On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 59, 15 February 1916, Page 6

On the Sea

THE GOEBEN AND BRESLAU TALE OF THEIR PLIGHT,

[Unjtkd Phksb Association. I London, February 13

I A semi-official history of tlie Goeben and Breslau is now the book of the hour in Germany. The author is Emil Inidwig, who had access to the log. In a telegraphed summary he states that the officers of the Gloucester arranged to dine aboard the Breslau on July 31, but the Gloucester disappeared'that night. Four days later the Breslau was .chasing the Gloucester through the Mediterranean, tlie Breslau having received a wireless message stating that political relations were broken oil' between the Triplice and the Triple Entente.

Thereupon she rushed, at 28 miles 1 an hour, towards Brindisi. The Breslau and Goeben reached Messina, on " August 2, but "ere informed that Italy had prohibited their coaling at her i ports. Admiral Souchou regarded this '' as a terrible blow, as the bunkers were empty. He telegraphed to Borne, 1 "We demand coal," and then scraped ' together what coal was available from ' the German steamers in port. The Goeben and Breslau put to sea " on the morning of the 3rd August, and J then received a wireless message that ! France had declared war. STOKE LIKE THE DEVIL, The admiral ordered the to . stoke like the devil, and no brie.slept [ that night. They received 4 a" wireless order at midnight to go full speed, to Constantinople. The Goeben bombarded Phillipville and then made for the open sea. During the morning she sighted the Invincible and Inflexible, and Admiral Souchon said: "We must use the few hours- remaining before we are at war with England." The doctors and nurses all joined in the stoking. At 11 o'clock on the following night they were informed that Britain had declared war. The admiral, on August 6, gave orders that the Breslau and Goeben must break through and reach, the Dardanelles. "We want," he said, "to create an impression that we are going to the Adriatic. Tlie Kaiser ha s sent a wireless message, T expect you to succeed in breaking through.'" JAMMING THE WIRELESS. The book describes how the Goeben saw the Gloucester and listened to the latter's wireless signals. The Goeben was making towards the Adriatic, and at 10 in the evening the Breslau suddenly changed her course and headed for Cape Matapan. She was watching a British cruiser, which saw the manoeuvre, but Admiral Souchon gave tlie order to '"Jam the wireless; jam like hell!" The Goeben operators then confused the wireless for hours, and there was wave upon deadening wave. During these hours the Germans were travelling rapidly east, while the British warship, like the dreamer who,, tries to call out, never once succeeded in .signalling what she wanted to convey. ' When tlie Admiral reached Constantinople he received a, message : ■ "Th e ; Kaiser sends acknowledgments." ■BUMIMijIMHIIIIIIIHII lli«——>Mf