Naval Campaigns Club - Campaign 1914

Campaign 1914


	Stockholm Naval Sentinel
	Remember, you read it first in the Sentinel ! J. McConnell - SNS

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #16		More Allied Shipping Losses
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #15		Royal Navy Submarine Lost in North Sea
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #14		Royal Navy Battleship Torpedoed in North Sea
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #13		Noted Reporter Creates Naval Stir
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #12		Turkey and The Great War
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #11		Wiley German Admiral Gives Royal Navy the Slip
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #10		Public Surprise in Both Germany and Great Britain
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #9		Bizarre Command Incident Tittilates Royal Navy
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #8		Reliability of Belligerent Press Reports
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #7		Further Merchant Shipping Losses Sting Admiralty
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #6		Reporters Wanted
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #5		Embarrassment for the German Navy
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #4		Shipping Losses Panic Marine Insurers
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #3		The Value of the Aerial Arm
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #2		Early Naval Operations
Stockholm Naval Sentinel #1		The Progress of the Naval War

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #16 Dateline: Stockholm, 8/28/1914 (SNS News Service)	More Allied Shipping Losses
Norwegian naval sources report today the loss of yet another British-registered steamer on the Bergen trade route. The vessel, the Edinburgh-registered Lady of the Lake, was apparently sunk by German surface raiders just off the Norwegian coast. Her crew has been rescued by the Norwegian coastal defense forces, having been set adrift in open boats by her German assailants, an acceptable choice by the German captain, given the proximity of the Norwegian shore. This word was received too late in the day to affect the marine insurance markets in London and Paris, but those in the know predict another run-up in insurance rates come Monday. Read the Sentinel, first with the news, first with the views! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #15 Dateline: London, 8/27/1914 (SNS News Service)	Royal Navy Submarine Lost in North Sea
Hard on the heels of today's Admiralty announcement of the torpedoing of a Royal Navy battleship, Whitehall has also announced that HMs/m E9, Lieutenant Commander Max Horton commanding, is overdue from base on a North Sea mission, and is presumed lost with all hands. Families of the crew are being notified by telgram today of their loss. A highly placed Admiralty source has confided to the Sentinel the following sentiment: "All RN submariners deeply regret the presumed loss of E9 and her gallant crew. Max Horton was one of the most brilliant and daring young officers in the Submarine Service, and had he lived I am certain that he would have earned imperishable fame in service of King and Country." Details of the reason for the loss of E9, and the presumed location of her sinking, have not been released at this time. Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #14 Dateline: London, 8/27/1914 (SNS News Service)	Royal Navy Battleship Torpedoed in North Sea
The Sentinel's Admiralty sources today announced that a Royal Navy battleship has been torpedoed, apparently by a German U-boat, somewhere in the North Sea. Details are sketchy at this point, and the Admiralty is not releasing the name of the battleship, it's base, or even whether or not it was sunk, or merely damaged, in this attack. Neither has the Admiralty released any casualty lists as yet. We will report upon these aspects of this story when more is known. Remember, you read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #13 Dateline: London, 8/22/1914 (SNS News Service)	Noted Reporter Creates Naval Stir
The editors of this publication wish to offer their apologies to our readership over the recent conduct of one of our noted reporters. This reporter filed, with our London office, an inaccurate report concerning the command responsibilities of a high-ranking RN officer, attributing to him vessels which he does not, indeed, command. Fortunately the Royal Navy's own efficient censors caught the inaccuracy before it reached general release. The Sentinel regrets the confusion, which was luckily confined to the RN itself, and pledges renewed dedication to accuracy. The reporter in question has been reprimanded. Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #12 Dateline: Istanbul, 8/21/1914 (SNS News Service)	Turkey and The Great War
The recent joint announcements by the German and Turkish governments that Germany plans to sell the warships Goeben and Breslau to the Turks has created consternation in Allied capitals. These two fine vessels, which comprised Germany's pre-war Mediterranean Squadron, successfully eluded Allied pursuers in the early days of the war and proceeded to the Dardanelles, where the Turks allowed them access to Istanbul. Though the Allied governments demanded that the Turks intern the German vessels, the Turkish government, incensed over the British seizure of two new superdreadnought battleships building in British yards for Turkey, allowed the German vessels to remain in Turkish waters, safe from Allied pursuers. Now, with this new twist in the tale, confidential sources close to the British, French and Russian governments inform the Sentinel that the Allies fear Turkish entry into the war on the Central Powers side. How this might affect the naval war in the North Sea, the primary focus of this publication, remains to be seen. But if Turkey does declare for the Central Powrrs, it must be assumed that substantial forces will be required to contain her, and Allied resources are already stretched to the limit. Watch these pages for new developments, and rest assured, you'll read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #11 Dateline: Stockholm, 8/21/1914 (SNS News Service)	Wiley German Admiral Gives Royal Navy the Slip
It appears that the redoubtable Vice-Admiral Maximillian Graf von Spee has successfully eluded Allied naval forces in Chinese waters, and vanished with his German East Asiatic Squadron into the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. Details of Allied plans to locate von Spee's force and bring it to battle are classified, but the editors of this publication feel safe in assuring our readership that the Allied forces detailed to this task must be large indeed. Rumors of delayed sailings and higher Far Eastern marine insurance rates are a good indication of the threat posed by these German ships. You read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #10 Dateline: Stockholm, 8/21/1914 (SNS News Service)	Public Surprise in Both Germany and Great Britain

The Sentinel's reporters in both Britain and Germany report a great deal of public surprise, in both countries, that the long-awaited naval battle between the Dreadnought fleets of the world's two leading naval powers has thus far failed to materialize. It must be said that public opinion in both countries still strongly supports the respective governments and naval establishments. German citizens still believe in the justice of Germany's cause, and British citizens still strongly support their King and country. But if both navies are as active and aggressive as their respective admiralties and governments claim in their national presses, why have there not been great battles? Thus far, to the Sentinel's knowledge, no naval gun has fired a shot in anger. Given the amount of blood and treasure which the German and British governments have invested in their navies, and the huge bloodletting now taking place on the continent along the French frontiers, this result seems most unexpected to the public at large. All will be watching to see if this state of affairs persists. Keep reading the Sentinel for all the news that's true enough to print! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #9 Dateline: London, 8/21/1914 (SNS News Service)	Bizarre Command Incident Titillates Royal Navy
Well-placed sources in this city have informed the Sentinel of a recent bizarre command incident which has set tongues wagging in the higher command circles of the Royal Navy. Apparently a high ranking British Admiral, attempting to return to his flagship after a night carousing ashore, took a wrong turn and wound up aboard the wrong ship, in the wrong port! This Admiral, whose identity is being jealously guarded by his many admirers within the Senior Service, then apprently issued orders for his command to raise steam and depart from this self-same erroneous port! To quote one of our sources, "The Admiral is one Hell of a fighting man, but he does sometimes get confused. The next thing you know, he's likely to steam in a complete circle in the middle of a major battle!" Remember, you read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #8 Dateline: Stockholm, 8/20/1914 (SNS News Service)	Reliability of Belligerent Press Reports
Recent accusations of reporting bias by the German naval press and by certain high-ranking officers of the Kaiserliche Marine against this publication have been taken very seriously by the editors. Let the reading public rest assured, the Sentinel is the ONLY source which can be trusted for unbiased news accounts and commentary on the progress of the naval war. If an account does not bear the "SNS News Service" byline, the Sentinel advises that any serious student of naval affairs should take that account with a proverbial "grain of salt". And always remember, you read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #7 Dateline: London, 8/20/1914 (SNS News Service)	Further Merchant Shipping Losses Sting Admiralty
Preliminary reports that yet another British-registered steamer has been sunk earlier today on the Bergen trade route have created a sensation in this city. Early news reports indicate that the Royal Mail steam packet Pride of Liverpool was fired upon and destroyed by German surface raiders in the northern reaches of the North Sea. The Sentinel's sources close the the German Naval High Command have confirmed this loss, and though the Admiralty has yet to release an official statement, certain high-ranking Royal Navy officers have unofficially confirmed this report from the British side as well. Informed naval observers look forward with interest to today's session in the House of Commons, when it is said that the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Churchill, will address the House on this very issue. Meanwhile, marine insurance rates have risen to another all-time high. Remember, you read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #6 Dateline: Stockholm, 8/17/1914 (SNS News Service)	Reporters Wanted
The Sentinel is soliciting applications for employment from qualified naval correspondents who wish to lead an adventurous life reporting upon the conduct of naval operations in the Great War. Apply to the editor, Jim McConnell, at: Address Deleted All interested applicants will be considered. Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #5 Dateline: Wilhelmshaven, 8/17/1914 (SNS News Service)	Embarrassment for the German Navy
Confidential SNS sources in this German naval base report that the KM suffered an embarrassing incident during the first week of the war, when several KM patrol craft apparently ran out of fuel while operating at sea, and had to be rescued and towed home by elements of the High Sea Fleet itself. Our sources tell us that though these errant craft were towed home under cover of darkness, word of their ignominious return has spread throughout the German Navy, causing red faces and ruining the careers of several otherwise promising officers. Remember, you read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #4 Dateline: London, 8/17/1914 (SNS News Service)	Shipping Losses Panic Marine Insurers
The recent losses of two British-registered merchant steamers, RMS Pandora and RMS Cassandra, operating on the Bergen trade route, have created a panic among marine insurers in this city, and caused the cost of marine insurance to rise dramatically. Pandora and Cassandra were reportedly lost on August 14, victims of KM surface raiders. Today in the House calls were made for explanation as to how the RN can have permitted these losses, on Britain's very doorstep, as it were. Many wonder if these depredations will continue, and ask for assurances that steps will be taken to ensure that there will be no repetition of this incident. Back To Top


Stockholm Naval Sentinel #3 Dateline: Stockholm, 8/17/1914 (SNS News Service)	The Value of the Aerial Arm
The early weeks of the war have tested the pre-war prognostications of aviation advocates on both sides of the conflict. Some aspects of naval aviation have emerged with tarnished reputations, while others have enhanced their standing. SNS sources close to both the RN and KM indicate that both services have become somewhat disillusioned with the capabilities of their heavier-than-air flying arms. Apparently the big summer storm which gripped the North Sea for much of last week led to extensive losses of aircraft on both sides, many planes and pilots being lost while attempting take-offs or landings under adverse weather conditions. But another naval air arm, namely the KM's Naval Airship Service, has emerged from the first week's fighting with greatly enhanced prospects. At least one KM airship, reliably identified by both the RN and the KM as the Naval Zeppelin L3, commanded by Korvettenkapitan Hans Fritz, was apparently able to provide good intelligence as to RN North Sea naval movements to the KM's leadership. It remains to be seen if this success can continue, given the North Sea's tempestuous weather patterns, and the measures which the RN will surely take to counter this threat to the secrecy of their operations. Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #2 Dateline: Stockholm, 8/17/1914 (SNS News Service)	Early Naval Operations
Though both sides in the present conflict have instituted tight censorship controls over news publications, our privileged access to high ranking decision makers on both the RN and the KM gives us a unique opportunity for reporting the war. Remember, you read it first in the Sentinel! Word has reached our offices of a massive transport operation on the part of Great Britain early in the war. Much to the surprise of military and naval analysts throughout the world, the British have apparently transported the bulk of their pre-war regular army to France, so that it might play a role in the great land battles now raging along the French frontiers. Though the veil of secrecy has been tightly drawn about these operations, it seems that the bulk of the RN's strength was engaged in safeguarding this large cross-Channel movement. It is said that the RN's leadership fully expected the KM to challenge this movement: "Expect Armageddon within the week!", one high-ranking RN officer was quoted as saying, but the KM failed to cooperate, and no battle resulted. Privately, many RN officers are now speaking contemptuously of the KM's will to fight. They tell of numerous incidents in the first weeks when KM warships were encountered at sea, only to turn and flee at high speed, avoiding battle. These RN officers now openly wonder at such craven conduct, and ask if the Germans will ever come out and fight. Will this assessment be proven wrong? Is the KM actually playing a very crafty, long-term game here, waiting for a chosen moment to strike, as some KM sources tell us? Watch these pages and learn the answer, but always remember, you read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Stockholm Naval Sentinel #1 Dateline: Stockholm, 8/17/1914 (SNS News Service)	The Progress of the Naval War
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Stockholm Naval Sentinel (SNS). It is the intent of the editors of this scholarly news journal, published in neutral Stockholm, to provide extensive unbiased news reporting on the progress of naval affairs in the great conflict which has so recently overtaken Europe, and indeed the world. We believe that our confidential access to influential political and naval personages on both the Allied and the Central Powers sides will give us an edge in reporting the true facts of the war. Please note that any article published under the "SNS News Service" byline can be trusted implicitly. However, from time to time we shall publish articles from outside sources; please treat these with all the circumspection which a discerning mind might think necessary. The Great War, as we shall choose to style it, is now just under two weeks old, but much to the surprise of most pre-war prognosticators, the great and climactic naval battle between the fleets of Great Britain and the German Empire has yet to occur. Though this editor cannot claim total insight into the workings of the minds which guide the destinies of the Royal Navy or the Kaiserliche Marine, it is safe to say that planners on both sides have apparently adopted unforeseen courses of action. Our sources close to the KM high command indicate that the KM leadership consider the RN's failure to institute a close blockade of the German North Sea coast in the first weeks of the war an indication of British weakness. Sources close to the RN leadership reportedly feel that the KM's failure to attempt interference with RN North Sea operations (see ensuing articles) indicates similar weakness on the part of the KM. Only time will tell which viewpoint is correct. But remember, you read it first in the Sentinel! Back To Top

Royal Navy		Kaiserliche Marine
London Times		Deutsche Press