Ludwig von Reuter
Ludwig von Reuter | |
---|---|
Born | Guben, Prussia | 9 February 1869
Died | 18 December 1943 Potsdam, Prussia, Germany | (aged 74)
Allegiance | German Empire Germany |
Service/ | Imperial German Navy Reichsmarine |
Service years | 1885–1920 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held | |
Battles |
Hans Hermann Ludwig von Reuter (9 February 1869 – 18 December 1943) was a German admiral who commanded the
Early life
Reuter was born in
World War I
Two months after the outbreak of World War I, he was made captain of the battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger, which he also commanded during the Battle of Dogger Bank. In September 1915, he became commodore and commanding officer of the Fourth Scouting Group of five light cruisers (SMS Stuttgart, SMS Hamburg, SMS München, SMS Stettin, SMS Frauenlob), leading the group during the Battle of Jutland. Promoted to Konteradmiral in November 1916, he was placed in command of the Second Reconnaissance Group, a fleet of six light cruisers including his flagship SMS Königsberg. He commanded the group during the mine sweeping operation that led to the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in November 1917. Faced with a surprise attack by a numerically superior force of British ships, he successfully withdrew his group under fire to the protection of the battleships SMS Kaiser and SMS Kaiserin.[1] Reuter was appointed commander, Reconnaissance Forces and I Scouting Group in August 1918, succeeding Franz von Hipper.
Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow
After the armistice that ended World War I, Konteradmiral von Reuter was requested to take command of the fleet that was to be interned at Scapa Flow until its final disposition would be decided at Versailles. Admiral Franz von Hipper, commander-in-chief of the High Seas Fleet, had refused to lead his ships into internment. He thus protested against the seizing of the fleet by Britain and its relocation to a British war harbour instead of a neutral location, as had been agreed initially.[1]
As the final deadline neared for the German delegation to sign the
Reuter was vilified in Britain and made a prisoner of war, along with the other 1,773 officers and men of the fleet's remaining rump crews. In Germany, he was celebrated as a hero who had protected the honour of the navy.[3] While most of the imprisoned Germans were soon returned to Germany, Reuter was among several who remained imprisoned in Britain. He was eventually released and finally returned to Germany in late January 1920.[4]
Later life
Five months after his return from Britain, Reuter was requested to hand in his resignation from the Navy. The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to drastically reduce the size of its navy leaving Reuter without a suitable command, given his rank and age. Moving to Potsdam, he eventually became a state councillor. He also wrote a book on the scuttling of the High Fleet, Scapa Flow: Grave of the German Fleet. On 29 August 1939, he was made full admiral to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Tannenberg.
Death
Reuter died in Potsdam of a heart attack on 18 December 1943.[4]
Notes
References
- ISBN 0-679-45671-6.
- Van der Vat, Dan (1982). The Grand Scuttle: The Sinking of the German Fleet at Scapa Flow in 1919. London: ISBN 0-340-27580-4.