The Black Sea Fleet was one of the most prepared formations of our army for the beginning of the war. The fleet consisted of about three hundred ships and boats of various classes. Among them, 1 ship of the line, 6 cruisers, 16 leaders and destroyers, 47 submarines. The Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet consisted of 600 aircraft of various types. The fleet had five bases: Odessa, Nikolaev, Novorossiysk, Batumi and the main one in Sevastopol.
Chernomorets were among the first to enter the Great Patriotic War. Relying on surprise, at about 3 am on June 22, 1941, enemy aircraft launched a massive airstrike against the main fleet base - Sevastopol. The hopes of the Germans to catch our sailors by surprise did not come true. The fleet was ready, and the ships were in full combat readiness. The attack was repulsed.
On June 25, 1941, Soviet forces of the fleet, together with aviation, carried out a raid operation to shell Constanta, the main base of the Romanian fleet, which was an ally of the Germans. In total, during the battles on the Black Sea, three such raids were carried out. The second and third were committed in December 1942 and October 1943, respectively.
The fleet showed itself heroically in the defense of Odessa, Sevastopol and Novorossiysk. The Black Sea Fleet and the Azov Flotilla provided fire support to the defending cities, carried out supplies, the transfer of reinforcements, and the evacuation of the wounded. Black Sea sailors joined the ranks of the marines and garrisons defending the cities. For his form and fury in battle, the Germans called them "Black Death". Odessa withstood 73 days of the siege. Sevastopol defended itself for almost 10 months, taking over significant enemy forces that the enemy could not use at Stalingrad. For comparison, the Germans took a little over a month to capture France, Belgium and Holland.
The Black Sea Fleet included a unique ship - Anti-aircraft Submarine No. 3. Steel square with cannons and anti-aircraft machine guns.
This unusual ship was invented by Captain 1st Rank Grigory Alexandrovich Butakov. The steel hull of the unfinished battleship was taken as a basis, which the sailors used as a target for training torpedo launches and firing.
The steel box was cleaned of rust, the holes were battened down, and painted to mask it in the color of the sea. On the 600-square-meter deck, an observation post was set up, floodlights and a battery were installed. The "iron island" was armed with three 76mm anti-aircraft guns, four 37mm guns, one quad machine gun and two anti-aircraft machine guns. The compartments under the deck were equipped with a cockpit, weapons and autonomous power plant. The crew consisted of 120 people. The Iron Island was taken by tug to the outer roadstead in front of Sevastopol at a distance of 300 meters from the coast.
On August 3, 1941, the floating battery took over on the first watch. The battery was commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Moshensky S. Ya.
Our sailors called the ship "Kalambina" or, according to the first lines of the song invented in the battery - "Don't touch me." The Germans called the battery "the square of death", "Bring God" or "black square".
For 9 months of hostilities, the battery has only documented more than 20 downed aircraft. The commander of the battery only once during all this time left it in order to receive the "Order of the Red Star". The end of June 1942 was the most difficult. By the 26th, only half of the crew remained alive, and less than half of the barrels could shoot. But the battery held on sailors died right at the guns, fighting until the last seconds of their lives.
On June 27, the battery commander was killed. The bomb hit exactly the command post. By that time, there were no more shells, only cartridges for machine guns remained. The next day, the battery was disbanded, and two weeks later, Sevastopol, which she so bravely defended, fell.
In this difficult, initial period of the war, the Black Sea Fleet heroically fulfilled the duties assigned to it. The plans to quickly capture the Caucasus and Transcaucasia were thwarted: the enemy did not reach Baku oil, important industrial facilities were evacuated, new fleet bases were created in Batumi, Poti, Sukhumi and Tuapse, where the fleet later retreated. The main bases were lost, the fleet lost many ships, but the enemy failed to destroy (as Hitler planned) the Black Sea Fleet.
The preservation of the combat-ready Black Sea Fleet was of exceptionally important military importance. The loss of the fleet would mean the loss of the entire Caucasus and Transcaucasia, and possibly defeat in the war. As a result, at the beginning of 1943 most of the Black Sea coast was at the German army, and from the opposite shore of the Black Sea, the Soviet troops were threatened by the Romanian army, an ally of Germany.
But not only in the military aspect, the Black Sea Fleet and our military presence in the Black Sea were important. The fleet played a huge role in the geopolitical issue. There was another force in the Black Sea region - Turkey. With a serious fleet and a million-strong army right on our border, Turkey's position could play a decisive role... She was ready to take the side of the Axis countries. But the defeat of the Germans at Stalingrad and the active offensive of our troops on the Caucasian front forced Turkey to remain neutral.
Submarines of the Black Sea Fleet provided invaluable assistance. Acting on enemy communications from the first days of the war, they seriously complicated the delivery of cargo, fuel and soldiers. An attempt to establish the supply of oil and oil products by Italian and Romanian tankers through the Bosphorus was thwarted by our submariners. On September 29, 1941, the crew of the submarine "Shch-211" (commander - Lieutenant-Commander Devyatko A. D.) distinguished themselves: they managed to sink the tanker "Superga". And the submarine under the command of Evgeny Petrovich Polyakov sank as many as four enemy transports. The C-33 submarine was plagued by failures for a long time. She had the most contacts with enemy ships on the Black Sea, but was listed as one of the laggards in the fleet. However, on April 20, 1943, the crew under the command of Boris Aleksandrovich Alekseev finally got lucky. The submarine attacked the Romanian transport "Suceava" with a displacement of about 7000 tons, which quickly sank.
One of the most famous submariners in the Black Sea was the captain of the 3rd rank Mikhail Vasilyevich Greshilov. On the M-35 submarine, he, together with the team, sank 4 enemy transports. And at the end of 1942, having switched to the Shch-215 boat, he added 4 more enemy transports and two barges to his combat account. On May 16, 1944, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Our submarines patrolled the sea routes until the very end of the hostilities in the Black Sea, causing serious difficulties in supplying the German ground group.
The end of 1942 - the beginning of 1943 became a turning point both for the Black Sea theater of military operations and for the entire Soviet-German front. The landing on Malaya Zemlya was the first offensive operation of the Black Sea Fleet in 2 years of fighting in this region.
Stronger than armor
The boat of foreman Moravina was supposed to throw a group of scouts behind enemy lines.
The landing site was already close when the Germans noticed the boat. The enemy opened heavy machine-gun and mortar fire. The fiery trails rushed to the shore. One enemy machine gun fell silent, another, but the rest continued to shoot. The boat has already received a dozen bullet holes. Water flowed through them. In the living quarters, mattresses flashed from incendiary bullets. Several Red Navy men were injured. Machine gunner Zhukov was shot in the leg, and the minder Menshikov was wounded in the head.
The Red Navy quickly extinguished the fire, repaired the largest holes, and pumped out water in the cockpits. The wounded did not leave their combat posts. Bleeding, Zhukov continued to fire and suppressed another firing point. Machine gunner Shlykov silenced three enemy firing points. The motorist Menshikov bandaged his wound and continued to keep watch.
Having broken the resistance of the Germans, the boat approached the shore, landed the first batch of scouts, then returned, took the second group and in the same way, under fire, threw it to the rear of the enemy.
The crew of the boat under the command of Moravin carried out the combat order brilliantly.
The enemy continued to attack, despite huge losses in men and equipment. Already hundreds of corpses of fascist soldiers and officers, dozens of burned-out tanks and downed planes were lying around, but the Germans again and again went forward, urged on by the officers.
The company of senior lieutenant Martynov imperceptibly moved at night and occupied the most important sector of the defense.
Congratulations to the Fritzes on the Black Sea sunrise! the senior lieutenant passed along the chain.
The Marines waited for the enemy to come closer and bravely entered the battle. With amicable fire, they cut off the German infantry from the tanks, and then began to destroy it with volleys. Several dozen fascists have already sprawled on the ground. But the tanks continued to move towards our positions.
The Red Navy Steinberg, who had previously destroyed several Germans from a machine gun, crawled forward and began to adjust the fire on the tanks. The Germans opened a hurricane of mortar fire. Steinberg was killed by a mine fragment. His place was immediately taken by senior sergeant Vershinin. Artillerymen and armor-piercers, on the instructions of the spotter, knocked out one tank. Gaps began to grow in front of other German vehicles. The tanks turned back. The enemy infantry, deprived of cover, also retreated.
In this battle, the unit of Senior Lieutenant Martynov destroyed half of the enemy company. The Germans launched several more violent counterattacks, but they were also successfully repulsed with heavy losses for the enemy.
Captain V. Vakulin.
District of Novorossiysk.
The only way to supply the bridgehead was the sea. Under heavy artillery fire and continuous air strikes, our ships honorably performed their assigned tasks: they brought up reinforcements and weapons, evacuated the wounded.
Success of offensive operations Soviet troops on the North Caucasian Front in April-May 1943 led to the fact that on the southern flank of the Soviet-German front, German troops lost most of their land communications. Under these conditions, the implementation of communication with the group German troops, isolated on the Taman Peninsula, became possible only by sea. Therefore, the Germans significantly increased activity at sea, the intensity of traffic increased, and additional military boats were deployed to escort cargo and troops. The main directions along which the German ships moved were the routes: Odessa - Sevastopol, Constanta - Sevastopol, Sevastopol - Kerch, Feodosia - Anapa, Kerch - Anapa, Kerch - Taman. In May-June 1943, on average, about 200 convoys a month passed along these routes.
Daily raid of torpedo boats
BLACK SEA FLEET. May 17. (By telegraph from our. Corr.). Aerial reconnaissance reported that self-propelled landing barges, torpedo boats and other small vessels were concentrated in the enemy's port. Our torpedo boats were ordered to raid.
Unlike most similar operations, in this case had to act during daylight hours.
Having carefully worked out the task and prepared the material part, the boats left the base. The weather promised to be favorable: it was calm, a thick fog hung over the sea. But it soon dissipated.
The boats went along the coast occupied by the enemy. Soon the fog again in large stripes, like smokescreens, lay over the water. The commander of the lead boat, Senior Lieutenant Smirnov, used this for a covert movement.
In time, the ships were already approaching the intended target. This was evidenced by the discovered antiboat barrier. Coming out of the fog strip, the commanders determined by the coastal landmark and headed for the port. They soon found themselves in an enemy raid. A large barge appeared. A little further along the pier there were many small ships. From a short distance Smirnov fired a torpedo at the barge. Under its deafening explosion, the next torpedo, fired by Lieutenant Stepanenko, hit the floating craft concentrated there.
Having made a turn, the boats laid down on the course of withdrawal. Only now the enemy came to his senses and opened fire, but the boats left without damage. On the return passage, they were twice unsuccessfully fired upon by coastal artillery.
The next day the katernikov was visited by the commander of the fleet. He highly appreciated the results of the operation and awarded the crews of the boats that took part in the daring raid with orders and medals of the Soviet Union. Senior Lieutenant Smirnov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, Lieutenant Stepanenko was awarded the Order of the Red Star.
Captain I. Vlasov.
In the circumstances one of the main tasks of the Black Sea Fleet was to disrupt the sea transport of the enemy... At the same time, the Germans did their best to secure their communications from the invasion of our forces, for which they used coastal artillery batteries, radar equipment, and mined the approaches to ports. The movement of transport ships took place in convoys under the cover of aircraft and surface ships. In addition, there was a wide network of coastal airfields, so enemy aircraft had the ability to quickly fly to the target. One of these airfields was located near the village of Su-Psekh not far from Anapa. At the airfield, according to reconnaissance data, up to 60 light fighters of the Green Heart squadron and a group of aircraft of the 52nd squadron were based. A group of missile boats was tasked with striking the airfield. These boats, built with the money of employees of vocational schools, for the first time received civil names - "Moscow artisan" and "Labor reserves" (full name "Young patriot of labor reserves"). In late May - early June, the armament of the torpedo boats was improved with a rocket launcher. The new boats had elongated wheelhouses, on which the Katyusha rocket launcher was reinforced.
The link, which included the boat "Moscow Craftsman" under the command of V. Pilipenko and "Trudovye Rezervy", whose captain was V. Kvartsov, was to launch a missile strike from the sea at a ground airfield located at an altitude of 30 meters. On May 29, 1943, under the cover of night, the boats approached the Anapa coast and rained down a hurricane of fire from their Katyushas on the enemy airfield. The enemy was completely unprepared for such a turn of events: not only was the attack on the airfield delivered from the sea, but also with the use of rocket launchers. As a result, the airfield and dozens of enemy aircraft were disabled for a long time, and many of them were destroyed.
Later, the crew under the command of Vladimir Stepanovich Pilipenko proved that it is possible to use the fire of rocket launchers not only against ground targets, but also to destroy enemy aircraft and surface ships. The crew of the boat was awarded several times, and the commander was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Another task of the Black Sea Fleet at this time was to provide sea transportation to supply our troops with equipment, food, ammunition and manpower. These shipments were carried out from the ports of Batumi, Poti, Sukhumi, Tuapse and were of exceptional importance for ensuring the life of the coastal group of our troops.
Military convoys did not always end well. On May 22, 1943, in the morning at 9 hours 45 minutes, the Soviet transport "Internationale" left Tuapse in the direction of the port of Gelendzhik. It was guarded by two base minesweepers "Harpoon" and "Mina" and a sea hunter "SKA-041". On the way, the convoy was attacked by a group of 17 enemy bombers and 7 fighters. Two bombs hit the Internationale, as a result of which the chassis was damaged and a fire broke out. The crew coped with the fire, but lost 3 sailors. The minesweeper "Mina" was pierced through by a bomb weighing half a centner, which exploded already in the water. There was a huge hole measuring 2 × 2.3 meters, a fire started, the telegraph and machine gun on the starboard side ceased to function, and the left side machine gun was washed overboard along with its crew. Nevertheless, the crew of "Mina", having lost two, managed to eliminate the fire and keep the ship afloat, restoring the work of the fire pumps and sealing the hole. Thanks to their heroic efforts, the crippled ship was still able to return under its own power to the port of Tuapse at two o'clock in the afternoon. The sea hunter "SKA-041" met the saddest fate. A Ju-87 dived on the ship and dropped three bombs, which sunk it. Along with the ship, 18 crew members died, six managed to escape. As it turned out later, the sea hunter, already leaving on the mission, had problems with the propulsion system: his two motors did not work, which made it impossible for him to quickly maneuver and avoid deadly air strikes.
To save the transport from Tuapse, the patrol ships "Shtorm" and "Shkval", the sea hunter "SKA-105" and the tugboat "Petrash" came to the rescue. Ten of our Yak-1 aircraft repulsed air attacks on the convoy. By joint efforts at 18:50 the transport "Internationale" was delivered to the port of Tuapse.
The Battle of Gangut, which took place on July 27 (August 7), 1714, was the first victory of the Peter I regular Russian fleet.
The Baltic skerries replete with skerries demanded the presence of powerful rowing forces along with the sailing squadrons. By the campaign of 1714, the Russians managed to create the strongest galley fleet of 99 half-galleys and scampawes, before which the tsar set the task of breaking through to the Aland Islands in order to assist the offensive of the coastal flank of the land forces.
Opposing these plans, the Swedish fleet blocked the Russians' exit from the Gulf of Finland at the Gangut Peninsula. The enemy's rowing ships defended the coastal fairway, and the sailing fleet located seacoast covered them from the flank.
In order to avoid an attack by strong Swedish forces "head-on", Peter I decided to build in the narrowest part of the Gangut Peninsula a "perevoloku" (wooden flooring), intended for the transfer of galleys by dry route to the rear of the enemy. This maneuver forced the Swedes to split their forces, and the calm that ensued deprived their sailing ships of the maneuverability.
Taking advantage of the situation, the Russian vanguard bypassed the Swedes, remaining out of reach for their fire, and attacked the detachment under the command of Rear Admiral Niels Ehrenskjold, taking the enemy ships on board.
The victory at the Gangut Peninsula provided the Russian fleet with freedom of action in the Gulfs of Finland and Bothnia, which made it possible to effectively support the ground forces operating in Finland. Since then, the Swedes have ceased to feel like the masters of the Baltic Sea. The success was ensured by the ability to create superiority in forces in the main direction. 11 galleys were concentrated against the Swedish flagship, the Elephant.
Boarding the pram "Elephant"
In September 1714, the winners were solemnly held in St. Petersburg under the Arc de Triomphe, which depicted an eagle sitting on the back of an elephant. The allegory was explained by the inscription: "The eagle does not catch flies." Currently, the anniversary of the Battle of the Gangut Peninsula (August 9) is celebrated in Russia as the Day of Military Glory.
Battle of Chesme on the night of June 25-26, 1770
After the start of another Russian-Turkish war in 1768, in order to divert the enemy's attention from the Black Sea theater, Russia sent its ships to the Mediterranean Sea. It was the first in Russian history group passage of ships from one sea to another. June 23 (July 4) 1770 two Russian squadrons (nine battleships, three frigates, a bombardment ship and 17-19 auxiliary ships) under the general command Alexey Orlov discovered the Turkish fleet (16 battleships, six frigates, six shebeks, 13 galleys and 32 small ships) in the roadstead of the Chesme Bay.
The next day, an artillery duel ensued between the opponents, during which the battleship Saint Eustathius tried to board the Turkish ship Real Mustafa. However, the burning mast of a Turkish ship fell on him. The fire reached the cruise camera, and Eustathius exploded, and 10 minutes later, Real-Mustafa also flew into the air. After that, the Turkish forces retreated into the depths of the Chesme Bay under the cover of coastal batteries.
On the night of June 26, the Russian command decided to destroy the Turkish fleet with the help of fire-ships, into which four ships were hastily converted. The battleships were to fire at the enemy ships crowded in the bay, and the frigates were to suppress the coastal batteries. Soon after being hit by an incendiary projectile, one of the Turkish ships caught fire. The enemy fire weakened, which made it possible to launch an attack with fire-ships. One of them managed to set fire to a Turkish 84-gun ship, which soon exploded. Burning debris scattered across the bay, causing fires on other ships. By morning, the Turkish squadron ceased to exist.
The victory was achieved due to the skillful concentration of forces in the main direction, the bold decision to attack the Turkish fleet under the protection of coastal batteries and the use of its crowded location in the bay.
Fyodor Ushakov
April 19, 1783 Empress Catherine II signed the Manifesto on the annexation of Crimea to Russian Empire... In 1878, Turkey issued an ultimatum demanding the restoration of vassalage Crimean Khanate and Georgia and, having received a refusal, again declared war on Russia.
Russian troops besieged the Turkish fortress of Ochakov, and a squadron under the command of Rear Admiral left Sevastopol Marko Voinovic to prevent the Turkish fleet from providing assistance to the besieged. On July 3 (14), the opponents found each other in the area of the island of Fidonisi. The Turkish squadron was more than twice the size of the Sevastopol squadron, and Marko Voinovich had no desire to fight, while he was confident of his victory Hassan Pasha adhering to the classic linear tactics, he began to approach the distance of an artillery salvo. However, the brigadier who commanded the Russian avant-garde Fyodor Ushakov ordered his end frigates to add sails and take the enemy in two fires. The frigate maneuver put the Turks in an extremely difficult position. They also added sails, but this led to the fact that their formation was greatly stretched, and the ships lost the ability to support each other with fire.
At the very beginning of the battle, Fyodor Ushakov cut off two Turkish ships, concentrating the fire of the battleship Saint Paul and two frigates against them. The battle was already unfolding along the entire line. Unable to withstand the fire of the Russians, the Turkish ships in front, one after the other, began to withdraw from the battle. Soon the flagship of Gassan Pasha also fell under concentrated fire. This decided the outcome of the battle. Following the flagship, the Turkish ships began to leave the formation and, taking advantage of the advantage in speed, retreat to the Rumelian shores.
In the battle of Fidonisi, Fyodor Ushakov's naval talent was first revealed, who perfectly implemented the principles of concentration of fire and mutual support. Soon Grigory Potemkin dismissed Marko Voinovich, and handed over the Sevastopol squadron to Fyodor Ushakov, who received the rank of Rear Admiral.
Monument to Ushakov at Cape Kaliakria
The Turks prepared very thoroughly for the campaign of 1791. The fleet under the command of Kapudan Pasha Hussein consisted of 18 ships of the line, 17 frigates and many small ships. The Algerian Pasha, who was distinguished by courage and enterprise, was appointed assistant to the kapudan pasha. Saita Ali... The Turks quite reasonably believed that with such a numerical superiority and headed by such famous admirals, they would be able to defeat the Russians. Sait Ali even promised to deliver the man in chains to Istanbul Ushak Pasha(Fedor Ushakov) and carry him around the city in a cage.
On July 31 (August 11), 1791, the Turkish fleet was anchored at Cape Kaliakria. In honor of the Ramadan holiday, some of the teams were released ashore. Suddenly, Fyodor Ushakov's squadron appeared on the horizon, consisting of six battleships, 12 frigates, two bombardment ships and 17 small ships. The renowned naval commander made a bold decision to attack the enemy from the coast. The appearance of the Russian fleet took the Turks by surprise. Hastily chopping off the anchor ropes, they began to retreat to the sea in disorder. Sait-Ali with two ships made an attempt to take the vanguard of Fyodor Ushakov in two fires, but he, having guessed the maneuver, on the flagship Rozhdestven Khristovo overtook the head of his squadron and attacked the Sait-Ali ship, starting a battle at the closest distance. Then Ushakov skillfully entered from the stern and fired a longitudinal salvo at the Turkish ship, knocking down the mizzen mast.
Within an hour, the enemy's resistance was broken, and the Turks fled. Most of the defeated Turkish fleet scattered along the Anatolian and Rumelian coasts, only the Algerian squadron reached Constantinople, while the flagship Saita-Ali began to sink. The Russian fleet dominated the Black Sea. The inhabitants of the Turkish capital were seized by fear. Everyone was waiting for Ushak Pasha to appear at the walls of Constantinople. In this situation, the Sultan was forced to conclude peace with Russia.
Fortifications of Corfu
In 1796-1797, the French army under the command of a young and talented military leader Napoleon Bonaparte occupied Northern Italy and the Ionian Islands belonging to the Venetian Republic. Russian emperor Paul I joined the anti-French coalition. In St. Petersburg, a plan arose to send a squadron under the command of Fyodor Ushakov to the Mediterranean Sea. This time, the renowned naval commander had to act in alliance with his former opponents - the Turks. The landing of Napoleon in Egypt forced the Sultan to turn to Russia for help and open the straits for Russian ships.
One of the tasks assigned to the united Russian-Turkish squadron was the liberation of the Ionian Islands. Soon the French garrisons drove out from Cerigo, Zante, Kefalonia and Santa Mavra, although the enemy continued to hold the most heavily fortified island - Corfu. The French command was confident that the Russian sailors would not only be unable to take the fortress by storm, but would also be unable to conduct a long siege.
First, Fyodor Ushakov decided to take by storm the rocky island of Vido, which was covering Corfu from the sea. On February 18 (March 1), 1799, Russian ships began a massive shelling, under the cover of which they landed a landing. The landing force, with the help of skillful flank attacks, managed to capture the coastal batteries on the move, and by 14 o'clock the landing forces were already in full control of Vido.
Now the way to Corfu was open. The Russian batteries installed on the captured island of Vido opened fire on Corfu itself, and the landing party began to storm the forward fortifications of the island. This demoralized the French command, and the next day they sent parliamentarians to Fyodor Ushakov's ship to discuss the terms of surrender. 2931 people surrendered, including four generals. The Russian trophies were the battleship Leander, the frigate Brunet, a bombarding ship, two galleys, four half-galleys and several other ships, 114 mortars, 21 howitzers, 500 cannons and 5,500 rifles. The victory was won thanks to the correct choice of the direction of the main attack by Fedor Ushakov, the creation of superiority in forces over the enemy in this sector, as well as the bold and decisive actions of the landing.
Having learned about the next brilliant victory of Fyodor Ushakov, the great Alexander Suvorov wrote: "Why was I not near Corfu, even a midshipman!"
On the liberated Ionian Islands, under the temporary protectorate of Russia, the Greek Republic of the Seven Islands was created, which for several years served as a support base for the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean.
Andrey CHAPLYGIN
To commemorate the three great victories of the Russian fleet - Gangut, Chesma, Sinop - Russian sailors traditionally wear three white stripes on their jacks *.
* Guys - a large blue collar on the uniform - a sailor's upper cloth or linen shirt.
GANGUTSKY SEA BATTLE.
The naval battle of the Great Northern War 1700-1721, which took place on July 27 (August 7), 1714. at Cape Gangut (now Hanko) between the Russian fleet under the command of Admiral F.M. Apraskin and Emperor Peter I and the Swedish fleet of Vice-Admiral G. Vatrang. Gangut is the first major victory of the Russian fleet. She raised the morale of the troops, showing that the Swedes can be defeated not only on land but also at sea. The captured Swedish ships were delivered to St. Petersburg, where a solemn meeting of the winners took place on September 9, 1714. The winners marched under a triumphal arch. Peter I praised the victory at Gangut, equating it with Poltava. On August 9, in honor of this event, a holiday was officially established in Russia - the Day of Military Glory.
CHESMEN'S SEA BATTLE.
Naval battle in the Aegean Sea off the western coast of Turkey on June 24-26 (July 5-7) 1770. between the Russian and Turkish fleets ended with the complete victory of the Russian fleet over the enemy, which was twice as large as the Russian squadron in number of ships, but was almost completely destroyed. The victory was achieved thanks to the correct choice of the moment for delivering a decisive blow, surprise of the attack at night, well-organized interaction of forces, as well as the high morale and combat quality of the personnel and naval skill of Admiral G.A. Spiridov, who boldly abandoned the stereotyped linear tactics, dominant at that time in the Western European fleets. All of Europe was shocked by the victory of the Russians, which was achieved not by numbers, but by skill. A naval museum dedicated to the victory at Chesme was opened in St. Petersburg today.
SYNOPE SEA BATTLE.
Naval battle on November 18 (30), 1853 between the Russian squadron under the command of Vice Admiral P.S. Nakhimov and the Turkish squadron under the command of Osman Pasha. The Turkish squadron was heading towards the coast of the Caucasus for a large landing. On the way, she took refuge from the bad weather in the Sinop Bay. Here it was blocked by the Russian fleet. However, the Turks and their English instructors did not allow the thought of a Russian attack on the bay protected by strong coastal batteries. However, the Russian corrals entered the bay so swiftly that the coastal artillery did not have time to inflict significant damage on them. During the four-hour battle, artillery fired 18 thousand shells, which almost completely destroyed the Turkish fleet. The Sinop victory was the result of a century and a half of the history of the Russian sailing fleet, since this battle was the last major naval battle of the era of sailing ships. With its victory, the Russian fleet won complete domination in the Black Sea and thwarted Turkish plans to land troops in the Caucasus.
Author Kharlamov Vitaly Borisovich Volgograd. In short, but the letters are not just a lot, but a lot.
When on May 31, 1916, the captain english lung cruiser (*) "Galatea" ordered to open fire on the German destroyers (2 *), then he had no idea that these volleys would be the first in the largest naval battle in the history of mankind. On this day, in the North Sea, the two most powerful fleets of their time, the British Grand Fleet and the German Open Sea Fleet, met. We met to put an end to the dispute: whose fleet dominates the sea. A as a result flared up:
By the spring of 1916, the land front had finally stabilized. Turning land battles into "giant meat grinders" that did not live up to the hopes placed on them. And the submarine war unleashed by Germany could not bring her a quick victory. The war turned more and more into a war of resources. In a war of attrition. Who could not bring victory to Germany, with her disabilities... And then the German command decided to use the last remaining "trump card" in Germany. Her second line fleet in the world. With the help of which, the German General Staff hoped to win the long-awaited victory at sea. And thereby bring England out of the war. The strongest country in the coalition opposing Germany.
Open Sea Fleet on the march.
For this it was necessary to lure out of the bases part of the British fleet and try to destroy it with a blow from the main forces. For this, the German cruisers were sent on a raid to the shores of England. In the hope that after this, part of the forces of the Grand Fleet will be relocated from Scapa Flow to the south. They succeeded. Under the influence of public opinion, the Grand Fleet was divided into 4 squadrons. Based at various bases along the east coast of England. But the intensification of the actions of the main forces of the German fleet alerted the British. After the German battlecruisers raid on Lowston, they expected a second sortie. Intending, using a scenario similar to the German, to lure a part of the German fleet under the muzzles of the Grand Fleet's heavy guns. And thereby finally assert their dominance at sea. Thus, two huge fleets went to sea. And their admirals had no idea what forces they would have to face. As a result, the collision of the fleets turned out to be purely accidental. Not foreseen by any plan of the opposing sides.
Grand Fleet at sea.
Prelude to the battle.
The German fleet left the main fleet base at 1 am on 31 May. And headed north, to the Skagerrak Strait. In the forefront of the fleet were 5 battle cruisers (3 *) of Vice Admiral Hipper, supported by 5 light cruisers and 33 destroyers. With the task of sending part of the forces of the Grand Fleet to the entire Fleet of the Open Sea. Light cruisers and destroyers walked in a semicircle ahead of the battle cruisers at a distance of 7-10 miles. After the ships of Admiral Hipper's squadron, 50 miles later, the main forces of the German fleet followed.
Open Sea Fleet from the Zeppelin.
But even earlier, 16 submarines were sent to sea. Which were supposed to take positions near the British bases. And be on them from May 24 to June 1. This predetermined the exit of the Germans to the sea on May 31st. Despite the weather. Moreover, most of the submarines, 7 units, were deployed against the Firth of Forth, where the battle cruiser fleet was based. One was at the exit from Kromari Bay, where 2 battleship squadrons were located. Two submarines deployed against Scapa Flow, where the main forces of the British fleet were located. The rest of the submarines were deployed along the east coast of England. The main task of these submarines was reconnaissance. However, they had to lay minefields on the proposed routes of movement of the British ships. And subsequently, attack the ships leaving the bases. Airships were to carry out direct reconnaissance on the battlefield. But 5 German airships that took off at noon on May 31, due to unsuccessfully assigned routes, did not find anything. They were not even above the battlefield.
Torpedo compartment of a German submarine.
The Grand Fleet went to sea before the German fleet. As soon as undercover intelligence and radio interception announced preparations for the exit to sea of large ships of the Open Sea Fleet. Safely avoiding the curtain of German submarines. Although, from some ships, erroneous signals were received about the detection of German submarines.
4th Squadron of Grand Fleet Dreadnoughts ("Iron Duke", "Royal Oak", "Superb", "Canada") in the North Sea
However, it took time to collect the ships that had come out of different bases into a single fist. So 2 squadron of battleships (4 *) was able to join the main forces of the British fleet only at 11 o'clock. And Admiral Beatty's squadron was still south of Admiral Jellicoe's ships. Only about 2 pm Admiral Beatty ordered a turn north. Intending to join their fleet. The trap set by Admiral Jellicoe for the German fleet was about to be slammed shut. Suddenly the unexpected happened.
2 squadron of battleships of the German Open Sea Fleet.
A chance meeting.
Shortly before the turn of Admiral Beatty's ships to the north, smoke was noticed from the German light cruiser Elbing. And 2 of the destroyers accompanying the cruiser were sent to inspect the spotted ship. It turned out to be the neutral Danish steamer "N. G. Fjord". But fate wished that at the same time with the Germans, a Danish steamer was discovered english lung cruiser Galatea. Guarded by Admiral Beatty's squadron. As a result, at 14:28, Galatea, together with the light cruiser Phaeton, which had approached her, opened fire on the German destroyers. Who hastened to retreat from the battlefield. However, Elibing soon joined the destroyers and the battle broke out with renewed vigor. At 14:45 a seaplane was lifted from the Engadine air transport. Which at 15 hours 08 minutes discovered 5 battle cruisers of the enemy. The pilot tried three times to get in touch with his command and provide information. Which never reached Admiral Beatty.
British battle cruiser "Lion".
At this time, both squadrons lay down on new course... And at full speed, cutting the waves with stems, they rushed to meet each other. Thus, by chance, the British battlecruisers met the enemy in isolation from their main forces. All they had to do was to act according to the previously outlined plan. And try to bring the enemy ships to the main forces of your fleet.
Deploying Admiral Beatty's squadron before battle.
At 15:30, both squadrons made visual contact. And seeing the advantage of the British in forces, Admiral Hipper turned his ships to join the main forces of the Open Sea Fleet. However, the battle cruisers of Admiral Bitte, taking advantage of their speed advantage, began to gradually catch up with the German ships. But the British, who had more long-range artillery, did not open fire. Due to an error in determining the distance to the target. The Germans were silent, waiting for the British to come closer to fire more effective from their smaller guns. In addition, the 5th British battleship squadron was still out of sight from German ships. And without receiving an order from Admiral Beatty to change course, she continued to go east for some time. Moving away from the battlefield.
The development of the battle from 15-40 to 17-00.
Free cheese without a mousetrap.
Only at 15 hours 50 minutes, being at a distance of 80 cables (5 *), the battlecruisers of both squadrons opened fire. By order of the admirals, the ships of both sides fired at the enemy ship corresponding to it in the formation. But the British made a mistake and the German battle cruiser "Derflinger" at the beginning of the battle did not fire at all. The distance between the squadrons continued to decrease and by 15 hours 54 minutes reached 65 cables. Mine artillery entered the battle. The ships were surrounded by columns of water from continuously falling shells. By that time, the squadrons had reorganized and rushed south.
Derflinger.
At about 4 pm Admiral Beatty's flagship cruiser Lion was hit by a shell that nearly became fatal for him. The shell hit the third tower, pierced the armor and exploded under the left gun. All the servants of the guns were killed. And only the courage of the mortally wounded tower commander, Major Harvey, saved the ship from death. However, the cruiser was forced to fail. This allowed his enemy, the German battle cruiser Derflenger, to transfer fire to the battle cruiser Queen Mary. On which led fire and "Seydlitz".
Battle cruiser Queen Mary.
At 0400 hours, the battle cruiser "Indefatigable", which was marching as the end of the British convoy, was hit by a volley from the battle cruiser "Von der Tann" firing at it. And disappeared into smoke and fire. Most likely, the shell pierced the deck and hit the artillery cellar of the aft tower. "Indefatigable" plunging astern, rolled out of order. But the next volley also covered the dying ship. A terrible explosion shook the air. The cruiser lay down on the port side, turned over and disappeared. The "Indefatigable" agony lasted only about 2 minutes. Only four of the huge crew managed to escape.
Battle cruiser Invincible.
But the battle continued. Seeing the difficult situation of his line forces, Admiral Beatty at 16 hours 10 minutes threw 13 destroyer flotilla into the attack on the Germans. To meet them, crossing the course of the battle cruisers, 11 German destroyers headed by the light cruiser Regensburg moved forward. And they entered the battle, covering their ships. When the destroyer formations dispersed, 2 destroyers were missing. The Germans are V-27 and V-29, and the British are Nomat and Nestor. And if the "Germans" were killed directly during the battle. Moreover, "V-27" was sunk by a torpedo from the destroyer "Petard", and "V-29" was killed by artillery fire. Then the "British" lost their speed, but remained afloat. And they were finished off by the battleships of the Germans. Having time before death, release torpedoes at the battleships of the Open Sea Fleet. True, to no avail, the torpedoes did not hit the target.
British destroyer "Abdiel" at the side of the light cruiser.
At this time, the battle cruiser "Lion" again took its place in the ranks. But the Derflinger continued to fire at Queen Mary. Until the second tragedy broke out at 1626 hours. 11 volley "Deflenger" hit "Queen Mary" (6 *). An explosion of ammunition blew the ship apart so that the next Tiger in the ranks was covered with debris. But when, a few minutes later, "Tiger" passed through the place of death of "Queen Mary", he did not find any traces of the deceased battle cruiser. A column of smoke from the explosion of "Queen Mary" shot up half a kilometer. Within 38 seconds, 1266 British sailors were killed (7 *). But, despite such heavy losses, the British continued the battle. And even increased their strength. 5 squadron of battleships joined the British battlecruisers.
Meanwhile, torpedo attacks from both sides followed one after the other. At 16 hours 50 minutes 6 German destroyers attacked in vain, British ships on the turn. Of the 7 torpedoes fired, none hit the target. On the other side, 4 British destroyers attacked the battle cruiser Seydlitz. Of the torpedoes fired by the destroyers, one nevertheless hit the bow of the German ship.
At the same time, the main forces of the German fleet appeared on the horizon. Admiral Beatty turned north. German ships, repelling the attacks of British destroyers, followed the enemy's trail in front formation. The German fleet had an overwhelming superiority in everything except speed. Taking advantage of this, Admiral Beatty brought his battlecruisers out of enemy fire.
Battle cruiser "Indefatigable"
And the battleships of the 5th squadron began to withdraw the enemy to the squadron of Admiral Gilliko, firing at the lead ships of the German fleet. Which hit from 5 to 10 381 mm shells. But the British ships also received significant damage. The battleship "Warepite" received 13 hits, and with a damaged steering gear, was forced to leave the battlefield. The battleship Malaya received 8 shells. At the same time, one of them pierced the armor of the casemate of mine action artillery, caused a cordite fire, the flame from which shot up to the level of the masts, disabled all the artillery on the starboard side and 102 people from the crew. The battleship Barham received 6 shells.
Battleship Malaya.
Fighting continued between the light forces of the fleets. At 1736 hours a 19 minute battle took place between the cruisers of both sides. Moreover, due to reduced visibility, German light cruisers came under fire from British armored cruisers (8 *). Those who were part of the vanguard of the main forces of the Grand Fleet. As a result, the German light cruisers Wiesbaden and Pillau were damaged. Moreover, “Wiesbaden”, which received damage, lost its speed. And the ships of the British 3rd squadron of battle cruisers that appeared from behind the haze turned "Wiesbaden" into a blazing fire. At this time, an attack by 23 German destroyers on 4 British destroyers and the light cruiser Canterbourg followed. As a result of this battle, the British destroyer Shark was sunk, and the rest of the British ships received significant damage. The British destroyers responded by successfully attacking the battle cruiser Luttsov with torpedoes. This German cruiser fired back from the enemy ships that surrounded it until 19:00. So far, the torpedo of the British destroyer Defenger has not finished off the Wiesbaden. And above him the waves of the North Sea did not close. The Wiesbaden crew died along with their ship. Only one person managed to escape.
Battle cruiser "Luttsov".
At the same time, carried away by the shooting of German light cruisers, the British armored cruisers came too close to the German battlecruisers. As a result, having received 2 salvoes from "Lyuttsov", the armored cruiser "Defense" exploded. And after 4 minutes, the deep sea swallowed up the ship, along with 903 crew members and the commander of the 1st squadron of armored cruisers, Admiral Arbuthnot.
British armored cruiser "Defense"
The cruiser "Warrior" was threatened with the same account. But it was obscured by the battleship Worspite. As a result of the rudder damage received in the battle with German battleships, he rolled out of action. And by chance he found himself between the "Warrior" and the German cruisers. And he took the blow on himself. True, as a result of mutual maneuvers, both "Warrior" and "Wospite" collided several times and, due to the received damage, were forced to leave the battlefield.
Light cruiser "Wiesbaden"
The "mousetrap" never slammed shut.
At 18 hours and 14 minutes, the main forces of the British fleet majestically appeared out of the haze. The "High Seas Fleet" was trapped after all. On the leading German ships, fire was concentrated on 4 British ships. The hits followed one after the other. But the German gunners also did not remain in debt. A salvo from the battle cruiser Derflenger turned out to be fatal for the English battle cruiser Invincible. At 18 hours 31 minutes, shells ripped through the side in the area of the middle towers. The Invincible split in half. Taking with him into the depths of the sea almost the entire crew, and Admiral Hood, commander of the 3rd squadron of battle cruisers. Only 6 people were saved. But this was the last major success of the German navy. The British began the methodical execution of their opponents.
The development of the battle from 17-00 to 18-00.
"Lyuttsov" gradually fell silent. The nose of the battle cruiser was engulfed in flames, the superstructures were destroyed, the masts were shot down. Admiral Hipper left the Lutzov, which had lost its combat significance, and transferred to the destroyer G-39. Intending to transfer to another battle cruiser. But during the day he did not succeed and the battle cruisers were commanded by the captain of the Derflinger. But Derflinger itself was a pitiful sight. 3 towers out of 4 were destroyed. The columns of fire from the gunpowder burning in the towers rose above the masts. In the bow of the cruiser, at the waterline, British shells turned a hole 5 by 6 meters in size. The ship received 3359 tons of water. The crew lost 154 people killed and 26 wounded (9 *). The Seydlitz looked no less awful.
All that remains of the battlecruiser Invincible.
Seeing such a deplorable state of his fleet, Admiral Scheer ordered the whole fleet to turn "all of a sudden" and go on the opposite course. And he sent the 3rd destroyer flotilla to attack the enemy. Hoping in this way to get out of the fire. The destroyer attack was crowned with success. At 18:45 the battleship Marlboro was torpedoed. But the ship retained the 17th keyway and did not leave the battlefield. True, a day later, after settling almost 12 meters, with a roll to the starboard side, the battleship barely reached the base. The torpedo was launched by the destroyer "V-48". Having achieved success at the cost of his own death. This destroyer was chalked up by the Marlboro gunners.
British armored cruiser Warrior.
There are two interesting points at this point in the battle. The first point is that the Germans claim that a 381-millimeter shell has hit the Derflinger's main armor belt. Allegedly, the shell slammed into the armor and ricocheted. But the British battleships opposing the Germans at that moment had only 305-millimeter and 343-millimeter guns. And ships with 381-millimeter guns were on the flanks of the British column. And the Germans did not fire on the battle cruisers. The second point, refer to the only, in the entire history of the ship, a full side salvo, the only seven-turret battleship in the world "Edginkourt". From this salvo, the ship banked dangerously and there was a danger of overturning the ship. Because of this, such volleys were never fired again. And on the neighboring ships, seeing columns of flame and smoke enveloping the "Edginkourt", they decided that another English ship had exploded. And the British officers with difficulty managed to prevent the panic that was arising on the ships of the Grand Fleet.
And "Erin" too. But in the background, and so "Edgicourt"
The fire of the British weakened, but continued to harass the German ships. Therefore, at about 19 o'clock, Admiral Scheer turned his fleet on the opposite course, again giving the order to raise the signal "all of a sudden." Admiral Scheer intended to attack the end British ships and slip under the stern of the Grand Fleet. But the German ships again found themselves under concentrated fire from the British battleships. The thickening haze more and more interfered with the conduct of aimed fire. In addition, the British ships were on the dark side of the horizon. And they had an advantage over German ships. Their silhouettes stood out clearly against the setting sun.
English battleship "Iron Duke"
At this critical moment of the battle, seeing that he was being tried from the bases, Admiral Scheer sent all the remaining destroyers to attack. An attack led by heavily damaged battlecruisers. Battlecruisers approached the enemy up to 8000 meters, and destroyers at 6000-7000 meters. At 19:15, 31 torpedoes were fired. And although none of the torpedoes hit the target. And the British sunk the destroyer "S-35". This attack achieved its goal. Forcing the English ships to change course. What saved the High Seas Fleet. Which with the start of the attack of the destroyers again turned "all of a sudden" and began to quickly leave the scene of the battle. And at 19 hours 45 minutes, having escaped from the ring of British ships, the German fleet headed south.
Airship L-31 over the battleship "Ostfriesland"
But the fight is not over yet. At 20 hours 23 minutes British battle cruisers suddenly emerged from the haze. And they opened fire on the German battlecruisers, which greatly annoyed them. Obviously intending to settle with them. But at this difficult moment for Admiral Hipper's ships, help came to him. It turned out, after turning ahead of the entire squadron, clearly taken into battle, for the sake of number, the obsolete battleships (10 *) 2 squadrons, were just rebuilding. To take a more fitting place at the end of the column.
As a result, these battleships ended up east of other German battleships. And having changed course, they were able to overshadow their battlecruisers, taking over the blow. This daring attack, supported by the destroyers, caused the English ships to turn and disappear into the twilight. Night came into its own more and more. The night, which allowed the British to brighten up the result of the battle, which was bleak for them.
The development of the battle from 18-15 to 21-00
Flame in the middle of the night.
The sun disappeared over the horizon. The sky was getting darker. But at 20 hours 58 minutes the horizon was again illuminated by the fire of shots. In the beams of the searchlights, one could see the German and British light cruisers leading a fire duel between themselves. As a result of this battle, several cruisers on both sides were damaged, and the German light cruiser Fraenlob, damaged in the day's battle, was sunk.
German battleship "Prince Regent Luitpold"
A little later, the British 4th destroyer flotilla launched an attack on the German ships of the line. In this case, the destroyer "Tupperman" was sunk, and the destroyer "Speedfire" was damaged. The attack was unsuccessful, but while performing an anti-torpedo maneuver, the battleship Posen rammed the light cruiser Elbing. The British only managed to damage the destroyer "S-32". Which lost speed, but was taken in tow and brought to the base.
At 22:40, a torpedo from the British destroyer Contest hit the light cruiser Rostok, which had been heavily damaged in previous battles. During this attack of the British 4 destroyer flotilla, the British destroyers Sparrowhevy and Brook were damaged. At 23 o'clock, the 4th flotilla for the third time, albeit unsuccessfully, attacked the German ships. In this case, the destroyer "Fortuna" was sunk, and the destroyer "Roproid" was damaged. At 23 hours 40 minutes another torpedo attack by the British followed. 13 destroyers, from different fleets, attacked the German ships of the line to no avail. Destroyer Turbulent was added to the list of losses of the Grand Fleet.
"Deutschland" from 2 squadron
It was around this time that the High Seas Fleet crossed the course of the Grand Fleet. About two miles from the last battleship Grand Fleet. And from the battleships of the 5th squadron saw the attacks of the destroyers. And on one of the battleships they even identified the enemy. But during the battle, the commander of the Grand Fleet, Admiral Jellicoe, did not find out, either about the battles of the light forces of the fleet with the German battleships, or about the fact that these same battleships passed by the guns of the battleship entrusted to him. And literally at a direct shot distance. Pointlessly continuing the search for the German fleet. From now on, only moving away from the Open Sea Fleet.
German light cruiser "Ariadne" of the same type with the cruiser "Fraenlob"
At 0 hours 07 minutes with the German battleships, at a distance of 1000 meters, the British armored cruiser "Black Prince" and the destroyer "Adent" were fired upon. A few minutes later, the ships engulfed in fire lost their speed. A huge bonfire that raged on the deck of the cruiser illuminated the sides of the German battleships and cruisers passing by. Until there was an explosion and the Black Prince plunged into the sea. "Adent" sank a little earlier than the cruiser.
But the British quickly paid for this loss. At 0 hours 45 minutes 12 destroyer flotilla headed by the scout (11 *) "Iturling" went into the attack. Twenty minutes later, one of the torpedoes fired hit the outdated battleship Pomerne. The explosion detonated ammunition and the ship almost instantly disappeared in a huge cloud of smoke. Together with the ship, its crew also perished - 840 people. This was the heaviest loss of the German Navy in the Battle of Jutlan. In addition to the battleship, in this last clash of fleets, the German destroyer "V-4" died, with the entire crew.
The explosion of the battleship "Pomern"
The death of the destroyer "V-4" became one of the mysteries of the Battle of Jutland. The ship was guarded by the German fleet from the side opposite to the site of the clash. There were no submarines or minefields in this place. The destroyer just exploded.
German destroyers searched for British ships throughout the night. But only the Champion cruiser was discovered and attacked to no avail. German torpedoes passed by.
According to the plan, the high-speed minelayer "Abdiel" refurbished minefields on the night of May 31, June 1, on the way to the German bases. Exhibited by him a little earlier. On one of these mines, at 0530 hours, the battleship "Ostfriesland" was blown up. But the ship retained its combat capability and returned to base.
Damage to the light cruiser Pillau after the Battle of Jutland
According to the plan, the British covered the approaches to the enemy bases with submarines. On May 31, 3 British submarines E-26, E-55 and D-1 took up positions. But they had an order to attack enemy ships only from 2 June. Therefore, when the German ships returned to their bases, passing over the heads of the British submariners, they lay quietly on the seabed. Biding out the time.
Battleship Posen
The German submariners did not distinguish themselves either. Attack of 2 submarines, at 10 o'clock, the damaged "Marlboro" fell. Going to the base. But the attacks were unsuccessful. A single German submarine was attacked by Warspeit. But the ship, which had a speed of 22 knots, not only dodged torpedoes. But he even made an attempt to ram the enemy
German submarine UC-5
But the ships continued to die. At 0145 hours, the battle cruiser Luttsov was abandoned by the crew and sunk by the torpedo of the destroyer "G-38". In a day battle, he received 24, only large-caliber, shells and a torpedo. The bow of the cruiser was almost completely destroyed, about 8000 tons of water entered the hull. The pumps could not cope with so much water and the propellers were exposed from the increasing trim on the nose. It was impossible to continue the journey. And the command of the High Seas Fleet decided to sacrifice the ship. The surviving 960 crew members went over to the destroyers.
The light cruiser Elbing sank at 2:00 on June 1. The destroyer Sparrowhevy became the cause of the death of the cruiser. Damaged during a night battle and lost its stern. At 2 am the sailors of the Sparrowhevy saw a German light cruiser emerging from the fog and prepared for the last battle. But the German ship, without firing a single shot, suddenly began to sink and disappeared under the water. This was Elbing. After the collision, the cruiser lost speed and was abandoned by most of the crew. But the cruiser captain and several dozen volunteers remained on the ship. Striving with the help of wind and currents to go into neutral waters. But at dawn, they saw an English destroyer hastened to sink the ship. After “Elbing”, at 4 hours 45 minutes, the German light cruiser “Rostock” followed to the bottom of the North Sea. The crew, who fought for the life of the ship until the last minute. The British sank at 7 o'clock the armored cruiser "Wariror", which received 15 heavy and 6 medium shells in a day battle. And at 8:45 am, the Sparrowhevy was finished off by the fire of his ships, after the crew was removed from it.
Personally, the commander of the Grand Fleet was never able to find the German fleet. And at 4:30 am the British ships headed for the base. Unaware that his fleet was spotted by one of the five German Zeppelins that replaced the top five. And the German commander had all the information received by his subordinates.
Development of the situation from 21-00 until the end of the battle.
Jutland's last feat.
The gunfire died down, but the battle was not over yet, the battle cruiser Seydlitz was still in the sea. In battle, the ship received 21 shells with a caliber of 305-381 millimeters, not counting smaller shells and a torpedo in the bow. The destruction on the ship was terrible. 3 towers out of 5 were destroyed, the bow generators went out of order, the electricity went out, the ventilation did not work, the main steam line was interrupted. From strong blow the casing of one turbine burst, the steering gear jammed. The crew lost 148 people killed and wounded. All the nasal compartments were flooded with water. The stem almost completely disappeared under the water. To align the trim, the aft compartments had to be flooded. The weight of the water that got inside the hull reached 5329 tons. Already at dusk, the oil filters went out of order, the last boilers went out. The ship completely lost its combat significance and swayed helplessly on the waves. All the mechanical means of fighting for the survivability of the ship were out of order. Admiral Scheer has already included Seydlitz in the list of victims of the battle. And leaving the ship that had lost its course, the German fleet went south. Firing back from British destroyers. Who, carried away by the pursuit, did not notice the stopped "Seydlitz".
"Seydlitz"
But the crew continued to fight. Buckets, vetoes, blankets were used. The mechanics, in complete darkness, were able to climb under the foundation of the boilers, replace the filters and start some of the boilers. The cruiser came to life and crawled stern forward to its native shores. But on top of all the troubles, during the battle on the ship, all nautical charts were destroyed, the gyrocompass went out of order. Therefore, at 1 hour 40 minutes "Seydlitz" ran aground. True, not for long. The crew managed to bring the ship to clean water. With dawn, the light cruiser "Pillau" and the destroyers came to the aid of the battle cruiser. But at 8 o'clock the uncontrollable "Seydlitz" was again aground. And when a few hours later, by the incredible efforts of the crew, the cruiser was removed from the shallows, a storm broke out. Attempts by "Pillau" to take "Seydlitz" in tow were unsuccessful. And "Seydlitz" once again found itself on the brink of destruction. But the wayward Fortune remained supportive of the ship's crew. And in the late evening of June 2, the ship dropped anchor at the mouth of the Yade River. Thus, putting an end to the Battle of Yutlan.
Pyrrhic victory.
Historians are still arguing. Finding out the winner in the Battle of Yutlan. Fortunately, both commanders reported the victory to their admiralty. And at first glance, Admiral Scheer was right in his report. The Grand Fleet lost 6,784 people killed, wounded and taken prisoner. Of its composition, 3 battle cruisers, 3 armored cruisers and 8 destroyers were killed (total 111980 tons of displacement). And the Open Sea Fleet lost 3029 people and lost an outdated battleship, a battle ship, 4 light cruisers and 5 destroyers (62233 tons of displacement). And this, despite the one and a half times superiority of the British. So, if you look at it from the tactical point of view, the victory remained with the Germans. The Germans also won a moral victory. They were able to sow fear in the hearts of English sailors (12 *). The Germans were able to demonstrate the superiority of their technology over the English (13 *). But then why, after Jutland, the German fleet entered the North Sea only at the end of 1918? When, under the terms of the armistice, he went to surrender to the main base of the Grand Fleet.
"Westfalen"
The answer is simple. The Open Sea Fleet did not fulfill the task assigned to it. He was unable to defeat the English fleet, gain supremacy at sea and withdraw England from the war. And the Grand Fleet, in turn, retained its superiority at sea. Even in spite of the very heavy losses. And for another quarter of a century, the English fleet was considered the greatest fleet in the world. But Jutland was a "Pyrrhic victory," a victory on the brink of defeat. And that is why there is no ship with the name "Jutland" in the British Navy. And it is understandable why there is no ship with the same name in the German Navy. The ships are not named in honor of the defeat.
Bibliography.
1. G. Scheer "The death of the cruiser" Blucher ". St. Petersburg, 1995 Series" Ships and battles ".
2. G. Haade "On the Derflinger in the Battle of Jutlan". St. Petersburg, 1995. "Ships and Battles" series.
3. Shershov AP "History of military shipbuilding". St. Petersburg, 1995 "Polygon".
4. Puzyrevsky KP "Combat damage and death of ships in the Yutlan battle". SPb. 1995 year
5. "Valecne lode", "Druni svetova" "Nase vojsko pnaha".
6. Modeler constructor 12 "94. Balakin S." Superdreadnoughts ". Art. 28-30.
7. Modeler constructor 1 "95. Kofman V." The new hypostasis of the battleship ". Art. 27-28.
8. Model constructor 2 "95. Balakin S." The incredible return of "Seydlitz". Art. 25-26.
In addition, materials from numbers 11 "79, 12" 79, 1 "80, 4" 94, 7 "94, 6" 95, 8 "95" Model Designer "were used.
"Thuringen"
Organization of fleets:
1. English fleet:
1.1 Main forces:
2 squadron of battleships: King George 5, Ajax, Centurion, Erin, Orion, Monarch, Conqueror, Tunderer.
4 squadron of battleships: Iron Duke, Royal Oak, Superb, Canada, Bellerophon, Temereir, Vanguard.
1 squadron of battleships: "Marlborough", "Rivenge", "Hercules", "Edgicourt", "Colossus", "St. Vincent", "Collingwood", "Neptune".
3 squadron of battle cruisers: Invincible, Inflexible, Idomitable.
1.2 Vice Admiral Beatty's Squadron: flagship - Lion.
1 squadron of battle cruisers: "Princess Royal", "Queen Mary", "Tiger".
2 squadron of battle cruisers: New Zealand, Indefatigable.
5 squadron of battleships: "Barham", "Valiant", "Worspite", "Malaya".
1.3 Light Forces:
1, 2 squadrons of armored cruisers: Defense, Warrior, Duke of Edinburgh, Black Prince, Minotaur, Hampshire, Cochren, Shannon.
1, 2, 3, 4 squadrons of light cruisers (23 in total).
1, 4, part 9 and 10, 11, 12, 13 of the destroyer flotilla (a total of 3 light cruisers and 75 destroyers).
"Edgikourt"
German navy
2.1 Main forces:
3 squadron of battleships: "König", "Groser Kurfust", "Margrave", "Kronprinz", "Kaiser", "Prinzregent Leopold", "Kaiserin", "Frederick der. Grosse".
1 squadron of battleships: "Ostfriesland", "Thuringen", "Helgoland", "Oldinburg", "Posen", "Rhineland", "Nassau", "Westfalen".
2 squadron of battleships: "Deutschland", "Pomerne", "Schlesien", "Hanover", "Schleizing-Holstein", "Hesse".
2.2 Admiral Hipper's reconnaissance squad:
battle cruisers: "Lutzow", "Derflinger", "Seydlitz", "Moltke", "Von der Tann".
2.3 Light Forces:
2, 4 squads of light cruisers (9 in total).
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 destroyer flotilla (total 2 light cruisers, 61 destroyers).
"Von der Tann"
Notes.
* Ship with a displacement of 2500-5400 tons, having a speed of up to 29 knots (up to 54 km / h) and 6-10 guns with a caliber of 102-152 mm. Designed for reconnaissance, raiding and raiding operations, protecting battleships from enemy destroyers.
2 * Ship with a displacement of 600-1200 tons, having a speed of up to 32 knots (up to 60 km / h), 2-4 small-caliber guns and up to 4 torpedo tubes. Designed for torpedo attacks on enemy ships.
3 * Ship with a displacement of 17000-28400 tons, having a speed of 25-28.5 knots (46-53 km / h) and 8-10 guns with a caliber of 280-343 mm. designed to fight raiders, support light forces, pin down enemy battleships in a squadron battle.
4 * Ship with a displacement of 18000-28000 tons, having a speed of 19.5-23 knots (36-42.5 km / h) and 8-14 guns with a caliber of 280-381 mm. They made up the main forces of the fleets and were intended to seize and maintain supremacy at sea.
5 * Cable - 185.2 meters (80 cable - 14816 meters, 65 cable - 12038 meters).
6 * Queen Mary is believed to have been hit by 15,305mm rounds.
7 * From "Queen Mary" 17 people were saved.
8 * An outdated ship with a displacement of up to 14,000 tons, with a speed of up to 23 knots (up to 42.5 km / h), with up to 20 guns with a caliber of 152-234 mm. Performing the same functions before the appearance of battlecruisers.
9 * During the battle, Derflinger was hit by 21 heavy shells.
11 * An outdated ship with a displacement of up to 14,000 tons, with a speed of up to 18 knots (33 km / h), which had 4 guns with a caliber of 280 mm. And before the appearance of "dreadnoughts" performed the same functions.
12 * Light cruiser of small displacement.
13 * The Germans were able to instill fear in the hearts of British sailors. And so Admiral Jellicoe did not dare to pursue the High Seas Fleet. To impose a daytime battle on the Germans on June 1. Although he could oppose 3 of his own battleships that remained with the Germans to the combat-ready squadron of battleships. And that's not counting the light forces.
14 * So the battle showed that 305-mm. a German projectile penetrated the side armor of British battlecruisers from 11,700 meters, and an English one - 343 mm. the shell penetrated the thicker armor of the German battle cruisers from just 7880 meters. In addition, the survivability of the British ships, in contrast to the German ones, and their most important devices, wished for much better. The Germans, firing 3491 projectiles with a caliber of 280-305 mm., Against 4538 British caliber 305-381 mm., Achieved 121 hits on British ships, against 112 British shells that hit German ships.
In 1914, the British navy was, as it had been for two hundred years before, the largest in the world and dominated the waters surrounding the British Archipelago. The fleet of the German Empire, actively under construction about 15 recent years overtook the power of the fleets of other states and became the second in the world in strength.
The main type of warship in the First World War was the battleship, modeled on the dreadnought. Naval aviation was just beginning its development. Submarines and sea mines have taken on an important role.
The British fleet, maintaining a long-range naval blockade in the North Sea, conducted periodic surveillance of the southern region of the sea, and the submarines reached the Heligoland Bay, making reconnaissance, looking for targets for attack and more than once causing an alarm in the German guard. The British have not yet undertaken any major operations against the German fleet concentrated in the North Sea bases.
However, by the end of August, in connection with the retreat and setbacks on the land front, in order to raise the resulting discouragement and, taking into account the voices that had already been expressed more than once about the possibility of light attacks on the German guard of the Heligoland Bay, the British Admiralty decided make such a foray. The organization of the German guard, ascertained by the submarines, apparently provided an easy opportunity to achieve success.
According to the original plan, two fleets of the best English fighters and two light cruisers from the Harwich Naval Force were supposed to approach Heligoland Bay in the morning and attack the German flotilla that was carrying its guard, cutting off its return path. In addition, 6 British submarines were to occupy two lines to attack German ships in the event they went to sea to pursue destroyers. To support the operation, 2 battle cruisers and 6 armored cruisers were assigned, which were supposed to stay seaward and cover the retreat of the British light forces.
As such, the plan was assigned for execution. After the light forces and submarines went to sea, the commander of the Grand Fleet Jellicoe sent to support a detachment of battle cruisers under the command of Admiral Beatty (3 battlecruisers) and one light cruiser squadron (6 new battlecruisers of the "city" type) under the command of admin. Goodenef.
The attack was scheduled for the morning. At this time of day, there was an ebb tide in the Heligoland Bay, which meant that it was impossible for the heavy ships of the Germans to go out to sea during the morning, which were at the mouths of the Elbe and Yada. The day was quiet, a very weak north-west wind was blowing and there was a decent haze. The visibility did not exceed 4 miles, and at times it got less.
Because of this, the battle took the form of separate clashes and artillery duels, not related to each other. On the morning of August 28, 9 new German destroyers of the 1st Flotilla (30-32 knots, two 88-mm guns) were on patrol 35 miles from the Elbe lighthouse. They were supported by 3 light cruisers - Hela, Stetin and Frauenlob. In Heligoland Bay, there was the 5th flotilla, out of 10 of the same destroyers and 8 submarines, of which only 2 were in full readiness. At the mouth of the Weser was the old light cruiser Ariadne, and at the mouth of the Ems was the light cruiser Mainz. This was the alignment of forces.
At 7 am the light cruisers Aretyuza and Firles, accompanied by two destroyer fleets, attacked the German patrol ships and entered into a fierce firefight with them. The latter immediately turned and began to retreat. Rear Admiral Maas, who commanded the light forces in Heligoland Bay, ordered Stetin, Frauenlob, destroyers and submarines to go to their aid. On the coastal batteries of Helgoland and Vangeroog, hearing the roar of fire, they called people to the guns. Seydlitz, Moltke, Von der Tann and Blucher began to breed couples, preparing to go out to sea as soon as the tide permits.
Meanwhile, British ships continued to chase the German destroyers, firing at them from long distances on parallel courses. Soon "V-1" and "S-13" were hit and began to quickly lose speed. A little more, and the British would have finished them off completely, but at 7.58 the "Stetin" entered the battle. His appearance saved the 5th destroyer flotilla, who managed to retreat under the cover of Heligoland's coastal batteries.
British ships came very close to Helgoland. Here they came across several old destroyers from the 3rd trawling division. The British inflicted serious damage on the D-8 and T-33 with their fire, but the Germans were again saved by the intervention of their light cruisers. "Frauenlob" entered the battle with "Aretyuza", opening fire on it from a distance of 30 cab. (approx. 5.5 km). The Aretyusa was undoubtedly a strong ship, completely new and armed with much more powerful artillery, but it was only on the eve of manning, and this put it to a certain extent at a disadvantage. "Aretyuza" received at least 25 hits and soon only one 152-mm cannon operated on it from all the guns. However, "Frauenlob" was forced to interrupt the battle, as it received one very hard hit - directly into the conning tower.
In it time is easy the cruiser Firles and the destroyers of the 1st Flotilla attacked the V-187, which was heading for Heligoland. Finding that the path to the island was cut off, the German destroyer began to move at full speed to the mouth of the Yada and almost broke away from its pursuers when two four-pipe cruisers emerged from the fog right in front of it. He mistook them for Strasbourg and Stralsund, but it turned out to be Nottingham and Lowestoft from Goodenough's squadron. From a distance of 20 cab. (3.6 km) their six-inches literally smashed the "V-187". He sank with a waving flag, still firing. English ships stopped to pick up the sinking Germans. However, at that moment the cruiser Stetin intervened in the battle, and the British cruisers and destroyers disappeared in fog and smoke, leaving two boats with prisoners, many of whom were wounded.
At 11.30 the German light cruiser "Mainz", sailing from the mouth of the river. Ems, joined the battle with Aretyuza, Firles and destroyers. The cruisers Goodenough quickly pulled up to the place of battle, which immediately made the position of "Mainz" hopeless. After several hits, his steering wheel jammed and he began to describe one circulation after another. Then "Mainz" was hit in the middle of the port side by a torpedo from one of the British destroyers. By 13 o'clock he sank. 348 people from his team were picked up and taken prisoner by the British.
However, by 12.30 the position of the British had become critical. Six German light cruisers entered the battle at once: "Stralsund", "Stetin", "Danzig", "Ariadne", "Strasbourg" and "Cologne". Arethusa and 3 British destroyers were seriously damaged. A little more - and they would be finished. Tyruith urgently asked Beatty for help. Beatty had long sensed a crisis was brewing in the Battle of Heligoland Bight.
In conditions of poor visibility, it was too risky to bring heavy ships into the space between Heligoland and the German coast, teeming with destroyers and submarines. A successful torpedo salvo of a destroyer emerging from the fog could lead to irreversible consequences. After much hesitation, Beatty, according to Chatfield, finally said, "Surely we must go."
The first on the way of battlecruisers at 12.30 was "Cologne". Lyon immediately followed him with two volleys and hit twice, turning the Cologne literally into a heap of scrap metal. A few minutes later the same fate befell the aged "Ariadne", carried away by a firefight with British destroyers. Lyon, who was at the head of the column, slammed two volleys into it on the move. The result was deplorable: "Ariadne", engulfed in a fierce fire, completely helpless, began to slowly drift in a southeast direction. She stayed afloat until 15.25, then quietly went under water.
Having dealt with the German light ships in this way, Beatty gave the order to withdraw immediately. At 13.25 on the way back from Heligoland Bay the battlecruisers again came across the long-suffering "Cologne", which was still afloat. Two volleys of 13.5-inch guns instantly sent him to the bottom. Of the entire Cologne crew, only one fireman escaped, who was picked up by the German destroyers two days after the battle.
Only in the afternoon did the commander of the High Seas Fleet, Friedrich von Ingenol, receive a report from the Strasbourg that the First Squadron of British battle cruisers had burst into Heligoland Bay. At 13.25, he ordered his 14 dreadnoughts to urgently breed pairs and prepare for the exit, but it was too late. The withdrawal of the British passed without incident, although the damage to the Aretyuza and the destroyer Laurel was so serious that they were unable to move under their own power. The cruisers Hog and Amethyst had to take them in tow.
The battle in Heligoland Bay ended, and its results for the light forces of the German fleet were deplorable. The German command made the mistake of sending light cruisers into battle one after another in foggy weather against an enemy of unknown force. As a result, the destroyer and 3 light cruisers were killed (of which 2 were excellent newest ships).
Losses in personnel totaled 1238 people, of which 712 were killed and 145 wounded; 381 were captured. Among those killed was Rear Admiral Maas (he became the first admiral to die in this war), and among the prisoners was one of Tirpitz's sons.
The British lost 75 people: 32 killed and 53 wounded. The most severe damage was suffered by the flagship of Thiruit, the light cruiser Arethusa, but she was safely towed to Harwich. This was the first convincing success of the British navy in the waters of the mother country.
In 1914 the light cruiser Königsberg was the strongest German ship in the Indian Ocean. After the breakdown of the propulsion system, Königsberg was forced to take refuge in the Rufiji River Delta with the supply vessel Somalia, waiting there until the damaged parts were taken overland to Dar es Salaam for repair.
At the end of October 1914, "Königsberg" was discovered by the British cruiser "Chatam". On November 5, the cruisers Dartmouth and Weymouth arrived in the area, and the German cruiser was blocked in the river delta. In early November, Chatam opened fire from a long distance and set fire to Somalia, but was unable to hit Koenigsberg, which quickly went up the river.
The British made several attempts to sink the Königsberg, including an attempt by a shallow draft torpedo boat to slip (with escort) an attack distance, but they were all easily repulsed by German forces entrenched in the delta. In one of the branches of the delta, the Newbridge fire-ship was flooded to prevent the Germans from escaping the blockade, but later the British discovered another branch suitable for their escape. Some of the sleeves were dotted with mock mines by the British.
Attempts to sink the cruiser from the 12-inch guns of the old battleship "Goliath" were also unsuccessful due to the inability to approach in shallow water within a shot range.
By March 1915, food shortages began on the "Königsberg", many members of the German crew died from malaria and other tropical diseases. Because of the cut off from the outside world, the morale of the German sailors began to decline.
However, a way was soon found to rectify the food situation and, possibly, break through the blockade. The German-seized merchant ship "Rubens" was renamed "Kronberg", the Danish flag was hoisted, documents were forged and a crew was recruited from Germans speaking Danish. After that, the ship was loaded with coal, field guns, ammunition, fresh water and food. After successfully penetrating the waters of East Africa, the vessel was in danger of being spotted by the English "Hyacinth", who drove it into Manza Bay. The ship was set on fire by the crew that left it. Later, most of the cargo was rescued by the Germans, who used it in ground defense, part of the cargo was transferred to the "Königsberg".
Two British low draft Humber monitors - Severn and Mersey - were specially towed from Malta across the Red Sea and arrived at the Rufiji River on 15 June. Minor parts were removed, protection was added, and under the cover of the rest of the fleet, they headed for the delta.
These ships participated in a duel with "Königsberg" from a long distance with the help of ground spotters. Soon their 6-inch guns overwhelmed the cruiser's weapons, severely damaged and flooded it.
The victory of the British fleet allowed it to strengthen its position throughout the Indian Ocean.
In October 1914, the German East Asian cruising squadron under the command of Vice Admiral Spee relocated to southern part Pacific Ocean. Spee's squadron could disrupt the supply of Chilean nitrate, which was used to produce explosives, to the UK.
The British Admiralty, worried about the appearance of German raiders in these waters, began to draw forces there. Back on September 14, Rear Admiral Cradock, commanding British ships off the east coast of South America, was ordered to concentrate sufficient forces to meet the armored cruisers of Spee. Cradock decided to collect them at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.
Initially, Admiralty Headquarters attempted to reinforce Cradock's squadron by sending a new armored cruiser, Defense, with a well-trained crew, to the area. But on October 14, Defense was ordered to arrive not to the Falkland Islands, but to Montevideo, where the formation of the second squadron under the command of Admiral Stoddart began. At the same time, the headquarters approved Cradock's idea of gathering forces in the Falkland Islands. The general tone of the orders of the headquarters was regarded by Cradock as an order to go towards Spee.
On the morning of November 1, Spee received a report that Glasgow was in the Coronel area, and went there with all his ships to cut off the British cruiser from Cradock's squadron.
At 14:00 UK time, Cradock's squadron met with Glasgow. Captain "Glasgow" John Luce informed Cradock that there was a single German cruiser "Leipzig" in the area. So Cradock went northwest in hopes of intercepting the raider. The British ships were sailing in bearing formation - from northeast to southwest, respectively, Glasgow, Otranto, Monmouth and Good Hope.
Meanwhile, the German squadron was also approaching the Coronel. Nuremberg was in the far northeast, and Dresden was 12 miles behind the armored cruisers. At 16:30 "Leipzig" noticed smoke on the right side and turned to meet them, finding "Glasgow". The meeting of the two squadrons was a surprise for both admirals, who expected to meet a single enemy cruiser.
Spee awaited sunset, as his ships were well lit by the sun until sunset, and the conditions for observing British ships were difficult. After sunset, conditions changed, and the British ships should have emerged against the background of the still bright horizon, and against the background of the coast, the German ships would have been practically invisible. The Germans also played into the hands of the fact that the British could not use part of their artillery, located in the lower casemates too close to the water, as it was flooded with waves
By 19:00, the squadrons converged on the battle distance, and at 19:03 the German squadron opened fire. The Germans "divided the targets from the left," that is, the Scharnhorst, which was leading, fired at Good Hope, and the Gneisenau at Monmouth. Leipzig and Dresden were far behind, and Nuremberg were out of sight. True, light cruisers would still be of little use, because they were heavily rocked and they could not conduct effective fire. German armored cruisers were able to fire with their entire side - from six 210-mm and three 150-mm guns. British cruisers could not use the guns located on the main deck in the filled casemates - four 152-mm guns on the Good Hope and three 152-mm guns on the Monmouth
“Glasgow” at 19:10 opened fire on “Leipzig”, but it was ineffective due to strong excitement. Return fire on "Glasgow" was fired first by "Leipzig", and then by "Dresden". "Otranto" (the combat value of which was negligible, and its large size made it a vulnerable target) at the very beginning of the battle without an order went out of order to the west and disappeared. In fact, the outcome of the battle was a foregone conclusion in the first 10 minutes. The Good Hope and Monmouth, struck every 15 seconds by German shells, could no longer effectively return fire at the practically invisible German ships, turning into targets.
The Good Hope was still afloat, and the Scharnhorst continued to move, firing several volleys from a distance of 25 cables. At 19:56, Cradock's flagship disappeared into the darkness, and the glow of the fires disappeared. Spee turned aside, fearing a torpedo attack, although in reality the Good Hope went to the bottom, taking with it Admiral Cradock and about a thousand of the crew.
The Monmouth was very quickly engulfed in fires, although before the battle everything that could catch fire was thrown overboard. At 19:40, he fell out of order to the right, with a huge fire in the forecastle. At about 7:50 pm, he ceased fire and disappeared into the darkness, while the Gneisenau switched its fire to Good Hope.
“Glasgow” by this time received six hits, only one of them caused severe damage, the rest fell into the waterline in the coal pits. When Good Hope disappeared from sight, Glasgow captain Luce decided to withdraw from the battle at 20:00 and went west. On the way, he met the agonizing Monmouth, which signaled that it would go stern ahead due to a leak in the bow. Luce wisely decided not to stop and leave the Monmouth to its fate.
At about 21:00, the Monmouth, which had lurched to the left side, was accidentally found by the Nuremberg, lagging behind the German squadron. The German cruiser approached from the left side and, after being offered to surrender, opened fire, reducing the distance to 33 cables. "Nuremberg" interrupted fire, giving "Monmouth" time to lower the flag and surrender, but the British cruiser continued to fight. The torpedo fired by the Nuremberg passed by, and the Monmouth tried to turn to engage the starboard guns. But the German shells turned the side to him, and at 21:28 "Monmouth" turned over and went to the bottom. Believing that the battle continued, the Germans moved on without taking any measures to rescue the British crew, and all British sailors died in the cold water. Despite the victory, Spee was unable to consolidate the success, allowing Glasgow and Otranto to leave. The loss of British ships caused significant damage to the prestige of the British fleet. However, the German celebration did not last long.
4 Battle of Jutland, May 31 - June 1, 1916
The British and German navies took part in the battle. The name of the battle comes from the place in which the opponents faced. The arena for this centuries-old event was the North Sea, namely the Skagerrak Strait, near the Jutland Peninsula. As in all naval battles of the First World War, the essence was the attempts of the German fleet to break the blockade, and the British fleet - by all means to prevent this.
The plans of the Germans in May 1916 included fraudulently defeating the British, enticing part of the battleships of the British fleet, to direct them to the main forces of Germany. Thus, significantly undermining the enemy's naval power.
The first clash of the opposing sides happened on May 31 at 14:48, when squadrons of armored cruisers at the head of the main forces of the battleships came together in battle. The fire was opened by them at a distance of fourteen and a half kilometers.
During the Battle of Jutland, the first examples of interaction between aviation and navy were demonstrated. During a search operation, the British Admiral Beatty ordered the aircraft carrier Egandina to send reconnaissance aircraft, but only one took off, but he also had to land right on the water soon because of the accident. It was from this plane that information was obtained that the German fleet changed its course.
By order of the German Admiral Scheer, German aerial reconnaissance was also carried out. The seaplane noticed Beatty's ships, which he reported to his commander, but Scheer, which follows from his further actions, simply did not believe the information received. Thus, the large-scale battle was based only on guesswork.
In pursuit of the Beatty formation retreating to the north, the German High Seas fleet at 18 hours 20 minutes came into combat contact with the main forces of the British fleet. The British opened intense fire. They fired mainly end ships, focusing their fire on the battle cruisers sailing in the head of the German fleet. Caught under fire from the Grand Fleet, Admiral Scheer realized that he was engaged in battle with the main forces of the enemy.
The British, noticing the approach of the German ships, opened fire at 19.10. Within eight minutes, the German battleships and cruisers, marching in the head of the column, received ten or more hits from large-caliber shells each.
Finding himself under concentrated fire from the entire British fleet and suffering serious damage on the lead ships, Admiral Scheer decided to withdraw from the battle as soon as possible. To this end, the German fleet made a 180-degree turn at 19:18. To cover this maneuver, destroyers supported by cruisers from a distance of 50 cab. launched a torpedo attack and set up a smoke screen. The destroyers' attack was disorganized. The destroyers still used an ineffective method of firing single torpedoes, which could not give positive results at a long distance. The English fleet easily dodged the torpedoes, turning four points to the side.
Admiral Jellicoe, fearing mines that the German ships could throw on the withdrawal route, and enemy submarines, did not pursue the German fleet, but turned first to the southeast and then south to cut off the path of the German fleet to the base. However, Admiral Jellicoe failed to achieve this goal. Without properly organizing tactical reconnaissance in battle, the British soon lost sight of the German fleet. At this, the daytime battle of the main forces of the fleets temporarily ceased.
As a result of the day's battle of the main forces, the British lost a battle cruiser and two armored cruisers, several ships received various damage. The Germans lost only one light cruiser, but their battlecruisers were so badly damaged that they were unable to continue the battle.
Knowing that the German fleet was to the west of the British fleet, Admiral Jellicoe hoped to cut off the enemy from the bases by moving to the south and force him to fight at dawn. At nightfall, the English fleet formed three wake columns, with battlecruisers in front and a destroyer flotilla five miles behind.
The German fleet was built in one wake column with cruisers pushed forward. Scheer sent destroyers to find the English fleet, the location of which he knew nothing about. Thus, Scheer deprived himself of the opportunity to use destroyers to torpedo the enemy in the event of a meeting with him at night.
At 2100 hours the German fleet laid down on a southeast course in order to reach its bases by the shortest route. At this time, the English fleet was heading south, and the enemy's courses were slowly converging. The first combat contact of the opponents took place at 22:00, when the British light cruisers discovered the German light cruisers, marching in front of their battleships, and entered into battle with them. In a short battle, the British sank the German legish cruiser Frauenlob. Several British cruisers were damaged, of which the Southampton were severely damaged.
At about 11:00 pm, the German fleet, passing behind the stern of the Grand Fleet, came into combat contact with the British destroyers that kept five miles behind their ships of the line. At a night meeting with British destroyers, the marching order of the German fleet was disrupted.
Several ships were out of order. One of them, the battleship Posen, rammed and sank its cruiser Elbing when it failed. The head of the German column was in complete disarray. An exceptionally favorable environment was created for its attack by destroyers. However, the British did not take advantage of this opportunity. They lost a lot of time identifying the enemy and acted very hesitantly. Of the six destroyer fleets that were part of the Grand Fleet, only one made an attack, and that was unsuccessful. As a result of this attack, the British sank the German light cruiser Rostock, losing four destroyers.
The total losses of the parties were colossal. Germany lost 11 ships and 2,500 people, Britain - 14 ships and 6,100 people. In fact, the largest sea battle in the history of mankind has not solved any of the tasks set for either one or the other. The English fleet was not defeated, and the alignment of forces at sea did not change dramatically, the Germans also managed to preserve their entire fleet and prevent its destruction, which would inevitably affect the actions of the Reich submarine fleet.
