The Kaiserliche Marine or Imperial Navy was the German Navy created by the formation of the German Empire. It existed between 1871 and 1919, growing out of the Prussian Navy and Norddeutsche Bundesmarine. Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly expanded the Navy, causing a naval arms race between the German Empire and the British Empire. The Navy grew to become one of the greatest maritime forces in the world during its existence, second only to that of the Royal Navy. The navy was largely destroyed at Scapa Flow in 1919 by its own officers after the loss of the land war on the Western Front of World War I. Ships of the Kaiserliche Marine were designated SMS, for Seiner Majestat Schiff (His Majesty's Ship).

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