Goeben and Breslau bombard ports in Algeria
- Category:
- Military operations
- Front:
- War at sea
- Date:
- 4 August 1914
- Author:
- Łukasz Skowroń
- Tags:
- SMS Goeben, Wilhelm Souchon, France, Germany
On the morning of 4 August 1914 two German warships appeared off the coast of French Algeria: the battlecruiser SMS Goeben and the light cruiser SMS Breslau. Goeben shelled the port of Philippeville, today’s Skikda, and Breslau the port of Bône, now Annaba. It was one of the first naval actions of the war.
The ships were commanded by Rear-Admiral Wilhelm Souchon, commander of the German Mediterranean Division. His aim was to disrupt the transport of French troops from North Africa to France. Transports carrying soldiers of the Army of Africa, needed on the Western Front, were due to sail from the Algerian ports. Souchon learned of the declaration of war on France while still at sea, on 3 August, and decided to strike.
As they approached the coast, the German ships hoisted Russian colours to avoid being recognised too early, and only ran up their own just before opening fire. The bombardment caused damage in the ports and casualties among the population, but it did not stop the French troop transports, which resumed after a short delay.
After the attack Souchon turned east. He coaled at Messina in Sicily and soon slipped away from the pursuing British Mediterranean Fleet. On 10 August both ships reached the Dardanelles, and soon afterwards they were formally transferred to the Ottoman navy. The escape of Goeben and Breslau had great political consequences: it contributed to the Ottoman Empire’s entry into the war on Germany’s side.
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Meanwhile
(04)Elsewhere in the same days.
- 4 August 1914 · Western FrontGermany declares war on BelgiumOn 4 August 1914 Germany announced to Belgium that it would use force and entered its territory. The chancellor admitted he was breaking international law.
- 4 August 1914 · DiplomacyBritain declares war on GermanyAt 11 p.m. London time on 4 August 1914 the ultimatum expired. Britain and its whole empire found themselves at war with Germany.
- 4 August 1914 · Western FrontGerman troops enter Belgium and attack LiègeAt 8.02 a.m. on 4 August 1914 German troops crossed the Belgian border at Gemmenich and advanced on the fortress of Liège. The battle for Liège had begun.
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Related events
(04)The same battle, people or subject.
- 11 August 1914 · War at seaGoeben and Breslau enter the DardanellesThe German warships Goeben and Breslau, pursued by the British, took refuge in the Dardanelles. Their arrival drew Turkey closer to war on Germany's side.
- 17 September 1914 · Middle EastAdmiral Souchon takes command of the Turkish fleetIn September 1914 the German admiral Wilhelm Souchon took command of the Ottoman fleet. A few weeks later he drew Turkey into the war.
- 29 October 1914 · War at seaOttoman fleet attacks Russian portsOn 29 October 1914 Admiral Souchon's Ottoman warships shelled Russian Black Sea ports without a declaration of war. Turkey entered the war.
- 18 November 1914 · War at seaBattle of Cape SarychOn 18 November 1914, in fog off the Crimea, Russian battleships clashed with Goeben. After a quarter of an hour of fire Souchon turned away into the fog.