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WW1 - HMS Birmingham sinking the German U-15 U-Boat
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WW1 - HMS Birmingham sinking the German U-15 U-Boat
WW1 - On 9 August 1914, HMS Birmingham spotted the German submarine U-15, whose engines had failed as she lay stopped on the surface in heavy fog, off Fair Isle. The Birmingham steamed at full speed and fired the first shot. As the U-boat began to dive, she rammed her, cutting her in two. U-15 went down with all hands, the first U-boat loss to an enemy warship. Date: 1914
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Birmingham Enemies Enemy Fifteen Germans Isle Nineth Rammed Ramming Rams Sinking Sinks Spots Spotted Submarine Warship
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EDITORS COMMENTS
August 9, 1914: A Pivotal Moment in World War I Naval History - HMS Birmingham Sinks the German U-15 The image captures a pivotal moment in the early history of World War I, as HMS Birmingham, a Royal Navy cruiser, sinks the German U-15 submarine off the coast of Fair Isle. In the thick fog of the North Sea, the Birmingham, under the command of Captain the Hon. Charles F. Gretton, had spotted the German submarine, whose engines had failed, lying on the surface. Seizing the opportunity, the Birmingham steamed at full speed towards the U-boat, firing the first shot as she began to dive. In a bold and decisive move, the cruiser rammed the submarine, cutting her in two. The U-15 went down with all hands, marking the first loss of a German U-boat to an enemy warship in the conflict. This momentous event took place on August 9, 1914, and signified a significant turning point in the naval warfare of World War I. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the bravery and determination of the sailors involved and the strategic importance of naval superiority in the early stages of the war.
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