SMS Leipzig was a light cruiser of the Kaiserliche Marine launched on 21 March 1905 and commissioned on 20 April 1906.

In late 1906, SMS Leipzig was assigned to the Ostasiatische Station in Kiautschou, and made frequent voyages through Germany’s Pacific colonies. She would remain assigned to this station until the outbreak of World War I.

At the outbreak of the war, SMS Leipzig was off the west coast of Mexico.  After coaling in San Francisco, she met the main body of the East Asia Squadron at Easter Island.  On 1 November 1914, she participated in the Battle of Coronel off Chile, where the Squadron defeated a British force.

The Squadron then steamed into the Atlantic, where they were defeated by the British at the Battle of the Falkland Islands on 8 December 1914.  SMS Leipzig was sunk with the loss of all but 18 men.