![]() The Mirabello group engaged the Austro-Hungarian cruisers at 07:00, but were heavily outgunned, and instead attempted to shadow the fleeing cruisers. The Italian light cruiser Marsala, the flotilla leader Racchia, and the destroyers Insidioso, Indomito, and Impavido were readying to sail in support as well. By 06:45, the cruisers Dartmouth and Bristol-along with the Italian destroyers Mosto, Pilo, Schiaffino, Acerbi, and Aquila-were sailing north in an attempt to cut off the Austro-Hungarian cruisers. Rear Admiral Alfredo Acton-the commanding officer of the Italian Scouting Division-ordered Mirabello's group southward at 04:35, while he embarked on the British light cruiser HMS Dartmouth. The lack of sufficient Allied escorts forced the withdrawal of the remaining blockading ships, although only for a short time.īy this time, the Allied naval forces in the area were aware of the raid, and were in a position to block the Austro-Hungarian retreat. There were 47 drifters in Barrage on the night of 14 May the Austro-Hungarians managed to sink 14 drifters and damage four more. The ship was heavily damaged, but remained afloat her captain- Joseph Watt-was later awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the battle. In some instances, the drifter crews chose to fight: Gowan Lee returned fire on the Austro-Hungarian ships. The Austro-Hungarians frequently gave the drifter crews warning to abandon ship before opening fire. The three cruisers were able to pass through the line of drifters, and at 03:30 began attacking the small barrage ships. The Austro-Hungarians sank Borea and a munitions ship, and a second was set on fire and abandoned. The Italian convoy escorted by Borea was attacked by the Austro-Hungarian destroyers Csepel and Balaton at approximately 03:24. A support force was based in the port of Brindisi, consisting of the British cruisers Dartmouth and Bristol and several French and Italian destroyers.īritish drifters sailing from their base in the Adriatic to the Barrage The Italian destroyer Borea was also in the area, escorting a small convoy to Valona. The Italian flotilla leader Mirabello was accompanied by the French destroyers Commandant Rivière, Bisson and Cimeterre. The old pre-dreadnought battleship SMS Budapest and three more 250t-class torpedo boats were also available if necessary.Īn Allied destroyer patrol was in the area on the night of 14 May, to the north of the Barrage. A supporting force composed of the armored cruiser Sankt Georg, two destroyers, and four 250t-class torpedo boats was on standby if the raiders ran into trouble. Two Austro-Hungarian U-boats- U-4 and U-27, along with the German U-boat UC-25-were to participate in the operation as well. ![]() The destroyers Csepel and Balatonwere to mount a diversionary raid off the Albanian coast in order to confuse any Allied counter-attack. Under the command of Horthy, three Austro-Hungarian cruisers ( Novara, Saida, and Helgoland, modified to resemble large British destroyers) were ordered to attack the drifters on the night of 14 May and attempt to destroy as many as possible before daybreak. However, the rapid approach of the Austro-Hungarian relief force persuaded Rear Admiral Acton, the Allied commander, to retreat. An Allied force composed of ships from three navies responded to the raid and in the ensuing battle, heavily damaged the Austro-Hungarian cruiser SMS Novara. The Austro-Hungarian navy planned to raid the Otranto Barrage with a force of three light cruisers and two destroyers under the command of Commander (later Admiral) Miklós Horthy, in an attempt to break the barrier to allow U-boats freer access to the Mediterranean, and Allied shipping. The Otranto Barrage was a fixed barrier, composed of lightly armed drifters with anti-submarine nets coupled with minefields and supported by Allied naval patrols. The battle took place on 14–, and was the largest surface action in the Adriatic Sea during World War I. ![]() The 1917 Battle of the Strait of Otranto was the result of an Austro-Hungarian raid on the Otranto Barrage, an Allied naval blockade of the Strait of Otranto. The battle took place on 14–, and was the largest surface action in the Adriatic Sea during World War I The 1917 Battle of the Strait of Otranto was the result of an Austro-Hungarian raid on the Otranto Barrage, an Allied naval blockade of the Strait of Otranto. Today in Naval History - Naval / Maritime Events in History
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