11.06.1803

Besetzung des Amtes Ritzebüttel durch französische Truppen, um eine Landung englischer Streitkräfte im Vorwege zu verhindern.

1804-1813

Cuxhaven was at the centre of Napoleon's maritime interests and the construction of defensive structures.

28.06.1805

Blockade of the Elbe by English warships.

30.11.1813

The French invasion troops surrender to the English in Cuxhaven.

09.05.1864 

Naval battle off Heligoland between the Austro-Prussian (Tegetthoff) and Danish squadrons. Burial of 38 dead (May 11, 1964) and memorial to the fallen at the Ritzebüttler cemetery (inaugurated May 9, 1866).

1868-1870

Erstes Küstenbefestigungsprogramm des Deutschen Bundes, Ausbau Fort Kugelbake (Grundsteinlegung 28.06.1870, Fertigstellung Ende 1877, Einschießen 4./5.12.1878).

1870

Torpedoexplosion auf dem Dampfschiff "Neuenfelde", Beisetzung der Toten auf dem Ritzebüttler Friedhof (22.09.1870).

27.03.1888

Lieutenant Commander Heßner, head of the Cuxhaven command.

01.04.1888

Übergang der Befestigungen an der Unterelbe an die Kaiserliche Marine.

01.04.1890

Independent mine depot on the east side at Schleusenpriel.

07.03.1892 

First approval by the Reichstag for the establishment of a garrison in Cuxhaven.

04.01.1893

Marine garrison town with the arrival of the 1st Company of the IVth Sailor Artillery Division (MAA), accommodation still in civilian quarters.

16.11.1893 

Entry of the 2nd Company of the IV. MAA, commanded by Lieutenant Commander von Arend.

1893

Bau des ersten Teils des Kasernenareals Grimmershörn, die sogenannte "Seedeichkaserne“. 

Ende 1893

Start of construction work on the "Döse Cannon Battery" west of Fort Kugelbake, completed in 1894. Also construction of the mortar battery at "Prinzessinnentrift".

1895

Relocation of the Marine Music Corps of the IV. MAA to Cuxhaven, from 1902-1914 the spa band of the seaside resort of Cuxhaven.

04.09.1897

Founding of the Cuxhaven Marine Association.

22.09.1897 

Torpedoboot "S 26" bei Elbe 1 gesunken. 

06.08.1998

The Grimmershörn military bathing facility was completed.

1900   

Construction of the naval hospital on Altenwalder Chaussee.

18.11.1900

Inauguration of the Catholic Garrison Church, today "Sacred Heart Church", construction began in May 1899.

01.10.1901

Commissioning of the marine signal station for the ship reporting service at the Alte Liebe.

09.01.1902 

Ironclad "Charlemagne" in the roadstead off Cuxhaven (test drive).

23.06.1902 

Sinking of the torpedo boat "S 42" near the Kugelbake.

15.01.1903

The Navy takes over the entire ship reporting service.

31.05.1903 

Visit of the Navy Minister von Tirpitz in Cuxhaven.

21.10.1903 

Sea trials of the armored cruiser "Friedrich Karl" from Cuxhaven.

05.01.1904

First troop transport from Cuxhaven to South West Africa.

13.09.1904

Navy Minister von Tirpitz in Cuxhaven.

05.01.1905

Relocation of the inspection for coastal artillery and mining from Wilhelmshaven to Cuxhaven, Captain Franz.

1905

Construction of coastal fortifications at Grimmershörn and Battery Thomsen (Duhnen), members of the garrison about 10% of the population of Cuxhaven, introduction of a garrison guard and the "midday shot".

10.03.1905

Marineminister von Tirpitz und Graf von Spee zu Besichtigungen in Cuxhaven.

01.04.1905 

Stationing of the first German mine company and commissioning of the first six torpedo boats. Establishment of the German minesweeping force, first official stationing of naval vessels in Cuxhaven.

12.05.1905 

Introduction of the first Protestant garrison pastor (Koene).

05.12.1905 

Fleet maneuvers in the mouth of the Elbe.

15.12.1905 

Second major troop transport from Cuxhaven to South West Africa.

24.10.1905 

Sea trials of the armored cruiser "York" in the mouth of the Elbe.

1906   

Commissioning of a minesweeping division with 10 boats. Completion of the "Große Wettern" barracks, Marienstrasse. Personnel and ship inventory: IV. MAA 720 men mine company, 480 men main department, Kiautschou 520 men, mine and artillery depot, signal station, minelayer "Sirius" 120 men, continuation of transports to South West Africa.

April 1907 

Stationing of 4th Company IV. MAA, headquarters division Kiautschou and a mine company for the 2nd Minesweeping Division.

07.06. 1907 

Stationing of the mining steamer "Nautilus".

1907/1908 

Construction of the barracks complex "Grimmershörn" with Grimmershörn barracks, Große Wettern, Kleine Wettern.

1907/1908 

Construction of the staff building on Neue Reihe with tea house and garden.

1908   

Construction of the mine depot in Groden and the Grimmershörn drill hall.

12.03.1908 

Sinking of the torpedo boat S 12 near Elbe 4.

23.03.1908 

Completion of staff building (Office IV. MAA).

14.06.1908 

Commissioning of the officers’ mess in the staff building.

12.09.1908 

Rear Admiral Schack becomes commander of the fortifications on the Lower Elbe and inspector of coastal artillery and mines.

20.04.1909 

Commissioning of the Kiautschou barracks for the training of naval troops for the Kiautschou/Tsingtau colony with apartments (Hermann-Allmers-Straße).

20.04.1910 

Establishment of the 5th Company of the IV. MAA.

23.05.1910 

Sea trials of the armored cruiser "von der Tann" from Cuxhaven.

1911   

Bau der evangelischen Garnisonkirche (Strichweg).

22.08.1911 

Inauguration of the Protestant Garrison Church, today St. Peter's Church.

01.04.1912 

Übernahme der Marine-Signalstation durch die Post als öffentliche Funkspruchstation.

1913   

Beginn der Bauarbeiten am Luftschiffhafen Nordholz.

31.01.1913 

Entry of the III. Marine Battalion (Kiautschou) into Cuxhaven.

31.05.1913 

Unteroffiziers-Wohngebäude neben der kath. Garnisonkirche werden bezogen.

09.09.1913 

LZ 1 crashes into the sea near Heligoland.

01.08.1914 

The outbreak of World War I, Cuxhaven is declared a fortress, commander is Trummler. The Amerikahafen is declared a war port. In Duhnen, several houses in front of the dike are blown up to improve the firing range of Fort Thomsen.

03.09. 1914 

First march of marines and sailor-artillerymen into the field.

25.12.1914 

Erster trägergestützter Luftangriff durch englische Flugzeuge auf den Fliegerhorst Nordholz, die Stadt Cuxhaven und die Seeschleusen des Kaiser-Wilhelm-Kanals in Brunsbüttel. Der Erfolg war nur gering, minimale Schäden, fast alle Flugzeuge wurden abgeschossen.

June 1917

Establishment of an independent inspection for mines, barriers and blasting in Cuxhaven.

11.11.1918

Ende des 1. Weltkrieg

12.1918

Erste Kriegsheimkehrer treffen in Cuxhaven ein, die Helgoländer dürfen zurück auf ihre Insel.

06.1919

Formation of the Coastal Defense Department IV., it is renamed the IV. MAA on October 1, 1926.

23.01.1920 

Frigate Captain Wossidlo becomes fortress commander.

01.04.1920 

Auflösung des Marine-Lazaretts.

31.08.1920 

Cessation of operations of the mine depot on the east side of the staff building becomes the Cuxhaven tax office.

11.07.1922 

Explosion of the mine depot in Groden.

05.08.1927 

Inauguration of the memorial for the fallen of the Marine Corps (youth made of bronze), removal of the sculpture in 1935.

1929   

Kriegsschiffsbesuche: 07.03. Kreuzer "Berlin", 16.03. Linienschiff "Schlesien",  25.05. Kreuzer "Amazone".

January 1930

Demolition of the naval signal station and the barracks for the signalmen at the Alte Liebe.

08.09.1930 

Cruiser "Königsberg" arrived in Cuxhaven with the body of the German ambassador murdered in Lisbon.

25.07.1931 

Besuch des Linienschiffes "Schlesien" in Cuxhaven.

01.10.1931 

Fortress Commander Count von Schweinitz retires, succeeded by Captain Knobloch. Warship visits: June 14th, battleship "Hessen", July 5th, cruiser "Emden", July 6th, FS "Godetia" (first English ship visit after the war), November 5th, cruiser "Königsberg", December 5th, cruiser "Leipzig".

30.01.1933 

The National Socialists seize power by appointing Hitler as Chancellor.

27.02.1933 

Visit to the battleship "Deutschland".

Sept. 1939 

Construction of the military bathhouse.

24.09.1933 

New fortress commander: von Heimburg.

01.10.1937

Neuer Festungskommandant Cuxhaven Kpt.z.S. Hans-Hubert von Stosch, Nachfolger von Kommandant Heimberg.

12.10.1937

Warship visit by the light cruiser "Leipzig".

13.10.1937

Artillery training ship “Bremse” in Cuxhaven.

01.04.1938 

Cuxhaven wird wieder Minensucherstadt; Verlegung der Führung der Minensuchboote nach Cuxhaven unter Fregattenkapitän Friedrich Ruge

1936-1938 

Construction and commissioning of the minesweeper port in the eastern part of the Amerikahafen.

01.04.1938 

Relocation of the 2nd Minesweeping Flotilla to Cuxhaven.

02.07.1938 

Completion and naming of the minesweeper port.

02.09.1938 

Establishment and stationing of the 2nd Escort Flotilla.

31.10.1938 

Aufstellung und Stationierung der 2. Räumbootflottille.

19.03.1939

Day of the Wehrmacht.

22.05.1939 

Grand Admiral Dr. hc Raeder spent several days in Cuxhaven.

01.09.1939

Beginn des 2. Weltkriegs durch den Einmarsch nach Polen.

04.09.1939

Cuxhaven is declared a fortress.

04/05.09.1939

First unsuccessful air raid on Cuxhaven.

07.05.1945 

Handover of the city to the English by the fortress commander Kpt.zS Sorge.

1939 - 1945

Various air raids in the Cuxhaven sector (click).

1939 - 1945

Various aircraft shootings and crashes (click).

03.05.1945

Cuxhaven is declared an open city.

07.05.1945

Handover of the city to the English occupying troops by fortress commander Captain Sorge.

From June 1945

Site of the German Minesweeping Administration (GMSA) under British supervision.

01.01.1948 

Dissolution of the GMSA mine clearance units (6,000 men).

Nov. 1948 

Sprengung des Forts Kugelbake (Entmilitarisierung).

10.02.1949 

Demolition of the control center in Fort Kugelbake.