Kaiser’s Steel Fist

The battleships (dreadnoughts) of the König class were built according to the German shipbuilding program of 1911-1913. From August to November 1914, they joined the High Seas Fleet (Hochseeflotte) in the 3rd Battleship Squadron. The dreadnoughts were distinguished by their reliable armor, which proved effective in naval engagements during World War I, including the famous Battle of Jutland (late May 1916). As their main armament, they carried ten 305-mm guns, each capable of firing 405-kg shells at a range of up to 18 kilometers. Their propulsion system allowed them to reach speeds of 21 knots. The armored belt was 350 millimeters thick, one of the best protection levels among ships of the same class. These dreadnoughts were actively used by the German High Seas Fleet and participated in most major operations throughout World War I.