How Do You Spell KRIEGSMARINE?

Pronunciation: [kɹˈiːɡsməɹˌiːn] (IPA)

The word "Kriegsmarine" refers to the German navy during World War II. Its spelling can be tricky for English speakers, but it can be broken down into phonetic components to aid in pronunciation. "Kriegs" is pronounced as "kriɡz" and "marine" is pronounced as "məˈriːn". Therefore, "Kriegsmarine" would be pronounced as "kriɡz məˈriːn" with a strong emphasis on the "kriɡz" syllable. Despite its challenges, the word remains an important part of historical understanding of the German military during World War II.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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KRIEGSMARINE Meaning and Definition

  1. Kriegsmarine refers to the German Navy during the period of the Third Reich, specifically from 1935 to 1945. Derived from the German words "Krieg" (war) and "Marine" (navy), Kriegsmarine literally translates to "war navy" or "war marine" in English. It was a cornerstone of Adolf Hitler's military doctrine and played a major role in the expansion of Germany's power during World War II.

    The Kriegsmarine encompassed various naval forces including surface fleet warships, submarines (U-boats), naval aviation, and supporting auxiliary vessels. The primary objective of the Kriegsmarine was to protect German shipping lanes, conduct naval blockades, and support Germany's land campaigns by providing naval gunfire support. Additionally, the Kriegsmarine played a crucial role in the infamous Battle of the Atlantic, where German U-boats attempted to disrupt Allied supply lines.

    Led by Admiral Erich Raeder until 1943 and later by Admiral Karl Dönitz, the Kriegsmarine gradually expanded its forces throughout the war. However, it faced numerous challenges due to Allied naval superiority and resource limitations. Despite these obstacles, the Kriegsmarine was able to achieve significant successes early in the war, causing substantial damage to Allied naval and merchant shipping.

    Ultimately, the Kriegsmarine's aspirations of becoming a force capable of challenging the world's major naval powers never materialized, and it suffered heavy losses as the tide turned against Germany. The defeat of the Kriegsmarine marked the end of Nazi Germany's ambitions for naval dominance and contributed to the ultimate collapse of the Third Reich.

Etymology of KRIEGSMARINE

The word "Kriegsmarine" is a German term that translates to "war navy" in English. The etymology of this compound word can be traced back to the German language. It is derived from two separate components: "Krieg" meaning "war" and "Marine" meaning "navy" or "maritime". The term was specifically used to refer to the navy of Nazi Germany during World War II.