Third Reich Day by Day: May 1935

This year was a pivotal period for the Third Reich’s relations with the rest of the world. Adolf Hitler announced he was reintroducing universal conscription, which was a repudiation of the hated Treaty of Versailles, and was warmly welcomed at home. In addition, as German troops marched into the Saar, he was determined to reintegrate those ethnic Germans who were living outside Germany back into the Reich. On the domestic front, more laws were introduced against Jews, who were becoming second-class citizens in their own country.

21 May

Armed Forces, Navy

Erich Raeder inspects men of his newly titled Kriegsmarine. The building of surface ships and submarines was increased in 1935.
Erich Raeder inspects men of his newly titled Kriegsmarine. The building of surface ships and submarines was increased in 1935.

The German Navy, formerly the Reichsmarine, is renamed Kriegsmarine.