Germany
Reinhard Scheer
1863–1928 Commander of the High Seas Fleet
Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer took over the High Seas Fleet in January 1916 and, unlike his predecessor, wanted to give battle. His plan to draw out part of the Grand Fleet led to the battle of Jutland, from which he extricated his fleet with two daring turn-aways and a night run for home. In his report to the Kaiser he argued that only the U-boat could defeat Britain, which supported the decision for unrestricted submarine warfare. In August 1918 he became chief of the Naval Staff and, with Admiral Hipper, planned a last sortie in October that provoked the mutinies that helped to end the monarchy. He published his memoirs in 1919.