The Battle of the Otranto Straits: Controlling the Gateway to the Adriatic in World War I (Twentieth Century Battles)

Called by some a "Mediterranean Jutland," the Battle of the Otranto Straits involved warships from Austria, Germany, Italy, Britain, and France. Although fought by light units with no dreadnoughts involved, Otranto was a battle in three dimensions -- engaging surface vessels, aircraft, and subsurface weapons (both submarines and mines). An attempt to halt the movement of submarines into the Adriatic using British drifters armed with nets and mines led to a raid by Austrian light cruisers. The Austrians inflicted heavy damage on the drifters, but Allied naval forces based at Brindisi cut off their withdrawal. The daylight hours saw a running battle, with the Austrians at considerable risk. Heavier Austrian units put out from Cattaro in support, and at the climactic moment the Allied light forces had to turn away, permitting the Austrians to escape. In the end, the Austrians had inflicted more damage than they suffered themselves. The Otranto action shows the difficulties of waging coalition warfare in which diplomatic and national jealousies override military efficiency "Although fought by light units with no dreadnoughts involved, the Battle of the Otranto Straits has been called by some the "Mediterranean Jutland." Engaging warships from Austria, Germany, Italy, Britain, and France, Otranto was a battle in three dimensions - with surface vessels, aircraft, and subsurface weapons (both submarines and mines). An attempt to halt the movement of submarines into the Adriatic using British drifters armed with nets and mines led to a raid by Austrian light cruisers. The Austrians inflicted heavy damage on the drifters, but Allied naval forces based at Brindisi cut off their withdrawal. The daylight hours saw a running battle, with the Austrians at considerable risk. Heavier Austrian units put out from Cattaro in support, and at the climactic moment the Allied light forces had to turn away, permitting the Austrians to escape. In the end, the Austrians had inflicted more damage than they suffered themselves. The Otranto action shows the difficulties of waging coalition warfare in which diplomatic and national jealousies override military efficiency."--BOOK JACKET. Cover......Page 1 TOC......Page 6 List of Illustrations......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 one The Naval War in the Adriatic......Page 16 two The Allies in the Southern Adriatic......Page 29 three The Austrians Prepare an Attack......Page 50 four The Attack on the Drifters......Page 64 five The Pursuit......Page 83 six The Forces Return......Page 115 seven The Results of the Battle......Page 138 Epilogue......Page 161 Appendix A. Glossary of Geographical Names......Page 166 Appendix B. Equivalent Ranks......Page 168 Notes......Page 170 Select Bibliography......Page 190 Index......Page 196 The Naval War In The Adriatic -- The Allies In The Southern Adriatic -- The Austrians Prepare An Attack -- The Attack On The Drifters -- The Pursuit -- The Forces Return -- The Results Of The Battle.-- Index. Paul G. Halpern. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [175]-180) And Index.