Battle of Gangut
The Battle of Gangut is a naval battle of the Great Northern War of 1700-1721, which took place on July 27 (August 7), 1714 at Cape Gangut (Hanko Peninsula, Finland) in the Baltic Sea between the Russian and Swedish fleets, the first naval victory of the Russian fleet in the history of Russia.
By the spring of 1714, the southern and almost entire central parts of Finland were occupied by Russian troops. In order to finally resolve the issue of Russia's access to the Baltic Sea, which was controlled by the Swedes, it was necessary to defeat the Swedish fleet.
At the end of June 1714, the Russian rowing fleet (99 galleys, scampaways and auxiliary ships with a 15,000-strong landing party) under the command of Admiral General Count Fyodor Matveyevich Apraksin concentrated off the eastern coast of Gangut (in Tverminne Bay) with the goal of landing troops to strengthen the Russian garrison in Abo (100 km northwest of Cape Gangut). The path to the Russian fleet was blocked by the Swedish fleet (15 battleships, 3 frigates, 2 bombardment ships and 9 galleys) under the command of G. Vatrang. Peter I (Schautbenacht Peter Mikhailov) used a tactical maneuver. He decided to transfer part of his galleys to the area north of Gangut across the isthmus of this peninsula, 2.5 kilometers long. To fulfill his plan, he ordered the construction of a perevolok (wooden flooring). Having learned about this, Vatrang sent a detachment of ships (1 frigate, 6 galleys, 3 skerries) to the northern coast of the peninsula. The detachment was headed by Rear Admiral Ehrenskiold. He decided to use another detachment (8 battleships and 2 bombardment ships) under the command of Vice Admiral Lillier to strike the main forces of the Russian fleet.
Peter expected such a decision. He decided to take advantage of the division of enemy forces. The weather was also favorable to him. On the morning of July 26 (August 6) there was no wind, which is why the Swedish sailing ships have lost their maneuverability. The vanguard of the Russian fleet (20 ships) under the command of Commander Matvey Khristoforovich Zmaevich began a breakthrough, bypassing the Swedish ships and remaining out of range of their fire. Following him, another detachment (15 ships) made a breakthrough. Thus, there was no need for relocation. Zmaevich's detachment blocked Ehrenskiöld's detachment near Lakkisser Island.
Believing that other detachments of Russian ships would continue the breakthrough in the same way, Vatrang recalled Lille’s detachment, thus freeing the coastal fairway. Taking advantage of this, Apraksin with the main forces of the rowing fleet broke through the coastal fairway to his vanguard. At 14:00 on July 27 (August 7), the Russian vanguard, consisting of 23 ships, attacked Ehrenskiöld’s detachment, which built its ships along a concave line, both flanks of which rested on the islands. The Swedes managed to repulse the first two attacks with fire from naval guns. The third attack was launched against the flanking ships of the Swedish detachment, which did not allow the enemy to take advantage of their artillery advantage. They were soon boarded and captured. Peter I personally participated in the boarding attack, showing the sailors an example of courage and heroism. After a stubborn battle, the Swedish flagship, the frigate Elephant, surrendered. All 10 ships of Ehrenskiöld's detachment were captured. Part of the forces of the Swedish fleet managed to escape to the Åland Islands.
The victory off the Gangut Peninsula was the first major victory of the Russian regular fleet. She provided him with freedom of action in the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia and effective support for Russian troops in Finland. In the Battle of Gangut, the Russian command boldly used the advantage of the rowing fleet in the fight against the Swedish linear sailing fleet, skillfully organized the interaction of naval forces and ground forces, reacted flexibly to changes in the tactical situation and weather conditions, managed to unravel the enemy’s maneuver and impose its tactics on him.
Strengths of the parties:
Russia - 99 galleys, scamps and auxiliary ships, 15 thousandth landing force
Sweden - 14 battleships, 1 provision ship, 3 frigates, 2 bombardment ships and 9 galleys
Military losses:
Russia - 127 killed (8 officers), 342 wounded (1 brigadier, 16 officers), 232 prisoners (7 officers). Total - 701 people (including 1 brigadier, 31 officer), 1 galley - captured.
Sweden - 1 frigate, 6 galleys, 3 skerries, 361 killed (9 officers), 580 prisoners (1 admiral, 17 officers) (of which 350 were wounded). Total - 941 people (including 1 admiral, 26 officers), 116 guns.
Battle of Grenham
The Battle of Grengam - a naval battle that took place on July 27 (August 7), 1720 in the Baltic Sea near the island of Grengam (southern group of the Åland Islands), was the last major battle of the Great Northern War.
After the Battle of Gangut, England, concerned about the growing power of the Russian army, formed a military alliance with Sweden. However, the demonstrative approach of the joint Anglo-Swedish squadron to Revel did not force Peter I to seek peace, and the squadron retreated to the shores of Sweden. Peter I, having learned about this, ordered the Russian fleet to be moved from the Åland Islands to Helsingfors, and several boats to be left near the squadron for patrolling. Soon one of these boats, which ran aground, was captured by the Swedes, as a result of which Peter ordered the fleet to be returned back to the Åland Islands.
On July 26 (August 6), the Russian fleet under the command of M. Golitsyn, consisting of 61 galleys and 29 boats, approached the Åland Islands. Russian reconnaissance boats spotted the Swedish squadron between the islands of Lameland and Fritsberg. Due to the strong wind, it was impossible to attack her, and Golitsyn decided to go to Grengam Island in order to prepare a good position among the skerries.
When on July 27 (August 7) the Russian ships approached Grengam, the Swedish fleet under the command of K.G. Shoblada, having 156 guns, unexpectedly weighed anchor and approached, subjecting the Russians to massive shelling. The Russian fleet began to hastily retreat into shallow waters, where the pursuing Swedish ships ended up. In shallow water, the more maneuverable Russian galleys and boats went on the attack and managed to board 4 frigates (34-gun Stor-Phoenix, 30-gun Venker, 22-gun Kiskin and 18-gun Dansk-Ern) ), after which the rest of the Swedish fleet retreated.
The result of the Battle of Grengam was the end of undivided Swedish influence in the Baltic Sea and the establishment of Russia on it. The battle brought the conclusion of the Nystadt Peace closer.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 61 galleys and 29 boats
Sweden - 1 battleship, 4 frigates, 3 galleys, 3 skerry boats, shnyava, galliot and brigantine
Military losses:
Russian Empire - 82 killed (2 officers), 236 wounded (7 officers). Total - 328 people (including 9 officers).
Sweden - 4 frigates, 103 killed (3 officers), 407 prisoners (37 officers). Total - 510 people (including 40 officers), 104 guns, 4 flags.
Battle of Chesme
The Battle of Chesma is a naval battle on July 5-7, 1770 in Chesma Bay between the Russian and Turkish fleets.
After the outbreak of the Russian-Turkish War in 1768, Russia sent several squadrons from Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean to divert the attention of the Turks from the Black Sea Fleet - the so-called First Archipelago Expedition. Two Russian squadrons (under the command of Admiral Grigory Spiridov and the English adviser Rear Admiral John Elphinstone), united under the overall command of Count Alexei Orlov, discovered the Turkish fleet in the roadstead of Chesme Bay (west coast of Turkey).
July 5, battle in the Chios Strait
After agreeing on a plan of action, the Russian fleet, under full sail, approached the southern edge of the Turkish line, and then, turning around, began to take positions against the Turkish ships. Turkish fleet opened fire at 11:30-11:45, Russian - at 12:00. The maneuver failed for three Russian ships: “Europe” overshot its place and was forced to turn around and stand behind “Rostislav”, “Three Saints” went around the second Turkish ship from the rear before it could get into formation and was mistakenly attacked by the ship “Three Hierarch" and "St. Januarius was forced to turn around before getting into formation.
"St. Evstafiy" under the command of Spiridov began a duel with the flagship Turkish squadron"Real Mustafa" under the command of Hassan Pasha, and then tried to board him. After the burning mainmast of the Real Mustafa fell on the St. Eustathius,” he exploded. After 10-15 minutes, Real Mustafa also exploded. Admiral Spiridov and the commander's brother Fyodor Orlov left the ship before the explosion. The captain of “St. Eustathia" Cruz. Spiridov continued command from the ship "Three Saints".
By 14:00 the Turks cut off the anchor ropes and retreated to Chesme Bay under the cover of coastal batteries.
July 6-7, battle in Chesme Bay
In Chesme Bay, Turkish ships formed two lines of 8 and 7 battleships, respectively, the rest of the ships took a position between these lines and the shore.
During the day of July 6, Russian ships fired at the Turkish fleet and coastal fortifications from a great distance. Fireships were made from four auxiliary vessels.
At 17:00 on July 6, the bombardment ship "Grom" anchored in front of the entrance to Chesme Bay and began shelling Turkish ships. At 0:30 he was joined by the battleship "Europe", and by 1:00 - by "Rostislav", in the wake of which the fireships arrived.
"Europe", "Rostislav" and the approaching "Don't touch me" formed a line from north to south, engaging in battle with Turkish ships, "Saratov" stood in reserve, and "Thunder" and the frigate "Africa" attacked the batteries on the western shore of the bay . At 1:30 or a little earlier (midnight, according to Elphinstone), as a result of the fire of the Thunder and/or Touch Me Not, one of the Turkish battleships exploded due to the transfer of flames from the burning sails to the hull. Burning debris from this explosion scattered other ships in the bay.
After the explosion at 2:00 of the second Turkish ship Russian ships ceased fire, and fireships entered the bay. The Turks managed to shoot two of them, under the command of captains Gagarin and Dugdale (according to Elphinstone, only Captain Dugdale’s fireship was shot, and Captain Gagarin’s fireship refused to go into battle), one under the command of Mackenzie grappled with an already burning ship, and one under the command of Lieutenant D. Ilyina grappled with an 84-gun battleship. Ilyin set fire to the fireship, and he and his crew left it on a boat. The ship exploded and set fire to most of the remaining Turkish ships. By 2:30, 3 more battleships exploded.
At about 4:00, Russian ships sent boats to save two large ships that were not yet burning, but only one of them, the 60-gun Rhodes, was taken out. From 4:00 to 5:30, 6 more battleships exploded, and in the 7th hour, 4 exploded simultaneously. By 8:00, the battle in Chesme Bay was over.
After the Battle of Chesme, the Russian fleet managed to seriously disrupt the communications of the Turks in the Aegean Sea and establish a blockade of the Dardanelles. All this played important role at the conclusion of the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Peace Treaty.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 9 battleships, 3 frigates, 1 bombardment ship,
17-19 small craft, approx. 6500 people
Ottoman Empire - 16 battleships, 6 frigates, 6 shebeks, 13 galleys, 32 small vessels,
OK. 15,000 people
Losses:
Russian Empire - 1 battleship, 4 fire ships, 661 people, of which 636 were killed in the explosion of the ship St. Eustathius, 40 wounded
Ottoman Empire - 15 battleships, 6 frigates, big number small ships, approx. 11,000 people. Captured: 1 battleship, 5 galleys
Battles of Rochensalm
The first Battle of Rochensalm was a naval battle between Russia and Sweden, which took place on August 13 (24), 1789, in the roadstead of the Swedish city of Rochensalm and ended in the victory of the Russian fleet.
22 August 1789 Swedish fleet total number 49 ships under the command of Admiral K. A. Ehrensvärd took refuge in the Rochensalm roadstead among the islands near the modern Finnish city of Kotka. The Swedes blocked the only Rochensalm Strait accessible to large ships, sinking three ships there. On August 24, 86 Russian ships under the command of Vice Admiral K. G. Nassau-Siegen launched an attack from two sides. The southern detachment under the command of Major General I.P. Balle distracted the main forces of the Swedes for several hours, while the main forces of the Russian fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Yu.P. Litta made their way from the north. The ships fired, and special teams of sailors and officers cut a passage. Five hours later Rochensalm was cleared and the Russians broke into the roadstead. The Swedes were defeated, losing 39 ships (including the admiral's, which was captured). Russian losses amounted to 2 ships. The commander of the right wing of the Russian vanguard, Antonio Coronelli, distinguished himself in the battle.
Strengths of the parties:
Russia - 86 ships
Sweden - 49 ships
Military losses:
Russia -2 ships
Sweden - 39 ships
The Second Battle of Rochensalm was a naval battle between Russia and Sweden, which took place on July 9-10, 1790 in the roadstead of the Swedish city of Rochensalm. Swedish naval forces suffered a crushing defeat Russian fleet, which led to the end of the Russian-Swedish war, which had already been practically won by Russia, on conditions unfavorable for the Russian side.
The attempt to storm Vyborg, undertaken by the Swedes in June 1790, was unsuccessful: on July 4, 1790, the Swedish fleet, blocked by Russian ships in the Vyborg Bay, escaped from encirclement at the cost of significant losses. Having taken the galley fleet to Rochensalm (the main composition of the sailing warships that survived the breakthrough of the Vyborg blockade went to Sveaborg for repairs), Gustav III and the flag captain, Lieutenant Colonel Karl Olof Kronstedt, began preparations for the expected Russian attack. On July 6, final orders for the organization of defense were made. At dawn on July 9, 1790, in view of the approaching Russian ships, the order was given to begin the battle.
Unlike the first Battle of Rochensalm, the Russians decided to break through to the Swedish raid from one side of the Rochensalm Strait. The head of the Russian rowing fleet in the Gulf of Finland, Vice Admiral Karl Nassau-Siegen, approached Rochensalm at 2 a.m. and at 9 a.m., without preliminary reconnaissance, began the battle - probably wanting to give a gift to Empress Catherine II on the day of her accession to the throne. From the very beginning of the battle, its course turned out to be favorable for the Swedish fleet, which was entrenched in the Rochensalm roadstead with a powerful L-shaped anchor formation - despite the significant superiority of the Russians in personnel and naval artillery. On the first day of the battle, Russian ships attacked the southern flank of the Swedes, but were driven back by hurricane winds and fired from the shore by Swedish coastal batteries, as well as Swedish galleys and gunboats at anchor.
Then the Swedes, skillfully maneuvering, moved the gunboats to the left flank and mixed up the formation of the Russian galleys. During the panicked retreat, most of the Russian galleys, and after them the frigates and shebeks, were broken by storm waves, sank or capsized. Several Russian sailing ships anchored in combat positions were boarded, captured or burned.
In the morning next day The Swedes consolidated their position with a new successful attack. The remnants of the Russian fleet were finally driven away from Rochensalm.
The Second Battle of Rochensalm cost the Russian side about 40% of the Baltic coastal defense fleet. The battle is considered one of the largest naval operations (in terms of the number of vessels involved) in all of naval history; a larger number of warships - if we do not take into account the data from ancient sources about the battles of Salamis Island and Cape Eknom - took part only in the battle in Leyte Gulf on October 23-26, 1944.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 20 battleships, 23 galleys and xebeks, 77 sloops of war, ≈1,400 guns, 18,500 people
Sweden - 6 battleships, 16 galleys, 154 sloops of war and gunboats, ≈1000 guns, 12,500 men
Military losses:
Russian Empire - more than 800 killed and wounded, more than 6,000 prisoners, 53-64 ships (mostly galleys and gunboats)
Sweden - 300 killed and wounded, 1 galley, 4 small vessels
Battle of Cape Tendra (Battle of Hajibey)
The Battle of Cape Tendra (Battle of Hajibey) is a naval battle on the Black Sea during the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791 between the Russian squadron under the command of F. F. Ushakov and the Turkish squadron under the command of Hasan Pasha. Happened on August 28-29 (September 8-9), 1790 near the Tendra Spit.
After the annexation of Crimea to Russia, a new Russian-Turkish war began. Russian troops launched an offensive in the Danube region. A galley flotilla was formed to help them. However, she could not make the transition from Kherson to the combat area due to the presence of a Turkish squadron in the western Black Sea. The squadron of Rear Admiral F.F. Ushakov came to the aid of the flotilla. Having under his command 10 battleships, 6 frigates, 17 cruising ships, a bombardier ship, a rehearsal ship and 2 fire ships, on August 25 he left Sevastopol and headed to Ochakov to connect with the rowing fleet and give battle to the enemy.
The commander of the Turkish fleet, Hasan Pasha, having gathered all his forces between Hajibey (now Odessa) and Cape Tendra, longed for revenge for the defeat in the battle of Kerch Strait July 8 (19), 1790 With his determination to fight the enemy, he managed to convince the Sultan of the imminent defeat of the Russians naval forces on the Black Sea and thus earned his favor. To be faithful, Selim III gave the experienced admiral Said Bey to help his friend and relative (Hasan Pasha was married to the Sultan’s sister), intending to turn the tide of events at sea in favor of Turkey.
On the morning of August 28, the Turkish fleet, consisting of 14 battleships, 8 frigates and 23 other ships, continued to anchor between Cape Tendra and Hajibey. And suddenly, from the direction of Sevastopol, Hasan discovered Russian ships sailing under full sail in a marching order of three columns. The appearance of the Russians threw the Turks into confusion. Despite their superiority in strength, they hastily began to cut the ropes and retreat to the Danube in disarray. Ushakov ordered all sails to be carried and, remaining in marching order, began to descend on the enemy. The advanced Turkish ships, having filled their sails, moved away to a considerable distance. But, noticing the danger looming over the rearguard, Hasan Pasha began to unite with him and build a battle line. Ushakov, continuing to approach the enemy, also gave the order to rebuild into a battle line. As a result, the Russian ships “very quickly” lined up in battle formation in the wind of the Turks.
Using the change in the battle order that had justified itself in the Battle of Kerch, Fyodor Fedorovich withdrew three frigates from the line - “John the Warrior”, “Jerome” and “Protection of the Virgin” to provide a maneuverable reserve in case of a change in the wind and a possible enemy attack from two sides. At 15 o'clock, having approached the enemy within range of a grape shot, F.F. Ushakov forced him to fight. And soon, under powerful fire from the Russian line, the enemy began to duck into the wind and become upset. Approaching closer, the Russians attacked the leading part of the Turkish fleet with all their might. Ushakov's flagship ship "Rozhdestvo Khristovo" fought with three enemy ships, forcing them to leave the line.
By 5 p.m. the entire Turkish line was completely defeated. Pressed by the Russians, the advanced enemy ships turned their stern towards them in order to get out of the battle. Their example was followed by the rest of the ships, which became advanced as a result of this maneuver. During the turn, a series of powerful volleys were fired at them, causing them great destruction. Two Turkish flagship ships, located opposite the Nativity of Christ and the Transfiguration of the Lord, were especially damaged. On the Turkish flagship, the main topsail was shot down, the yards and topmasts were broken, and the stern section was destroyed. The fight continued. Three Turkish ships were cut off from the main forces, and the stern of the Hasan-Pasha ship was blown to pieces by Russian cannonballs. The enemy fled towards the Danube. Ushakov pursued him until darkness and increased wind forced him to stop the pursuit and anchor.
At dawn the next day, it turned out that the Turkish ships were in close proximity to the Russians, whose frigate Ambrose of Milan ended up among the enemy fleet. But since the flags had not yet been raised, the Turks took him for one of their own. The resourcefulness of the commander - Captain M.N. Neledinsky - helped him get out of such a difficult situation. Having weighed anchor with other Turkish ships, he continued to follow them without raising his flag. Little by little falling behind, Neledinsky waited until the danger had passed, raised St. Andrew's flag and went to his fleet. Ushakov gave the command to raise the anchors and set sail to pursue the enemy, who, having a windward position, began to scatter in different directions. However, the heavily damaged 74-gun ship "Kapudania", which was Said Bey's flagship, and the 66-gun "Meleki Bahri" lagged behind the Turkish fleet. The latter, having lost his commander Kara-Ali, killed by a cannonball, surrendered without a fight, and “Kapudania”, trying to break away from the pursuit, headed towards the shallow water that separated the fairway between Kinburn and Gadzhibey. The vanguard commander, captain of brigadier rank G.K., was sent in pursuit. Golenkin with two ships and two frigates. The ship "St. Andrey" was the first to overtake "Kapudania" and opened fire. Soon “St. George”, and after him - “The Transfiguration of the Lord” and several more courts. Approaching from the wind and firing a volley, they replaced each other.
Said Bey's ship was practically surrounded, but continued to bravely defend itself. Ushakov, seeing the enemy’s useless stubbornness, at 14 o’clock approached him at a distance of 30 fathoms, knocked down all the masts from him and gave way to the “St. George." Soon the “Rozhdestvo Khristovo” again stood broadside against the bow of the Turkish flagship, preparing for the next salvo. But then, seeing his hopelessness, the Turkish flagship lowered the flag. Russian sailors boarded the enemy ship, already engulfed in flames, first of all trying to select officers to board the boats. With heavy winds and thick smoke, the last boat, at great risk, again approached the side and removed Said Bey, after which the ship took off along with the remaining crew and the treasury of the Turkish fleet. The explosion of the large admiral's ship in front of the entire Turkish fleet made a strong impression on the Turks and completed the moral victory achieved by Ushakov at Tendra. The increasing wind and damage to the spar and rigging did not allow Ushakov to continue pursuing the enemy. The Russian commander gave the order to stop the pursuit and link up with the Liman squadron.
In a two-day naval battle, the enemy suffered a crushing defeat, losing two battleships, a brigantine, a lanson and a floating battery.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 10 battleships, 6 frigates, 1 bombardment ship and 20 auxiliary ships, 830 guns
Ottoman Empire - 14 battleships, 8 frigates and 23 auxiliary ships, 1400 guns
Losses:
Russian Empire - 21 killed, 25 wounded
Ottoman Empire - 2 ships, more than 2 thousand killed
Battle of Kaliakria
The Battle of Kaliakria is the last naval battle of the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791 between the Russian and Ottoman Empire, which took place on July 31 (August 11), 1791 in the Black Sea near Cape Kaliakra (northern Bulgaria).
The Russian fleet under the command of Admiral Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov, consisting of 15 battleships, 2 frigates and 19 smaller ships (990 guns), left Sevastopol on August 8, 1791, and at noon on August 11 discovered the Turkish-Algerian fleet under the command of Hussein Pasha, consisting of 18 ships of the line, 17 frigates (1,500-1,600 guns) and a large number of smaller ships anchored near Cape Kaliakra in northern Bulgaria. Ushakov built his ships in three columns, from the northeast, between the Ottoman fleet and the cape, despite the fact that there were Turkish batteries on the cape. Seit Ali, commander of the Algerian fleet, weighed anchor and headed east, followed by Hussein Pasha with 18 ships of the line.
The Russian fleet turned south, forming one column and then attacked the retreating enemy fleet. The Turkish ships were damaged and fled from the battlefield in disarray. Seit-Ali was seriously wounded in the head. Losses of the Russian fleet: 17 people were killed, 28 were wounded and only one ship was seriously damaged.
The battle brought the end of the Russo-Turkish War closer, which ended with the signing of the Treaty of Iasi.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 15 battleships, 2 frigates, 19 auxiliary ships
Ottoman Empire - 18 battleships, 17 frigates, 48 auxiliary ships, coastal battery
Losses:
Russian Empire - 17 killed, 28 wounded
Ottoman Empire - Unknown
Battle of Sinop
The Battle of Sinop is the defeat of the Turkish squadron by the Russian Black Sea Fleet on November 18 (30), 1853, under the command of Admiral Nakhimov. Some historians view it as the "swan song" of the sailing fleet and the first battle Crimean War. The Turkish fleet was destroyed within a few hours. This attack served as a pretext for Britain and France to declare war on Russia.
Vice Admiral Nakhimov (84-gun battleships "Empress Maria", "Chesma" and "Rostislav") was sent by Prince Menshikov to cruise to the shores of Anatolia. There was information that the Turks in Sinop were preparing forces for a landing at Sukhum and Poti. Approaching Sinop, Nakhimov saw a detachment of Turkish ships in the bay under the protection of 6 coastal batteries and decided to closely blockade the port in order to attack the enemy with the arrival of reinforcements from Sevastopol.
On November 16 (28), 1853, Nakhimov’s detachment was joined by the squadron of Rear Admiral F. M. Novosilsky (120-gun battleships “Paris”, “ Grand Duke Constantine" and "Three Saints", frigates "Kahul" and "Kulevchi"). The Turks could be reinforced by the allied Anglo-French fleet located in Beshik-Kertez Bay (Dardanelles Strait). It was decided to attack in 2 columns: in the 1st, closest to the enemy, the ships of Nakhimov’s detachment, in the 2nd - Novosilsky, the frigates were supposed to watch the enemy steamers under sail; It was decided to spare the consular houses and the city in general if possible, hitting only ships and batteries. For the first time it was planned to use 68-pound bomb guns.
On the morning of November 18 (November 30), it was raining with gusty winds from OSO, the most unfavorable for the capture of Turkish ships (they could easily run ashore).
At 9.30 in the morning, keeping the rowing vessels at the sides of the ships, the squadron headed for the roadstead. In the depths of the bay, 7 Turkish frigates and 3 corvettes were located moon-shaped under the cover of 4 batteries (one with 8 guns, 3 with 6 guns each); Behind the battle line there were 2 steamships and 2 transport ships.
At 12.30 p.m., on the first shot from the 44-gun frigate "Aunni-Allah", fire was opened from all Turkish ships and batteries.
The battleship "Empress Maria" was bombarded with shells, most of its spars and standing rigging were broken, and only one shroud of the mainmast remained intact. However, the ship moved forward non-stop and, operating with battle fire at enemy ships, dropped anchor against the frigate "Aunni-Allah"; the latter, unable to withstand half an hour of shelling, jumped ashore. Then the Russian flagship turned its fire exclusively on the 44-gun frigate Fazli-Allah, which soon caught fire and also washed ashore. After this, the actions of the Empress Maria focused on battery No. 5.
The battleship "Grand Duke Konstantin", having anchored, opened heavy fire on battery No. 4 and the 60-gun frigates "Navek-Bakhri" and "Nesimi-Zefer"; the first was blown up 20 minutes after opening fire, showering debris and the bodies of sailors on battery No. 4, which then almost ceased to operate; the second was thrown ashore by the wind when its anchor chain was broken.
The battleship "Chesma" destroyed batteries No. 4 and No. 3 with its shots.
The battleship Paris, while at anchor, opened battle fire on battery No. 5, the corvette Guli-Sefid (22 guns) and the frigate Damiad (56 guns); then, having blown up the corvette and thrown the frigate ashore, he began to hit the frigate Nizamiye (64 guns), whose foremast and mizzen masts were shot down, and the ship itself drifted to the shore, where it soon caught fire. Then "Paris" again began to fire at battery No. 5.
The battleship "Three Saints" entered into battle with the frigates "Kaidi-Zefer" (54 guns) and "Nizamiye"; the first enemy shots broke his spring, and the ship, turning to the wind, was subjected to well-aimed longitudinal fire from battery No. 6, and its mast was badly damaged. Turning the stern again, he very successfully began to act on the Kaidi-Zefer and other ships and forced them to rush to the shore.
The battleship "Rostislav", covering the "Three Saints", concentrated fire on battery No. 6 and on the corvette "Feize-Meabud" (24 guns), and threw the corvette ashore.
At 1 ½ o'clock in the afternoon, the Russian steam frigate "Odessa" appeared from behind the cape under the flag of Adjutant General Vice Admiral V. A. Kornilov, accompanied by the steam frigates "Crimea" and "Khersones". These ships immediately took part in the battle, which, however, was already nearing its end; The Turkish forces were greatly weakened. Batteries No. 5 and No. 6 continued to harass the Russian ships until 4 o'clock, but the Paris and Rostislav soon destroyed them. Meanwhile, the rest of the Turkish ships, apparently set on fire by their crews, took off one after another; This caused a fire to spread throughout the city, and there was no one to put it out.
About 2 o'clock the Turkish 22-gun steam frigate "Taif", armament 2-10 dm bomb, 4-42 lb., 16-24 lb. guns, under the command of Yahya Bey, broke out of the line of Turkish ships, which were suffering a severe defeat, and fled. Taking advantage of the speed advantage of the Taif, Yahya Bey managed to escape from the Russian ships pursuing him (the frigates Cahul and Kulevchi, then the steam frigates of Kornilov’s detachment) and report to Istanbul about the complete destruction of the Turkish squadron. Captain Yahya Bey, who was expecting a reward for saving the ship, was dismissed from service and stripped of his rank for “ misbehavior».
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 6 battleships, 2 frigates, 3 steamships, 720 naval guns
Ottoman Empire - 7 frigates, 5 corvettes, 476 naval guns and 44 on shore batteries
Losses:
Russian Empire - 37 killed, 233 wounded, 13 guns
Ottoman Empire - 7 frigates, 4 corvettes, >3000 killed and wounded, 200 prisoners, including Admiral Osman Pasha
Battle of Tsushima
Tsushima naval battle - a naval battle on May 14 (27), 1905 - May 15 (28), 1905 in the area of Tsushima Island (Tsushima Strait), in which the Russian 2nd squadron of the Pacific Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Zinoviy Petrovich Rozhdestvensky suffered a crushing defeat defeated by the Imperial Japanese Navy under the command of Admiral Heihachiro Togo. The last decisive naval battle Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905, during which the Russian squadron was completely defeated. Most of the ships were sunk or scuttled by the crews of their ships, some capitulated, some were interned in neutral ports, and only four managed to reach Russian ports. The battle was preceded by a grueling 18,000-mile (33,000-kilometer) passage of a large, diverse Russian squadron from the Baltic Sea to the Far East, unprecedented in the history of steam fleets.
The Second Russian Pacific Squadron, under the command of Vice Admiral Z. P. Rozhdestvensky, was formed in the Baltic and was intended to reinforce the First Pacific Squadron, which was based in Port Arthur on the Yellow Sea. Having started its journey in Libau, Rozhdestvensky’s squadron reached the shores of Korea by mid-May 1905. By that time, the First Pacific Squadron had already been practically destroyed. Only one full-fledged naval port remained in the hands of the Russians in the Pacific Ocean - Vladivostok, and the approaches to it were covered by a strong Japanese fleet. Rozhestvensky's squadron included 8 squadron battleships, 3 coastal defense battleships, one armored cruiser, 8 cruisers, one auxiliary cruiser, 9 destroyers, 6 transports and two hospital ships. The artillery armament of the Russian squadron consisted of 228 guns, 54 of them with calibers ranging from 203 to 305 mm.
On May 14 (27), the Second Pacific Squadron entered the Korean Strait with the goal of breaking through to Vladivostok, and was discovered by the Japanese patrol cruiser Izumi. The commander of the Japanese fleet, Admiral H. Togo, by this time had 4 squadron battleships, 8 armored cruisers, 16 cruisers, 6 gunboats and coastal defense ships, 24 auxiliary cruisers, 21 destroyers and 42 destroyers, armed with a total of 910 guns, of which 60 had a caliber from 203 to 305 mm. The Japanese fleet was divided into seven combat detachments. Togo immediately began deploying his forces with the goal of imposing battle on the Russian squadron and destroying it.
The Russian squadron sailed along the Eastern Passage of the Korean Strait (Tsushima Strait), leaving Tsushima Island on the left side. She was pursued by Japanese cruisers, following in the fog parallel to the course of the Russian squadron. The Russians discovered the Japanese cruisers at about 7 am. Rozhestvensky, without starting the battle, rebuilt the squadron into two wake columns, leaving transports and the cruisers covering them in the rearguard.
At 13:15, at the exit from the Tsushima Strait, the main forces of the Japanese fleet (battleships and armored cruisers) were discovered, which were trying to cross the course of the Russian squadron. Rozhdestvensky began to rebuild the ships into one wake column. During the rebuilding, the distance between the enemy ships decreased. Having finished rebuilding, the Russian ships opened fire at 13:49 from a distance of 38 cables (over 7 km).
The Japanese ships returned fire three minutes later, concentrating it on the lead Russian ships. Taking advantage of the superiority in squadron speed (16-18 knots versus 12-15 for the Russians), the Japanese fleet stayed ahead of the Russian column, crossing its course and trying to cover its head. By 14:00 the distance had decreased to 28 cables (5.2 km). Japanese artillery had a higher rate of fire (360 rounds per minute versus 134 for the Russian), Japanese shells were 10-15 times more explosive than Russian shells, and the armor of Russian ships was weaker (40% of the area versus 61% for the Japanese). This superiority predetermined the outcome of the battle.
At 2:25 p.m., the flagship battleship “Prince Suvorov” broke down and Rozhdestvensky was wounded. Another 15 minutes later, the squadron battleship Oslyabya died. The Russian squadron, having lost its leadership, continued to move in a column to the north, changing course twice to increase the distance between itself and the enemy. During the battle, the Japanese ships consistently concentrated fire on the lead ships, trying to disable them.
After 18 hours, command was transferred to Rear Admiral N.I. Nebogatov. By this time, four squadron battleships had already been lost, and all the ships of the Russian squadron were damaged. Japanese ships were also damaged, but none were sunk. The Russian cruisers, traveling in a separate column, repelled the attacks of the Japanese cruisers; one auxiliary cruiser "Ural" and one transport were lost in the battle.
On the night of May 15 Japanese destroyers repeatedly attacked Russian ships, firing 75 torpedoes. As a result, the battleship Navarin sank, and the crews of three armored cruisers that lost control were forced to scuttle their ships. The Japanese lost three destroyers in the night battle. In the darkness, the Russian ships lost contact with each other and then acted independently. Under the command of Nebogatov, only two squadron battleships, two coastal defense battleships and one cruiser remained.
Some of the ships and Nebogatov’s detachment still tried to break through to Vladivostok. Three cruisers, including the Aurora, sailed south and reached Manila, where they were interned. Nebogatov's detachment was surrounded by Japanese ships and surrendered to the enemy, but the cruiser Izumrud managed to break through the encirclement and escape to Vladivostok. In the Gulf of St. Vladimir, he ran aground and was blown up by the crew. The destroyer Bedovy with the wounded Rozhdestvensky also surrendered to the Japanese.
On May 15 (28), one battleship, one coastal defense battleship, three cruisers and one destroyer, who fought independently, were killed in battle. Three destroyers were sunk by their crews, and one destroyer went to Shanghai, where it was interned. Only the cruiser Almaz and two destroyers broke through to Vladivostok. Overall, the Russian fleet lost Battle of Tsushima 8 squadron battleships, one armored cruiser, one coastal defense battleship, 4 cruisers, one auxiliary cruiser, 5 destroyers and several transports. Two squadron battleships, two coastal defense battleships and one destroyer surrendered to the Japanese.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 8 squadron battleships, 3 coastal defense battleships, 3 armored cruisers (2 obsolete), 6 cruisers, 1 auxiliary cruiser, 9 destroyers, 2 hospital ships, 6 auxiliary ships
Empire of Japan - 4 1st class battleships, 2 2nd class battleships (obsolete), 9 armored cruisers (1 obsolete), 15 cruisers, 21 destroyers, 44 destroyers, 21 auxiliary cruisers, 4 gunboats, 3 advice notes, 2 hospital ships
Losses:
Russian Empire - 21 ships sunk (7 battleships), 7 ships and vessels captured, 6 ships interned, 5045 people killed, 803 wounded, 6016 captured
Empire of Japan - 3 destroyers sunk, 117 killed, 538 wounded
Admiral Graf Spee became the third German “pocket battleship” built after the cruisers Deutschland (Lützow) and Admiral Scheer. In the early months of World War II, she sank British merchant ships with impunity, becoming the most famous ship of her type. And the results of his first and last battle provide rich material for analyzing the effectiveness of artillery weapons and armor protection of German heavy cruisers.Why is the Battle of La Plata and its results still causing such heated debate?
At the outbreak of World War II, the heavy cruiser Admiral Graf Spee, under the command of Captain Zur See Hans Langsdorff, was in the Central Atlantic. He received the order to open the cruising war only on September 25, 1939 - until that moment, Hitler still hoped to peacefully resolve the conflict with Great Britain. The war was to be fought strictly according to prize rules, so there was no question of unexpected artillery or torpedo attacks.
For almost two and a half months, the Spee and the Deutschland, together with several supply ships, operated with impunity in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. To search for them, the British and French had to allocate 3 battle cruisers, 3 aircraft carriers, 9 heavy and 5 light cruisers. Eventually, Commodore Henry Harewood's Group G (heavy cruiser Exeter, light cruisers Ajax and Achilles) intercepted the Spee off the coast of South America, near the mouth of the La Plata River.
This battle became one of the few classic artillery naval battles of World War II, giving visual illustration to the old debate about what is more effective - the caliber of guns or the weight of the salvo?
"Admiral Graf Spee" passes through the Kiel Canal, 1939
Source – johannes-heyen.de
In terms of total displacement, the three British cruisers were approximately twice as large as the Spee, and more than one and a half times greater in weight per minute salvo. To extol the achievements of their side, some British researchers compared the weight of a single salvo of ships without taking into account the rate of fire - these figures reached the Soviet press and for some time disoriented lovers of naval history. According to these data, a ship with a standard displacement of 12,540 tons was twice as powerful as three cruisers with a total standard displacement of 22,400 tons.
Diagram of the heavy cruiser "Admiral Graf Spee", 1939
Source – A. V. Platonov, Yu. V. Apalkov. German warships, 1939–1945. St. Petersburg, 1995
“Spee” carried only six guns, but 283-mm caliber, firing 4,500 kg of metal per minute. In addition, it had eight 150-mm guns in light mounts, placed four per side (another 2,540 kg of metal per minute, 1,270 kg per side).
Aft tower of "Admiral Count Spee"
Source – commons.wikimedia.org
The Exeter also carried six guns, but only 203 mm, as it was originally considered a B-class scout rather than an A-class. The weight of its one-minute salvo was only 2780 kg - more than two times less than that of the enemy. The same type "Ajax" (Harewood's flag) and "Achilles" each had eight 152-mm guns in two-gun turrets and, at the maximum rate of fire (8 rounds per minute), could fire 3,260 kg of metal per minute (more than the flagship). Thus, the total broadside salvo of the British squadron was 9300 kg, that is, it exceeded the salvo of the Spee, if not two, then at least one and a half times (taking into account the fact that the average caliber of the “German” could fire on board only half of the guns) . Undoubtedly, the Spee was much better protected, but had a speed of 5 knots less. Thus, there was a classic example of an “asymmetrical” battle in which each side had its own advantages.
One against three
The opponents discovered each other on the morning of December 13, 1939, almost simultaneously (about 5:50 GMT), but the Germans quickly realized that in front of them was warships. True, they mistook the light cruisers for destroyers, so the raider willingly moved to approach. In the first minutes, no one opened fire, although the distance was a little more than a hundred cables.
At 6:14 am, Commodore Harewood gave the order to split up to engage the enemy in a pincer movement. The heavy Exeter moved straight towards the German, passing to his left, while both light cruisers moved in a wide arc, bypassing the enemy on the right and keeping a great distance from him. This maneuver looks strange: keeping a distance of a hundred cables, the British had little chance of hitting the enemy, while the enemy 283-mm cannons remained very dangerous for them. On the contrary, the most effective tactic for them was to quickly close the distance and approach to such a distance that 152-mm shells could penetrate the side of the Spee. In addition, this would allow the British to use torpedo tubes - the Germans were afraid of such a possibility (evidence of this is the behavior of “Luttsov” and “Hipper” in the “New Year’s Battle” on December 31, 1942). Exeter actually fired torpedoes at the beginning of the battle, but Ajax used them only at the end of the battle (about 7:30), when the distance was reduced to 50 cabs; a little earlier, Spee fired one torpedo. Even if the torpedoes had not hit the German cruiser, dodging them would, one way or another, reduce the accuracy of its shooting.
English cruisers Ajax and Exeter (in the background). Montevideo, November 1939
In turn, Exeter, with its longer-range guns, had no need to reduce the distance. The only explanation for his maneuver is that the British exaggerated the defense of the Admiral Graf Spee and tried to get closer to him. However, this in no way justifies the division of forces: alone, the heavy cruiser was significantly inferior to the “pocket battleship”. In addition, by approaching from different directions, the British allowed the enemy to bring into action all eight 150-mm guns instead of four.
First phase of the battle: a crushing blow to Exeter
At 6:18, the Spee opened fire on the Exeter from the main caliber bow turret from a distance of approximately 90 kb. "Exeter" responded at 6:20 - first from two bow turrets, then, turning slightly to the left, brought the stern turret into operation. At 6:21, Ajax began firing, at 6:23, Achilles. All British ships fired semi-armor-piercing shells (“common”) - for 203 mm guns this was quite justified, but 152 mm shells had no chance of penetrating the “German’s” armor. It would have been more logical to use high-explosive shells, which had a greater damaging effect, but at the beginning of the war the British simply did not have enough of them.
The Germans fired in a “ladder” pattern - they fired the next salvo without waiting for the previous one to fall - but for greater accuracy, they first fired from the towers one by one, and switched to full six-gun salvoes only after they achieved the first coverage. At first, the Spee fired semi-armor-piercing shells, but after the first hits it switched to high-explosive instantaneous shells: the chief gunner of the German cruiser, Paul Ascher, hoped to achieve maximum damage, considering the Exeter’s defense weak and incomplete.
Heavy cruiser Exeter in 1941
The Exeter was hit by the third salvo, receiving significant shrapnel damage to unprotected equipment (in particular, the plane on the catapult was destroyed). The fourth salvo gave one hit in the bow, but the semi-armor-piercing 283-mm shell pierced the hull without having time to explode. The next hit was equally ineffective - perhaps the Germans noticed this and therefore switched to firing high-explosive shells.
The first 283-mm high-explosive shell that hit the Exeter (at 6:25) exploded, hitting the second turret - its light 25-mm armor was not penetrated, but the turret was still out of action until the end of the battle. The shrapnel killed the people on the bridge (the ship's commander, Captain Frederick Bell, miraculously survived), and the cruiser lost control for some time, and most importantly, the artillery fire control system failed. It is unlikely that even an armor-piercing shell could have caused more damage.
After this, the Spee divided the fire, redirecting the bow turret towards the light cruisers - especially since after 6:30 the Exeter was covered with a smoke screen. The distance to the new target at this moment was about 65 cabs. At 6:40 a.m., a 283-mm shell exploded at the Achilles's stem, damaging the command and rangefinder post and wounding the ship's commander, Edward Perry (some sources write about the injury of an artillery officer), as well as disabling the radio station, which disrupted communication with the spotter aircraft . Soon after this, the Exeter was hit by two more shells: one of them disabled the first turret (and the charge in the breaker caught fire, and in order to avoid an explosion the British had to flood its cellars), and the second pierced the hull above the belt, destroyed the radio room and exploded under deck on the port side. The second hit disabled the 102 mm gun and caused a fire in the fenders of the first shots.
Battle of La Plata December 13, 1939
Source – S. Roskill. Fleet and war. Volume 1. M.: Voenizdat, 1967
At 6:42, the last shell hit the Exeter - the location of the hit is unknown, but, apparently, it was in the bow near the waterline, since by the end of the battle the cruiser had a meter trim on the bow and a list to the left side, and its the speed dropped to 17 knots, although the vehicles remained undamaged. Finally, at 7:30, the water shorted the power cables of the aft tower and put it out of action - the cruiser lost all of its artillery.
In response, Spee received only two 203-mm shells from Exeter. One of them pierced through the high tower-like superstructure and did not explode. But the second, from a distance of about 65 cabs, entered the side almost at a right angle (at that moment the Spee turned sharply to the left, from 6:22 to 6:25 changing course by almost 90°), pierced 100 mm of the armor of the upper part of the belt above the armor deck, then pierced the 40-mm upper longitudinal bulkhead and at a very acute angle came into contact with the 20-mm armored deck, where it exploded in the food storeroom. The main fire line was cut off and a local fire broke out, but overall the German ship was lucky: the damage was minor. The “spaced” reservation system worked - it can be argued that it provided protection from 203-mm armor-piercing shells at a distance of at least 65 kb and when hit at angles close to 90°.
Second phase of the battle: "Spee" against light cruisers
At approximately 6:45, the Spee transferred all its fire to the light cruisers, which had already been firing at it for a long time and scored several hits (though causing virtually no damage). At that moment there were about 90 cabs before them, and this distance increased as the Spee left the British exactly abeam. Seeing this, Harewood, who was on the Ajax, ordered his ships to turn around and catch up with the enemy, still keeping to his right.
At 06:55, Harewood's ships swung 30° to port to engage all of their turrets. At this point, the distance between the opponents was 85–90 cab. According to the British, after this the second salvo produced hits, but the German ship began to maneuver, knocking down the sight. After 7:10, “Spee” again fired for some time at the “Exeter” that appeared from the smoke from a distance of 70 cabs, but did not achieve any hits.
The actions of the German commander were extremely unsuccessful - by maneuvering, Langsdorff prevented not only the enemy from shooting, but also his own gunners. At the same time, Harewood, taking advantage of his speed advantage, was steadily closing the distance, and this brought more benefits to the light cruisers, all of whose 152 mm guns were now in action.
Light cruiser Ajax in 1939
Source – S. Patyanin, A. Dashyan, K. Balakin. All cruisers of World War II. M.: Yauza, Eksmo, 2012
Thanks to the high rate of fire and the presence of a spotter aircraft, the British began to achieve an increasing number of hits from a distance of 80 cabs. By 7:10, the Spee was hit by 4 to 6 shells. One hit the 150-mm installation No. 3, destroying it along with the crew, the other hit the stern behind the armored citadel, killed two people, but did not explode (according to English data, it was a training blank). Two more shells hit the tower-like superstructure: one exploded above the upper director of the main caliber (three people were killed, but the damage was again minimal), the other destroyed the right rangefinder and caused damage to the directors of the anti-aircraft and main calibers (the connection of the latter with the towers was disrupted for some time) . The explosion disabled the poorly protected system for supplying shells to the bow group of 150-mm guns.
To get closer to the enemy, after 7:10 Harewood changed course, and now only the bow turrets could fire at his cruisers. At this time, the German ship was also strictly stern to the British. As a result, despite the reduction in distance, the hits stopped. However, at 7:16, Spee began to maneuver, bringing both turrets into action and achieving coverage. The distance between the opponents began to quickly decrease.
The British took aim again: one of their shells hit the rear of the Spee and disabled the remote control equipment for the torpedo tubes, another disabled the 105-mm universal installation, and the third exploded at the base of the catapult, destroying the aircraft standing on it. Two more shells hit the rear turret without causing any damage. Finally, it is known that one of the 152-mm shells hit the surface part of the armor belt (thickness - 100 mm) in the area of the aft turret, but did not penetrate it.
At 7:25, a German 283-mm shell from a distance of about 50 cabs pierced the barbette of the third Ajax turret and hit the barbette of the fourth turret, disabling both (it is not clear whether an explosion occurred). At the same time, the supply to one of the guns in the second turret failed. There were only three intact guns left on the cruiser, but Harewood did not leave the battle.
Mutual maneuvers again disrupted aiming for both sides for a while, but at 7:34 from a distance of 40 cabs, Spee again achieved coverage: fragments from a close explosion demolished the top of the mast along with the antennas on the Ajax (S. Roskill describes this as a hit and dates to 7:38).
"Admiral Graf Spee" enters the Montevideo roadstead after the battle
Source – V. Kofman, M. Knyazev. Hitler's armored pirates. Heavy cruisers of the Deutschland and Admiral Hipper classes. M.: Yauza, Eksmo, 2012
During this period of the battle, the Spee received three hits at once in the superstructure, which destroyed the galley, but again did not cause serious damage. Another shell hit the bow turret, not penetrating its armor, but, according to some sources, jamming the middle gun - perhaps temporarily.
The ships of both sides began to run out of ammunition, they fired more slowly and more carefully, so no one else scored any hits. On the Ajax there were 7 killed and 5 wounded, on the Achilles there were 4 killed and 7 wounded. At 7:42, Harewood laid a smoke screen, and under its cover the British ships described a zigzag to sharply increase the distance to the enemy. The British tried not to let the German ship out of sight, but at the same time keep a distance of one and a half hundred cables from it, and as a result, they “guided” the enemy almost to Montevideo.
Results of the battle
During the entire battle, “Spee” was hit by two 203 mm and up to eighteen 152 mm shells. The latter is explained by the large number and high rate of fire of six-inch guns: in a minute, the British cruisers could fire over a hundred shells and by the end of the battle they had almost exhausted their ammunition. But the Exeter could fire only two dozen 203-mm shells per minute, and it did not participate in the fire battle until the end of the collision.
Not all 152-mm shells had any effect on the Spee. Some of them did not explode, and some simply passed through the high superstructure without much harm to the ship.
Damage received by "Admiral Graf Spee" during the battle of La Plata
Source – V. Kofman, M. Knyazev. Hitler's armored pirates. Heavy cruisers of the Deutschland and Admiral Hipper classes. M.: Yauza, Eksmo, 2012
The locations and consequences of hits from 14 out of 18 shells are known (they are described above). At least one shell (possibly more) hit the main belt without penetrating it. Three shells hit the main caliber turrets, which had a 140-mm front (one in the bow, two in the stern), also without penetrating the armor and only temporarily disabling one 283-mm gun. Only two 152-mm shells had a more or less serious effect: one of them destroyed the 150-mm gun, the other disabled the supply of 150-mm shells and for some time disrupted the fire control of the main caliber. It is known that the Spee had two holes with an area of about 0.5 m2 each (above the waterline and at its level), which were completely removable at sea. Thus, the main impact of six-inch shells affected only the deck and superstructures of the German ship.
The impact of the 203rd shells turned out to be even less significant. One of them also went right through the superstructure, as the British used semi-armor-piercing shells. Another (most likely not a “common”, but a purely armor-piercing one) hit the “Spee” at a very favorable angle, pierced the belt and the internal bulkhead, but exploded on the 20-mm armored deck.
152-mm shells also accounted for most of the German casualties: 36 people were killed (including one officer), another 58 were wounded (albeit, most of them lightly). However, the damage to the ship itself practically did not reduce its survivability and had very little effect on its combat effectiveness. At the same time, the fact that the armor was almost completely penetrated suggests that only 203-mm shells posed a real danger to the survivability of the “pocket battleship” (at least in theory).
The impact of German 283 mm shells on British ships was much more noticeable. Although the Spee, even firing on its entire side, could fire no more than twelve main-caliber shells per minute, the Exeter was hit by six such shells (although two of them pierced the ends and did not explode). As a result, the British heavy cruiser lost all its artillery, slowed down and took on a significant amount of water, and its flow could not be stopped for quite some time. 61 people died on the ship (including 5 officers), and another 34 sailors were injured. If Langsdorff had acted more decisively, had not “pulled” his ship from side to side and had not constantly changed targets, it would not have been difficult for him to overtake and sink the “wounded man” (at least with torpedoes).
Exploded and burning "Spee"
Source – Illustrated London News, Dec. 30, 1939
The Spee's shooting at the light cruisers turned out to be much less successful - in fact, the Germans achieved only one hit with the main caliber on the Ajax and two very close falls, mainly causing damage to the control and communication systems of both cruisers (in particular, it was disrupted for some time communication with the spotter). But just one successfully hit 283-mm shell disabled half of the artillery of the flagship Ajax, forcing Harewood to actually stop the artillery battle. It is noteworthy that the 150-mm Spee guns did not make a single hit - partly because their fire control system worked much worse (largely due to the fact that they had limited aiming angles and were forced to constantly change when maneuvering the ship goals).
In general, the Spee spent the second half of the battle (the battle with light cruisers) noticeably worse than the first. The British achieved twice the percentage of direct hits - and this despite the fact that at a distance of 70–80 cabs, German 283 mm guns should have been significantly superior in accuracy to the enemy’s 152 mm guns. Such poor shooting is partly due to unsuccessful and ill-conceived maneuvering. On the other hand, the only German 283-mm shell that hit the target directly caused more damage to the enemy than two dozen British 152-mm shells did to the Spee itself.
The sunken Spee. Photo taken by the British in 1940
Source – V. Kofman, M. Knyazev. Hitler's armored pirates. Heavy cruisers of the Deutschland and Admiral Hipper classes. M.: Yauza, Eksmo, 2012
Langsdorff's mistaken decision to go to Montevideo, which became a deliberate trap, was made not because of losses and damage, but after the Spee commander received a message that 60% of the shells had been spent. Perhaps the psychological effect of the unsuccessful course of the second phase of the battle, which began so promisingly for the Germans, also played a role. On the evening of December 17, 1939, the Spee was blown up and scuttled by its own crew in neutral waters four kilometers from the Uruguayan coast. The ship's commander, Langsdorf, shot himself. This also indicates the emotional instability of the German commander, which prevented him from adequately leading the battle and achieving victory.
Bibliography:
- V. Kofman, M. Knyazev. Hitler's armored pirates. Heavy cruisers of the Deutschland and Admiral Hipper classes. M.: Yauza, Eskmo, 2012
- S. Roskill. Fleet and war. Volume 1. M.: Voenizdat, 1967
- http://www.navweaps.com
Naval battles of the Second World War: Pearl Harbor.
In 1939, the most important innovation in naval warfare was aircraft, which were used not only for reconnaissance purposes, as in 1916, but also as bombers and torpedo bombers - in other words, as carriers of weapons used to destroy the enemy. In the First World War, the radius of combat operations was determined by the range of the guns (18-20 km). But during the naval battles of the Second World War, everything depended on the flight range of the aircraft, i.e. ships could fight without seeing each other.
Classic examples of new methods of naval warfare are the British attack at Taranto on November 12, 1940 and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, where the main forces of the US Pacific Fleet were based during the Second World War. With the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japan started the war in the Pacific. Causing enormous damage to the US fleet, destroying 8 battleships, 6 cruisers, 1 destroyer (3,400 people were killed and wounded). Thus, on the very first day of hostilities, Japan gained supremacy at sea, defeating the main naval base of the US Pacific Fleet in the central Pacific Ocean on the island of Oahu (Hawaii Islands).
The British attacked Taranto with the help of aircraft that took off from the aircraft carrier Illustries, which was located in the Adriatic Sea 170 miles from Taranto and 40 miles from Kefalonia (an island in the Ionian Sea, the largest
from the Ionian Islands). The Japanese planes that attacked Pearl Harbor launched from the aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu, Sokaku, and Zuikaku, located 230 miles from the island of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean.
It is preferable to attack ships from the air from land bases rather than from aircraft carriers. The most striking and convincing example of this is the sinking of the British battleship Prince of Wales and the battle cruiser Repulse on December 10, 1941 near Malaya as a result of Japanese bombing from airfields in Indochina. Another example is a German Luftwaffe air raid from Sicilian airfields, which resulted in heavy casualties for British Navy convoys heading to Malta. Particularly memorable is the operation of August 12-15, 1942, when the convoy heading to Malta was escorted by the aircraft carriers Victoria, Indomitable and Eagle. The Eagle was sunk by the German submarine U-73 on August 11, and on the evening of August 12, a plane from the Sicilian base destroyed the Indomitable's runway deck.
The largest air and sea battles of World War II took place in the Pacific between American and Japanese special forces, the composition of which was still determined by a large number of aircraft carriers.
The first naval battle where the ships did not see each other and did not fire was the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 6-8, 1942, during which the American and Japanese aircraft carriers Lexington and Soho were sunk. The Japanese aircraft carriers Soho, Sokaku, and Zuikaku and the American Yorktown and Lexington took part in this battle. The distance between the hostile fleets was about 200 miles. Probably the most significant naval battle in the Pacific Ocean was the so-called Battle of Midway on June 4-5, 1942 (Midway is an atoll in the Pacific Ocean, in the northwestern group of the Hawaiian Islands. Captured by the United States in 1867, since 1959 . part of the state of the Hawaiian Islands, occupies a favorable strategic position in the North Pacific Ocean). The Japanese aircraft carriers Soryu, Kaga, Akagi and Hiryu were sunk and
American Yorktown. The Japanese also lost the cruiser Mogami, 4 aircraft carriers, 250 naval aircraft and a huge number of technical and air group personnel, which led to problems with its replacement. During this World War II naval battle, Japanese aircraft carriers sent their aircraft from 240 miles away from targets in the Midway Islands, while American aircraft attacked Japanese ships from over 200 miles away.
War 1939-1945 was mainly a war air-sea forces. But in some situations, the ships acted independently, however, their actions did not have the same significance as the collision of entire flotillas (such as near Jutland in 1916). A typical example is the pursuit of the German ships Bismarck and Prinz Eugen by the British fleet. These ships left Gdynia on May 18, 1941. Having rounded Iceland from the north, they were heading to the Atlantic. The British expelled Scapa Flow battle cruiser Hood and the battleship Prince of Wales, plus the entire Inland Fleet, including the battlecruiser Repulse. In the first collision, which occurred at the same latitude as Iceland, the Bismarck sank the Hood (0600 on May 24, 1941), firing from a distance of 18 kilometers. The second gun duel between the Bismarck and the battleships King George V and Rodney took place on May 27 at 8.30 from a distance of 15 kilometers. The Bismarck, which had already been damaged as a result of an attack by torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier Ark Royal on the evening of May 26, was turned into practically a floating wreck and was sunk two hours later by torpedoes from the cruiser Dorsetshire (10.36 on May 27, 1941). Despite the fact that aircraft were used in naval battles only for intermediate attacks, the experience of the war of 1939-1945. proved the uselessness of huge battleships and the urgent need for aircraft carriers. In addition to the use of aviation in the Second World War, it became possible to determine the location of the enemy in the worst visibility, day and night. The use of radar by the British Navy resulted in the loss of three Italian cruisers: Pola, Zara and Fiume on the night of March 28, 1941. Zara and Fiume were sent to help Pola, which was damaged by two torpedoes during an air raid. The Italian cruisers were unprepared for battle because they were not equipped to fire at night. Without hesitation, they entered the range of gunfire from the British battleships, which, having determined their location by radar, calmly waited until the enemy reached the position most suitable for shelling. The use of radar by the Germans' opponents was one of the reasons that German submarines lost the war over the Atlantic trade routes. By the way, before the introduction of radar, submarines remained practically invisible. During the day they were submerged and surfaced only at night (to recharge the batteries) when the human eye was unable to see them. In contrast, radar could locate submarines, allowing them to be attacked from the air, especially on their return - in the short distance between the Atlantic and the coasts of France and Germany.
The Battle of Gangut is a naval battle of the Great Northern War of 1700-1721, which took place on July 27 (August 7), 1714 at Cape Gangut (Hanko Peninsula, Finland) in the Baltic Sea between the Russian and Swedish fleets, the first naval victory of the Russian fleet in the history of Russia.
By the spring of 1714, the southern and almost entire central parts of Finland were occupied by Russian troops. In order to finally resolve the issue of Russia's access to the Baltic Sea, which was controlled by the Swedes, it was necessary to defeat the Swedish fleet.
At the end of June 1714, the Russian rowing fleet (99 galleys, scampaways and auxiliary ships with a 15,000-strong landing party) under the command of Admiral General Count Fyodor Matveyevich Apraksin concentrated off the eastern coast of Gangut (in Tverminne Bay) with the goal of landing troops to strengthen the Russian garrison in Abo (100 km northwest of Cape Gangut). The path to the Russian fleet was blocked by the Swedish fleet (15 battleships, 3 frigates, 2 bombardment ships and 9 galleys) under the command of G. Vatrang. Peter I (Schautbenacht Peter Mikhailov) used a tactical maneuver. He decided to transfer part of his galleys to the area north of Gangut across the isthmus of this peninsula, 2.5 kilometers long. To fulfill his plan, he ordered the construction of a perevolok (wooden flooring). Having learned about this, Vatrang sent a detachment of ships (1 frigate, 6 galleys, 3 skerries) to the northern coast of the peninsula. The detachment was headed by Rear Admiral Ehrenskiold. He decided to use another detachment (8 battleships and 2 bombardment ships) under the command of Vice Admiral Lillier to strike the main forces of the Russian fleet.
Peter expected such a decision. He decided to take advantage of the division of enemy forces. The weather was also favorable to him. On the morning of July 26 (August 6), there was no wind, which is why the Swedish sailing ships lost their maneuverability. The vanguard of the Russian fleet (20 ships) under the command of Commander Matvey Khristoforovich Zmaevich began a breakthrough, bypassing the Swedish ships and remaining out of range of their fire. Following him, another detachment (15 ships) made a breakthrough. Thus, there was no need for relocation. Zmaevich's detachment blocked Ehrenskiöld's detachment near Lakkisser Island.
Believing that other detachments of Russian ships would continue the breakthrough in the same way, Vatrang recalled Lille’s detachment, thus freeing the coastal fairway. Taking advantage of this, Apraksin with the main forces of the rowing fleet broke through the coastal fairway to his vanguard. At 14:00 on July 27 (August 7), the Russian vanguard, consisting of 23 ships, attacked Ehrenskiöld’s detachment, which built its ships along a concave line, both flanks of which rested on the islands. The Swedes managed to repulse the first two attacks with fire from naval guns. The third attack was launched against the flanking ships of the Swedish detachment, which did not allow the enemy to take advantage of their artillery advantage. They were soon boarded and captured. Peter I personally participated in the boarding attack, showing the sailors an example of courage and heroism. After a stubborn battle, the Swedish flagship, the frigate Elephant, surrendered. All 10 ships of Ehrenskiöld's detachment were captured. Part of the forces of the Swedish fleet managed to escape to the Åland Islands.
The victory off the Gangut Peninsula was the first major victory of the Russian regular fleet. She provided him with freedom of action in the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia and effective support for Russian troops in Finland. In the Battle of Gangut, the Russian command boldly used the advantage of the rowing fleet in the fight against the linear sailing fleet of the Swedes, skillfully organized the interaction of the forces of the fleet and ground forces, reacted flexibly to changes in the tactical situation and weather conditions, managed to unravel the enemy’s maneuver and impose its tactics on him.
Strengths of the parties:
Russia - 99 galleys, scamps and auxiliary ships, 15 thousandth landing force
Sweden - 14 battleships, 1 provision ship, 3 frigates, 2 bombardment ships and 9 galleys
Military losses:
Russia - 127 killed (8 officers), 342 wounded (1 brigadier, 16 officers), 232 prisoners (7 officers). Total - 701 people (including 1 brigadier, 31 officer), 1 galley - captured.
Sweden - 1 frigate, 6 galleys, 3 skerries, 361 killed (9 officers), 580 prisoners (1 admiral, 17 officers) (of which 350 were wounded). Total - 941 people (including 1 admiral, 26 officers), 116 guns.
Battle of Grenham
The Battle of Grengam - a naval battle that took place on July 27 (August 7), 1720 in the Baltic Sea near the island of Grengam (southern group of the Åland Islands), was the last major battle of the Great Northern War.
After the Battle of Gangut, England, concerned about the growing power of the Russian army, formed a military alliance with Sweden. However, the demonstrative approach of the joint Anglo-Swedish squadron to Revel did not force Peter I to seek peace, and the squadron retreated to the shores of Sweden. Peter I, having learned about this, ordered the Russian fleet to be moved from the Åland Islands to Helsingfors, and several boats to be left near the squadron for patrolling. Soon one of these boats, which ran aground, was captured by the Swedes, as a result of which Peter ordered the fleet to be returned back to the Åland Islands.
On July 26 (August 6), the Russian fleet under the command of M. Golitsyn, consisting of 61 galleys and 29 boats, approached the Åland Islands. Russian reconnaissance boats spotted the Swedish squadron between the islands of Lameland and Fritsberg. Due to the strong wind, it was impossible to attack her, and Golitsyn decided to go to Grengam Island in order to prepare a good position among the skerries.
When on July 27 (August 7) the Russian ships approached Grengam, the Swedish fleet under the command of K.G. Shoblada, having 156 guns, unexpectedly weighed anchor and approached, subjecting the Russians to massive shelling. The Russian fleet began to hastily retreat into shallow waters, where the pursuing Swedish ships ended up. In shallow water, the more maneuverable Russian galleys and boats went on the attack and managed to board 4 frigates (34-gun Stor-Phoenix, 30-gun Venker, 22-gun Kiskin and 18-gun Dansk-Ern) ), after which the rest of the Swedish fleet retreated.
The result of the Battle of Grengam was the end of undivided Swedish influence in the Baltic Sea and the establishment of Russia on it. The battle brought the conclusion of the Nystadt Peace closer.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 61 galleys and 29 boats
Sweden - 1 battleship, 4 frigates, 3 galleys, 3 skerry boats, shnyava, galliot and brigantine
Military losses:
Russian Empire - 82 killed (2 officers), 236 wounded (7 officers). Total - 328 people (including 9 officers).
Sweden - 4 frigates, 103 killed (3 officers), 407 prisoners (37 officers). Total - 510 people (including 40 officers), 104 guns, 4 flags.
Battle of Chesme
The Battle of Chesma is a naval battle on July 5-7, 1770 in Chesma Bay between the Russian and Turkish fleets.
After the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War in 1768, Russia sent several squadrons from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean to divert the attention of the Turks from the Black Sea Fleet - the so-called First Archipelago Expedition. Two Russian squadrons (under the command of Admiral Grigory Spiridov and the English adviser Rear Admiral John Elphinstone), united under the overall command of Count Alexei Orlov, discovered the Turkish fleet in the roadstead of Chesme Bay (west coast of Turkey).
July 5, battle in the Chios Strait
After agreeing on a plan of action, the Russian fleet, under full sail, approached the southern edge of the Turkish line, and then, turning around, began to take positions against the Turkish ships. The Turkish fleet opened fire at 11:30-11:45, the Russian - at 12:00. The maneuver failed for three Russian ships: “Europe” overshot its place and was forced to turn around and stand behind “Rostislav”, “Three Saints” went around the second Turkish ship from the rear before it could get into formation and was mistakenly attacked by the ship “Three Hierarch" and "St. Januarius was forced to turn around before getting into formation.
"St. Eustathius, under the command of Spiridov, began a duel with the flagship of the Turkish squadron, Real Mustafa, under the command of Hassan Pasha, and then tried to board it. After the burning mainmast of the Real Mustafa fell on the St. Eustathius,” he exploded. After 10-15 minutes, Real Mustafa also exploded. Admiral Spiridov and the commander's brother Fyodor Orlov left the ship before the explosion. The captain of “St. Eustathia" Cruz. Spiridov continued command from the ship "Three Saints".
By 14:00 the Turks cut off the anchor ropes and retreated to Chesme Bay under the cover of coastal batteries.
July 6-7, battle in Chesme Bay
In Chesme Bay, Turkish ships formed two lines of 8 and 7 battleships, respectively, the rest of the ships took a position between these lines and the shore.
During the day of July 6, Russian ships fired at the Turkish fleet and coastal fortifications from a great distance. Fireships were made from four auxiliary vessels.
At 17:00 on July 6, the bombardment ship "Grom" anchored in front of the entrance to Chesme Bay and began shelling Turkish ships. At 0:30 he was joined by the battleship "Europe", and by 1:00 - by "Rostislav", in the wake of which the fireships arrived.
"Europe", "Rostislav" and the approaching "Don't touch me" formed a line from north to south, engaging in battle with Turkish ships, "Saratov" stood in reserve, and "Thunder" and the frigate "Africa" attacked the batteries on the western shore of the bay . At 1:30 or a little earlier (midnight, according to Elphinstone), as a result of the fire of the Thunder and/or Touch Me Not, one of the Turkish battleships exploded due to the transfer of flames from the burning sails to the hull. Burning debris from this explosion scattered other ships in the bay.
After the explosion of the second Turkish ship at 2:00, the Russian ships ceased fire, and fire ships entered the bay. The Turks managed to shoot two of them, under the command of captains Gagarin and Dugdale (according to Elphinstone, only Captain Dugdale’s fireship was shot, and Captain Gagarin’s fireship refused to go into battle), one under the command of Mackenzie grappled with an already burning ship, and one under the command of Lieutenant D. Ilyina grappled with an 84-gun battleship. Ilyin set fire to the fireship, and he and his crew left it on a boat. The ship exploded and set fire to most of the remaining Turkish ships. By 2:30, 3 more battleships exploded.
At about 4:00, Russian ships sent boats to save two large ships that were not yet burning, but only one of them, the 60-gun Rhodes, was taken out. From 4:00 to 5:30, 6 more battleships exploded, and in the 7th hour, 4 exploded simultaneously. By 8:00, the battle in Chesme Bay was over.
After the Battle of Chesme, the Russian fleet managed to seriously disrupt the communications of the Turks in the Aegean Sea and establish a blockade of the Dardanelles. All this played an important role in the conclusion of the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Peace Treaty.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 9 battleships, 3 frigates, 1 bombardment ship,
17-19 small craft, approx. 6500 people
Ottoman Empire - 16 battleships, 6 frigates, 6 shebeks, 13 galleys, 32 small vessels,
OK. 15,000 people
Losses:
Russian Empire - 1 battleship, 4 fire ships, 661 people, of which 636 were killed in the explosion of the ship St. Eustathius, 40 wounded
Ottoman Empire - 15 battleships, 6 frigates, a large number of small ships, approx. 11,000 people. Captured: 1 battleship, 5 galleys
Battles of Rochensalm
The first Battle of Rochensalm was a naval battle between Russia and Sweden, which took place on August 13 (24), 1789, in the roadstead of the Swedish city of Rochensalm and ended in the victory of the Russian fleet.
On August 22, 1789, the Swedish fleet with a total of 49 ships under the command of Admiral K. A. Ehrensvärd took refuge in the Rochensalm roadstead among the islands near the modern Finnish city of Kotka. The Swedes blocked the only Rochensalm Strait accessible to large ships, sinking three ships there. On August 24, 86 Russian ships under the command of Vice Admiral K. G. Nassau-Siegen launched an attack from two sides. The southern detachment under the command of Major General I.P. Balle distracted the main forces of the Swedes for several hours, while the main forces of the Russian fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Yu.P. Litta made their way from the north. The ships fired, and special teams of sailors and officers cut a passage. Five hours later Rochensalm was cleared and the Russians broke into the roadstead. The Swedes were defeated, losing 39 ships (including the admiral's, which was captured). Russian losses amounted to 2 ships. The commander of the right wing of the Russian vanguard, Antonio Coronelli, distinguished himself in the battle.
Strengths of the parties:
Russia - 86 ships
Sweden - 49 ships
Military losses:
Russia -2 ships
Sweden - 39 ships
The Second Battle of Rochensalm was a naval battle between Russia and Sweden, which took place on July 9-10, 1790 in the roadstead of the Swedish city of Rochensalm. The Swedish naval forces inflicted a crushing defeat on the Russian fleet, which led to the end of the Russian-Swedish war, which Russia had almost already won, on conditions unfavorable for the Russian side.
The attempt to storm Vyborg, undertaken by the Swedes in June 1790, was unsuccessful: on July 4, 1790, the Swedish fleet, blocked by Russian ships in the Vyborg Bay, escaped from encirclement at the cost of significant losses. Having taken the galley fleet to Rochensalm (the main composition of the sailing warships that survived the breakthrough of the Vyborg blockade went to Sveaborg for repairs), Gustav III and the flag captain, Lieutenant Colonel Karl Olof Kronstedt, began preparations for the expected Russian attack. On July 6, final orders for the organization of defense were made. At dawn on July 9, 1790, in view of the approaching Russian ships, the order was given to begin the battle.
Unlike the first Battle of Rochensalm, the Russians decided to break through to the Swedish raid from one side of the Rochensalm Strait. The head of the Russian rowing fleet in the Gulf of Finland, Vice Admiral Karl Nassau-Siegen, approached Rochensalm at 2 a.m. and at 9 a.m., without preliminary reconnaissance, began the battle - probably wanting to give a gift to Empress Catherine II on the day of her accession to the throne. From the very beginning of the battle, its course turned out to be favorable for the Swedish fleet, which was entrenched in the Rochensalm roadstead with a powerful L-shaped anchor formation - despite the significant superiority of the Russians in personnel and naval artillery. On the first day of the battle, Russian ships attacked the southern flank of the Swedes, but were driven back by hurricane winds and fired from the shore by Swedish coastal batteries, as well as Swedish galleys and gunboats at anchor.
Then the Swedes, skillfully maneuvering, moved the gunboats to the left flank and mixed up the formation of the Russian galleys. During the panicked retreat, most of the Russian galleys, and after them the frigates and shebeks, were broken by storm waves, sank or capsized. Several Russian sailing ships anchored in combat positions were boarded, captured or burned.
The next morning, the Swedes consolidated their position with a new successful attack. The remnants of the Russian fleet were finally driven away from Rochensalm.
The Second Battle of Rochensalm cost the Russian side about 40% of the Baltic coastal defense fleet. The battle is considered one of the largest naval operations (in terms of the number of vessels involved) in all of naval history; a larger number of warships - if we do not take into account the data from ancient sources about the battles of Salamis Island and Cape Eknom - took part only in the battle in Leyte Gulf on October 23-26, 1944.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 20 battleships, 23 galleys and xebeks, 77 sloops of war, ≈1,400 guns, 18,500 people
Sweden - 6 battleships, 16 galleys, 154 sloops of war and gunboats, ≈1000 guns, 12,500 men
Military losses:
Russian Empire - more than 800 killed and wounded, more than 6,000 prisoners, 53-64 ships (mostly galleys and gunboats)
Sweden - 300 killed and wounded, 1 galley, 4 small vessels
Battle of Cape Tendra (Battle of Hajibey)
The Battle of Cape Tendra (Battle of Hajibey) is a naval battle on the Black Sea during the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791 between the Russian squadron under the command of F. F. Ushakov and the Turkish squadron under the command of Hasan Pasha. Happened on August 28-29 (September 8-9), 1790 near the Tendra Spit.
After the annexation of Crimea to Russia, a new Russian-Turkish war began. Russian troops launched an offensive in the Danube region. A galley flotilla was formed to help them. However, she could not make the transition from Kherson to the combat area due to the presence of a Turkish squadron in the western Black Sea. The squadron of Rear Admiral F.F. Ushakov came to the aid of the flotilla. Having under his command 10 battleships, 6 frigates, 17 cruising ships, a bombardier ship, a rehearsal ship and 2 fire ships, on August 25 he left Sevastopol and headed to Ochakov to connect with the rowing fleet and give battle to the enemy.
The commander of the Turkish fleet, Hasan Pasha, having gathered all his forces between Hajibey (now Odessa) and Cape Tendra, longed for revenge for the defeat in the battle of the Kerch Strait on July 8 (19), 1790. With his determination to fight the enemy, he managed to convince the Sultan of the imminent defeat of Russian naval forces on the Black Sea and thus earned his favor. To be faithful, Selim III gave the experienced admiral Said Bey to help his friend and relative (Hasan Pasha was married to the Sultan’s sister), intending to turn the tide of events at sea in favor of Turkey.
On the morning of August 28, the Turkish fleet, consisting of 14 battleships, 8 frigates and 23 other ships, continued to anchor between Cape Tendra and Hajibey. And suddenly, from the direction of Sevastopol, Hasan discovered Russian ships sailing under full sail in a marching order of three columns. The appearance of the Russians threw the Turks into confusion. Despite their superiority in strength, they hastily began to cut the ropes and retreat to the Danube in disarray. Ushakov ordered all sails to be carried and, remaining in marching order, began to descend on the enemy. The advanced Turkish ships, having filled their sails, moved away to a considerable distance. But, noticing the danger looming over the rearguard, Hasan Pasha began to unite with him and build a battle line. Ushakov, continuing to approach the enemy, also gave the order to rebuild into a battle line. As a result, the Russian ships “very quickly” lined up in battle formation in the wind of the Turks.
Using the change in the battle order that had justified itself in the Battle of Kerch, Fyodor Fedorovich withdrew three frigates from the line - “John the Warrior”, “Jerome” and “Protection of the Virgin” to provide a maneuverable reserve in case of a change in the wind and a possible enemy attack from two sides. At 15 o'clock, having approached the enemy within range of a grape shot, F.F. Ushakov forced him to fight. And soon, under powerful fire from the Russian line, the enemy began to duck into the wind and become upset. Approaching closer, the Russians attacked the leading part of the Turkish fleet with all their might. Ushakov's flagship ship "Rozhdestvo Khristovo" fought with three enemy ships, forcing them to leave the line.
By 5 p.m. the entire Turkish line was completely defeated. Pressed by the Russians, the advanced enemy ships turned their stern towards them in order to get out of the battle. Their example was followed by the rest of the ships, which became advanced as a result of this maneuver. During the turn, a series of powerful volleys were fired at them, causing them great destruction. Two Turkish flagship ships, located opposite the Nativity of Christ and the Transfiguration of the Lord, were especially damaged. On the Turkish flagship, the main topsail was shot down, the yards and topmasts were broken, and the stern section was destroyed. The fight continued. Three Turkish ships were cut off from the main forces, and the stern of the Hasan-Pasha ship was blown to pieces by Russian cannonballs. The enemy fled towards the Danube. Ushakov pursued him until darkness and increased wind forced him to stop the pursuit and anchor.
At dawn the next day, it turned out that the Turkish ships were in close proximity to the Russians, whose frigate Ambrose of Milan ended up among the enemy fleet. But since the flags had not yet been raised, the Turks took him for one of their own. The resourcefulness of the commander - Captain M.N. Neledinsky - helped him get out of such a difficult situation. Having weighed anchor with other Turkish ships, he continued to follow them without raising his flag. Little by little falling behind, Neledinsky waited until the danger had passed, raised St. Andrew's flag and went to his fleet. Ushakov gave the command to raise the anchors and set sail to pursue the enemy, who, having a windward position, began to scatter in different directions. However, the heavily damaged 74-gun ship "Kapudania", which was Said Bey's flagship, and the 66-gun "Meleki Bahri" lagged behind the Turkish fleet. The latter, having lost his commander Kara-Ali, killed by a cannonball, surrendered without a fight, and “Kapudania”, trying to break away from the pursuit, headed towards the shallow water that separated the fairway between Kinburn and Gadzhibey. The vanguard commander, captain of brigadier rank G.K., was sent in pursuit. Golenkin with two ships and two frigates. The ship "St. Andrey" was the first to overtake "Kapudania" and opened fire. Soon “St. George”, and after him - “The Transfiguration of the Lord” and several more courts. Approaching from the wind and firing a volley, they replaced each other.
Said Bey's ship was practically surrounded, but continued to bravely defend itself. Ushakov, seeing the enemy’s useless stubbornness, at 14 o’clock approached him at a distance of 30 fathoms, knocked down all the masts from him and gave way to the “St. George." Soon the “Rozhdestvo Khristovo” again stood broadside against the bow of the Turkish flagship, preparing for the next salvo. But then, seeing his hopelessness, the Turkish flagship lowered the flag. Russian sailors boarded the enemy ship, already engulfed in flames, first of all trying to select officers to board the boats. With heavy winds and thick smoke, the last boat, at great risk, again approached the side and removed Said Bey, after which the ship took off along with the remaining crew and the treasury of the Turkish fleet. The explosion of the large admiral's ship in front of the entire Turkish fleet made a strong impression on the Turks and completed the moral victory achieved by Ushakov at Tendra. The increasing wind and damage to the spar and rigging did not allow Ushakov to continue pursuing the enemy. The Russian commander gave the order to stop the pursuit and link up with the Liman squadron.
In a two-day naval battle, the enemy suffered a crushing defeat, losing two battleships, a brigantine, a lanson and a floating battery.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 10 battleships, 6 frigates, 1 bombardment ship and 20 auxiliary ships, 830 guns
Ottoman Empire - 14 battleships, 8 frigates and 23 auxiliary ships, 1400 guns
Losses:
Russian Empire - 21 killed, 25 wounded
Ottoman Empire - 2 ships, more than 2 thousand killed
Battle of Kaliakria
The Battle of Kaliakra is the last naval battle of the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791 between the fleets of Russia and the Ottoman Empire, which took place on July 31 (August 11), 1791 in the Black Sea near Cape Kaliakra (northern Bulgaria).
The Russian fleet under the command of Admiral Fyodor Fedorovich Ushakov, consisting of 15 battleships, 2 frigates and 19 smaller ships (990 guns), left Sevastopol on August 8, 1791, and at noon on August 11 discovered the Turkish-Algerian fleet under the command of Hussein Pasha, consisting of 18 ships of the line, 17 frigates (1,500-1,600 guns) and a large number of smaller ships anchored near Cape Kaliakra in northern Bulgaria. Ushakov built his ships in three columns, from the northeast, between the Ottoman fleet and the cape, despite the fact that there were Turkish batteries on the cape. Seit Ali, commander of the Algerian fleet, weighed anchor and headed east, followed by Hussein Pasha with 18 ships of the line.
The Russian fleet turned south, forming one column and then attacked the retreating enemy fleet. The Turkish ships were damaged and fled from the battlefield in disarray. Seit-Ali was seriously wounded in the head. Losses of the Russian fleet: 17 people were killed, 28 were wounded and only one ship was seriously damaged.
The battle brought the end of the Russo-Turkish War closer, which ended with the signing of the Treaty of Iasi.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 15 battleships, 2 frigates, 19 auxiliary ships
Ottoman Empire - 18 battleships, 17 frigates, 48 auxiliary ships, coastal battery
Losses:
Russian Empire - 17 killed, 28 wounded
Ottoman Empire - Unknown
Battle of Sinop
The Battle of Sinop is the defeat of the Turkish squadron by the Russian Black Sea Fleet on November 18 (30), 1853, under the command of Admiral Nakhimov. Some historians view it as the “swan song” of the sailing fleet and the first battle of the Crimean War. The Turkish fleet was destroyed within a few hours. This attack served as a pretext for Britain and France to declare war on Russia.
Vice Admiral Nakhimov (84-gun battleships "Empress Maria", "Chesma" and "Rostislav") was sent by Prince Menshikov to cruise to the shores of Anatolia. There was information that the Turks in Sinop were preparing forces for a landing at Sukhum and Poti. Approaching Sinop, Nakhimov saw a detachment of Turkish ships in the bay under the protection of 6 coastal batteries and decided to closely blockade the port in order to attack the enemy with the arrival of reinforcements from Sevastopol.
On November 16 (28), 1853, Nakhimov’s detachment was joined by the squadron of Rear Admiral F. M. Novosilsky (120-gun battleships “Paris”, “Grand Duke Konstantin” and “Three Saints”, frigates “Kahul” and “Kulevchi”). The Turks could be reinforced by the allied Anglo-French fleet located in Beshik-Kertez Bay (Dardanelles Strait). It was decided to attack in 2 columns: in the 1st, closest to the enemy, the ships of Nakhimov’s detachment, in the 2nd - Novosilsky, the frigates were supposed to watch the enemy steamers under sail; It was decided to spare the consular houses and the city in general if possible, hitting only ships and batteries. For the first time it was planned to use 68-pound bomb guns.
On the morning of November 18 (November 30), it was raining with gusty winds from OSO, the most unfavorable for the capture of Turkish ships (they could easily run ashore).
At 9.30 in the morning, keeping the rowing vessels at the sides of the ships, the squadron headed for the roadstead. In the depths of the bay, 7 Turkish frigates and 3 corvettes were located moon-shaped under the cover of 4 batteries (one with 8 guns, 3 with 6 guns each); Behind the battle line there were 2 steamships and 2 transport ships.
At 12.30 p.m., on the first shot from the 44-gun frigate "Aunni-Allah", fire was opened from all Turkish ships and batteries.
The battleship "Empress Maria" was bombarded with shells, most of its spars and standing rigging were broken, and only one shroud of the mainmast remained intact. However, the ship moved forward non-stop and, operating with battle fire at enemy ships, dropped anchor against the frigate "Aunni-Allah"; the latter, unable to withstand half an hour of shelling, jumped ashore. Then the Russian flagship turned its fire exclusively on the 44-gun frigate Fazli-Allah, which soon caught fire and also washed ashore. After this, the actions of the Empress Maria focused on battery No. 5.
The battleship "Grand Duke Konstantin", having anchored, opened heavy fire on battery No. 4 and the 60-gun frigates "Navek-Bakhri" and "Nesimi-Zefer"; the first was blown up 20 minutes after opening fire, showering debris and the bodies of sailors on battery No. 4, which then almost ceased to operate; the second was thrown ashore by the wind when its anchor chain was broken.
The battleship "Chesma" destroyed batteries No. 4 and No. 3 with its shots.
The battleship Paris, while at anchor, opened battle fire on battery No. 5, the corvette Guli-Sefid (22 guns) and the frigate Damiad (56 guns); then, having blown up the corvette and thrown the frigate ashore, he began to hit the frigate Nizamiye (64 guns), whose foremast and mizzen masts were shot down, and the ship itself drifted to the shore, where it soon caught fire. Then "Paris" again began to fire at battery No. 5.
The battleship "Three Saints" entered into battle with the frigates "Kaidi-Zefer" (54 guns) and "Nizamiye"; the first enemy shots broke his spring, and the ship, turning to the wind, was subjected to well-aimed longitudinal fire from battery No. 6, and its mast was badly damaged. Turning the stern again, he very successfully began to act on the Kaidi-Zefer and other ships and forced them to rush to the shore.
The battleship "Rostislav", covering the "Three Saints", concentrated fire on battery No. 6 and on the corvette "Feize-Meabud" (24 guns), and threw the corvette ashore.
At 1 ½ o'clock in the afternoon, the Russian steam frigate "Odessa" appeared from behind the cape under the flag of Adjutant General Vice Admiral V. A. Kornilov, accompanied by the steam frigates "Crimea" and "Khersones". These ships immediately took part in the battle, which, however, was already nearing its end; The Turkish forces were greatly weakened. Batteries No. 5 and No. 6 continued to harass the Russian ships until 4 o'clock, but the Paris and Rostislav soon destroyed them. Meanwhile, the rest of the Turkish ships, apparently set on fire by their crews, took off one after another; This caused a fire to spread throughout the city, and there was no one to put it out.
About 2 o'clock the Turkish 22-gun steam frigate "Taif", armament 2-10 dm bomb, 4-42 lb., 16-24 lb. guns, under the command of Yahya Bey, broke out of the line of Turkish ships, which were suffering a severe defeat, and fled. Taking advantage of the speed advantage of the Taif, Yahya Bey managed to escape from the Russian ships pursuing him (the frigates Cahul and Kulevchi, then the steam frigates of Kornilov’s detachment) and report to Istanbul about the complete destruction of the Turkish squadron. Captain Yahya Bey, who was expecting a reward for saving the ship, was dismissed from service and stripped of his rank for “inappropriate behavior.”
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 6 battleships, 2 frigates, 3 steamships, 720 naval guns
Ottoman Empire - 7 frigates, 5 corvettes, 476 naval guns and 44 on shore batteries
Losses:
Russian Empire - 37 killed, 233 wounded, 13 guns
Ottoman Empire - 7 frigates, 4 corvettes, >3000 killed and wounded, 200 prisoners, including Admiral Osman Pasha
Battle of Tsushima
Tsushima naval battle - a naval battle on May 14 (27), 1905 - May 15 (28), 1905 in the area of Tsushima Island (Tsushima Strait), in which the Russian 2nd squadron of the Pacific Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Zinoviy Petrovich Rozhdestvensky suffered a crushing defeat defeated by the Imperial Japanese Navy under the command of Admiral Heihachiro Togo. The last, decisive naval battle of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, during which the Russian squadron was completely defeated. Most of the ships were sunk or scuttled by the crews of their ships, some capitulated, some were interned in neutral ports, and only four managed to reach Russian ports. The battle was preceded by a grueling 18,000-mile (33,000-kilometer) passage of a large, diverse Russian squadron from the Baltic Sea to the Far East, unprecedented in the history of steam fleets.
The Second Russian Pacific Squadron, under the command of Vice Admiral Z. P. Rozhdestvensky, was formed in the Baltic and was intended to reinforce the First Pacific Squadron, which was based in Port Arthur on the Yellow Sea. Having started its journey in Libau, Rozhdestvensky’s squadron reached the shores of Korea by mid-May 1905. By that time, the First Pacific Squadron had already been practically destroyed. Only one full-fledged naval port remained in the hands of the Russians in the Pacific Ocean - Vladivostok, and the approaches to it were covered by a strong Japanese fleet. Rozhestvensky's squadron included 8 squadron battleships, 3 coastal defense battleships, one armored cruiser, 8 cruisers, one auxiliary cruiser, 9 destroyers, 6 transports and two hospital ships. The artillery armament of the Russian squadron consisted of 228 guns, 54 of them with calibers ranging from 203 to 305 mm.
On May 14 (27), the Second Pacific Squadron entered the Korean Strait with the goal of breaking through to Vladivostok, and was discovered by the Japanese patrol cruiser Izumi. The commander of the Japanese fleet, Admiral H. Togo, by this time had 4 squadron battleships, 8 armored cruisers, 16 cruisers, 6 gunboats and coastal defense ships, 24 auxiliary cruisers, 21 destroyers and 42 destroyers, armed with a total of 910 guns, of which 60 had a caliber from 203 to 305 mm. The Japanese fleet was divided into seven combat detachments. Togo immediately began deploying his forces with the goal of imposing battle on the Russian squadron and destroying it.
The Russian squadron sailed along the Eastern Passage of the Korean Strait (Tsushima Strait), leaving Tsushima Island on the left side. She was pursued by Japanese cruisers, following in the fog parallel to the course of the Russian squadron. The Russians discovered the Japanese cruisers at about 7 am. Rozhestvensky, without starting the battle, rebuilt the squadron into two wake columns, leaving transports and the cruisers covering them in the rearguard.
At 13:15, at the exit from the Tsushima Strait, the main forces of the Japanese fleet (battleships and armored cruisers) were discovered, which were trying to cross the course of the Russian squadron. Rozhdestvensky began to rebuild the ships into one wake column. During the rebuilding, the distance between the enemy ships decreased. Having finished rebuilding, the Russian ships opened fire at 13:49 from a distance of 38 cables (over 7 km).
The Japanese ships returned fire three minutes later, concentrating it on the lead Russian ships. Taking advantage of the superiority in squadron speed (16-18 knots versus 12-15 for the Russians), the Japanese fleet stayed ahead of the Russian column, crossing its course and trying to cover its head. By 14:00 the distance had decreased to 28 cables (5.2 km). Japanese artillery had a higher rate of fire (360 rounds per minute versus 134 for the Russian), Japanese shells were 10-15 times more explosive than Russian shells, and the armor of Russian ships was weaker (40% of the area versus 61% for the Japanese). This superiority predetermined the outcome of the battle.
At 2:25 p.m., the flagship battleship “Prince Suvorov” broke down and Rozhdestvensky was wounded. Another 15 minutes later, the squadron battleship Oslyabya died. The Russian squadron, having lost its leadership, continued to move in a column to the north, changing course twice to increase the distance between itself and the enemy. During the battle, the Japanese ships consistently concentrated fire on the lead ships, trying to disable them.
After 18 hours, command was transferred to Rear Admiral N.I. Nebogatov. By this time, four squadron battleships had already been lost, and all the ships of the Russian squadron were damaged. Japanese ships were also damaged, but none were sunk. The Russian cruisers, traveling in a separate column, repelled the attacks of the Japanese cruisers; one auxiliary cruiser "Ural" and one transport were lost in the battle.
On the night of May 15, Japanese destroyers repeatedly attacked Russian ships, firing 75 torpedoes. As a result, the battleship Navarin sank, and the crews of three armored cruisers that lost control were forced to scuttle their ships. The Japanese lost three destroyers in the night battle. In the darkness, the Russian ships lost contact with each other and then acted independently. Under the command of Nebogatov, only two squadron battleships, two coastal defense battleships and one cruiser remained.
Some of the ships and Nebogatov’s detachment still tried to break through to Vladivostok. Three cruisers, including the Aurora, sailed south and reached Manila, where they were interned. Nebogatov's detachment was surrounded by Japanese ships and surrendered to the enemy, but the cruiser Izumrud managed to break through the encirclement and escape to Vladivostok. In the Gulf of St. Vladimir, he ran aground and was blown up by the crew. The destroyer Bedovy with the wounded Rozhdestvensky also surrendered to the Japanese.
On May 15 (28), one battleship, one coastal defense battleship, three cruisers and one destroyer, who fought independently, were killed in battle. Three destroyers were sunk by their crews, and one destroyer went to Shanghai, where it was interned. Only the cruiser Almaz and two destroyers broke through to Vladivostok. In general, the Russian fleet lost 8 squadron battleships, one armored cruiser, one coastal defense battleship, 4 cruisers, one auxiliary cruiser, 5 destroyers and several transports in the Battle of Tsushima. Two squadron battleships, two coastal defense battleships and one destroyer surrendered to the Japanese.
Strengths of the parties:
Russian Empire - 8 squadron battleships, 3 coastal defense battleships, 3 armored cruisers (2 obsolete), 6 cruisers, 1 auxiliary cruiser, 9 destroyers, 2 hospital ships, 6 auxiliary ships
Empire of Japan - 4 1st class battleships, 2 2nd class battleships (obsolete), 9 armored cruisers (1 obsolete), 15 cruisers, 21 destroyers, 44 destroyers, 21 auxiliary cruisers, 4 gunboats, 3 advice notes, 2 hospital ships
Losses:
Russian Empire - 21 ships sunk (7 battleships), 7 ships and vessels captured, 6 ships interned, 5045 people killed, 803 wounded, 6016 captured
Empire of Japan - 3 destroyers sunk, 117 killed, 538 wounded
Leyte is a Philippine island around which one of the heaviest and largest naval battles unfolded.
American and Australian ships began a battle against the Japanese fleet, which, being in a stalemate, carried out an attack from four sides, using kamikaze in its tactics - the Japanese military committed suicide in order to inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy. This is the last major operation for the Japanese, who by the time it began had already lost their strategic advantage. However, the Allied forces still won. On the Japanese side, 10 thousand people died, but due to the work of the kamikaze, the allies also suffered serious losses - 3500. In addition, Japan lost the legendary battleship Musashi and almost lost another - Yamato. At the same time, the Japanese had a chance to win. However, due to the use of a dense smoke screen, the Japanese commanders could not adequately assess the enemy’s forces and did not dare to fight “to the last man,” but retreated.
The Battle of Leyte is one of the most difficult and large-scale naval battles
A turning point for the American fleet in the Pacific. A serious victory against the background of the terrible disaster of the beginning of the war - Pearl Harbor.
Midway is a thousand miles from the Hawaiian Islands. Thanks to intercepted Japanese negotiations and intelligence obtained from American aircraft flights, the US command received advance information about the impending attack. On June 4, Vice Admiral Nagumo sent 72 bombers and 36 fighters to the island. The American destroyer raised the signal of an enemy attack and, releasing a cloud of black smoke, attacked the planes with anti-aircraft guns. The battle has begun. US aircraft, meanwhile, headed for Japanese aircraft carriers, and as a result, 4 of them were sunk. Japan also lost 248 aircraft and about 2.5 thousand people. American losses are more modest - 1 aircraft carrier, 1 destroyer, 150 aircraft and about 300 people. The order to stop the operation arrived on the night of June 5.
The Battle of Midway is a turning point for the American fleet
As a result of defeat in the 1940 campaign, France entered into an agreement with the Nazis and became part of the occupied territories of Germany with a formally independent, but controlled by Berlin, Vichy government.
The allies began to fear that the French fleet could cross over to Germany and already 11 days after the French surrender they carried out an operation that would long become a problem in the allied relations of Great Britain and that France that resisted the Nazis. It was called "Catapult". The British captured ships stationed in British ports, forcing French crews from them, which did not happen without clashes. Of course, the allies perceived this as a betrayal. Even more terrible pictures unfolded in Oran; an ultimatum was sent to the command of the ships stationed there - to transfer them to the control of the British or to sink them. They were eventually sunk by the British. All of France's newest battleships were disabled, killing more than 1,000 Frenchmen. The French government broke off diplomatic relations with Great Britain.
In 1940, the French government became controlled by Berlin
Tirpitz is the second Bismarck-class battleship, one of the most powerful and most fearsome warships of the German forces.
From the moment it was put into service, the British Navy began a real hunt for it. The battleship was first discovered in September and, as a result of an attack by British aircraft, turned into a floating battery, losing the opportunity to participate in naval operations. On November 12, it was no longer possible to hide the ship; the ship was hit by three Tallboy bombs, one of which led to an explosion in its powder magazine. The Tirpitz sank off Tromsø just a few minutes after this attack, killing about a thousand people. The liquidation of this battleship meant virtually a complete naval victory for the Allies over Germany, which freed up naval forces for use in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The first battleship of this type, the Bismarck, caused much more trouble - in 1941, it sank the British flagship and battle cruiser Hood in the Denmark Strait. As a result of a three-day hunt for the newest ship, it was also sunk.
Tirpitz is one of the most feared warships of the German forces
The naval battles of World War II differ from previous ones in that they were no longer purely naval battles.
Each of them was combined - with serious aviation support. Some of the ships were aircraft carriers, which made it possible to provide such support. Attack on Pearl Harbor on Hawaiian Islands was carried out with the help of carrier-based aircraft of the aircraft carrier formation of Vice Admiral Nagumo. Early in the morning, 152 aircraft attacked the US Navy base, taking the unsuspecting military by surprise. Japanese submarines also took part in the attack. imperial fleet. American losses were colossal: about 2.5 thousand dead, 4 battleships, 4 destroyers were lost, 188 aircraft were destroyed. The expectation with such a fierce attack was that the Americans would lose heart and most of the US fleet would be destroyed. Neither one nor the other happened. The attack led to the fact that there were no doubts left for the Americans about participating in World War II: on the same day, Washington declared war on Japan, and in response, Germany, which was allied with Japan, declared war on the United States.
The naval battles of World War II were not purely naval battles