Felix Funke
Encyclopedia
Felix Funke was a German
admiral
of the Kaiserliche Marine
(Imperial German Navy).
, Prussian Silesia. His father Adolf Funke, originally from Magdeburg
, was President of the Alsatian
Railway Company in Strassburg (Strasbourg)
. His mother Anna Stilke-Pilet came from a Huguenot
family which escaped from Castres
after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes
.
Funke lived his childhood in Strassburg and attended the German Navy School in Kiel
on 18 April 1882. His training in the Kaiserliche Marine started on the sail ship Niobe. His career followed a normal path to become Admiral. He was well regarded by William II, German Emperor
, with whom he often smoked a cigar in his cabin when the Emperor was on board.
(today: Qingdao
), then a German colony
in China
. In 1904, he was witness to the Russo-Japanese War
, in which Germany was neutral.
On 10 August 1904, Funke witnessed the Battle of the Yellow Sea
, and as a safe haven, Tsing Tao received the damaged Russian battleship Tsesarevich. The bridge had been hit twice, and Admiral Wilgelm Vitgeft
had died, along with several other high ranking Russian Officers. The Tsesarevich was joined during the night by the cruiser Novik
and destroyers Bezstrashny, Bezshumny, and Bezposchadny. The Novik loaded as much coal as possible and sailed immediately, whilst the destroyers remained and were disarmed after three days.
On 15 August 1904, Vice-Admiral Dewa Shigetō
sent the Japan
ese destroyer Ikazuchi
to Tsing Tao to discuss details of the Russian fleet with the governor of Tsing Tao and Admiral Funke, who boarded the Ikazuchi and made a note of the impressive state of cleanliness and order of both ship and crew. He assured Dewa's envoy that Russian ships remaining in the harbour were disarmed.
The two highest remaining Russian commanding officers of the battlegroup, Counter Admiral Matusevich (Vitgeft's Chief of Staff), and Captain Ivanov (commanding the Tsesarevitch) were wounded. After having received a promise from the convalescent Russian officers not to flee, Funke did not hold them in prison but invited them at his home. Later, he received the Order of St. Anna
from Tsar Nicholas II of Russia
after he had allowed more Russian ships to take refuge and be interned at Tsing Tao, under approval by Admiral Togo, at the fall of Port Arthur
on 2 January 1905; the Russian crews were ill and had needed medical care.
and Princess Adelheid of Saxe-Meiningen
were married in Wilhelmshaven
. After the ceremony, the couple paid a visit to Funke on board of his flagship, the SMS Prinzregent Luitpold
.
In 1914 Funke was Rear Admiral of the 3rd Fleet, which included SMS Kaiser
, SMS Kaiserin
, SMS König Albert
, and Prinzregent Luitpold. On 24 December 1914 he received the order to give command of the 3rd Fleet to Admiral Reinhard Scheer
whilst taking over command of the 2nd Fleet from Scheer.
Funke participated in several naval battles against the Royal Navy
during World War I
. He disagreed with some views of Grand Admiral
Prince Heinrich of Prussia
, specifically with regards to using submarine warfare
.
and died aged 67 in 1932 in Berlin
where he had lived in retirement.
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
of the Kaiserliche Marine
Kaiserliche Marine
The Imperial German Navy was the German Navy created at the time of the formation of the German Empire. It existed between 1871 and 1919, growing out of the small Prussian Navy and Norddeutsche Bundesmarine, which primarily had the mission of coastal defense. Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly expanded...
(Imperial German Navy).
Early life
Funke was born in Hirschberg (Jelenia Góra)Jelenia Góra
----Jelenia Góra is a city in Lower Silesia, south-western Poland. The name of the city means "deer mountain" in Polish, Czech and German. It is close to the Krkonoše mountain range running along the Polish-Czech border – ski resorts such as Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba can be found...
, Prussian Silesia. His father Adolf Funke, originally from Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
, was President of the Alsatian
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
Railway Company in Strassburg (Strasbourg)
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
. His mother Anna Stilke-Pilet came from a Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
family which escaped from Castres
Castres
Castres is a commune, and arrondissement capital in the Tarn department and Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France. It lies in the former French province of Languedoc....
after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes
Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes, issued on 13 April 1598, by Henry IV of France, granted the Calvinist Protestants of France substantial rights in a nation still considered essentially Catholic. In the Edict, Henry aimed primarily to promote civil unity...
.
Funke lived his childhood in Strassburg and attended the German Navy School in Kiel
Kiel
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...
on 18 April 1882. His training in the Kaiserliche Marine started on the sail ship Niobe. His career followed a normal path to become Admiral. He was well regarded by William II, German Emperor
William II, German Emperor
Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. He was a grandson of the British Queen Victoria and related to many monarchs and princes of Europe...
, with whom he often smoked a cigar in his cabin when the Emperor was on board.
Russo-Japanese War
In 1902 Funke spent four years in Tsing TaoQingdao
' also known in the West by its postal map spelling Tsingtao, is a major city with a population of over 8.715 million in eastern Shandong province, Eastern China. Its built up area, made of 7 urban districts plus Jimo city, is home to about 4,346,000 inhabitants in 2010.It borders Yantai to the...
(today: Qingdao
Qingdao
' also known in the West by its postal map spelling Tsingtao, is a major city with a population of over 8.715 million in eastern Shandong province, Eastern China. Its built up area, made of 7 urban districts plus Jimo city, is home to about 4,346,000 inhabitants in 2010.It borders Yantai to the...
), then a German colony
German colonial empire
The German colonial empire was an overseas domain formed in the late 19th century as part of the German Empire. Short-lived colonial efforts by individual German states had occurred in preceding centuries, but Imperial Germany's colonial efforts began in 1884...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. In 1904, he was witness to the Russo-Japanese War
Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War was "the first great war of the 20th century." It grew out of rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea...
, in which Germany was neutral.
On 10 August 1904, Funke witnessed the Battle of the Yellow Sea
Battle of the Yellow Sea
The Battle of the Yellow Sea was a major naval engagement of the Russo-Japanese War, fought on 10 August 1904. In the Russian Navy, it was referred to as the Battle of 10 August. The battle foiled an attempt by the Russian fleet at Port Arthur to break out and form up with counterparts from...
, and as a safe haven, Tsing Tao received the damaged Russian battleship Tsesarevich. The bridge had been hit twice, and Admiral Wilgelm Vitgeft
Wilgelm Vitgeft
Wilgelm Karlovich Vitgeft , sometimes written Wilhelm and Withöft was an admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy, noted for his service in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.-Biography:...
had died, along with several other high ranking Russian Officers. The Tsesarevich was joined during the night by the cruiser Novik
Russian cruiser Novik (1900)
Novík was a protected cruiser in the Imperial Russian Navy, built by Schichau shipyards in Elbing near Danzig, Germany.-Background:Novik was a very fast ship for the time, but smaller than most contemporary cruisers, and perhaps a forerunner of later light cruisers...
and destroyers Bezstrashny, Bezshumny, and Bezposchadny. The Novik loaded as much coal as possible and sailed immediately, whilst the destroyers remained and were disarmed after three days.
On 15 August 1904, Vice-Admiral Dewa Shigetō
Dewa Shigeto
- Notes :...
sent the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese destroyer Ikazuchi
Ikazuchi
-Naval Vessels:*Ikazuchi class destroyer, a class of six torpedo boat destroyers operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1899-1921.*Japanese destroyer Ikazuchi, an Akatsuki-class destroyer operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1932-1944....
to Tsing Tao to discuss details of the Russian fleet with the governor of Tsing Tao and Admiral Funke, who boarded the Ikazuchi and made a note of the impressive state of cleanliness and order of both ship and crew. He assured Dewa's envoy that Russian ships remaining in the harbour were disarmed.
The two highest remaining Russian commanding officers of the battlegroup, Counter Admiral Matusevich (Vitgeft's Chief of Staff), and Captain Ivanov (commanding the Tsesarevitch) were wounded. After having received a promise from the convalescent Russian officers not to flee, Funke did not hold them in prison but invited them at his home. Later, he received the Order of St. Anna
Order of St. Anna
The Order of St. Anna ) is a Holstein and then Russian Imperial order of chivalry established by Karl Friedrich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp on 14 February 1735, in honour of his wife Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great of Russia...
from Tsar Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
after he had allowed more Russian ships to take refuge and be interned at Tsing Tao, under approval by Admiral Togo, at the fall of Port Arthur
Lüshunkou
Lüshunkou is a district in the municipality of Dalian, Liaoning province, China. Also called Lüshun City or Lüshun Port, it was formerly known as both Port Arthur and Ryojun....
on 2 January 1905; the Russian crews were ill and had needed medical care.
World War I
On 3 August 1914 Prince Adalbert of PrussiaPrince Adalbert of Prussia
Prince Adalbert of Prussia was a son of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany by his first wife, Princess Augusta Viktoria of Schleswig-Holstein.-Marriage:He married Princess Adelheid "Adi" of Saxe-Meiningen on 3 August 1914 in...
and Princess Adelheid of Saxe-Meiningen
Saxe-Meiningen
The Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine line of the Wettin dynasty, located in the southwest of the present-day German state of Thuringia....
were married in Wilhelmshaven
Wilhelmshaven
Wilhelmshaven is a coastal town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the western side of the Jade Bight, a bay of the North Sea.-History:...
. After the ceremony, the couple paid a visit to Funke on board of his flagship, the SMS Prinzregent Luitpold
SMS Prinzregent Luitpold
SMS Prinzregent Luitpold "SMS" stands for "Seiner Majestät Schiff" was the fifth and final vessel of the of battleships of the German Imperial Navy. Prinzregent Luitpolds keel was laid in October 1910 at the Germaniawerft dockyard in Kiel...
.
In 1914 Funke was Rear Admiral of the 3rd Fleet, which included SMS Kaiser
SMS Kaiser (1911)
SMS Kaiser "SMS" stands for "Seiner Majestät Schiff" was the lead ship of the of battleships of the German Imperial Navy. Kaiser was built by the Imperial Dockyard at Kiel, launched on 22 March 1911 and commissioned on 1 August 1912. The ship was equipped with ten guns in five twin turrets, and...
, SMS Kaiserin
SMS Kaiserin
SMS Kaiserin "SMS" stands for "Seiner Majestät Schiff" was the third vessel of the of battleships of the German Imperial Navy. Kaiserins keel was laid in November 1910 at the Howaldtswerke dockyard in Kiel. She was launched on 11 November 1911 and was commissioned into the fleet on 15 May 1913...
, SMS König Albert
SMS König Albert
SMS König Albert "SMS" stands for "Seiner Majestät Schiff" was the fourth vessel of the of battleships of the German Imperial Navy. König Alberts keel was laid on 17 July 1910 at the Schichau-Werke dockyard in Danzig. She was launched on 27 April 1912 and was commissioned into the fleet on 31...
, and Prinzregent Luitpold. On 24 December 1914 he received the order to give command of the 3rd Fleet to Admiral Reinhard Scheer
Reinhard Scheer
Reinhard Scheer was an Admiral in the German Kaiserliche Marine. Scheer joined the navy in 1879 as an officer cadet; he progressed through the ranks, commanding cruisers and battleships, as well as major staff positions on land. At the outbreak of World War I, Scheer was the commander of the II...
whilst taking over command of the 2nd Fleet from Scheer.
Funke participated in several naval battles against the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He disagreed with some views of Grand Admiral
Grand Admiral
Grand admiral is a historic naval rank, generally being the highest such rank present in any particular country. Its most notable use was in Germany — the German word is Großadmiral.-France:...
Prince Heinrich of Prussia
Prince Heinrich of Prussia
Prince Henry of Prussia was a younger brother of German Emperor William II and a Prince of Prussia...
, specifically with regards to using submarine warfare
Submarine warfare
Naval warfare is divided into three operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare and underwater warfare. The latter may be subdivided into submarine warfare and anti-submarine warfare as well as mine warfare and mine countermeasures...
.
Retirement and Death
To his great surprise, he was asked into retirement by the Emperor on 18 September 1915. Funke suffered from depressionDepression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
and died aged 67 in 1932 in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
where he had lived in retirement.
Sources
- Funke, Felix. Personal Memoirs. Unpublished (owned by his grand niece).
- Commanders of the High Seas Fleet Battle Squadrons 1914-1918
- Scheer, Reinhard. Germany's High Seas Fleet in the World War online at the War Times Journal website