100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

August 6

German Vice-Admiral Count Maximilian von Spee leaves the port of Ponape in the Caroline Islands. His squadron consists of the new armored cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the light cruiser Nurnberg. The rest of Spee's squadron were far removed: the light cruisers Dresden and Karlsruhe were in the Carribean and a third light cruiser, Leipzig, was patrolling off the west coast of the United States. The last ship of the squadron, the light cruiser Emden, was dispatched to the Indian Ocean, and would soon be wreaking havoc all over that area.

SMS Karlesruhe meets the liner Kronprinz Wilhelm, 27,000 tons, with guns and equipment to convert her into an Armed Merchant Cruiser. Just as this operation is finished at British squadron is sighted. The two ships flee in opposite directions. Admiral Christopher Cradock ignores the liner and pursues Karlesruhe. though Cradock is losing ground he continues the pursuit, knowing that ahead HMS Bristol lies in wait. Just after dark Bristol sees the German ship and opens fire. Karlsruhe swings around and returns the compliment. In the dark it is a matter of luck to hit anything, even at 7,000 yards. Karlsruhe pulls away and by 2230 the German ship escapes into the darkness. Because Karlsruhe is getting low on coal Captain Köhler is forced to run at nine knots all the way to St. Thomas. This inadvertantly works to his favor as HMS Suffolk, racing to intercept Karlsruhe, crossed her path in the night and is now far beyond the interception point.

Spee's East Asiatic Squadron was originally based at Tsingtao, China, and had moved to Ponape when it started looking like war was inevitable. The ships were all fairly new, and had coaling stations on islands all over the Pacific.

Off the southeastern tip of the Arabian peninsula SMS Königsberg captures SS City of Winchester, a 6,601-ton British freighter carrying a large part of the 1913-1914 tea crop from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The crew are transferred to the supply ship Zieten, and City of Winchester kept with the supply fleet until all her provisions and coal can be taken aboard the German ships.


The Goeben Affair, part 3

At 01:30 the light cruiser Gloucester, commanded by Captain Howard Kelly, sighted the Germans and reported their position. He continued to shadow the Germans all that day. Early in the afternoon Breslau began to zig-zag, apparently pretending to drop mines. Gloucester opened fire, and the two light cruisers engaged in a brief gun duel. Admiral Souchon turned his battlecruiser around and opened fire as well. Kelly turned his cruiser away, and at 14:45 sent this signal: "Have engaged at long range with Breslau and retreated when Goeben turned. I am now following again".

At 16:00 Kelly's ship was starting to run low on coal, so he sent a final report and turned around.

[TarJak]

7 August

VADM Sir George Patey, RN, wrote the first wartime order for the RAN, and for that matter the Commonwealth of Australia, whilst onboard his flagship, HMAS AUSTRALIA, (battle-cruiser). It was Operational Order No. 1, headed ‘Intention’.

[Jimbuna]

7th August

HMCS CC-1 and CC-2, the first two Canadian submarines, are commissioned.

Liege: Germany infantry penetrate the city.

Alsace invaded by the French.

British Expeditionary Force begins to land in France.

East Prussia: First Russian Army, under Rennenkampf, crosses the frontier in force.

Bosnia entered by the Serbians.

Germany: Kaiser issues proclamation to his people.

Great Britain: Prince of Wales inaugurates National Relief Fund.

[Sailor Steve]

Footnote: Future top British ace Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock was working as a telephone engineer/inspector in Constantinople. He tried to book passage home but was arrested by the Turks before he could do so. After an aborted escape attempt Mannock became seriously ill and was finally repatriated.

August 7

Charles Prestwich Scott, Liberal anti-war editor of the Manchester Guardian, announces that he will not attend the latest protest meeting. "I am strongly of the opinion that the war ought not to have taken place and that we ought not to have become parties to it, but once in it, the whole future of our nation is at stake and we have no choice but to do the utmost we can to secure success."


The Goeben Affair, part 4

All through that night Rear-Admiral Troubridge raced south with his four armoured cruisers, accompanied by the light cruiser Dublin, commanded by Captain John Kelly, Howard's older brother. At 02:54 on 7 August, Troubridge sent a signal giving his course and speed, and included the message "Am endeavouring to cross Goeben's bows at 6:00 A.M.". Some time later Troubridge was approached by Fawcett Wray, captain of Troubridge's flagship, Defence. Wray asked the Admiral "Are you going to fight, sir? Because if so the squadron ought to know". Later, Wray again talked to Troubridge, explaining that he believed that an attack on Goeben would be suicide, even with four heavy cruisers. Troubridge replied "I cannot turn away now; think of my pride". Wray answered "Has your pride got anything to do with this, sir? It is your country's welfare that is at stake." Troubridge asked his navigator if there was any chance at all of getting close enough to even hit the German ship. The navigator said there was no chance whatsoever. When Troubridge called off the chase, Wray told him "Admiral, that is the bravest thing you have ever done in your life".

At 04:49 Troubridge telegraphed Milne that he had turned back. Milne replied "Why did you not continue to cut off Goeben? She was only going 17 knots, and so important to bring her to action".

At 08:30 Troubridge sent this reply: "With visibility at the time I could have been sighted from 20 to 25 miles away and could never have got nearer unless Goeben wished to bring me to action which she could have done under cicumstances most advantageous to her. I could never have brought her to action. I had hoped to have engaged her at 3:30 in the morning in dim light but had gone north first with the object of engaging her in the entrance of the Adriatic. I was too late to intercept her when she altered course to the southward. In view of the immense importance of victory or defeat at such early stage of a war I would consider it a great imprudence to place my squadron in such a position as to be picked off at leisure and sunk while unable to effectively reply. The decision is not the easiest of the two to make I am well aware".

Milne ordered Troubridge to take his force back to the Adriatic to watch the Austrians, and himself took up station again south of Sicily, still thinking Souchon would try to escape to the Atlantic.

At 17:00 hours on 10 August, Goeben and Breslau anchored off Cape Helles. Souchon asked for a pilot to guide him through the Turkish minefields, and then sailed up the Dardanelles to Constantinople. The Turks were overjoyed to have the German ships, as the two battleships they had under construction in England had just been siezed by the British, to become HMS Agincourt and Erin.

When informed of the escape of the German ships, First Sea Lord Prince Louis of Battenberg said "Not one of the excuses which Admiral Troubridge gives can be accepted for one moment. The escape of the Goeben must ever remain a shameful episode in the war". Admiral Lord John 'Jackie' Fisher (who had been First Sea Lord and would be again) called Milne "...a serpent of the lowest order", and said in a letter "Personally I would have shot Sir Berkely Milne", and added "...he had no excuse whatever for not surrounding Messina with all his entire force right round the harbour mouth-close up! As if international law mattered a d--n!! And the Italians would have loved him forever!"

The Admiralty decided to support Milne's actions, but he never held a command of any kind again.
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/c...berkeley-milne

In Troubridge's case a court of inquiry decided that his actions were "deporable and contrary to the tradition of the British Navy...he had a very fair chance of at least delaying Goeben by materially damaging her". The Inquiry board recommended a court martial, and this was scheduled for November.

The court decided that the Admiralty had not proved its case, and he was aquitted of all charges. He also was never given another sea command, but he did go on to serve the RN in Serbia and then commanded the French squadron on the Danube river.

Howard Kelly later commanded the 8th Light Cruiser Squadron, then the British Adriatic Force, finally retiring as an Admiral after a distinguished career.

John Kelly went on to become Admiral Of The Fleet, and had a WW2 flotilla leader named after him.

[TarJak]

8 August 1914

Montenegro severs diplomatic relations with Germany.
"State of War" commences between Montenegro and Germany
Battle of Mulhouse. Mulhouse (Alsace) occupied by French forces
British forces cross frontier of Togoland and occupy Lome.
Swiss Government order Mobilisation.
Hostilities commence in East Africa.
H.M.S. "Astræa" bombards Dar es Salaam.

The Melbourne Leader reports on the return to Melbourne of the SS Pfalz:

AUSTRALIA'S FIRST SHOT. GERMAN STEAMER PFALZ FIRED UPON. VESSEL RETURNS TO MELBOURNE. A VALUABLE PRIZE. The first shot of the war, as far as Australia is concerned, was fired from Point Nepean fort at the Heads shortly after noon on Wednesday, when the German cargo steamer Pfalz was held up while passing out to sea. When the news reached Melbourne through an official wire from Queenscliff considerable excitement was aroused, as it was rumored that the vessel had cleared out to sea after being fired upon, and following so soon upon the news of the declaration of war between Great Britain and Germany, proved that Victorian defences were in readiness for active warfare.

The Pfalz left the Victoria Dock, where she had been unloading cargo during the past week, at 7.45 a.m., and, according to clearance papers taken out at the Custom House on Tuesday afternoon, was bound for Sydney and Brisbane. As customary, the services of river and deep sea pilots were requisitioned. Slow progress was made down the Bay, and it was noon be- fore the vessel arrived off Portsea. Here she was met by the pilot steamer Alvina, from which the naval authorities are conducting the examination of all outgoing shipping.

Upon naval officers boarding the Pfalz, her papers were found to be in order, and nothing of a suspicious nature apparent to warrant her detention. At the time the naval boarding party was unaware that war had been declared between Great Britain and Germany, while Captain Kuhlken and his crew were also oblivious of the grave turn of events since their departure from Melbourne.

Upon permission to leave the port being granted, the Pfalz, with her pilot still on board, headed towards the Rip. About ten minutes later, when in a direct line between Point Nepean and Queenscliff, those on board were startled by the report of a big gun fired from the fortress at Nepean. A puff of white smoke suddenly rose over the fortification, and a shell came screeching past, to fall into the water about 50 yards astern of the vessel. Spray was thrown up in all directions, and those on board were thrown into a state of alarm at the sudden attack upon them. Officers were surprised at the turn of affairs, and at a loss to understand the summons.

Fearful lest further shots might be fired, the vessel was stopped. Signals were then observed flying from Queenscliff, which soon enlightened the now thoroughly alarmed officers that they were to turn back. No time was lost in responding to this order, and at 1.30 p.m. Australia's first prize of war com- menced her return to Hobson's Bay. The pilot remained on board and assisted in the navigation till anchor was cast of Williams town at 5.15 p.m. Naturally the officers of the Pfalz were uncommunicative, but they are said to have raised no demur at their enforced return and take their "hold up" quietly. Last night the vessel was boarded by customs officials, who notified those on board of the existence of war between Great Britain and Germany, and carried out an inspection of the vessel's papers. They were accompanied by a guard of ten men from the naval depot at Williamstown. The men were fully armed, and their war- like appearance amply confirmed the Ger- man crew's fear of an outbreak of hostilities.

No demonstration was made on board when the, armed guard scrambled up the vessel's aide, and the crew stolidly accepted the situation in good grace. Looming grimly a short distance away was the Australian cruiser Pioneer, cleared for action and ready for any emergency. She had been cruising in the Bay during the afternoon and remained off Williamstown last night. Her presence no doubt had an awesome effect, no resistance was offered the naval party when the vessel's machinery was disarranged as a precaution agaiinst her departure during the night. No guard was placed, on the vessel, and the naval party came ashore on completing its task.

The future career of the detained vessel will be watched with interest in view of the outbreak, of hostilities between the two countries.. Should she be regarded as a prize she will be a valuable asset. She belongs to the Norddeutscher Lloyd, a wealthy German shipping line, and is a comparatively new vessel of ADMIRAL SIR JOHN CALLAGHAN K.C.B (In Command of First Battle Squadron.) 6557 tons gross register. Her value is esimated at about £95,000. A considerable amount of cargo, mainly German merchandise, is on board, consigned to Sydney and Brisbane owners. This is her second voyage to Australia, for which service she was built at the end of last year. Her master, Captain Kuhlken, is on his first visit to Australia. The Seydlitz, which cleared out of Sydney on Monday, also belongs to the same line. The Pfalz was the only foreign vessel in Melbourne, and it was rather unfortunate for her that news of the declaration of war was flashed to Queenscliff a few minutes before her arrival there. Had she left half an hour earlier she would probably have passed out through the Heads and out to sea before she could be intercepted.


http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/92038070

[Jimbuna]

8th August

Russian 1st Army under General Paul von Rennenkampf and 2nd Army under General Alexander Samsonov enter East Prussia.

Marcel Kerff, Belgian cyclist who got 6th in the 1903 Tour de France, is hanged by German troops on charges of spying.

British government requests its ally, Empire of Japan, to enter the war against Germany.

French General Louis Bonneau captures the town of Mulhouse.

German IX, X, and VII Corp under the command of General Karl von Einem is ordered into Belgium.

British government attempt to suppress the “alarming unrest” in India, as pro-independence sentiments grow.

British troops capture the port of Lome, German Togoland.

Tsar Nicholas lauds the zeal of the Russian people in a speech to the Duma and states the “enormous enthusiasm” is guarantee of victory.

Antivari (Montenegro) bombarded by Austrian fleet.

Switzerland mobilises and proclaims state of siege.

[Sailor Steve]

August 8

Austrian authorities arrest a suspected Russian spy in the town of Neumarkt (renamed Targ in 1919), in Galicia. His name is Vladimir Lenin. Austrian Social Democrat leader Victor Adler tells the government that if released Lenin would likely mount a propaganda campaign against the Tsar. The Austrian authorities let Lenin go and he moves to Switzerland.

August 9

SMS Karlsruhe steams into San Juan, Puerto Rico with only 12 tons of coal in her bunkers. It being a Sunday Captain Köhler has trouble buying coal. Matters are complicated further by British and French consuls claiming Köhler is violating neutrality by trying to purchase 1300 tons of coal. In the end Karlsruhe ends up with only 500 tons of poor-grade coal. The old German collier Patagonia is in port, and Köhler instructs her captain to proceed to St. Thomas and buy a load of coal there. At 2000 hours Karlsruhe gets under way.

[TarJak]

9th August, U-15 attempted to torpedo a battleship but at 0340 off Fair Isle, the cruiser BIRMINGHAM sighted and rammed U-15 sending her to the bottom with all hands. U-15 was the first U-Boat to be destroyed in WW1.

In the battle of Mulhouse, Parts of the XIV and XV Corps of the German 7th Army, arrived from Strasbourgand counter-attacked at Cernay. The German infantry then emerged from the Hardt forest, to advance into the east side of the city. French command broke down and the defenders fought isolated actions, before retiring as best they could, as the German attackers exploited their advantage.

The BEF begins embarkation for France.

[Jimbuna]

9th August

U.S. will allow European reservists to return home and fight as long as they are unarmed and not in uniform.

German XIV and XV Corp counterattack French troops at Cernay, who are forced to retreat.

German submarine SM U-15 is rammed by HMS Birmingham, causing it to sink. It is the 1st U-boat to be sunk.

Sweden and Norway both reaffirm their neutrality in the present war.

Ottoman Empire begins its mobilization.

Germany, by means of Holland, offers terms of peace to Belgium; they are rejected.

[TarJak]

10 AUGUST 1914

After evading British warships in the Mediterranean, the German battle cruiser Goeben and light crusier Breslau arrived off the entrance to the Dardanelles and requested Turkish permission to enter the straits. The Turks let the German warships through to Constantinople where they were nominally handed over to the Turkish navy.

Recruiting offices in Australia open to commence the build up ooh the 1st AIF (Australian Imperial Force).

At 0445 hours on the 10th August the French 14è Hussards (Hussars) moved out in the direction of Pillon and Arrancy (north east of Mangiennes). Advancing over the hill in front of the French lines they came across a large column of Germans coming down the far side of the valley towards Pillon. The Hussars deployed their machine guns and opened up on the German infantry at 1500 metres and thus began the first battle on French soil since the Franco-Prussian War.

An Australian Government Order-in-Council was gazetted placing all Commonwealth Naval Forces, including the Naval Board, under British Admiralty control, for the duration of WWI, (and was later repeated for WWII).

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by TarJak

9th August, U-15 attempted to torpedo a battleship but at 0340 off Fair Isle, the cruiser BIRMINGHAM sighted and rammed U-15 sending her to the bottom with all hands. U-15 was the first U-Boat to be destroyed in WW1.

.

Beat me to the punch.

[TarJak]

Comes from living in the future.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by TarJak

Comes from living in the future.

I was going to post it on the 8th, but then people would whine that "it's not the 9th yet!", then I got busy at work and forgot about it.

[Jimbuna]

10th August

Japanese Emperor ends his vacation and returns to Tokyo in anticipation of war.

Battle of Mulhouse comes to an end as German troops recapture the town of Mulhouse, bringing an end to the French offensive.

Germany occupies the city of Liege.

Russians reach Tilsit in East Prussia.

Austrian First Army, under Dankl, enters Poland and advances towards Lyublin and Kyeltsi.

France severs diplomatic relations with Austria-Hungary, due to the presence of Austrian troops in Germany then declaresFrance declares a state of war.

Austro-Hungarian army enters Volhynia, Russian Poland and captures a few border towns.

Austro-Hungarian navy bombards the Montenegrin port in Bar.

Germans raid Cape Colony (from south-west Africa), but abandon Swakopmund and Luderitz Bay.

[TarJak]

11 August 1914

HMAS AUSTRALIA, (battle-cruiser), and the Australia Squadron, under VADM Sir George Patey, RN, arrived in St Georges Channel, near Rabaul, on a search for ADML von Spee’s forces.

The German naval and merchant services code was captured from the German vessel HOBART, (merchant ship), at Port Phillip, VIC. The boarding officer, CAPT J. T. Richardson, RN, used a subterfuge to allow the German Captain to retrieve the codes from their hiding place. Richardson seized the books at gunpoint as they were about to be thrown overboard.

HMA Ships PARRAMATTA, YARRA, and WARREGO, (torpedo boat destroyers), launched a night torpedo attack on the German anchorage in Simpsonhaven, New Britain only to find the port was empty. During the day HMAS AUSTRALIA, (battle- cruiser), captured the enemy ship SUMATRA whilst patrolling St Georges Channel.

The 4th Light Horse Regiment was formed as the divisional cavalry regiment for the 1st Australian Division. Belying traditional stereotypes, over 20 per cent of the original regiment were city dwellers from Melbourne.