Imperial German III. Seebataillon, 1897-1914

Imperial German Navy III. Seebataillon Tsingtao

Imperial German Seebataillon marine infantry by Copplestone Castings. These miniatures may be used to represent the I. to III. Imperial German Seebataillon in tropical uniform. A shako was worn with the Prussian Blue dress uniform. The battalions were distinguished by battalion numerals I., II. or III. on the shoulder boards. Mounted marine infantry detachments were formed on occasion, and the III. Seebataillon was authorized by Imperial Order of 14 June 1901 to raise an entire company of mounted infantry. Existing combat engineer detachments were increased to a marine combat engineer company in 1910, and independent machine-gun platoons formed a machine-gun company in 1911. The III. Seebataillon had an attached battery of naval field artillery.

III. Seebataillon, 1897–1914

Bataillonsstab (Battalion HQ)
Telegraphen-Zug (27 June 1908)
1. Kompanie
2. Kompanie
3. Kompanie
4. Kompanie
5. (berittene) Kompanie
Mounted marine infantry company formed by Imperial Order of 14 June 1901,
based on adhoc Reiter-Detachements first used in June 1900.
Chinesen-Kompanie (1900–1901)
Marine-Pionier-Kompanie (27 September 1910)
Maschinen-Gewehr-Kompanie (25 November 1911)
- 1. Zug (independent Machine-Gun Platoon)
- 2. Zug (independent Machine-Gun Platoon)
Marine-Feld-Batterie (04 December 1898)

Historical Employment

Boxer Rebellion, 1900-1901
- German Legation Quarters, Peking
- Petschili Province
- Schantung Province
- International Relief Force
Tsingtau Fortress, 1914

The III. Seebataillon was interned in 1914 when the German Protectorate of Tsingtao surrendered to the Japanese army. The Germania-Brauerei in Qingdao (Tsingtau), established by German settlers in 1903, has become the largest Asian brewery. Tsingtao Beer is sold in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

For further information and updates, please join us on facebook or in the Miniatures Forum.

Return to the Index