History of the World War, Volume 2 (of 7) : $b An authentic narrative of the world's greatest warMarch, Francis A., Jr.
History
History of the World War, Volume 2 (of 7) : $b An authentic narrative of the world's greatest war
March, Francis A., Jr.
World War, 1914-1918
“The position of the moon which had risen at six o’clock, was favorable
to this move. Accordingly I gradually opened up further distances
between the squadrons by another deflection of the leading ship, at
7.45. In the meantime it had grown dark. The range finders on the
Scharnhorst used the fire on the Monmouth as a guide for a time,
though eventually all range finding, aiming and observations became so
inexact that fire was stopped at 7.26. At 7.23 a column of fire from an
explosion was noticed between the stacks of the Good Hope. The Monmouth
apparently stopped firing at 7.20. The small cruisers, including the
Nuremburg, received by wireless at 7.30 the order to follow the enemy
and to attack his ships with torpedoes. Vision was somewhat obscured
at this time by a rain squall. The light cruisers were not able to
find the Good Hope, but the Nuremburg encountered the Monmouth and at
8.58 was able, by shots at closest range, to capsize her, without a
single shot being fired in return. Rescue work in the heavy sea was not
to be thought of, especially as the Nuremburg immediately afterwards
believed she had sighted the smoke of another ship and had to prepare
for another attack. The small cruisers had neither losses nor damage in
the battle. On the Gneisenau there were two men slightly wounded. The
crews of the ships went into the fight with enthusiasm, everyone did
his duty, and played his part in the victory.”
Little criticism can be made of the tactics used by Vice-Admiral Spee.
He appears to have maneuvered so as to secure the advantage of light,
wind and sea. He also seems to have suited himself as regards the range.
Admiral Cradock was much criticised for joining battle with his little
fleet against such odds, but he followed the glorious traditions of
the English navy. He, and 1,650 officers and men, were lost, and the
news was hailed as a great German victory. But the British admiralty
were thoroughly roused. Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Doveton Sturdee,
chief of the war staff, proceeded at once with a squadron to the South
Atlantic. With him were two battle cruisers, the Invincible and the
Inflexible, three armored cruisers, the Carnovan, the Kent and the
Cornwall. His fleet was joined by the light cruiser Bristol and the
armed liner Macedonia. The Glasgow, fresh from her rough experience,
was found in the South Atlantic. Admiral Sturdee then laid his plans to
come in touch with the victorious German squadron. A wireless message
was sent to the Canopus, bidding her proceed to Port Stanley in the
Falkland Islands. This message was intercepted by the Germans, as was
intended.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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