Die Schlacht von Gallipoli 1915

Although the ‘Goeben’ and ‘Breslau’ in co-operation with the Ottoman fleet had attacked Russian ports in late 1914, the russian fleet reigned with marked superiority in the Black Sea in 1915.

In order to secure vital Turkish coal shipments via the Black Sea, the (Ottoman/German) fleet, much to the annoyance of Fleet Commander Admiral Souchon, had to provide escort for unarmed transport steamers. Therefore a coal steamer from Zonguldag was accompanied by the WROCLAW and YARHISAR to Constantinople on June 10, 1915. On June 11 at 2am, the DERZLIJ and GNEVNYJ (russian) encountered the cruiser. In the developing short battle a shell hit the main steam line of DERZLIJ, but the destroyer remained motionless. The BRESLAU did succeed in evading some torpedoes, but she was hit by three shells that killed five sailors and wounded 15 others [1]. The cruiser did not take the opportunity to destroy the DERZLIJ, but immediately ran in the direction of Istanbul.

While the damages to the BRESLAU were able to be repaired, for the five sailors help came too late. They were transferred to the home port and later buried in the military cemetery in Tarabya. The wounded soldiers were treated in the ship's hospital and later sent on convalescent leave.  

 

Battle of June 11, 1915

“I have orders for you to ride on the ‘Breslau’”...In the afternoon, we face Zonguldak (coastal city in Turkey). The colliers have finished loading, and are under our protection. As they drive along, close to the Anatolian coast, we cross back and forth making small advances. We have every reason to be vigilant. Once again it’s a bit suspicious. The radio station, which has monitored the strained ether, observed Russian destroyer traffic...

At dawn we must - if everything goes smoothly - enter port. But it does not look like it at all. Those of us in the radio station are suspicious. The radio traffic of the destroyer constantly increases in volume... The voices in the night are coming closer. Something is building in the dark. It's 2 2’Oclock in the morning.

Everywhere is on sharp lookout. At any moment, the treacherous shadow can emerge out of the darkness - the enemy! Whoever first catches sight of the enemy is of course at an advantage. Eyes and ears are completely hooked -

In the middle of the suspense-charged moment it bursts out of nowhere!

On the starboard side a flash of headlights suddenly comes shining brightly out of the darkness towards us, and while we - still blinded - search for the makers of the unwelcome excess of light, tongues of fire from guns at some distance already flash. The next moment a mighty boom rends the silence of the night. It was the work of seconds. The Russian destroyers discovered us first – they’re here!

"Spotlights shining!" The next moment the blinding beam of light slides across the dark, moving water out into the night. Now the wandering headlights solidify, and in the chalk-white, trembling brightness, three low enemy destroyers stand like ghosts.

Rrruck – rrruck, rip off our volleys. They hit the first of the three boats. Again, it flares up against the hull of the Breslau,  thunder roars through the night - the first destroyer disappears under water-...

Already the second is under fire. Clearly visible are pillars of water from the impact of grenades in the light of the lamps. There! - Results! - Flashes of fire spray high over there. - On both sides is violent shooting. I was on watch. The thunder of the volley awakens in the radio station on the ground, comrades sleeping in their hammocks. Still drunk with sleep and tired they rattle their way up. Only two hours before, they were replaced in the watch-... One of them has their right foot on a bench in the radio station and wants to tie up their shoe - At this moment it suddenly flashes in our area. We are literally blinded by the brightness. - There! Once again this terrible noise and light!

On the iron casing of the radio station that is set up for the "Breslau" on deck, it hammers eerily. Our comrade at the bench falls silently to the side. Blood oozes from a wound on the right side of his head [1]. The second Receiver is taken by the explosive pieces, and the Sender has properly copped it.

A voice shouts out on deck: "Fire on board"

First, you do not know what actually happened because everything is so fast - you are so surprised the events have occurred. The Breslau fires still further. Of the three destroyers only one is left, but it shoots constantly. The shells whistle and howl in the dark. Involuntarily people stoop on deck when the iron volley howls away above them. An evil story, this night-time raid. We are collecting the wounded on deck, as well as possible in the dark, and carry them to the back, where bandages are applied. They are counted. A number of our dear comrades are dead or wounded. The Russians used projectiles such as shrapnel... they went into a thousand pieces... where they exploded, everything was torn apart.

Death has again seized with a hard fist in the midst of flourishing life. [2] (Translated by Beth)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Es ist zu vermuten, dass es sich dabei um den vorher genannten F.T. Ober Gast R. Richard Klitzke gehandelt hat.

 

[2] Georg Kopp, Das Teufelsschiff und seine kleine Schwester, S. 254 ff, Dessen Beschreibung weicht von anderen Quellen ab, die nur von zwei russischen Zerstörern berichten

[1] Langensiepen, Nottelmann, Krüsmann, Halbmond und Kaiseradler, S. 50, Beschreibung wörtlich übernommen