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Coordinates: 40°12′N 26°24′E / 40.2°N 26.4°E / 40.2; 26.4
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{{short description|Naval battle during the First Balkan War}}
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{{Refimprove|date=November 2010}}

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{{More citations needed|date=November 2010}}

{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Naval Battle of Elli
| conflict = Battle of Elli
| partof = [[First Balkan War]]
| partof = the [[First Balkan War]]
| image = Elli_naval_battle_by_Vasiileios_Chatzis.jpg
| image = Battle Elli.jpg
| image_size = 280
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Painting by [[Vasileios Hatzis]]
| caption = ''Battle of Elli'', [[Vasileios Hatzis]].
| date = {{OldStyleDate|16 December|1912|3 December}}
| date = {{OldStyleDate|16 December|1912|3 December}}
| place = off the [[Dardanelles]]
| place = Off the [[Dardanelles]], [[Aegean Sea]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|40.2|26.4|display=inline,title}}
| casus =
| result = Greek victory
| result = Greek victory
| combatant1 = {{flag|Kingdom of Greece}}
| combatant1 = {{flagicon|Kingdom of Greece|state}} [[Kingdom of Greece|Greece]]
| combatant2 = {{flag|Ottoman Empire}}
| combatant2 = {{flagcountry|Ottoman Empire}}
| commander1 = {{flagicon|Kingdom of Greece|naval}} Rear Adm [[Pavlos Kountouriotis]]
| commander1 = {{flagdeco|Kingdom of Greece|naval}} [[Pavlos Kountouriotis]]
| commander2 = {{flagicon|Ottoman Empire|naval}} Cpt Ramiz Bey
| commander2 = {{flagdeco|Ottoman Empire|naval}} Ramiz Bey
| strength1 = 1 armoured cruiser <br> 3 ironclad battleships <br> 4 destroyers
| strength1 = 1 [[Armored cruiser|armoured cruiser]] ([[Greek cruiser Georgios Averof|''Averof'']])<br />3 [[Coastal defence ship|coastal defence battleships]] ([[Greek ironclad Hydra|''Hydra'']], [[Greek ironclad Spetsai|''Spetsai'']] and [[Greek ironclad Psara|''Psara'']])<br />4 destroyers ([[Greek destroyer Aetos|''Aetos'']], [[Greek destroyer Ierax|''Ierax'']], [[Greek destroyer Panthir|''Panthir'']] and [[Greek destroyer Leon|''Leon'']])
| strength2 = 3 battleships <br> 1 ironclad <br> 1 protected cruiser <br> 4 destroyers
| strength2 = 2 [[battleship]]s ([[SMS Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm|''Barbaros Hayreddin'']] and [[SMS Weissenburg|''Turgut Reis'']])<br />2 old battleships ([[Ottoman ironclad Mesudiye|''Mesudiye'']] and ''[[Ottoman ironclad Asar-i Tevfik|Âsâr-ı Tevfik]]'')<br />1 [[protected cruiser]] ([[Ottoman cruiser Mecidiye|''Mecidiye'']])<br />4 destroyers (''[[Ottoman destroyer Muavenet-i Milliye|Muavenet-i Milliye]]'', [[Yadigar-ı Millet|''Yadigâr-i Millet'']], [[Ottoman destroyer Taşoz|''Taşoz'']] and [[Ottoman destroyer Basra|''Basra'']])
| casualties1 = 2 dead
| casualties1 = 2 killed
| casualties2 = Heavy damage to the flagship, 18 dead, 41 wounded<ref name="OSN196">Langensiepe & Güleryüz (1995), p. 196</ref>
| casualties2 = 18 killed <br> 41 wounded <br> 1 battleship damaged<ref name=Langensiepen/>
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| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox First Balkan War}}
| notes =
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| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox First Balkan War}}
}}
}}


The '''Battle of Elli''' ({{lang-el|Ναυμαχία της Έλλης}}, {{lang-tr|İmroz Deniz Muharebesi}}) or the '''Battle of the Dardanelles''' took place near the mouth of the [[Dardanelles]] on {{OldStyleDate|16 December|1912|3 December}} as part of the [[First Balkan War]] between the fleets of the [[Kingdom of Greece]] and the [[Ottoman Empire]]. It was the largest sea battle of the [[Balkan Wars]].<ref>Hall (2000), [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSllgZ-1D4YC&pg=PA64&dq=%22The+largest+sea+battle+of+the+Balkan+Wars+occurred+near+the+mouth+of+the+Dardanelles+on+16+December%22&hl=en&ei=M40wTrDoEMzQmAXHisXzAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22The%20largest%20sea%20battle%20of%20the%20Balkan%20Wars%20occurred%20near%20the%20mouth%20of%20the%20Dardanelles%20on%2016%20December%22&f=false p. 64.]</ref>
The '''Battle of Elli''' ({{lang-el|Ναυμαχία της Έλλης}}, {{lang-tr|İmroz Deniz Muharebesi}}) or the '''Battle of the Dardanelles''' took place near the mouth of the [[Dardanelles]] on {{OldStyleDate|16 December|1912|3 December}} as part of the [[First Balkan War]] between the fleets of the [[Kingdom of Greece]] and the [[Ottoman Empire]]. It was the largest sea battle of the [[Balkan Wars]].<ref name=Hall/>

==Background==
Since the start of the war the [[Royal Hellenic Navy]] acted aggressively, while the [[Ottoman Navy]] remained in the [[Dardanelles]]. Rear Admiral [[Pavlos Kountouriotis]] landed at [[Lemnos]], while the Greek fleet captured a series of islands. On 24 October (O.S.), Kountouriotis sent a telegram to the Ottoman admiral: ''"We have captured Tenedos. We await the exit of your fleet. If you need coal, I can supply you."'' On 3 December (OS), the Ottoman fleet left the Dardanelles.


==Battle==
==Battle==
The [[Royal Hellenic Navy]], led by Rear Admiral [[Pavlos Kountouriotis]] on board the flagship [[Greek cruiser Georgios Averof|''Averof'']], defeated the [[Ottoman Navy]], led by Captain Ramiz Bey, just outside the entrance to the [[Dardanelles]] (Hellespont). During the battle, Kountouriotis, frustrated by the slow speed of the three older Greek battleships [[Greek battleship Hydra|''Hydra'']], [[Greek battleship Spetsai|''Spetsai'']] and [[Greek battleship Psara|''Psara'']], hoisted the Flag Signal for the letter Z which stood for "Independent Action", and sailed forward alone at a speed of 20 knots, against the Ottoman fleet. Taking full advantage in her superior speed, guns and armour, Averof succeeded in [[crossing the T|crossing the Ottoman fleet's "T"]] and concentrated her fire against the Ottoman flagship [[Ottoman battleship Barbaros Hayreddin|''Barbaros Hayreddin'']], thus forcing the Ottoman fleet to retreat in disorder. The Greek fleet, including the destroyers [[Greek destroyer Aetos|''Aetos'']], [[Greek destroyer Ierax|''Ierax'']] and [[Greek destroyer Panthir|''Panthir'']] continued to pursue the Ottoman fleet off-and-on between the dates of December 13 and December 26, 1912.
The Royal Hellenic Navy, led by Kountouriotis on board of the flagship [[Greek cruiser Georgios Averof|''Averof'']], defeated the Ottoman Navy, led by Captain Ramiz Bey, just outside the entrance to the [[Dardanelles]] (Hellespont). During the battle, Kountouriotis, frustrated by the slow speed of the three older Greek ironclads [[Greek ironclad Hydra|''Hydra'']], [[Greek ironclad Spetsai|''Spetsai'']] and [[Greek ironclad Psara|''Psara'']], hoisted the [[Z flag]] which stood for "Independent Action", and sailed forward alone at a speed of 20 knots, against the Ottoman fleet. Taking full advantage of her superior speed, guns and armour, ''Averof'' succeeded in [[crossing the T|crossing the Ottoman fleet's "T"]] and concentrated her fire against the Ottoman flagship [[Ottoman battleship Barbaros Hayreddin|''Barbaros Hayreddin'']], thus forcing the Ottoman fleet to retreat in disorder. The Greek fleet, including the destroyers {{ship|Greek destroyer|Aetos|1912|2}}, {{ship|Greek destroyer|Ierax|1912|2}} and {{ship|Greek destroyer|Panthir|1912|2}} continued to pursue the Ottoman fleet off-and-on between December 13 and December 26, 1912.


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
The Ottomans suffered 7 killed and 14 wounded on the ''Barbaros Hayreddin'', 8 killed and 20 wounded on the ''Turgut Reis'', and 3 dead and 7 wounded on the ''Mesudiye''.<ref name="OSN196"/>
The Ottomans suffered 7 killed and 14 wounded on the ''Barbaros Hayreddin'', 8 killed and 20 wounded on the [[Ottoman battleship Turgut Reis|''Turgut Reis'']], and 3 dead and 7 wounded on the [[Ottoman ironclad Mesudiye|''Mesudiye'']].<ref name=Langensiepen/>


This victory was quite significant in that the Ottoman navy retreated within the Straits and left the Aegean Sea to the Greeks who were now free to occupy the islands of [[Lesbos]], [[Chios]], [[Lemnos]] and [[Samos Island|Samos]]. It also prevented any transfer of Ottoman troop reinforcements by sea and effectively secured Ottoman defeat on land.
This victory was quite significant in that the Ottoman Navy retreated within the Straits and left the Aegean Sea to the Greeks who were now free to liberate the islands of [[Lesbos]], [[Chios]], [[Lemnos]] and [[Samos Island|Samos]] and others. It also prevented any transfer of Ottoman troop reinforcements by sea and effectively secured Ottoman defeat on land.


== See also ==
== See also ==
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== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|30em}}
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<ref name=Hall>{{cite book |last=Hall |first=Richard C. |title=The Balkan Wars, 1912–1913: Prelude to the First World War |year=2000 |publisher=Routledge |isbn= 978-0415229463 |page=64}}</ref>

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<ref name=Langensiepen>{{cite book |last1=Langensiepen |first1=Bernd |last2=Güleryüz |first2=Ahmet |title=The Ottoman Steam Navy, 1828–1923 |year=1995 |publisher = Conway Maritime Press |isbn = 0-85177-610-8 |page=196}}</ref>
}}


== Sources ==
==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Defeat in Detail: The Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912–1913 |last=Erickson |first=Edward J. |author2=Bush, Brighton C. |year=2003 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=0275978885 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Edward J. |last2=Bush |first2=Brighton C.|title=Defeat in Detail: The Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912–1913 |year=2003 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=0275978885 |ref=none}}
* {{cite book | last=Fotakis |first=Zisis |title=Greek naval strategy and policy, 1910–1919 |year=2005 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-35014-3}}
* {{cite book | last=Fotakis |first=Zisis |title=Greek Naval Strategy and Policy, 1910–1919 |year=2005 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-35014-3 |ref=none}}
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* {{cite book |title=The Ottoman Steam Navy, 1828–1923 | last1=Langensiepen | first1=Bernd | last2=Güleryüz | first2=Ahmet | year=1995 | publisher = Conway Maritime Press | isbn = 0-85177-610-8}}
⚫
* {{cite book|title=The Balkan Wars, 1912-1913: Prelude to the First World War | last=Hall |first=Richard C. | year=2000 |publisher=Routledge |isbn= 9780415229463}}


{{Balkan Wars}}
{{coord missing|Turkey}}
{{Ottoman battles in the 20th century}}
{{Ottoman battles in the 20th century}}


Latest revision as of 17:07, 21 May 2024

Battle of Elli
Part of the First Balkan War

Battle of Elli, Vasileios Hatzis.
Date16 December [O.S. 3 December] 1912
Location
Off the Dardanelles, Aegean Sea
40°12′N 26°24′E / 40.2°N 26.4°E / 40.2; 26.4
Result Greek victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Greece Greece  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Pavlos Kountouriotis Ramiz Bey
Strength
1 armoured cruiser
3 ironclad battleships
4 destroyers		 3 battleships
1 ironclad
1 protected cruiser
4 destroyers
Casualties and losses
2 killed 18 killed
41 wounded
1 battleship damaged[1]

The Battle of Elli (Greek: Ναυμαχία της Έλλης, Turkish: İmroz Deniz Muharebesi) or the Battle of the Dardanelles took place near the mouth of the Dardanelles on 16 December [O.S. 3 December] 1912 as part of the First Balkan War between the fleets of the Kingdom of Greece and the Ottoman Empire. It was the largest sea battle of the Balkan Wars.[2]

Background

[edit]

Since the start of the war the Royal Hellenic Navy acted aggressively, while the Ottoman Navy remained in the Dardanelles. Rear Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis landed at Lemnos, while the Greek fleet captured a series of islands. On 24 October (O.S.), Kountouriotis sent a telegram to the Ottoman admiral: "We have captured Tenedos. We await the exit of your fleet. If you need coal, I can supply you." On 3 December (OS), the Ottoman fleet left the Dardanelles.

Battle

[edit]

The Royal Hellenic Navy, led by Kountouriotis on board of the flagship Averof, defeated the Ottoman Navy, led by Captain Ramiz Bey, just outside the entrance to the Dardanelles (Hellespont). During the battle, Kountouriotis, frustrated by the slow speed of the three older Greek ironclads Hydra, Spetsai and Psara, hoisted the Z flag which stood for "Independent Action", and sailed forward alone at a speed of 20 knots, against the Ottoman fleet. Taking full advantage of her superior speed, guns and armour, Averof succeeded in crossing the Ottoman fleet's "T" and concentrated her fire against the Ottoman flagship Barbaros Hayreddin, thus forcing the Ottoman fleet to retreat in disorder. The Greek fleet, including the destroyers Aetos, Ierax and Panthir continued to pursue the Ottoman fleet off-and-on between December 13 and December 26, 1912.

Aftermath

[edit]

The Ottomans suffered 7 killed and 14 wounded on the Barbaros Hayreddin, 8 killed and 20 wounded on the Turgut Reis, and 3 dead and 7 wounded on the Mesudiye.[1]

This victory was quite significant in that the Ottoman Navy retreated within the Straits and left the Aegean Sea to the Greeks who were now free to liberate the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Lemnos and Samos and others. It also prevented any transfer of Ottoman troop reinforcements by sea and effectively secured Ottoman defeat on land.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Langensiepen, Bernd; Güleryüz, Ahmet (1995). The Ottoman Steam Navy, 1828–1923. Conway Maritime Press. p. 196. ISBN 0-85177-610-8.
  2. ^ Hall, Richard C. (2000). The Balkan Wars, 1912–1913: Prelude to the First World War. Routledge. p. 64. ISBN 978-0415229463.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Erickson, Edward J.; Bush, Brighton C. (2003). Defeat in Detail: The Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912–1913. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0275978885.
  • Fotakis, Zisis (2005). Greek Naval Strategy and Policy, 1910–1919. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-35014-3.
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