Product Description

This is the story of 12 days that changed the world. As the outbreak of the Great War drew ever nearer, the German navy had just two ships in the Mediterranean - the new battle-cruiser "Goeben" and the light cruiser "Breslau". Against them was arrayed 16 British and French battleships and cruisers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #926822 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 252 pages

Customer Reviews

An outstanding account
At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the position of the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) was ambiguous. The army was pro-German but the navy was pro-British, though public sentiment had been seriously affected by Britain's appropriation of two battleships being built in Britain for the Turkish navy - the Turkish public had subscribed the £6m cost of the ships.

Enter Admiral Wilhelm Souchon. His Mediterranean squadron - the new battlecruiser Goeben and the cruiser Breslau - was effectively trapped, with no possibility of returning to Germany. Souchon conceived a brilliant plan - he would sail his ships to Constantinople and present them to Turkey, thereby tilting the balance and bringing Turkey into the War on the side of Germany. The ships duly hoisted Turkish ensigns and their German crews adopted the fez. When these Turkish-flagged vessels then entered the Black Sea and bombarded Russian ports, Turkey was in the war - whether she liked it or not.

This excellent book provides an outstanding account of the Goeben's mission and is particularly strong both on the bungled pursuit of the German squadron and on the far-reaching consequences of the Goeben affair. Recommended reading for anyone interested in naval history and/or the First World War.