Military History | How To Make War | Wars Around the World Rules of Use How to Behave on an Internet Forum
World War I Discussion Board
Sign In   Return to Topic Page
Subject: What if? Moving Austrian navy to Istanbul.
Pars    11/9/2005 12:22:07 PM
At the start of WW1; Germany made a suggestion to Austria to move Austrian Navy to Istanbul. (Ottoman Empire had a secret agreement with Germany). If Austria had agreed; Goeben and Breslau would went to Adriatic, instead of Istanbul. Joined with main Austrian Navy and then moved to Istanbul. The combined fleet would easily gain the naval control in the Black Sea and could also used its power at the Mediterranian. The Austrians declined. Probable reasons are: 1. It was not known at the time if Italy would take any side. Austrians probably thought that absence of an Austrian Navy at the Adriatic could encourage Italy to join with Allies. Maybe before the time it happened historically. 2. For Allies; it would become feasible to try an amphibious invasion against Austria. What is your opinion of the strategical value of German suggestion?
 
Quote    Reply

Email Me When A New Comment Is Made
Show Only Poster Name and Title     Newest to Oldest
Carl S    RE:What if? Moving Austrian navy to Istanbul.   11/9/2005 8:04:26 PM
Lets see: Austria sends its small fleet off to a realatively distant port, where that fleet will not have long term logistic suport, and leaves its coast defense weaker. I suspose that this resulting control of the Black sea might allow amphibious ops on the Urkranian or Russian coast. Assuming Austria has any practical amphib ability.
 
Quote    Reply

Pars    RE:What if? Moving Austrian navy to Istanbul.   11/10/2005 7:45:49 PM
Although small, Turkish navy had logistical support and amphibious ability which was demonstrated in the Balkan Wars.
 
Quote    Reply

Carl S    RE:What if? Moving Austrian navy to Istanbul.   11/10/2005 9:15:55 PM
To make it worth moving the Austrian fleet some sort of large stratigic advantage needs to be gained. Small operations dont change the equation. Perhaps if this Austrian fleet allows Odessa or Sevastopol to be captured in 1915 then the consequenses will be worth it.
 
Quote    Reply

Thomas3    RE:What if? Moving Austrian navy to Istanbul.   11/13/2005 4:30:51 PM
As it were: It is surprising so little the Turkish navy achieved in the Black Sea. The Goeben and Breslau should have swept the russian away.
 
Quote    Reply

Pars    RE:What if? Moving Austrian navy to Istanbul.   11/13/2005 6:11:17 PM
Goeben brought a short lived limited superiority to Ottoman Navy. But then Russian Navy builded several Dreadnoughts (I remembered 4 but need to check) at Black Sea. Then Russian navy had complete naval superiority. The all Ottoman navy could do was raiding. Ottoman Navy did not have a shipyard. They could maintain and repair their ships but could not build a new one.
 
Quote    Reply

Clackers       11/12/2007 12:54:35 AM
The Austrian ships would probably have been less useful to the Central Powers if rebased at Istanbul ... the approaches between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean were already well-guarded by artillery and mines, and they could never really have come out and taken on the British and the French.

Instead, by remaining at home, they could do nuisance raids and U-boats were able to operate in the Med from the Adriatic ...
 
Quote    Reply



StrategyWorld.com© 1998 - 2012StrategyWorld.com. All rights Reserved. StrategyWorld.com, StrategyPage.com, FYEO, For Your Eyes Only and Al Nofi's CIC are all trademarks of StrategyWorld.com Privacy Policy