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The Most Epic Voyage of WWI: How One German Raider Terrorized the Allies

Eugene Powell

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Published in The Wolf: How One German Raider Terrorized The Allies In The Most Epic Voyage Of WWI

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In the annals of naval history, the voyage of the SMS Emden stands as one of the most audacious and successful of all time. A German raider, the Emden terrorized Allied shipping in the Indian and Pacific Oceans for over six months, sinking or capturing over 30 ships.

The Wolf: How One German Raider Terrorized the Allies in the Most Epic Voyage of WWI

by Richard Guilliatt

4.6 out of 5

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The Emden was a light cruiser, launched in 1906. She was armed with ten 4.1-inch guns, two torpedo tubes, and a crew of 361 officers and men. At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the Emden was assigned to the German East Asia Squadron, based in Tsingtao, China.

On August 4, 1914, the Emden sailed from Tsingtao on a raiding mission. Her Free Downloads were to disrupt Allied shipping in the Indian Ocean and to attack any enemy warships she encountered. The Emden's captain, Karl von Müller, was a brilliant and aggressive officer who was determined to make a name for himself.

The Emden's first victim was the British merchant ship SS Glenturret, which she sank on August 10, 1914. Over the next few months, the Emden continued to attack Allied shipping, sinking or capturing over 30 ships. Her victims included merchant ships, passenger liners, and even a British warship, the HMS Hampshire.

The Emden's most famous exploit was the sinking of the Russian armored cruiser Zhemchug in Penang, Malaya, on October 28, 1914. The Zhemchug was a much larger and more powerful ship than the Emden, but Müller was able to outmaneuver her and sink her with a single torpedo.

The Emden's success was due in large part to Müller's skill as a commander. He was able to keep his ship undetected by Allied warships for over six months, and he was always able to find and attack Allied shipping. Müller was also a master of disguise, and he was able to fool Allied ships into thinking that the Emden was a friendly vessel.

On November 9, 1914, the Emden's luck ran out. She was intercepted by the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney off the Cocos Islands. The Sydney was a much larger and more powerful ship than the Emden, and she quickly overwhelmed her. The Emden was sunk, and Müller and his crew were taken prisoner.

The voyage of the SMS Emden is a story of courage, skill, and adventure. It is a testament to the fighting spirit of the German navy, and it is a reminder that even the smallest of ships can have a major impact on the course of history.

The SMS Emden in Popular Culture

The SMS Emden has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and films. The most famous film about the Emden is the 1927 German film "Emden," which starred Alfred Abel as Müller. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the story of the Emden around the world.

The Emden has also been featured in several video games, including "Battlefield 1" and "Call of Duty: Vanguard." In these games, players can take control of the Emden and experience the thrill of raiding Allied shipping in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Legacy of the SMS Emden

The SMS Emden is still remembered today as one of the most successful and daring German raiders of all time. Her voyage is a testament to the fighting spirit of the German navy, and it is a reminder that even the smallest of ships can have a major impact on the course of history.

The Emden's legacy lives on in the German navy today. The German Navy's training ship is named Emden, and the German Navy's motto is "Remember Emden."

The SMS Emden is a symbol of German naval power and tradition. She is a reminder of the courage, skill, and adventure of the German navy, and she is a source of inspiration for German sailors today.

The Wolf: How One German Raider Terrorized the Allies in the Most Epic Voyage of WWI

by Richard Guilliatt

4.6 out of 5