PART ONE |
THE ESCAPE |
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Introduction |
1 |
Mediterranean Meanderings |
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The British position in the MediterraneanFishers
preference for the battle cruiserthe Anglo-French naval talksthe plan to
evacuate the Mediterraneana compromise is reachedthe
MittelmeerdivisionAdmiral Souchonpreparations for warGoeben and Breslau
rendezvous at Messinathe British Mediterranean SquadronAdmiral Milne
Inflexible visits Constantinoplethe slow awareness of the gathering
stormRear-Admiral Troubridge and the First Cruiser Squadronevents at
Durazzo. |
2 |
Opening Moves |
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Milne regroups his forcesthe Admiralty ponders whether to
reinforce the Mediterranean the "superior force" telegramItalian
neutrality likelythe Admiralty ponders whether to denude the
MediterraneanSailing OrdersTroubridges opinion of a superior force
a misunderstandingGreys chickens come home to roostthe moral
commitment to Francethe Cabinet debatesthe assurance to
CambonMilnes efforts to contact the FrenchAdmiral Lapeyrère has second
thoughts. |
3 |
The First Shot |
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Souchon makes his plansa change of heart in
BerlinSouchon holds to his intention the opening
bombardmentTroubridges dispositionsBattenberg looks to the west
the French set sail at lasta missed opportunity?the chance
meetingChurchill jumps the guna voluntary supererogationchaos in the War
Roomthe failure of the War Staff. |
4 |
The Chase Begins |
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Souchons limited optionsmore speedthe British
ships are found wantingCaptain Kennedy has a plan but is over-ruledMilne
effects a concentrationTroubridges anomalous positionCaptain Kennedy is
sent to BizertaSouchon returns to Messina the problems of
coalingstartling news from Constantinoplethe dilemma of Admiral
HausSouchon frames his sailing orders. |
5 |
The Break-out |
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The German ships are locatedfurther
misunderstandingsTroubridges premature sortiethe conflicting analyses of
Milne and Troubridgea fiasco in BizertaMilnes idée fixeSouchon
steers eastMilne returns to Maltathe Italian prohibition Gloucester
takes up the chaseDublin misses her chance. |
6 |
Admiral Troubridge Changes His Mind |
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Troubridges dilemmano coal for the destroyershis
intentions knowna plan is formulatedTroubridge holds his course
initiallythe decision to engagethe puzzle of the Austrian fleetthe
torment of Admiral Troubridgethe intervention of his Flag CaptainTroubridge
abandons the attemptMilnes reaction. |
7 |
The War That Was Cancelled |
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Some clues as to Troubridges state of mindGloucester
continues the chase alone contact is lostMilne returns to Maltathe
puzzle what are Souchons intentions? the recall of Gloucester
Milne is called to accountthe anomalous position of Austria the strange case
of the punctilious Admiralty clerkconfusion over signalsan unwarranted
assumptionwhere was Churchill?a final chanceintelligence is received
who is "Metriticicas"?Milnes doubtsreliable information? |
8 |
Souchon Arrives! |
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Souchon rests his crews, then coalspositive news from
ConstantinopleMilne flounderswhat did the Admiralty know?Milnes
optionsGoeben and Breslau reach the Dardanellesa dubious transaction is
announced. |
PART TWO |
THE GREEK CONNEXION |
9 |
Mark Kerr and the Balkan Background |
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Mark Kerr, an untypical officerhis association with
Battenbergunorthodox ideasan opportunity presents itselffriends in high
placesKerr appointed C-in-C of the Greek NavyKerr and the Kingthe
influence of Germanyan unusual requestKerrs advice ignoredthe
Greek naval build-upBalkan tensionsthe formation of the Balkan Leaguethe
Balkan WarsGreece victorious at seaWilhelm plays a lone hand Greece and
Turkey take matters into their own hands. |
10 |
The Battleship Summer |
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The Aegean naval racethe Turks buy a dreadnoughtGreece
desperately seeks ships conflict between Greece and Turkey appears
inevitableMinister and Ambassador come home on leavea poor deal in
Americafears that war would result in the closure of the
StraitsVenizelos bluffstalling for timea meeting with the
Turksthe greater conflict intervenesVenizelos discovers a let-outGermany
woos and wins Turkey. |
11 |
The Nocturnal Aberration of Eleutherios
Venizelos |
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Constantine plumps for neutralityWilhelms furious
reactionthe German threatthe destination of the German ships
revealedKerrs knowledge of thisa circuitous route the mystery of
SyraVenizelos is less than forthrightcoal for SouchonVenizelos seeks
retrospective approvalhis motives. |
12 |
The Case Against Kerr |
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The atmosphere in AthensCompton Mackenzie and the campaign of
disinformation how much did Kerr know?was Kerr deliberately planted?his
association with the Kaiserdid the plan backfire?the perils of informal
networksKerr tries to be too cleverhis post-war reticence. |
13 |
The Sweeping Offer |
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Venizelos confederation schemean enthusiastic
responseVenizelos wants morean approach to Russiaa difference of opinion
in the Foreign Officethe problem of BulgariaSazonov more concerned about
Turkeythis concern mirrored in London the clash between Venizelos and his
Foreign Ministera sweeping offera disappointing replyVenizelos plays for
timethe talks with Turkey reconvenedTalaats ulterior motivea bribe
to Bulgaria?the return of Sir Francis ElliotSazonov takes the bait the
question of action against Turkeythe report of the Military AttachéChurchill
intervenesthe prospect of Greek co-operation. |
14 |
A Question of Semantics |
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The irreconcilable problemKerr formulates his
planRussian intransigencethe Entente fully committedthe King and
Venizelosa difference in emphasisStreit intervenesKerr is carried
awayVenizelos reactionthe threat of resignationKerrs
discouraging telegramthe prospect of Greek participation foundersthe threat
from Bulgariathe aftermathKerrs positionthe difficulty of placing
hima fortuitous opportunity arisesconclusion. |
PART THREE |
THE AFTERMATH |
15 |
Letting the Goeben Escape |
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The effect of Goebens presencethe options available to
the Turksthe extent of Envers and Souchons accountabilitythe
search for a scapegoatChurchills initial responsibilitythe cause of his
enmitya mitigating factorMallets undiplomatic assertionan
alternative theoryGrey and the fate of Constantinoplefear of Russian incursion
into Persiathe march of military operationsthe Indian Expeditionary
Forcethe War Council meetsaction against Turkeythe Foreign Office
exonerated. |
16 |
The Terrible ifs |
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Churchills invocation of a higher
authorityChurchills "ifs" consideredother
"ifs" to be consideredthe battle cruiser conceptFrench
inactionthe problem of coal Souchon and the AdriaticMilnes
pre-conceptionsfaulty staff workChurchills early movesthe board
changesBattenbergs unfortunate warthe Greek responsibility the
actions and omissions of Venizelos, Constantine and Kerra chain of eventsfate
or the work of man? |
17 |
Court Martial |
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Milnes recallTroubridge and Milne lay the groundwork
for their defenceMilnes frosty receptionquestions to answera
friend at Courtofficial approbationa scapegoat is foundthe awkward
report of Captain Howard Kellya Court of Inquiry its findingthe charge
as framedpressure on the Prosecutorthe Court Martialthe verdictthe
Prosecutors personal opinionAdmiralty reactions. |
18 |
Epitaph |
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Admiral Hamiltons unguarded commentwhat was discussed
at the Admiralty? Troubridges astounding allegationthe mystery of
Captain Verea possible answer Troubridges personalitya tenuous
interpretationwho was to have the battle cruisers? Troubridges dubious
recallthe convenient timing of an important signalthe abandonment of Fawcet
WrayMallets defence. |
19 |
The Last Sortie |
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The dire military positionEnver is less assuredthe
Aegean Squadronvarious contingenciesa moral raising demonstrationshould
the British have known?Admiral Hayes-Sadlers unfortunate decisionthe
separation of the British forcesRebeur-Paschwitz frames his ordersdubious
intelligencethe raid against Imbros on 20 January 1918surprise is
achievedthe damage inflictedthe aerial attacksthe minefield
Rebeur-Paschwitzs blunderBreslau is lostGoeben maroonedfurther
aerial attacks a want of initiativethe efforts to refloat the battle
cruiserGoeben escapes again aerial reconnaissancethe
aftermathHayes-Sadlers contentious apologiaanalysis of the aerial
operationsanother reputation ruinedthe end for Enver, Djemal and
Talaat. |
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APPENDICES |
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i. The part played by the Opposition in the decision for war.
ii. Identity of alleged British collier from which Goeben coaled, Messina, 4-5 August.
iii. The Lost Day Information received and processed in London on Sunday 9 August
1914.
iv. The Blücher Mystery
v. Extracts from the Courts-Martial convened to investigate the sinkings of Raglan and
M28.
vi. The reason for the absence of Invincible from the Mediterranean, 1914.
vii. Mediterranean War Orders.
viii. Pre-war Activities of British Naval Intelligence. |
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BIBLIOGRAPHY |