SMS Greif was a gun-focused answer to the torpedo-boat threat. Her armament included two 105 mm guns and ten 37 mm guns, with 88 mm weapons added later. She carried no torpedoes, the distinction used here to separate this German aviso from a torpedo boat destroyer. The Imperial German Navy expected another war with France to bring numerous small attackers against its fleet. Greif's task was to engage those boats as far from the protected ships as possible. Her design prioritized anti-boat firepower while other craft retained torpedoes for attacking larger ships.
Notable Point · 28:33-30:16
SMS Greif used gun power to push French torpedo boats away
The German aviso SMS Greif carried guns rather than torpedoes because her task was to drive French torpedo boats away from the fleet.