| PART ONE |
THE ESCAPE |
|
Introduction |
| 1 |
Mediterranean Meanderings |
|
The British position in the Mediterranean—Fisher’s
preference for the battle cruiser—the Anglo-French naval talks—the plan to
evacuate the Mediterranean—a compromise is reached—the
Mittelmeerdivision—Admiral Souchon—preparations for war—Goeben and Breslau
rendezvous at Messina—the British Mediterranean Squadron—Admiral Milne
—Inflexible visits Constantinople—the slow awareness of the gathering
storm—Rear-Admiral Troubridge and the First Cruiser Squadron—events at
Durazzo. |
| 2 |
Opening Moves |
|
Milne regroups his forces—the Admiralty ponders whether to
reinforce the Mediterranean —the "superior force" telegram—Italian
neutrality likely—the Admiralty ponders whether to denude the
Mediterranean—Sailing Orders—Troubridge’s opinion of a superior force
—a misunderstanding—Grey’s chickens come home to roost—the moral
commitment to France—the Cabinet debates—the assurance to
Cambon—Milne’s efforts to contact the French—Admiral Lapeyrère has second
thoughts. |
| 3 |
The First Shot |
|
Souchon makes his plans—a change of heart in
Berlin—Souchon holds to his intention— the opening
bombardment—Troubridge’s dispositions—Battenberg looks to the west—
the French set sail at last—a missed opportunity?—the chance
meeting—Churchill jumps the gun—a voluntary supererogation—chaos in the War
Room—the failure of the War Staff. |
| 4 |
The Chase Begins |
|
Souchon’s limited options—more speed—the British
ships are found wanting—Captain Kennedy has a plan but is over-ruled—Milne
effects a concentration—Troubridge’s anomalous position—Captain Kennedy is
sent to Bizerta—Souchon returns to Messina— the problems of
coaling—startling news from Constantinople—the dilemma of Admiral
Haus—Souchon frames his sailing orders. |
| 5 |
The Break-out |
|
The German ships are located—further
misunderstandings—Troubridge’s premature sortie—the conflicting analyses of
Milne and Troubridge—a fiasco in Bizerta—Milne’s idée fixe—Souchon
steers east—Milne returns to Malta—the Italian prohibition— Gloucester
takes up the chase—Dublin misses her chance. |
| 6 |
Admiral Troubridge Changes His Mind |
|
Troubridge’s dilemma—no coal for the destroyers—his
intentions known—a plan is formulated—Troubridge holds his course
initially—the decision to engage—the puzzle of the Austrian fleet—the
torment of Admiral Troubridge—the intervention of his Flag Captain—Troubridge
abandons the attempt—Milne’s reaction. |
| 7 |
The War That Was Cancelled |
|
Some clues as to Troubridge’s state of mind—Gloucester
continues the chase alone— contact is lost—Milne returns to Malta—the
puzzle – what are Souchon’s intentions?— the recall of Gloucester –
Milne is called to account—the anomalous position of Austria —the strange case
of the punctilious Admiralty clerk—confusion over signals—an unwarranted
assumption—where was Churchill?—a final chance—intelligence is received
—who is "Metriticicas"?—Milne’s doubts—reliable information? |
| 8 |
Souchon Arrives! |
|
Souchon rests his crews, then coals—positive news from
Constantinople—Milne flounders—what did the Admiralty know?—Milne’s
options—Goeben and Breslau reach the Dardanelles—a dubious transaction is
announced. |
| PART TWO |
THE GREEK CONNEXION |
| 9 |
Mark Kerr and the Balkan Background |
|
Mark Kerr, an untypical officer—his association with
Battenberg—unorthodox ideas—an opportunity presents itself—friends in high
places—Kerr appointed C-in-C of the Greek Navy—Kerr and the King—the
influence of Germany—an unusual request—Kerr’s advice ignored—the
Greek naval build-up—Balkan tensions—the formation of the Balkan League—the
Balkan Wars—Greece victorious at sea—Wilhelm plays a lone hand— Greece and
Turkey take matters into their own hands. |
| 10 |
The Battleship Summer |
|
The Aegean naval race—the Turks buy a dreadnought—Greece
desperately seeks ships— conflict between Greece and Turkey appears
inevitable—Minister and Ambassador come home on leave—a poor deal in
America—fears that war would result in the closure of the
Straits—Venizelos’ bluff—stalling for time—a meeting with the
Turks—the greater conflict intervenes—Venizelos discovers a let-out—Germany
woos and wins Turkey. |
| 11 |
The Nocturnal Aberration of Eleutherios
Venizelos |
|
Constantine plumps for neutrality—Wilhelm’s furious
reaction—the German threat—the destination of the German ships
revealed—Kerr’s knowledge of this—a circuitous route— the mystery of
Syra—Venizelos is less than forthright—coal for Souchon—Venizelos seeks
retrospective approval—his motives. |
| 12 |
The Case Against Kerr |
|
The atmosphere in Athens—Compton Mackenzie and the campaign of
disinformation— how much did Kerr know?—was Kerr deliberately planted?—his
association with the Kaiser—did the plan backfire?—the perils of informal
networks—Kerr tries to be too clever—his post-war reticence. |
| 13 |
The Sweeping Offer |
|
Venizelos’ confederation scheme—an enthusiastic
response—Venizelos wants more—an approach to Russia—a difference of opinion
in the Foreign Office—the problem of Bulgaria—Sazonov more concerned about
Turkey—this concern mirrored in London— the clash between Venizelos and his
Foreign Minister—a sweeping offer—a disappointing reply—Venizelos plays for
time—the talks with Turkey reconvened—Talaat’s ulterior motive—a bribe
to Bulgaria?—the return of Sir Francis Elliot—Sazonov takes the bait— the
question of action against Turkey—the report of the Military Attaché—Churchill
intervenes—the prospect of Greek co-operation. |
| 14 |
A Question of Semantics |
|
The irreconcilable problem—Kerr formulates his
plan—Russian intransigence—the Entente fully committed—the King and
Venizelos—a difference in emphasis—Streit intervenes—Kerr is carried
away—Venizelos’ reaction—the threat of resignation—Kerr’s
discouraging telegram—the prospect of Greek participation founders—the threat
from Bulgaria—the aftermath—Kerr’s position—the difficulty of placing
him—a fortuitous opportunity arises—conclusion. |
| PART THREE |
THE AFTERMATH |
| 15 |
‘Letting the Goeben Escape’ |
|
The effect of Goeben’s presence—the options available to
the Turks—the extent of Enver’s and Souchon’s accountability—the
search for a scapegoat—Churchill’s initial responsibility—the cause of his
enmity—a mitigating factor—Mallet’s undiplomatic assertion—an
alternative theory—Grey and the fate of Constantinople—fear of Russian incursion
into Persia—the march of military operations—the Indian Expeditionary
Force—the War Council meets—action against Turkey—the Foreign Office
exonerated. |
| 16 |
The Terrible ‘ifs’ |
|
Churchill’s invocation of a higher
authority—Churchill’s "if’s" considered—other
"if’s" to be considered—the battle cruiser concept—French
inaction—the problem of coal— Souchon and the Adriatic—Milne’s
pre-conceptions—faulty staff work—Churchill’s early moves—the board
changes—Battenberg’s unfortunate war—the Greek responsibility —the
actions and omissions of Venizelos, Constantine and Kerr—a chain of events—fate
or the work of man? |
| 17 |
Court Martial |
|
Milne’s recall—Troubridge and Milne lay the groundwork
for their defence—Milne’s frosty reception—questions to answer—a
friend at Court—official approbation—a scapegoat is found—the awkward
report of Captain Howard Kelly—a Court of Inquiry —its finding—the charge
as framed—pressure on the Prosecutor—the Court Martial—the verdict—the
Prosecutor’s personal opinion—Admiralty reactions. |
| 18 |
Epitaph |
|
Admiral Hamilton’s unguarded comment—what was discussed
at the Admiralty?— Troubridge’s astounding allegation—the mystery of
Captain Vere—a possible answer— Troubridge’s personality—a tenuous
interpretation—who was to have the battle cruisers? —Troubridge’s dubious
recall—the convenient timing of an important signal—the abandonment of Fawcet
Wray—Mallet’s defence. |
| 19 |
The Last Sortie |
|
The dire military position—Enver is less assured—the
Aegean Squadron—various contingencies—a moral raising demonstration—should
the British have known?—Admiral Hayes-Sadler’s unfortunate decision—the
separation of the British forces—Rebeur-Paschwitz frames his orders—dubious
intelligence—the raid against Imbros on 20 January 1918—surprise is
achieved—the damage inflicted—the aerial attacks—the minefield—
Rebeur-Paschwitz’s blunder—Breslau is lost—Goeben marooned—further
aerial attacks —a want of initiative—the efforts to refloat the battle
cruiser—Goeben escapes again— aerial reconnaissance—the
aftermath—Hayes-Sadler’s contentious apologia—analysis of the aerial
operations—another reputation ruined—the end for Enver, Djemal and
Talaat. |
|
APPENDICES |
|
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. |
|
BIBLIOGRAPHY |
