Battle of the Strait of Otranto 10 October 1911

[paulr]

This is a historically based "what if" scenario.

Prior to demanding that the Ottoman Empire allow Italy to occupy Tripoli and Cyrenaica Italy had received tacit approval from the major powers. Not surprising the Ottoman Empire refused and war was declared on 29 September 1911.

An Italian naval force commanded by the Duke of Abruzzia promptly attacked the European coast of the Ottoman Empire including bombarding Preveza on the Ionian coast and San Giovanni de Medua in the southern Adriatic.

To quote a press dispatch from Vienna dated 7 October 1911

"From the first Austria has been displeased with Italy's disposition to carry its campaign from Africa into Europe. The San Giovanni de Medua affair [including the stopping of an Austrian ship] was the last straw."

To reinforce the diplomatic protest Austro-Hungary had dispatched a division of battleships and supporting forces south to Cattaro.

"[Italy] was, accordingly, prompt with its explanation that the naval commander who bombarded San Giovanni de Medua had exceeded his instructions, would be severely reprimanded, and that King Victor [Emmanuel III] had decided to withdraw all ships from the waters of European Turkey as an assurance that the incident would not be repeated."

The Duke of Abruzzia had difficulties recalling his various forces and hostiles continued for 3 further days.

This scenario looks at what might have happened if the news of the Italian apology had been delayed or if the adventurous Duke of Abruzzia had not withdrawn promptly and the Austro-Hungarians had confronted the Italians.



The Italians are withdrawing to the west

Battleship	Ammiraglio di St Bon
Armoured Cruisers	Vettor Pisani (Flagship), Marco Polo
Destroyers	5
Torpedo boats	3

The Austro-Hungarians are heading south to cut them off

Battleships	Erzherzog Friedrich (Flagship), Erzherzog Ferdinand Max
Armoured Cruiser	Kaiser Karl VI
Protected Cruiser	Admiral Spaun
Destroyers	4

As the forces close the Italian destroyers boldly press forward



The battleships exchange long range fire while the Italian and Austro-Hungarian destroyers are engaged by any ships that can bring guns to bear



After missing with their first salvo of torpedoes the Italian destroyers able to have turned 180 degrees towards the enemy to fire their remaining wing torpedo. This has proved to be overly ambitious. One destroyer is rammed by the leading Austro-Hungarian battleship, part of the destroyer is thrown into the bridge of the battleship by the force of the collision. A second is blown apart by the concentrated fire of two battleships, the third manages to launch its torpedo.

The Austro-Hungarian destroyers launch their torpedoes at the Italian heavy ships, who fire their torpedoes at the Austro-Hungarian battleships. Eight ships launched torpedoes, all miss!



The Austro-Hungarian battle line has been thrown into confusion by the collision but managed to avoid any further collisions. The Italian torpedo boats launched their torpedoes as they passed and managed to miss the slowly reversing battleship. Two more Italian destroyers are sinking and the two survivors are attempting to withdraw to the west (one is out of shot on the right).

We had to call time on the game and at this point it was a tactical victory to the Austo-Hungarians but the Italian heavy ships were still in good shape.

We normally take a break for a cup of tea/coffee at about 8:30, we were all so engrossed in the game that when a tea break was mentioned we realised it was almost 10pm and we only had time for a couple more turns

[Steve J]

The ship models look great and certainly sounds like an entertaining action .

[Techno]

Nice one, Paul. 

Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Top report Paul.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Can't beat a good pre-dreadnought bust up

[Ithoriel]

Nice models, excellent AAR. Thanks!