The Seekriegsleitung or SKL (Maritime Warfare Command) was the high command of the Kaiserliche Marine and the Kriegsmarine of Germany during the World Wars. It led planning and execution of naval combat and directed the distribution of naval forces. In the Second World War their competence was limited to except-domestic sea-areas, where the naval group commands did not possess the operational guidance. Also the submarine war was subordinate to another force, the commander of the submarines (BdU). The Chief of Staff of the Seekriegsleitung during the First World War was Reinhard Scheer.