Federal Navy starts in Wilhelmshaven: A new beginning for Germany!

Federal Navy starts in Wilhelmshaven: A new beginning for Germany!

On January 2, 2026, we will look back on an important date in the history of the Federal Navy. 70 years ago, on January 2, 1956, the first volunteers of the newly founded Bundesmarine joined forces in Wilhelmshaven, a step that was part of the rearmament of West Germany and marked its integration into NATO. [NDR] reports that the founding of the Bundeswehr on November 12, 1955 laid the first stone for military realignment.

The first soldiers to take up service were mainly high school graduates, sailors and young professionals. Their arrival in Wilhelmshaven was followed by numerous onlookers and journalists, which underlined the symbolic nature of this event. While the Navy at that time was only equipped with improvised means - navy blue uniforms were not yet available at that time - this was the start of a new era.

Integration into NATO and establishment of the navy

The Federal Navy had to prepare for a thorough examination of former Wehrmacht officers to prove possible involvement in the Nazi regime. These measures were part of a comprehensive plan to integrate the armed forces into democratic society as “citizens in uniform”. In this context, the first inspector of the navy, Friedrich Ruge, was also important, whose career spanned both the Imperial Navy and the Nazi era. January 16, 1956 was another milestone when the volunteers received their certificates of appointment. But not all reactions were positive. A scandal broke out when an officer praised the controversial Nazi grand admirals, causing a stir among the public.

At the end of the 1950s, an impressive number of over 20,000 soldiers were already serving in the German Navy, which now became part of NATO's defense in the North and Baltic Seas. Wilhelmshaven developed into the largest Bundeswehr base in Germany, housing over 9,000 soldiers and civilian employees and thus becoming of crucial economic importance for the region.

The beginnings were not easy; The Navy had to struggle with shortages of ammunition and personnel and could not always demonstrate the desired “warworthiness” to meet the high demands. Nevertheless, the U.S. Navy sent old minesweepers while destroyers were loaned to support the newly formed Navy.

75 years of the Basic Law and its meaning

In a different but equally important context, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law on May 23, 2024. This anniversary, which was celebrated with a state ceremony between the Reichstag building and the Chancellery, reminds us of the solid foundation it offers for freedom, democracy and coexistence in Germany. In his speech, the Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, emphasized the stability and adaptability of the Basic Law. Since its introduction in 1949, it has undergone numerous changes, documented in 67 amending laws. [Stern] emphasizes that the eternity clause in particular guarantees integrity of human dignity and the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

The founding of NATO on April 4, 1949, in the midst of the Cold War, was also a key moment in the history of the Federal Republic. Through the Paris Agreements, West Germany was able to join NATO in 1955, although it had to forego nuclear and chemical weapons - a price to pay for becoming part of this security policy alliance. [HDG] explains how national armed forces were placed under a common NATO command in the event of a defense and the importance that this military cooperation had for West Germany. NATO and the Western European Union made it possible to integrate military matters into a close network and thus significantly strengthen West Germany's role in Europe.

These historical reviews raise the question: Where are we now and how is the role of the Federal Navy developing in the current security policy landscape? The visit of the frigate “Hamburg”, which arrived in Wilhelmshaven on December 19, 2025, shows that the navy still plays a key role today and at the same time enables the city's economic boom. A strong signal for the navy and the country.