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Paul Behncke(13 August 1869 – 4 January 1937) was born inLübeckand died in Berlin. He was a German admiral during the First World War, most notable for his command of theIII Battle Squadronof the GermanHigh Seas Fleetduring theBattle of Jutland.[citation needed]
Paul Behncke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 13 August 1869 Lübeck |
| Died | 4 January 1937(aged 67) Berlin |
| Allegiance |  German Empire Weimar Republic |
| Service |  Imperial German Navy Reichsmarine |
| Years of service | 1883–1924 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | III Battle Squadron |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Pour le Mérite |
Naval career
editAt the age of fourteen he joined thenavyand as an officer commanded agunboatin the Far East. After studying at the Naval Academy inKielhe was assigned to the general staff. As commander of theunprotected cruiserSMSFalke,he returned to Chinese waters and on being promoted to the rank of captain he was appointed to the battleshipSMSWettin,and afterwards to thedreadnoughtSMSWestfalen.[citation needed]
Shortly before the outbreak of the First World War Behncke was promoted toKonteradmiral(Rear Admiral) and again assigned to the general staff. During the conflict he was opposed to AdmiralAlfred von Tirpitz's theories onsubmarine warfare,and was appointed head of theIII Battle Squadron,composed of eight of the nine most modern battleships of the German navy (theKönigandKaiserclasses). Leading these ships aboard hisflagshipSMSKönig,Behncke took part in theBattle of Jutland,where he was seriously wounded by a shell splinter and found himself in command of the whole fleet during the third phase of the action.[citation needed]
During the 1917Battle of Moon Soundhe prevented the retreat of part of the Russian fleet and sank theSlava.By that time he had the rank ofVizeadmiral(Vice Admiral) and the following year, after the renunciation of AdmiralEduard von Capelle,rose to State Secretary of the Imperial Naval Office, a position he held for only one month before being relieved.[citation needed]
Behncke regained office after the war, replacing admiralAdolf von Trotha,and retired from the navy in 1924. In retirement, Behncke served as the president of the German-Japanese Society.[1]
References
edit- ^"ADMIRAL BEHNCKE, 70, OF GERMANY IS DEAD".New York Times.5 January 1937.
- Enciclopedia General del Mar,Jose Mª Martinez - Hidalgo, Volume I, s.v.BEHNCKE, Paul,Page 1323, Ediciones Garriga, S.A., Barcelona, 1968