Albert Wilhelm Heinrich of Prussia

Albert Wilhelm Heinrich of Prussia, called prince Heinrich (* 14. August 1862 in Berlin; † 20. April 1929 in Hemmelmark, Schleswig-Holstein) was large admiral of the imperial navy and brother of William II.. It may not be confounded with prince Heinrich of Prussia, the brother king Friedrich II..

family

Albert Wilhelm Heinrich of Prussia was the son of the later emperor Friedrich III. and grandchild emperors Wilhelms I. His nut/mother, empress Victoria was a daughter of the British Queen Victoria. Prince Heinrich was the younger brother emperor Wilhelms II. and since 24. May 1888 with princess Irene Luise Maria Anna of Hessen marries. From the marriage three children followed:

• Waldemar of Prussia (* 20. March 1889; † 2. May 1945)
• Sigismund of Prussia (* 27. November 1896; † 14. November 1978)
• Heinrich Viktor Ludwig Friedrich of Prussia (* 9. January 1900; † 26. February 1904)

vocational career/development

after attendance of the High School in Kassel, which it left 1877 with the middle ripe one, occurred prince Heinrich 15jährig the imperial navy and as the officer was trained. To the training a two-year voyage round the world (1878 to 1880 ) belonged, the naval officer main examination 1. October 1880 and later (1884 to 1886) the attendance of the naval academy, which was to be completed apart from the actual service particularly during the winter months.

Prince Heinrich kommandierte several warships, under it 1887 one torpedo boat and at the same time the 1. Torpedo boat division, 1888 the imperial yacht Hohenzollern, 1889 to 1890 the cruiser II. Class Irene, the coastal tank ship Beowulf and the liners Saxonia and Wörth.

Since 1897 prince Heinrich leader of several ship federations, under it first an improvised squadron, was which took part there together with the Eastern Asia squadron at the suppression of unrests in the Chinese region Kiautschou and Tsingtau for the German Reich took the port in possession (1897). Prince Heinrichs successes were rather more diplomatic than military kind. Like that was it the first European poet act, which ever at the Chinese emperor yard became to receive. 1899 he became officially a boss of the Eastern Asia squadron, later a liner squadron and a 1903 boss of the naval station Baltic Sea. 1906 to 1909 were a prince Heinrich boss of the deep-sea fleet, 1909 he to the large admiral were carried.

At the beginning of the First World War prince Heinrich was appointed the commander in chief of the Baltic Sea. Although it provided the means had far been subject to the Russian Baltic Sea fleet, it succeeded to it to a large extent to prevent Russian naval forces up to the revolution 1917 in the defensive to urge and it from attacks against the German coast. After the end of the fights with Russia his task and prince Heinrich were void withdrew themselves actually from the active navy. With the end of the war and the abolishment of the monarchy in Germany prince Heinrich from the navy separated.

personality and private life

Heinrich had William in common with his brother little. In particular the Sprunghaftigkeit and the validity need of the last emperor were missing to it. It was quite popular in Northern Germany and because of its modest and open nature with its soldiers likes. On journeys abroad he was a good diplomat, who met differently than its brother the correct clay/tone. Thus it succeeded to it on the USA - a journey 1912 not to only win the sympathy of the critical American press and the hearts at that time still numerously admitting German American.

He had found a task, which filled out him perfectly as a naval officer and which he loved. He was thoroughly practical man and was considered as a outstanding sailor. It acquired one of the first pilot lights in Germany and was an inspired and good Segler. It was very unlocked to modern technology and could estimate the practical value of technical innovations fast. Promptly it penetrated on the employment from submarines and airplanes. In the Baltic Sea it left steamers to airplane parent ships changes, in order to attack Russia with naval pilot forces.

Prince Heinrich admired his brother, who answered this affection not equally. Surely William was intellectually superior. It kept the younger brother away from the policy, although this was its deputy, as long as the Crown Prince was not yet of age. Heinrich came to meet, because neither the policy nor the large strategy were appropriate for him. It did not recognize, which political effect unfolded the German fleet armament, and also not able would have been to induce its brother to another policy.

After the revolution Heinrich with its family in Hemmelmark lived with Eckernförde. It followed the far engine and to the Segelsport and was still in the age a very successful Regattasegler. It is to have invented also the windshield wiper and after other sources the horn. It in honours the “prince Heinrich travel “was organized. Still and with older Seglern likes is the prince Heinrich cap popular made by it admits.

1899 became it (Dr. Engineer. h. C.) lent Berlin to the technical university. Also abroad it received numerous such honors including from Harvard 1912.

To 20. April 1929 died Heinrich like its father at laryngeal cancer and on its property Hemmelmark was buried.

literature

Harald ash castle; Prince Heinrich of Prussia - the large admiral in the shade of the emperor; Heath 1989, ISBN 3-8042-0456-2

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