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[W. Clark]

Troubridge vs Goeben

This is a what-if scenario with several possible variations because none of the primary sources I can find are incomplete agreement on the state of Goeben’s machinery or fuel status and their conclusions of Goeben’s available top speed varies from 26 to 18 knots with stops at 24, 22 and 20 knots along the way. In addition, at least one of Troubridge’s armored cruisers also had some speed limitation (supposedly about a 2-knot reduction) and the sources are not in agreement as to whether that cruiser was Warrior or the Duke of Edinburg. So, some of the variants deal with these discrepancies about either side’s speed limits. The amount of coal that Goeben was able to obtain from German merchant ships anchored at Messenia varies (again, depending on the source) from 400 to 1,400 tons and their conclusions on Goeben’s ability to steam directly to Constantinople fluctuate between yes, no and barely. The fact that she needed to refuel from a collier in the Aegean makes me lean toward no, but I don’t know for sure. Neither side’s machinery was in top condition, given the time and mileage expended since their last refits. So, some reduction seems reasonable but how much is open to question. The best conclusion I can come to is Gloucester’s report that Goeben did not exceed 18 knots during her shadowing of the Mittelmeredivision.

Then there is the fuel state of the eight Beagle class destroyers of the 5^th Destroyer Flotilla present. At least five felt compelled to drop out due to lack of fuel, leaving only three for the actual engagement.

There is also the fact that Admiral Milne prevented the three Invincible class battle cruisers under his command from being engaged by holding them to the westward because he was convinced that RAdm Souchon would make a try for the French troop ships bringing their troops from Tunesia and Algeria to France. He also considered that Souchon might try to break out into the Atlantic and his dispositions took that into account as well. He seems to have given little if any consideration to Goeben returning to the Adriatic, not to mention Constantinople. He persisted in this even after he knew that Goeben and Breslau had turned east and left it to RAdm Troubridge to deal with. Obviously, he could have done differently and in that case the Invincibles could have played a part. Also, his poor coordination of a collier from Malta to refuel the 5^th Destroyer Flotilla (it arrived two days after it was needed) left that formation in very straited circumstances to intervene in the scenario. So, there are options to deal with a change in either circumstance.

So, without further ado, I present the scenario with variations.

1. Weather: roll on table for wind speed, squalls, fog, haze and visibility.
2. Time: About 0400 hours and dawn is occurring so roll a D6 and reduce visibility towards the east by 1,000 yards for each pip rolled.

Mittelmeredivision

SMS BC Goeben DF RAdm Souchon

SMS CL Breslau

Mediterranean Fleet

Battle Cruiser Squadron

HMS BC Invincible FF Adm Milne

HMS BC Inflexible

HMS BC Indomitable

1^st Cruiser Squadron

HMS CA Defense SF RAdm Troubridge          HMS CL Dublin

HMS CA Warrior                                             HMS CL Gloucester (detached to shadow)

HMS CA Duke of Edinburg                             HMS CL Weymouth (detached to Fleet)

HMS CA Black Prince                                     HMS CL Chatham (detached to Fleet)

5^th Destroyer Flotilla

1^st DesDiv-1^st CS          2^nd DesDiv-1^st CS                     3^rd DesDiv-Fleet          4^th DesDiv-Fleet

HMS DD Beagle          HMS DD Grasshopper            HMS DD Racoon         HMS DD Grampus

HMS DD Bulldog        HMS DD Mosquito                 HMS DD Renard         HMS DD Savage

HMS DD Foxhound     HMS DD Scorpion                  HMS DD Wolverine    HMS DD Basilisk

HMS DD Pincher        HMS DD Scourge                    HMS DD Rattlesnake  HMS DD Harpy

Note: 1^st CS/Fleet are higher commands attached to. Only Beagle, Bulldog & Foxhound are present.

Set Up

Mittelmeredivision enters from West heading 90 degrees at 18 knots.

1^st Cruiser Squadron enters from the East heading 225 degrees at 18 knots.

Dublin & 1^st DesDiv (-) enter from East south of 1^st CS heading 225 degrees at 18 knots.

Gloucester enters from the West 18,000 yards behind the Mittelmeredivision.

Variants

1.  Roll D6 for Goeben and result is subtracted from 26 knots to give top speed. 1^st CS top speed is 22 knots. Either Warrior or Duke of Edinburg is reduced to 20 knots as top speed.
2. Destroyers coal state is adequate. 1^st & 2^nd DesDivs are present.
3. Fleet (BCs & all attachments) enter with Gloucester

Victory

German: Exit off East edge.

Brit: Sink Mittelmeredivision. You also have orders not to engage a superior force so expect to be court martialed and executed if you take serious losses while failing to win. This is another case of the Admiralty wanting to eat its cake and have it too and it is all your fault if that does not transpire. So, another death or glory scenario.