IGCSE History: World War I – Key Events in the War at Sea

IGCSE History: World War I – Key Events in the War at Sea

What were the Key Events in the North Sea?

British Naval Blockade on Germany:

• Ordered at the outbreak of the War and started in August 1914.
• Prevented all ships from entering or leaving German waters.
• 12 000 ships carrying supplies (oil, food, medical provisions were intercepted.)
• Only 80 ships slipped through.

This caused a serious food shortage in Germany during 1916:

• Caused riots in German towns.
• Winter of this year was known as the turnip winter; potatoes ran out and turnips were the only foodstuffs left.
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Battle of the Heligoland Bight: (August 1914)

First naval battle in the Great War.
What happened?

• British destroyers approached the German coast.
• They were pursued by the German cruiser fleet.
• They led the Germans out to sea where a British cruiser fleet commanded by Admiral Beatty converged on them.

Results:

• 3 German cruisers were sunk.
• 1 German destroyer was sunk.
• Admiral Beatty was hailed as a hero.
• The morale of British troops was raised.

German Raids on the East Coast: (December 1914)

Aims:

1. To strike a blow against British morale.
2. To spread the British Grand Fleet across a much larger area and so prevent them from bringing their full might to bear on the German navy.

• The first raid was launched against Hartlepool at 8:00 am, 16th December, 1914.
• Whitby and Scarborough were also shelled that day with 500 civilian fatalities.
• The raid used mainly ship mounted artillery cannons.

The raids caused outrage in Britain:

• The public criticized the Navy for not defending them properly.
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• The outrage directed against Germany gave rise to another recruiting campaign in Britain.

Battle of the Dogger Bank: (24th January, 1915)

British forces intercepted a radio message:

• Suggested an attack on a British fishing fleet.
• Admiral Beatty and his fleet were sent to ambush the Germans.
• The Germans were taken completely by surprise.

Result:

• 2 German cruisers were sunk.
• Admiral Beatty’s flagship, HMS Lion, was damaged; this slowed the fleet down and prevented them from giving chase.
• The remaining German ships escaped.