Commander John Irving recounts the naval battles of Coronel and the Falkland Islands in 1914. This paperback edition examines the ships, commanders and decisions in the Royal Navy’s defeat at Coronel and its subsequent victory at the Falklands.
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From the devastating defeat of a Royal Navy Squadron in the Battle of Coronel, to the Navy’s resounding victory at the Battle of the Falkland Islands a few weeks later, this detailed account from the early days of World War I recounts two events that shaped the fate of empires.
TWO ENGAGEMENTS • 1914
A direct consequence of Britain declaring war on Germany on 4th August 1914 was the threat to merchant shipping in the South Pacific and South Atlantic. The events that dramatically unfold in "Coronel and The Falklands" are pivotal battles, recounted in meticulous detail by the author, John Irving. With vivid detail and historical accuracy, this book brings to life the relentless pursuit of victory amidst the vast and unforgiving ocean. The figures of formidable German Vice-Admiral von Spee and tenacious British Admiral Sturdee are brought to life in this story of endurance, naval warfare, and the indomitable spirit of each man who sails into history.
Discover the dynamic tale of the naval battles that shaped the course of the Great War, dominated by a relentless determination to command the seas. In a book that presents the strategic manoeuvres of these battles through detailed accounts and official reports, John Irving places a spotlight on one of the remotest corners of the global stage on which the theatre of World War I played out.
Publication Date: Originally published in 1927 (republished in 2024)
Pages: 200
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