Konig was one of the most illustrious battleships of the Kaiser's Navy in WWI.
Konig became famous as the flagship of the 3rd Squadron of the Open Sea Navy (Hochseeflotte) under Commander Rear Admiral Benke during the Battle of Jutland (battle of Scagerrak). During the battle the Konig's guns caused serious damage to the British battleships Warspiteand Malaya and helped to destroy the armoured cruiser Defense. But Konig was severely damaged by more than 10 British big-caliber shells. As a result of these hits she was set afire and took about 1.600 tons of water but escaped back into port. The ship was speedily repaired, slightly modified and sent into service in the Baltic, where she participated in actions against the Russian Navy in Moonsund.
After the armistice was signed Konig, with much of the German Navy, was interned by the allies at Scapa Flow, where she was scuttled and sunk by her crew on June 21st, 1919.
In total there were four sisterships in the class; Konig, Groser Kurfurst, Markgraf and Kronprinz (June, 15,1918 named Kronprinz Wilhelm.