Action of 22 September 1914
Action of 22 September 1914: A Naval Catastrophe
The Action of 22 September 1914 stands as a notable and tragic incident in the early stages of World War I, marking a significant moment in naval warfare. The attack was executed by the German U-boat U-9, which targeted three obsolete Royal Navy cruisers while they were patrolling the southern North Sea. This engagement led to the sinking of the cruisers HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue, and HMS Cressy, resulting in substantial loss of life and a considerable blow to British naval confidence at a time when the outcome of the war remained uncertain. This article delves into the background, prelude, action itself, and aftermath of this significant naval battle.
Background to the Action
The three cruisers that fell victim to U-9 were part of Rear-Admiral Arthur Christian’s Southern Force, which was tasked with patrolling the North Sea. This force included the flagship HMS Euryalus, alongside light cruiser HMS Amethyst and the 7th Cruiser Squadron, commonly referred to as the “Live Bait Squadron.” The latter consisted of several Cressy-class armoured cruisers, including HMS Bacchante, Aboukir, Hogue, and Cressy. Despite being less than 15 years old, these vessels were considered outdated due to advancements in warship design that had occurred since their commissioning.
The British Admiralty had not yet fully grasped the threat posed by German submarines. Pre-war assumptions focused more on surface threats such as destroyers rather than underwater warfare. Thus, orders from late July 1914 remained in effect, directing these cruisers to patrol areas believed to be safe from submarine attacks. However, as operational conditions changed and weather difficulties persisted, the cruisers found themselves increasingly vulnerable while moving southward toward German bases.
The Prelude to Engagement
As the situation unfolded on 16 September 1914, Rear-Admiral Christian had been permitted to keep two cruisers positioned northward while maintaining one at Broad Fourteens. However, he chose to consolidate his forces in a central location for better operational support. By September 20th, HMS Euryalus returned to port for re-coaling purposes while Aboukir, Hogue, and Cressy continued their patrol under Captain J.E. Drummond’s command.
On 22 September 1914, conditions improved after a period of severe weather. The three cruisers resumed patrolling at a speed of approximately 10 knots (12 mph), positioned two nautical miles apart in line abreast formation. Unbeknownst to them, Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen aboard U-9 had been ordered to engage British transports at Ostend but was forced into hiding during storm conditions. Upon surfacing later that morning and spotting the British ships, Weddigen seized the opportunity for an attack.
Details of the Attack
The attack commenced shortly after 06:00 hours when U-9 detected the three cruisers patrolling nearby. At 06:20, Weddigen launched a torpedo at HMS Aboukir from a distance of approximately 550 yards. The torpedo struck Aboukir on her starboard side, causing catastrophic flooding in the engine room that rendered her immobile. Captain Drummond mistakenly assumed that Aboukir had struck a mine and ordered Hogue and Cressy to close in for assistance.
Within just 25 minutes following the initial hit, Aboukir capsized and sank five minutes thereafter. The explosive damage severely hampered lifeboat operations; only one lifeboat was successfully launched due to failures with steam-powered winches.
After submerging post-attack, U-9 surfaced again at periscope depth just as Hogue moved closer to assist with rescue operations from Aboukir. Weddigen capitalized on this opportunity and launched two torpedoes at Hogue from approximately 300 yards away. Hogue’s crew spotted U-9 during this maneuver and opened fire; however, both torpedoes struck Hogue within minutes of each other. Captain Wilmot Nicholson ordered his crew to abandon ship shortly after realizing their dire situation.
By around 07:15, Hogue sank into the depths of the North Sea just ten minutes after being struck by torpedoes. During this chaos, Cressy observed events unfolding and attempted an abortive ram against U-9 before turning back to rescue survivors. At approximately 07:20 hours, U-9 targeted Cressy with two more torpedoes from her stern tubes at a range of about 1,000 yards; one missed while another hit home shortly thereafter.
Cressy capsized within about fifteen minutes following these strikes at around 07:55 hours. Distress signals alerted nearby vessels including Dutch trawlers; however, many were hesitant due to fears of mines in the area.
Aftermath and Consequences
The immediate impact of this disaster was profound and far-reaching for Britain and its navy. A total of 1,459 British sailors lost their lives during this tragic event; only 837 men were rescued amidst overwhelming chaos—62 officers and a staggering number of reservists among those killed included Captain Robert Johnson of Cressy.
This incident caused public outcry throughout Britain as confidence in both the government and Royal Navy began to wane during these early months of World War I. Rear-Admiral Christian faced reprimands following an inquiry into the actions leading up to this event; Captain Drummond received mixed reviews for his conduct during the attack but was criticized for failing to implement recommended anti-submarine precautions.
On the German side of things, Weddigen was celebrated as a hero upon returning home with his crew receiving commendations for their successful operation against British naval forces. This event significantly accelerated discussions regarding submarine warfare strategies within both naval commands.
Legacy of the Action
The sinking of Aboukir, Hogue, and Cressy marked a turning point in how submarine threats were perceived by naval authorities worldwide; it highlighted critical vulnerabilities within wartime operations that would continue to evolve throughout World War I. As technology advanced further into modern warfare tactics post-war efforts also shifted perceptions surrounding underwater engagements with submarines becoming an integral part of naval strategies going forward.
Conclusion
The Action of 22 September 1914 remains etched in history as a stark reminder of both human cost and strategic miscalculations amid evolving warfare dynamics during World War I. As British naval forces faced unprecedented losses due largely to underestimated threats from submarines like U-9 underestimating their power proved disastrous consequences not just militarily but politically as well fueling debate surrounding preparedness amidst widespread uncertainty across nations grappling with decisions about alliances amid global conflict.
Artykuł sporządzony na podstawie: Wikipedia (EN).