Germany’s High Sea Fleet in the World War (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

Admiral Reinhard Scheer (1863-1928) led the German fleet into the Battle of Jutland—one of the largest naval engagements of the twentieth century. Known to sailors as the glowering “man in the iron mask,” he helped persuade the Kaiser to deploy U-boats, but mutiny foiled his plans to attack Britain’s Grand Fleet. He retired after the war.