Q&A · 2:49:05-2:49:27

Why English accounts use MN and KMS

MN and KMS identify French and German ships conveniently in English-language writing.

French Navy Kriegsmarine Naval Terminology Ship Prefixes

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Question

Why do modern English accounts use MN for French ships and KMS for German ships?

Short answer

They are convenient nationality labels for English readers, not official prefixes of those navies.

Notes

Writers add these abbreviations to make nationality immediately clear in English prose. The convention is useful for readers, but it should not be mistaken for the formal naming practice of the Marine Nationale or Kriegsmarine.