: Edgar Wallace
: Seif Moawad
: The Standard History of The War, Vol 4
: Al-Mashreq eBookstore
: 9781922059277
: 1
: CHF 5.70
:
: Allgemeines, Lexika
: English
: 280
: DRM
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
The Standard History of the War, Vol 4 by Edgar Wallace offers a detailed and gripping account of pivotal moments during one of history's most turbulent conflicts. Wallace delves deep into the strategies, battles, and political maneuvers that shaped the course of the war, offering readers a vivid portrayal of heroism, sacrifice, and the human cost of warfare. This volume captures not only the grand scale of military operations but also the personal stories of those caught in the crossfire. Perfect for history enthusiasts and those curious about the realities of war, this book presents a compelling narrative that will leave you hungry for more insights into the world's defining moments.

Edgar Wallace was an English writer, known for his prolific literary output and famous for his detective-themed works. Born 'Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace' in London in 1875, he grew up in poverty and left school at the age of twelve. At twenty-one, he joined the army and worked as a war correspondent for Reuters during the Second Boer War. His most famous works include The Council of Justice, The Clue of the Twisted Candle, and The Seven Locks, along with many serialized short stories and collections such as Sanders of the River. He also created the character 'King Kong.' Wallace passed away in 1932.

CHAPTER I. — THE FIGHT OFF HELIGOLAND


WAR was declared on August 4 at midnight (German time). At that moment the British fleet, mobilised and ready, was at the stations which had been decided upon in the event of war with Germany. By an act of foresight which cannot be too highly commended the fleet had been mobilised for battle practice a week or so before the actual outbreak of hostilities and at a time when it was not certain whether Great Britain would engage herself in the war. The wisdom of our preparations was seen after war was declared.

From the moment the battle fleet sailed from Spithead and disappeared over the horizon it vanished so far as the average man in the street was concerned, and from that day onward its presence was no more advertised.

The first few days following the outbreak of war we suffered certain losses. On August 6 the Amphion was mined after having destroyed by gun fire the Königin Luise. On September 5 the Pathfinder was torpedoed by a"U" boat, and on September 22 the Aboukir, the Cressy, and the Hogue were destroyed by a German submarine. In the meantime the German had had his trouble. The Magdeburg was shot down by gun fire at the hands of the Russian navy. The Köln, the Ariadne and the Mainz with the German destroyer V187 had been caught in the Bight of Heligoland, and had been sunk.

We had our lessons to learn, and we were prompt to profit by dire experience. The closing of ships to save others had led to the triple disaster of September 22, and save for the vessels we lost in the South Atlantic fight and the two battleships, one of which (Bulwark) was torpedoed and blown up in November, and the other (Formidable) in December, and the blowing up of the Princess Irene in March, we endured no losses in home waters.


Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty.

In giving a survey of the sea operations one necessarily must deal with those services which are associated with the Navy, and a history of naval matters must necessarily lead to those great operations which developed so sensationally in the Dardanelles and on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

It had been hoped that, in the very early stages of the war, the British fleet would be given an opportunity of meeting the German Grand Fleet—a hope foredoomed, since with its marked inferiority it was unlikely that the enemy would try conclusions with his enemy on the sea.

Twice did any considerable portion of the enemy fleet venture forth and the thrilling story of the first adventure is told in Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty's despatch and in the supplementary despatches. The British moved into the Bight of Heligoland on Thursday, August 27, the First Battle Cruiser Squadron and the First Light Cruiser Squadron.

"At 4 a.m., August 28, the movements of the flotillas commenced as previously arranged," wrote Admiral Beatty,"the Battle Cruiser Squadron and Light Cruiser Squadron supporting. The Rear-Admiral, Invincible, with New Zealand and four destroyers having joined my flag, the squadron passed through the pre-arranged rendezvous.

"At 8.10 a.m. I received a signal from the Commodore (i),* informing me that the flotilla was in action with the enemy. This was presumably in the vicinity of their pre-arranged rendezvous. From this time until 11 a.m. I remained about the vicinity ready to support as necessary, intercepting various signa