The Imperial German Navy in East Asia

Die kaiserliche Marine in Ostasien

This website provides source material for historians interested in German activity in the Asia-Pacific-Indian Ocean region in the decades before 1914 - the period of Weltpolitik. This is a much neglected area of research, but of considerable importance for both the defence history of Australia, and for that of Anglo-American economic and strategic interests.

It also provides this author with the opportunity to share what are acknowledged as original and significant findings.

Admiral Prince Heinrich, the Kaiser's brother, Chief of the East Asian Cruiser Squadron, Apr - Nov 1897.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Peter Overlack held a DAAD (German Academic Exchange) Scholarship and as recipient of a University of Queensland Postgraduate Award completed his Doctoral thesis in 1995 on the East Asian Cruiser Squadron as an instrument of German Weltpolitik.

He has had articles published in Australian Journal of Politics and History, Journal of Australian Studies, Journal of Military History (USA), Journal of Pacific History, Journal of Strategic Studies (UK), Journal of the Australian Naval Institute, The Historian (USA), War & Society, and has contributed to several books, and participated in international conferences on naval history.

Working on Graf Spee's papers.