As is known, the Ottoman Empire was not initially a part of the sides involved in World War I. However, in August 1914, when two fleeing German warships sought refuge in the Mediterranean, the Ottoman Empire announced that it had purchased these ships, renaming them Yavuz and Midilli. Up until this point, there was no significant issue. Yet, when these two warships, now named Yavuz and Midilli, bombarded the Russian ports of Odessa and Sevastopol after entering the Black Sea, the Tsarist Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire, thereby involving the Ottoman Empire in World War I.
Even today, the Goeben and Breslau ships remain a subject of debate. Renamed as Yavuz and Midilli, these ships symbolize the Ottoman Empire's entry into the war.
The Breslau, later renamed as Midilli (SMS Breslau), is a German-built light cruiser, while the Goeben, later renamed as Yavuz (SMS Goeben), is a heavy cruiser of the Moltke class also manufactured in Germany. The two ships were under the command of Rear Admiral Wilhelm Souchon (1864-1946). In 1912, these two German warships were dispatched to the Algerian coast in the Mediterranean to prevent potential French troop deployments from Algeria (which was a French colony at the time) in case of war.
On August 3, 1914, upon learning of the outbreak of war between France and Germany, these two German warships bombarded the African shores and then proceeded to the port of Messina in Italy for coal resupply. Initially, Italy had committed to side with Germany, as they were allies. Goeben and Breslau encountered two British warships, the Indefatigable and Indomitable, on their way to Italy, but since on August 3, Britain had not yet declared war, neither side engaged in a direct conflict.
Taking advantage of this situation, the German ships arrived in Italy on the night of August 4, 1914, and completed their coal resupply. That same night, with Germany's entry into Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany, officially entering World War I. While the German ships Goeben and Breslau were in the port of Messina, England and Germany declared war on each other, becoming hostile nations. It was precisely at this moment that in Istanbul, Enver Pasha, the Ottoman Minister of War, along with the German Ambassador to Istanbul, Hans von Wangenheim, and the head of the German Military Mission, Liman von Sanders, were making plans. These three significant figures reached an agreement for the German ships Goeben and Breslau to come to Istanbul to support the Ottoman navy in the Black Sea. Admiral Souchon, under the command of Admiral Souchon, was given explicit orders to head for the Dardanelles. Subsequently, on their way, Goeben and Breslau encountered the British warships Indefatigable and Indomitable. However, since on August 3, Britain had not yet declared war, neither side engaged in a direct conflict.
Capitalizing on this situation, the German ships reached Italy on the night of August 4, 1914, and carried out the coal resupply. That same night, with Germany's entry into Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany, officially entering World War I. The German ships Goeben and Breslau became Yavuz and Midilli upon entering the Dardanelles on August 11, 1914.
Following this move, Enver Pasha informed Prime Minister Said Halim Pasha of the arrival of "two bright stars" in the form of Goeben and Breslau, emphasizing that they were gifts from Germany to the Ottoman Empire.
Subsequently, France and Britain strongly protested to the Ottoman Empire. In response, the Ottoman state declared that, instead of the two warships that had been paid for but not delivered by the British (Sultan Osman 1 and Reşadiye), they had acquired Goeben and Breslau by paying 500,000 gold liras (80 million German Marks). The Ottoman state used this as a justifiable reason, as the British had failed to deliver the two ships for which payment had been made, and, due to the outbreak of war, had announced their intention to use them against the Germans. Demonstrations were organized in Istanbul in response to this explanation. On August 16, the flags of Goeben and Breslau were replaced with Ottoman flags, and their names were changed to Yavuz and Midilli, while the German crew were given fezzes. Rear Admiral Wilhelm Souchon was appointed as the Commander of the Ottoman Navy in October.
Goeben, now Yavuz, and Breslau, now Midilli, played a crucial role in the subsequent years of the war. These two warships served in the Ottoman navy for 3 years, 5 months, and 10 days. They became a formidable force, particularly in the Black Sea, and carried out successful operations. Midilli, being smaller and faster by design, escorted the critical coal supplies from Zonguldak to Istanbul. Furthermore, it played a significant role in blocking potential enemy shipments through the mouth of the Danube.
On January 20, 1918, Yavuz and Midilli set out to intercept two enemy ships heading from Macedonia to Palestine. After passing through the Dardanelles, they encountered a minefield off the coast of Imroz, sustaining heavy damage. While Midilli sank, Yavuz managed to return to the Dardanelles despite the severe blows it had taken. This operation marked the final mission of the two ships, and Midilli sank while Yavuz, heavily damaged, barely made it back through the Dardanelles. This operation marked the final mission of the two ships, and Midilli sank while Yavuz, heavily damaged, barely made it back through the Dardanelles. This operation marked the final mission of the two ships, and Midilli sank while Yavuz, heavily damaged, barely made it back through the Dardanelles. Afterward, Yavuz continued to serve in the newly established Republic of Turkey, and in fact, in 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's remains were transported from Istanbul to Izmit on this ship. Ultimately, in 1973-1976, Yavuz was dismantled and turned into a razor blade factory.
The entry of the Ottoman Empire into the war was of great significance to Germany. As General Ludendorff, the German Chief of Staff, later stated, the Ottoman entry into the war extended the World War by two years. Therefore, Yavuz and Midilli became the destiny-altering ships in the history of both the Ottoman Empire and the world.
Some statesmen in the Ottoman Empire at that time had great confidence in Yavuz and Midilli. In fact, Prime Minister Kamil Pasha stated that Goeben, now Yavuz, was capable of facing Russia alone in the Black Sea. In documents that have emerged in recent times, it is mentioned that during the Balkan Wars in 1912, while the war
was ongoing, the Ottoman Empire had requested to acquire the Goeben ship from Germany, but the Germans responded with "this ship would cause too much trouble for Turkish sailors." In response, Kamil Pasha made a humorous remark, saying "then we will take the ship along with those inside," but the request was ultimately denied. Ironically, two years later, it was announced that Goeben and Breslau were purchased, along with the German crew.
Winston Churchill, who was a minister at the time and would later become a prominent figure in British history, mentioned in his war memoirs written in 1923, "Throughout history, no ship's compass has set a course for Goeben as straight as the path to destruction and devastation."
What Became of the Midilli Battleship
Yavuz and Midilli engaged in conflicts with Russian ships along the Black Sea coasts of Trabzon and Zonguldak in November and December of 1914. Later in 1915, Midilli, one of the two ships actively involved in the Black Sea shores, despite suffering severe damage (due to a mine explosion) in July 1915, managed to reach Istinye for repairs and was back in action by February 1916.
Yavuz and Midilli were instrumental in the Black Sea during the war. These two armored ships served in the Ottoman navy for 3 years, 5 months, and 10 days. Especially in the Black Sea, they became the nightmare of the Russian navy and carried out successful operations. Midilli, due to its structure, was small yet equally fast. During the war, it accompanied the critical coal supply from Zonguldak to Istanbul. Furthermore, it played a significant role in blocking potential enemy shipments through the mouth of the Danube.
On January 20, 1918, Yavuz and Midilli set out to intercept two enemy ships heading from Macedonia to Palestine. After passing through the Dardanelles, they encountered a minefield off the coast of Imroz, sustaining heavy damage. While Midilli sank, Yavuz managed to return to the Dardanelles despite the severe blows it had taken.
This operation marked the final mission of the two ships, and Midilli sank while Yavuz, heavily damaged, barely made it back through the Dardanelles. This operation marked the final mission of the two ships, and Midilli sank while Yavuz, heavily damaged, barely made it back through the Dardanelles.
Afterward, Yavuz continued to serve in the newly established Republic of Turkey, and in fact, in 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's remains were transported from Istanbul to Izmit on this ship. Ultimately, in 1973-1976, Yavuz was dismantled and turned into a razor blade factory.
The entry of the Ottoman Empire into the war was of great significance to Germany. As General Ludendorff, the German Chief of Staff, later stated, the Ottoman entry into the war extended the World War by two years. Therefore, Yavuz and Midilli became the destiny-altering ships in the history of both the Ottoman Empire and the world.
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