As World War I loomed ever closer, the German Imperial Navy continued their ambitious and extensive policy of naval manufacture. Following on from the Deutschland, Nassau and Helgoland classes, Germany commissioned a further three classes of battleship, each one better-armed, more heavily-armoured and more powerful than the last. The ships of the Kaiser, Knig and Bayern classes that were commissioned between 1909 and 1914 continued the arms race that had started with the introduction of the Royal Navy's HMS Dreadnought, and represented the pinnacle of German naval development. They formed the backbone of the German fleet during World War I, and served with great distinction at such battles as Jutland and Moon Sound. With detailed technical specifications and operational accounts for every ship in each of the three classes, and specially-commissioned artwork, this title provides an in-depth study of these large dreadnought classes, and the technological revolution that made them possible. Book jacket.