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{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|birth_name=Henning Rudolf Adolf Karl<br />von Holtzendorff
|birth_name=Henning Rudolf Adolf Karl<br />von Holtzendorff
|birth_date={{birth-date|df=yes|9 January 1853}}
|birth_date={{birth date|df=yes|1853|01|09}}
⚫
|death_date={{death-date and age|df=yes|7 June 1919|9 January 1853}}
|birth_place= [[Berlin]], [[Prussia]]
|birth_place= [[Berlin]], [[Prussia]]
⚫
|death_date={{death date and age|df=yes|1919|06|07|1853|01|09}}
|death_place= [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark district]],<br />[[Weimar Republic]]
|death_place= [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark district]],<br />[[Weimar Republic]]
|image= Henning von Holtzendorff.jpg
|image= Henning von Holtzendorff.jpg
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}}
}}


'''Henning Rudolf Adolf Karl von Holtzendorff''' (January 9, 1853 – June 7, 1919) was a [[Germany|German]] [[admiral]] during [[World War I]], who became famous for his December 1916 memo about unrestricted [[submarine warfare]] against the [[United Kingdom]]. He was a recipient of [[Order of the Black Eagle]] and the [[Pour le Mérite]] with oak leaves and was one of just six [[Grand Admiral]]s of the [[Imperial German Navy]].
'''Henning Rudolf Adolf Karl von Holtzendorff''' (9 January 1853 – 7 June 1919) was a German [[admiral]] during [[World War I]], who became famous for his December 1916 memo about unrestricted [[submarine warfare]] against the [[United Kingdom]]. He was a recipient of [[Order of the Black Eagle]] and the [[Pour le Mérite]] with oak leaves and was one of just six [[Grand Admiral]]s of the [[Imperial German Navy]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Holtzendorff was born into a noble family in [[Berlin]] on January 9, 1853. He joined the navy in 1869, served in the [[Franco-Prussian War]] and afterwards as a staff officer in the West Africa Squadron. Promoted to captain in 1897; he was present during the [[Boxer Rebellion]] as commander of a cruiser in the [[East Asia Squadron]]. He served as chief of staff at the Baltic Sea Naval Station and was director of the [[Kaiserliche Werft Danzig|Imperial Shipyard at Danzig]], before becoming a Vice Admiral in 1904.<ref name=Acta>{{cite book |title=Acta Borussica: Die Protokolle des Preußischen Staatsministeriums 1817–1934/38, |volume=10 |year=1999 |publisher=Berlin-Brandenburgischen Akademie der Wissenschaften |location=Berlin |page=395 |language=German}}</ref> Two years later he was appointed commander of the [[I Battle Squadron]]. By 1909 he commanded the [[High Seas Fleet]], becoming a full Admiral in the next year.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tucker |first1=Spencer C. |title=The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |page=347 |isbn=1135506949}}</ref> In 1913 he was forced into retirement due to his opposition of rapid German naval expansion in competition with the [[British Royal Navy]].<ref name=Tucker>{{cite book |last1=[[Spencer C. Tucker|Tucker]] |first1=[[Spencer C. Tucker|Spencer C.]] |title=World War I: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection |date=2014 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=1851099654 |pages=767–768}}</ref> In the same year he became a member of the [[Prussian House of Lords]].<ref name=Acta/>
Holtzendorff was born into a noble family in [[Berlin]] on 9 January 1853. He joined the navy in 1869, served in the [[Franco-Prussian War]] and afterwards as a staff officer in the West Africa Squadron. Promoted to captain in 1897; he was present during the [[Boxer Rebellion]] as commander of a cruiser in the [[East Asia Squadron]]. He served as chief of staff at the Baltic Sea Naval Station and was director of the [[Kaiserliche Werft Danzig|Imperial Shipyard at Danzig]], before becoming a Vice Admiral in 1904.<ref name=Acta>{{cite book |title=Acta Borussica: Die Protokolle des Preußischen Staatsministeriums 1817–1934/38 |volume=10 |year=1999 |publisher=Berlin-Brandenburgischen Akademie der Wissenschaften |location=Berlin |page=395 |language=German}}</ref> Two years later he was appointed commander of the [[I Battle Squadron]]. By 1909 he commanded the [[High Seas Fleet]], becoming a full Admiral in the next year.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tucker |first1=Spencer C. |title=The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |page=347 |isbn=978-1135506940}}</ref> In 1913 he was forced into retirement due to his opposition to rapid German naval expansion in competition with the [[British Royal Navy]].<ref name=Tucker>{{cite book |last1=Tucker |first1=Spencer C. |title=World War I: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection |date=2014 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1851099658 |pages=767–768|author1-link=Spencer C. Tucker }}</ref> In the same year he became a member of the [[Prussian House of Lords]].<ref name=Acta/>


[[File:holtzendorff.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Vice Admiral von Holtzendorff in 1906]]
[[File:holtzendorff.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Vice Admiral von Holtzendorff in 1906]]
In 1915, after [[World War I]] broke out, he was recalled to duty to serve as head of the [[German Imperial Admiralty Staff|Imperial Admiralty Staff]]. During his retirement Holtzendorff converted into a strong proponent of unrestricted submarine warfare. He published a memo in December 1916 that was presented to Kaiser Wilhelm II and approved at the [[Pless conference]] in January 1917. The belief that unrestricted submarine warfare would starve Britain and bring about its demise was predicted, with the statement that the United Kingdom will be forced to sue for peace within six months. He also stated that the risk of American intervention could be taken and ignored.<ref>Admiral von Holtzendorff to Field Marshal von Hindenburg; Memo about unrestricted submarine warfare; December 22, 1916</ref> His policy succeeded in disturbing both the Royal and the [[Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)|Merchant Navy]] with Allied shipping losses over 6 million GRT in 1917. His submarines became less successful when [[Convoys in World War I|convoys]] were introduced, the US joined the war, and Britain was not compelled to surrender.<ref name=Tucker/> He did not believe the US would be able to join the war, and thought his submarines would back up his belief.
In 1915, after [[World War I]] broke out, he was recalled to duty to serve as head of the [[German Imperial Admiralty Staff|Imperial Admiralty Staff]]. During his retirement Holtzendorff converted into a strong proponent of unrestricted submarine warfare. He published a memo in December 1916 that was presented to Kaiser Wilhelm II and approved at the [[Pless conference]] in January 1917. The belief that unrestricted submarine warfare would starve Britain and bring about its demise was predicted, with the statement that the United Kingdom will be forced to sue for peace within six months. He also stated that the risk of American intervention could be taken and ignored.<ref>Admiral von Holtzendorff to Field Marshal von Hindenburg; Memo about unrestricted submarine warfare; December 22, 1916</ref> His policy succeeded in disturbing both the Royal and the [[Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)|Merchant Navy]] with Allied shipping losses over 6 million GRT in 1917. His submarines became less successful when [[Convoys in World War I|convoys]] were introduced, the US joined the war, and Britain was not compelled to surrender.<ref name=Tucker/> He did not believe the US would be able to join the war, and thought his submarines would prevent their effective deployment of forces to Europe.


Holtzendorff was promoted to the rank of [[Großadmiral]] on July 31, 1918; the sixth and final appointment to that rank in the Imperial Navy. He was retired again after quarrels about war aims with the ''[[Oberste Heeresleitung]]'' (Supreme Army Command) in August 1918 and replaced by Admiral [[Reinhard Scheer]].<ref name=Tucker/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Grossman |first1=Mark |title=World Military Leaders: A Biographical Dictionary |year=2007 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=0816074771 |page=312}}</ref> He was the husband of Margarethe Zitelmann and adoptive father to her widowed sister-in-law's two daughters.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Eberhardt |first1=Muriel |title=Überlebenskünsterinnen - Hermione von Preuschen |journal=Zeitschrift für Museum und Bildung |year=2005 |issue=63 |page=16|language=German}}</ref> Admiral Holtzendorff died in the [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark district]] on June 7, 1919.<ref name=Tucker/>
Holtzendorff was promoted to the rank of [[Großadmiral]] on 31 July 1918, the sixth and final appointment to that rank in the Imperial Navy. He was retired again after quarrels about war aims with the ''[[Oberste Heeresleitung]]'' (Supreme Army Command) in August 1918 and replaced by Admiral [[Reinhard Scheer]].<ref name=Tucker/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Grossman |first1=Mark |title=World Military Leaders: A Biographical Dictionary |year=2007 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0816074778 |page=312}}</ref>
He was the husband of Margarethe Zitelmann and adoptive father to her widowed sister-in-law's two daughters.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Eberhardt |first1=Muriel |title=Überlebenskünsterinnen - Hermione von Preuschen |journal=Zeitschrift für Museum und Bildung |year=2005 |issue=63 |page=16|language=German}}</ref> Admiral Holtzendorff died in the [[Uckermark (district)|Uckermark district]] on 7 June 1919.<ref name=Tucker/>


==Decorations and awards==
==Decorations and awards==
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==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Dirk Steffen, "The Holtzendorff Memorandum of 22 December 1916 and Germany's Declaration of Unrestricted U-boat Warfare." ''Journal of Military History'' 68.1 (2004): 215-224. [https://muse.jhu.edu/article/50680/summary excerpt]
* Dirk Steffen, "The Holtzendorff Memorandum of 22 December 1916 and Germany's Declaration of Unrestricted U-boat Warfare." ''Journal of Military History'' 68.1 (2004): 215–224. [https://muse.jhu.edu/article/50680/summary excerpt]

==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.gwpda.org/naval/holtzendorffmemo.htm The Holtzendorff Memo ('''English translation''') with notes]
* [http://www.gwpda.org/naval/holtzendorffmemo.htm The Holtzendorff Memo ('''English translation''') with notes]
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[[Category:1853 births]]
[[Category:1853 births]]
[[Category:1919 deaths]]
[[Category:1919 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Berlin]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Berlin]]
[[Category:German nobility]]
[[Category:German untitled nobility]]
[[Category:Naval history of Germany]]
[[Category:Naval history of Germany]]
[[Category:Imperial German Navy admirals of World War I]]
[[Category:Imperial German Navy admirals of World War I]]
[[Category:Grand admirals of the Imperial German Navy]]
[[Category:Grand admirals of the Imperial German Navy]]
[[Category:German military personnel of the Franco-Prussian War]]
[[Category:German military personnel of the Franco-Prussian War]]
[[Category:People from the Province of Brandenburg]]
[[Category:Military personnel from the Province of Brandenburg]]
[[Category:Members of the Prussian House of Lords]]
[[Category:Members of the Prussian House of Lords]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Black Eagle]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Pour le Mérite (military class)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Pour le Mérite (military class)]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Red Eagle]]
[[Category:Commanders of the House Order of Hohenzollern]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Iron Cross (1914), 1st class]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Iron Cross (1914), 1st class]]
[[Category:Knights Commander Second Class of the Order of the Zähringer Lion]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Merit Order (Bavaria), 1st class]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Merit Order (Bavaria), 1st class]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Hanseatic Cross (Bremen)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Hanseatic Cross (Bremen)]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the House and Merit Order of Peter Frederick Louis]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Friedrich-August-Kreuz, 1st class]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the White Falcon]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (Württemberg)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Griffon (Mecklenburg)]]

Latest revision as of 04:07, 30 August 2023

Henning von Holtzendorff
Admiral von Holtzendorff in 1918
Birth nameHenning Rudolf Adolf Karl
von Holtzendorff
Born(1853-01-09)9 January 1853
Berlin, Prussia
Died7 June 1919(1919-06-07) (aged 66)
Uckermark district,
Weimar Republic
Allegiance Prussia
 North German Confederation
 German Empire
Service / branch North German Federal Navy
 Imperial German Navy
Years of service1869–1913
1915–1918
RankGroßadmiral
UnitWest Africa Squadron
East Asia Squadron
Baltic Sea Naval Station
CommandsImperial Shipyard Danzig
I Battle Squadron
High Seas Fleet
Imperial Admiralty Staff
Battles / warsFranco-Prussian War
Boxer Rebellion
World War I
AwardsOrder of the Black Eagle
Pour le Mérite with oak leaves
Other workMember of the House of Lords

Henning Rudolf Adolf Karl von Holtzendorff (9 January 1853 – 7 June 1919) was a German admiral during World War I, who became famous for his December 1916 memo about unrestricted submarine warfare against the United Kingdom. He was a recipient of Order of the Black Eagle and the Pour le Mérite with oak leaves and was one of just six Grand Admirals of the Imperial German Navy.

Biography

[edit]

Holtzendorff was born into a noble family in Berlin on 9 January 1853. He joined the navy in 1869, served in the Franco-Prussian War and afterwards as a staff officer in the West Africa Squadron. Promoted to captain in 1897; he was present during the Boxer Rebellion as commander of a cruiser in the East Asia Squadron. He served as chief of staff at the Baltic Sea Naval Station and was director of the Imperial Shipyard at Danzig, before becoming a Vice Admiral in 1904.[1] Two years later he was appointed commander of the I Battle Squadron. By 1909 he commanded the High Seas Fleet, becoming a full Admiral in the next year.[2] In 1913 he was forced into retirement due to his opposition to rapid German naval expansion in competition with the British Royal Navy.[3] In the same year he became a member of the Prussian House of Lords.[1]

Vice Admiral von Holtzendorff in 1906

In 1915, after World War I broke out, he was recalled to duty to serve as head of the Imperial Admiralty Staff. During his retirement Holtzendorff converted into a strong proponent of unrestricted submarine warfare. He published a memo in December 1916 that was presented to Kaiser Wilhelm II and approved at the Pless conference in January 1917. The belief that unrestricted submarine warfare would starve Britain and bring about its demise was predicted, with the statement that the United Kingdom will be forced to sue for peace within six months. He also stated that the risk of American intervention could be taken and ignored.[4] His policy succeeded in disturbing both the Royal and the Merchant Navy with Allied shipping losses over 6 million GRT in 1917. His submarines became less successful when convoys were introduced, the US joined the war, and Britain was not compelled to surrender.[3] He did not believe the US would be able to join the war, and thought his submarines would prevent their effective deployment of forces to Europe.

Holtzendorff was promoted to the rank of Großadmiral on 31 July 1918, the sixth and final appointment to that rank in the Imperial Navy. He was retired again after quarrels about war aims with the Oberste Heeresleitung (Supreme Army Command) in August 1918 and replaced by Admiral Reinhard Scheer.[3][5]

He was the husband of Margarethe Zitelmann and adoptive father to her widowed sister-in-law's two daughters.[6] Admiral Holtzendorff died in the Uckermark district on 7 June 1919.[3]

Decorations and awards

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Acta Borussica: Die Protokolle des Preußischen Staatsministeriums 1817–1934/38 (in German). Vol. 10. Berlin: Berlin-Brandenburgischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. 1999. p. 395.
  2. ^ Tucker, Spencer C. (2013). The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. p. 347. ISBN 978-1135506940.
  3. ^ a b c d Tucker, Spencer C. (2014). World War I: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection. ABC-CLIO. pp. 767–768. ISBN 978-1851099658.
  4. ^ Admiral von Holtzendorff to Field Marshal von Hindenburg; Memo about unrestricted submarine warfare; December 22, 1916
  5. ^ Grossman, Mark (2007). World Military Leaders: A Biographical Dictionary. Infobase Publishing. p. 312. ISBN 978-0816074778.
  6. ^ Eberhardt, Muriel (2005). "Überlebenskünsterinnen - Hermione von Preuschen". Zeitschrift für Museum und Bildung (in German) (63): 16.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Dirk Steffen, "The Holtzendorff Memorandum of 22 December 1916 and Germany's Declaration of Unrestricted U-boat Warfare." Journal of Military History 68.1 (2004): 215–224. excerpt
[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief of the High Seas Fleet
1909–1913 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Admiralty Staff
1915–1918 		Succeeded by
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