Harris, Mark The First World War in the Baltic Sea. Volume 1: Essen’s triumph, 1914 to February 1915

A history of the remarkable Baltic Sea battle, revealed by new research in Russian, German and British archives. In 1914, Russian commander Admiral Essen inspired his numerically inferior fleet. With the support of British allies, he pushed back the German fleet and achieved an impressive victory. The small Russian fleet began the war on the defensive and faced potential destruction at the hands of the superior German fleet. Britain sent a submarine fleet to support its allies. Admiral Essen had to overcome the defensive caution of his superiors and the catastrophic loss of the cruiser Pallada. He forged a productive partnership with the British allies. His leadership skills and innovative tactical approach took full advantage of modern naval technology and intelligence work and helped turn the tide. German commander Prince Heinrich had to overcome fierce rivalries within the German war effort to provide his fleet with resources. His forces fluctuated constantly as divisions came and went from the North Sea. His subordinate, Admiral Behring, tirelessly conducted numerous offensive operations and coastal raids. Cruisers repeatedly clashed. Casualties mounted. The German flagship Friedrich Carl was sunk. By February 1915, Essen had prevailed. The German fleet in the Baltic Sea was on the defensive, and vital trade routes were disrupted. When the ice in the Baltic Sea melted in the spring, they returned to try to regain control.