In the annals of naval warfare during World War I, the First Battle of Durazzo, fought off the coast of Durazzo, Albania in late December 1915, remains a pivotal but often overlooked engagement. This confrontation involved a complex array of naval forces, including Austria-Hungary, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France, and unfolded against the backdrop of the Adriatic Sea, a theater of conflict with strategic significance.
The Adriatic Theater of World War I was characterized by its intricate web of geopolitical interests. The major players in this maritime region included Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Serbia, each with its own ambitions and objectives.
Austria-Hungary, part of the Central Powers, sought to secure its naval dominance in the Adriatic, with the key naval base of Pola as its stronghold. This coastal empire relied on the Adriatic as a vital supply route for its war effort.
Italy, initially neutral but later joining the Triple Entente, entered the war in 1915 with an eye on territorial gains in the Adriatic. The city of Durazzo held particular strategic importance.
Austria-Hungary's Naval Move
In December 1915, the Austro-Hungarian Navy executed a strategic move by dispatching a cruiser squadron into the Adriatic. This maneuver aimed to disrupt the Serbian Campaign, a pivotal front in the war. The squadron, led by the light cruiser SMS Helgoland armed with nine 4-inch main guns, set sail from Cattaro, making its way towards Durazzo. Accompanying Helgoland were five Tátra-class destroyers, while the submarine U-15 and two destroyers patrolled off Durazzo.
As they embarked on their mission, the Austro-Hungarian forces encountered the French submarine Monge south of Cattaro. This encounter quickly escalated, with the Austro-Hungarian destroyer SMS Balaton opening fire and eventually ramming and sinking the Monge.
The Battle Off Durazzo
On the following day, the Austro-Hungarian squadron reached Durazzo and initiated a bombardment of the town. During this phase, Helgoland managed to sink a Greek steamer and two schooners. However, the treacherous waters took their toll as the destroyer SMS Lika fell victim to a minefield and was lost, followed by SMS Triglav, which suffered a similar fate. An attempt to tow the crippled Triglav by SMS Csepel failed due to a fouled propeller, ultimately requiring the assistance of SMS Tátra.
Alerted to the presence of the Austrian squadron, Allied forces stationed in Brindisi sprang into action. The British light cruiser HMS Dartmouth, the Italian scout cruiser Quarto, and five French destroyers sortied in an effort to intercept the Austro-Hungarian ships before they could reach their base at Cattaro. Two hours later, they were joined by the Italian scout cruiser Nino Bixio, the British light cruiser HMS Weymouth, and four Italian destroyers.
The Austro-Hungarians, too, responded by sending the armored cruiser Kaiser Karl VI and the light cruisers Novara and Aspern from Cattaro. However, these reinforcements did not engage in combat.
The Climactic Confrontation
As the afternoon of December 29, 1915 unfolded, the forward Allied ships encountered the Austro-Hungarian squadron, which was still only halfway through its return journey. The French destroyers, making a swift decision, set their sights on the already crippled destroyer Triglav and succeeded in sinking her before theye were attempting to rejoin the British and Italian cruisers.
Meanwhile, the Allied cruisers pursued Helgoland and the three remaining Austro-Hungarian destroyers. A protracted long-range gunnery duel ensued throughout the afternoon, with Helgoland demonstrating remarkable evasive maneuvers. Eventually, Helgoland managed to evade the Allied cruisers and safely reached Cattaro. However, this escape came at the cost of the destroyers Lika and Triglav, both sacrificed to ensure Helgoland's survival. The cruiser Tátra suffered engine damage from several shell hits during the confrontation.
The First Battle of Durazzo, while not decisively tipping the balance of naval power in the Adriatic, carried significant implications. It underscored the importance of the Adriatic Theater and its strategic value during World War I. Furthermore, the battle influenced the strategies of both Italy and Austria-Hungary as they navigated the challenges of naval warfare in this contested region.
This engagement also marked the beginning of a prolonged struggle for supremacy in the Adriatic, characterized by subsequent clashes and developments in naval technology. As the serene waters off Durazzo bore witness to this complex confrontation, the First Battle of Durazzo etched its place in history as a testament to the significance of lesser-known theaters in shaping the course of a global conflict.