I Scouting Group
The I Scouting Group was a special reconnaissance unit within the German Kaiserliche Marine. The unit was famously commanded by Admiral Franz von Hipper during World War I. The I Scouting Group was one of the most active formations in the High Seas Fleet during the war; the unit took part in every major fleet operation in the North Sea, including the battles of Dogger Bank and Jutland. The unit also saw limited action in the Baltic Sea, including the Battle of the Gulf of Riga.
Ships assigned to the I Scouting Group
was the first battlecruiser assigned to the I Scouting group. The ship joined the unit on 8 May 1911. On 30 September, was commissioned into the I Scouting Group, and replaced the old armored cruiser. joined the unit after she was commissioned on 22 May 1913. was attached to the unit from August 1914. was slated to be assigned to the unit by the end of October 1914, but turbine damage delayed the ship from joining the I Scouting Group until 16 November of that year. Derfflingers sistership joined the unit on 20 March 1916. The third, and final ship to join the I Scouting Group,, was assigned to the unit on 6 November 1917. Of the seven true battlecruisers built by the Kaiserliche Marine, only was not attached to the I Scouting Group, as she was made the flagship of the Mittelmeerdivision in October 1912.In preparation of the fleet advance on 18–19 August 1916, the I Scouting Group was to bombard the coastal town of Sunderland, but only two remaining German battlecruisers were still in fighting condition so three dreadnoughts were assigned to the Group for the operation:,, and the newly commissioned.