Hunt the Kaiser's Cruisers

Mush Martin · 08-14-08, 05:31 AM

I havent seen it, but it occurs to me from what I know of the
details, there were no bad admirals involved on either side.
Nor poor captains I dont think.

Further though I dont feel History has been unkind to Sturdee, he
handed them a trememendous victory.

My Heart goes out to Poor Craddock whos case always leaves my
feeling very sympathetic for a fine Officer and Gentlemen overrun by
circumstance politics and duty and sealed to a fate of doom that
he had to recognize, for all the dignity it must have taken, history
at times tends to only see the loss and the sinkings not the man.
I have little doubt that Craddock with equivalent strength and agility
couldve given very good account of himself even if none of his
crews had won the queens battle practice cup. His choices of tactics
tried all seem pretty sound but his ships didnt and never would have
had the legs to accomplish what he knew he had to achieve to survive.

TarJak · 08-14-08, 07:57 AM

Well watched the first episode. 'Twas a bit light on detail but not badly put together as far as the recreations go. Some interesting old WWI footage and photos.

Epsiode one focussed on the escape of the Emden's landing party lead by the XO, that got stranded temporarily on the Cocos (Keeling) Is after their ship got sunk by HMAS Sydney.

Their escape in a leaky Schooner to what was then the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) and their rendezvous with a German freighter which took them to Yemen and the journey northwards to Turkey was interesting but I would have preferred to see a bit more about the engagement with the Sydney and the Emden's earlier exploits in the Indian Ocean. These were treated largely as precursors to the main story about the escape and trip to Turkey.

Overall not bad but less naval than I would have liked. I hope the second one about the Dresden is a little more nautical.

bookworm_020 · 08-17-08, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

Well wathced the first episode. 'Twas a bit light on detail but not badly puyt together as far as the recreations go. Some interesting old WWI footage and photos.

Epsiode one focussed on the escape of the Emden's landing party lead by the XO, that got stranded temporarily on the Cocos (Keeling) Is after their ship got sunk by HMAS Sydney.

Their escape in a leaky Schooner to what was then the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) and their rendezvous with a German freighter which took them to Yemen and the journey northwards to Turkey was interesting but I would have preferred to see a bit more about the engagement with the Sydney and the Emden's earlier exploits in the Indian Ocean. These were treated largely as precursors to the main story about the escape and trip to Turkey.

Overall not bad but less naval than I would have liked. I hope the second one about the Dresden is a little more nautical.

I missed the show, but agree with you TarJack! The exploits of the Emden in the indian ocean is a great example of creative solutions in wartime, with a crew and captain up for the challenge!

The escape of the landing party is a good one, and does deserve to be told, but it was not the main story.

Reece · 08-21-08, 05:36 AM

15 mins left for part II!

Mush Martin · 08-21-08, 06:47 AM

@ Sailor Steve.
I was reflecting back on this today as I saw Reece's
post just before I left to take the Wife to work.
I think that remodelling the battle in good weather
would have little effect really, Craddocks squadron
had no hope of being able to close into range for
the secondaries, unless von spee decided to allow it.
the only way to save the situation is to change craddocks
orders, to Fall back on canopus at falklands and tag and
monitor spee with the CL's, but even then
von spee wouldve likely been motivated to bypass and make
the journey home as previously mentioned the signal ruse
worked so all he would need for a clean run across is to dodge
the CL's scouting him. Further though with no disaster at coronel,
Sturdee's squadron never wouldve deployed so maybe
the battle wouldve taken place at the breakin on the
home journey instead. just some thoughts.
M

08-14-08, 05:31 AM	#1
Mush Martin Eternal Patrol Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,398 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I havent seen it, but it occurs to me from what I know of the details, there were no bad admirals involved on either side. Nor poor captains I dont think. Further though I dont feel History has been unkind to Sturdee, he handed them a trememendous victory. My Heart goes out to Poor Craddock whos case always leaves my feeling very sympathetic for a fine Officer and Gentlemen overrun by circumstance politics and duty and sealed to a fate of doom that he had to recognize, for all the dignity it must have taken, history at times tends to only see the loss and the sinkings not the man. I have little doubt that Craddock with equivalent strength and agility couldve given very good account of himself even if none of his crews had won the queens battle practice cup. His choices of tactics tried all seem pretty sound but his ships didnt and never would have had the legs to accomplish what he knew he had to achieve to survive. __________________ RIP Mush Tutorial

08-14-08, 07:57 AM	#2
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	Well watched the first episode. 'Twas a bit light on detail but not badly put together as far as the recreations go. Some interesting old WWI footage and photos. Epsiode one focussed on the escape of the Emden's landing party lead by the XO, that got stranded temporarily on the Cocos (Keeling) Is after their ship got sunk by HMAS Sydney. Their escape in a leaky Schooner to what was then the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) and their rendezvous with a German freighter which took them to Yemen and the journey northwards to Turkey was interesting but I would have preferred to see a bit more about the engagement with the Sydney and the Emden's earlier exploits in the Indian Ocean. These were treated largely as precursors to the main story about the escape and trip to Turkey. Overall not bad but less naval than I would have liked. I hope the second one about the Dresden is a little more nautical. Last edited by TarJak; 08-18-08 at 02:24 AM.

08-21-08, 05:36 AM	#4
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,729 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	15 mins left for part II! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

08-21-08, 06:47 AM	#5
Mush Martin Eternal Patrol Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,398 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	@ Sailor Steve. I was reflecting back on this today as I saw Reece's post just before I left to take the Wife to work. I think that remodelling the battle in good weather would have little effect really, Craddocks squadron had no hope of being able to close into range for the secondaries, unless von spee decided to allow it. the only way to save the situation is to change craddocks orders, to Fall back on canopus at falklands and tag and monitor spee with the CL's, but even then von spee wouldve likely been motivated to bypass and make the journey home as previously mentioned the signal ruse worked so all he would need for a clean run across is to dodge the CL's scouting him. Further though with no disaster at coronel, Sturdee's squadron never wouldve deployed so maybe the battle wouldve taken place at the breakin on the home journey instead. just some thoughts. M __________________ RIP Mush Tutorial