Hans Karl Meyer

Hans Karl Meyer (1 December 1898 – 23 January 1989), was a German naval officer and Konteradmiral in the Kriegsmarine during World War II and later Flotilla admiral of the German Navy. Meyer was most notable for being commander of the battleship , of 1/Seekriegsleitung (SKL) Operations of Naval Command and being one of six Kriegsmarine admirals who were subordinated after World War II in the new German Navy.

Life On 2 January 1917, during World War I, Meyer volunteered for the Imperial German Navy, with the prospect of naval officer career. Meyer completed his basic education and training on the cruiser , before being transferred to the Battlecruiser, in June 1917, where he was subordinated until the end of the war. His accomplishments were honoured by the award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class and the Wound Badge in Black. On 16 November 1917, Meyer was promoted to Fähnrich zur See.

After the end of World War I, Meyer was initially made available for training by the Imperial German Navy and from mid-December 1918 to early February 1919 was posted on leave. He initially joined the Freikorps until the end of May 1919 and was then again posted on leave. On 10 September 1919, Meyer was subordinated to the III. Naval Brigade under Corvette Captain Wilfried von Loewenfeld and participated in fighting in the Ruhr area. Due to a severe wound, he lost his left arm.

Meyer was one of the six naval Admirals who were transferred to the German Navy. On 16 April 1957, he served as Flotilla admiral in the Federal Ministry of Defence, where he was commanded to instruct the Naval Department from September 1957. It was followed by a one-year period as commander of the Naval Academy. After its integration into the Military Academy of the German Armed Forces in Hamburg.

Meyer later worked from 21 October 1966 until 31 March 1975 as deputy Federal Commissioner for the Services.