1 of coal bunkers.

on 4 january 1913, ottoman navy , army attempted landing @ bozca ada (tenedos) retake island greeks. barbaros hayreddin , rest of fleet supported operation, appearance of greek fleet forced ottomans break off operation. greeks withdrew, , several ottoman cruisers opened fire both sides departed, no damage done. 15:30, barbaros hayreddin @ Çanakkale inside safety of dardanelles. on 10 january, fleet conducted patrol outside dardanelles. encountered several greek destroyers , forced them withdraw, inflicted no damage on greek ships.

battle of lemnos

the battle of lemnos resulted ottoman plan lure faster georgios averof away dardanelles. protected cruiser hamidiye evaded greek blockade , broke out aegean sea in attempt draw greek cruiser pursuit. despite threat posed cruiser, greek commander refused detach georgios averof. mid-january, however, ottomans had learned georgios averof remained greek fleet, , kalyon kaptanı (captain) ramiz numan bey, ottoman fleet commander, decided attack greeks regardless.

barbaros hayreddin, turgut reis, , other units of ottoman fleet departed dardanelles @ 8:20 on morning of 18 january, , sailed toward island of lemnos @ speed of 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph). barbaros hayreddin led line of battleships, flotilla of torpedo boats on either side of formation. georgios averof, 3 hydra-class ironclads , 5 destroyers trailing behind, intercepted ottoman fleet approximately 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) lemnos. @ 10:55, ottoman cruiser mecidiye spotted greeks, , fleet turned south engage them.

a long range artillery duel lasted 2 hours began @ around 11:55, when ottoman fleet opened fire @ range of 8,000 m (26,000 ft). concentrated fire on greek georgios averof, returned fire @ 12:00. @ 12:50, greeks attempted cross t of ottoman fleet, barbaros hayreddin turned north block greek maneuver. ottoman commander detached old battleship mesudiye after serious hit @ 12:55. @ around same time, shell hit barbaros hayreddin on amidships turret, killing entire gun crew. thereafter hit several times in superstructure; these hits did relatively little damage, created significant smoke sucked boiler rooms , caused ship s speed fall 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph). result, turgut reis took lead of formation , bey decided break off engagement.

toward end of engagement, georgios averof closed within 5,000 yd (4,600 m) , scored several hits on fleeing ottoman ships. @ 14:00, ottoman warships had come close enough shore protected coastal batteries, forcing greeks withdraw , ending battle. during battle, both barbaros hayreddin , sister had barbette disabled gunfire, , both caught fire result. between barbaros hayreddin , turgut reis, ships fired 800 rounds, of main battery 28 cm (11 in) ammunition without success.

subsequent operations

on 8 february 1913, ottoman navy supported amphibious assault @ Şarköy. barbaros hayreddin , turgut reis, along several cruisers weighed anchor @ 5:50 , arrived off island @ around 9:00. ottoman fleet provided artillery support, kilometer off shore. ships supported left flank of ottoman army once ashore. bulgarian army provided stiff resistance forced ottoman army withdraw, though withdrawal successful in large part due gunfire support barbaros hayreddin , rest of fleet. during battle, barbaros hayreddin fired 250 rounds 10.5 cm (4.1 in) sk l/35 guns , 180 shells 8.8 cm (3.5 in) sk l/30 guns.

in march 1913, ship returned black sea resume support of Çatalca garrison, under renewed attacks bulgarian army. on 26 march, 28 cm (11 in) , 10.5 cm (4.1 in) shells fired barbaros hayreddin , turgut reis helped turn advance of 2nd brigade of bulgarian 1st infantry division. on 30 march, left wing of ottoman line turned pursue retreating bulgarians. advance supported both field artillery , heavy guns of barbaros hayreddin; assault gained ottomans 1,500 m (1,600 yd) nightfall. in response, bulgarians brought 1st brigade front, beat ottoman advance starting position.

world war i

map showing ottoman defenses @ dardanelles in 1915

in summer of 1914, world war broke out in europe, though ottomans remained neutral. on 3 august 1914, barbaros hayreddin began refit @ constantinople—german engineers inspected , other ottoman warships in dockyard , found them in state of severe disrepair. owing state of tension, repairs not effected, , ammunition, coal, , other supplies loaded. november, actions of german battlecruiser goeben, had been transferred ottoman navy, resulted in declarations of war russia, france, , great britain. between 1914–15, of ship s guns removed , employed coastal guns shore defenses protecting dardanelles. in meantime, used floating artillery battery @ nara naval base, along sister turgut reis. during stint, ships immobilized, threat british submarines grew, steam kept in boilers allow them move quickly.

barbaros hayreddin returned constantinople on 11 march 1915; ottoman high command had decided both ships not needed @ times. on next several months, 2 ships alternated trips constantinople. on 25 april, 2 battleships bombarded british landings on first day of gallipoli campaign. after firing fourteen shells, fifteenth detonated in right gun barrel in center turret, destroying gun. after shell exploded inside 1 of turgut reis s guns in june, both battleships withdrawn. on 7 august, british landed more troops @ suvla bay, prompting high command send barbaros hayreddin support ottoman defenses there. in addition, loaded large quantity of ammunition resupply fifth army fighting in gallipoli campaign. next day, while en route area single torpedo boat escort, intercepted british submarine hms e11 off bolayır in sea of marmara. submarine hit barbaros hayreddin single torpedo; capsized 7 minutes later, remained afloat few minutes before slipped below waves. ship sank loss of 21 officers , 237 men. rest of crew picked escort , second torpedo boat patrolling area.

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