THE GREAT WAR - ON THIS DAY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1914 WESTERN FRONT YPRES: Violent German attacks: British position again in danger. EASTERN FRONT POLAND: Germans evacuate Kalish and Chenstokhov, etc. SILESIA entered by Russian cavalry, rail cut at Pleschen. MIDDLE EASTERN FRONT ARMENIA: The Russians took the opportunity also to advance into the Caucasus – the start of another chapter of suffering for Armenia. During the week, Bayazid and Diadin were both occupied and on 9 November, they faced the Russians in the Battle of Kroprukeui. NAVAL AND OVERSEAS OPERATIONS Emden destroyed at Cocos Island H.M.A.S. Sydney. EMDEN was a Dresden-class cruiser operating as part of the German East Asia Squadron. Shortly after the war began, EMDEN was ordered to head into the Indian Ocean and commence a raiding campaign, as she was the most modern vessel in the East Asia Squadron. During a two-month period, the German cruiser captured or sank 25 civilian vessels, shelled Madras, and destroyed two Allied warships at Penang. Captain Karl von Müller took the ship through the Sunda Strait towards the Cocos Islands, where he planned to destroy the Eastern Telegraph Company wireless station at Direction Island, thereby crippling Allied communication in the Indian Ocean. He aimed to make for Socotra afterwards and plague Allied merchant shipping on the Bombay-Aden line. However, this was not to be. Unfortunately for von Muller, a convoy of troop ships from Australia was passing within 100 miles, accompanied by the cruisers MELBOURNE and SYDNEY. Notified by wireless of the EMDENs whereabouts, they started in pursuit, reaching the Cocos Islands in three hours. Knowing that escape was impossible, because of the foul bottom of his vessel, von Muller decided to give battle. At full speed the EMDEN steamed straight for the SYDNEY, and even landed one shell on her forebridge, but the SYDNEY fairly riddled the raider with shell, disabling her. EMDEN suffered massive damage, being struck over 100 times by shells from the SYDNEY. Her firing dwindled and Captain von Müller beached EMDEN on North Keeling Island to avoid sinking. Von Müller and a small complement of officers were sent to Malta and imprisoned at the Verdala Barracks. The rest of the personnel were taken to Australia and placed in prisoner-of-war camps at Holsworthy, Trial Bay, and Berrima. Five sailors, suffering from long-term effects of wounds and amputations were repatriated to Germany in 1916.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 00:41:55 +0000
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