Post by archelaos on Feb 20, 2017 9:03:46 GMT -6
Battle of Cape Rodon
14/15 January 1906
14/15 January 1906
First major naval operation of Commonwealth's Navy after Christmas 1905 started at 10th of January, when ORP Mazowsze left port in German Tunisia, steaming towards Otranto strait. Ship was supposed to perform another sweep of Dalmatian coast, trying to engage Austrian patrols and disrupt shipping.
On 14th, late in the night, the ship was just north of Otranto when in lookouts spotted shadows and sparks on the sky. A ship, or maybe multiple were coming from the North. Captain Sandis Vetra had just seconds to decide what to do, but for him, it was more than enough. He ordered flank speed and turned to come closer. Within next two minutes another ship was spotted, the first identified as protected cruiser and as enemy, after she opened fire. Mazowsze gunners were not lagging behind – starboard erupted in flames as all 14 barrels ferociously responded. Second ship in Austrian line was identified as armored cruiser and behind it, another appeared for a brief moment. Space between ships filled with shells cutting the darkness and coming to a crashing stop as they hit armor. Mazowsze took hits in A turret and seconds later shell banged into 5in plate covering CT, cutting officers from their feet and deafening them for a moment. But armor held, and only minor splinters lightly wounded few men. A shell tore away a lifeboat as it dinged of deck armor amidships, another devastated two starboard casemates and third fragmented on the main belt. As the Austrians began circulation to the North, Mazowsze followed, trying to deal as much damage as possible, before they hid back in darkness.
At this moment, ten minutes into the engagement, a column of ships appeared on starboard. Even though they were no more than shadows in darkness, Vetra was almost sure they are destroyers. In all earlier battles Imperials came in squadrons composed of 1-2 cruisers and 3-4 destroyers. If it was a day, they would not pose much threat, but now Mazowsze was in grave danger, as even one torpedo could seal fate of even so large warship.
Vetra, without hesitation ordered course change, but instead of turning away from DDs, he gambled, turning into the enemy. Series of rapid turns followed, as Captain was leading his ship right into Age of Sali ranges, raking Austrian destroyers with volleys from less than 160 yards. DDs responded with fairly accurate, but ineffective fire, they also managed to launch 3 torpedoes, out of 8 they had, but all missed. At 23.53 first destroyer rolled over and sunk after two 6in hits penetrated her hull. Three remaining tried to run to West , then North, but Mazowsze followed them closely keeping them under fire.
Eight minutes past midnight salvoes again met the mark. Three main and two secondary shells tore apart DD trailing at the end of the column, sending hulk underwater within a minute. Immediately fire was shifted to another, but for a time she survived. Within fifteen minutes no less than five shells landed just yards from her, but finally her luck ran out. 4in round opened hole in hull, amidships, slowing her down. Then, at 00.32 another 4in exploded on the rear, cutting down crews of after guns and starting fire. Almost immediately, 9in HE shell hit front superstructure tearing huge hole in starboard, leaving her as drifting hulk.
Mazowsze continued chase of the last destroyer, when twenty minutes to one AM column of three ships appeared from the North.
Sky brightened as new ships opened fire. Officers looked at each other, as lookouts called in disturbing news. Two of enemy ships were large, possibly battleships, but Vetra showed no hesitation, driving lone cruiser into the engagement. Within five minutes Mazowsze took 6 hits. Two shells opened holes in superstructure, one dinged off CT’s armor, another jammed aft main battery turret and two slammed into main belt close to engine room. Seeing situation worsening, captain reluctantly ordered turning to West, away from Austrian squadron. At this moment two another ships appeared from darkness to the North. Stressed lookouts shouted “armored cruisers” before they had actually seen anything.
Situation immediately turned from difficult to tragic. Closed between two squadrons with five ships in total, Polish cruiser, even though individually stronger than any of them would be in grave danger, just as Austrian SMS Minerva two months prior.
Vetra stood still for a moment, weighting arguments, but when he raised head fire burned in his eyes.
- Drive her closer – he barked – we are going through!
Obedient to the command, Mazowsze turned right, towards battleships, spitting fire. Surpringly, Austrians had not engaged, instead their formation broke as the ships turned East, scattered and ran into the night.
Second squadron was closing rapidly from the east. Too fast actually.
Captain smirked when he realized that supposed cruisers have to be destroyers. Screen of the main battlegroup. Using the tactic that worked so well in the initial engagement, he ordered full right rudder, towards Austrian ships. Soon closest ship was straddled, and after few next salvos stopped, listing. Guns switched to the other, that twisted and turned, but could not avoid hits. Finally, fourteen minutes after one AM this ship also began its final way to the bottom of Adriatic.
Mazowsze turned East, then North in search of Austrian battlegroup, but no other ship was sighted this night. Polish cruiser came close to Cattaro, but retired in the fear of mines and subs that could be lurking in the depths.
Even though in military terms the battle was relatively minor, it was huge propaganda success for the Polish Navy. A single cruiser ventured into enemy waters, engaged 2 battleships, 3 cruisers and 6 destroyers. And instead of paying dearly for insane courage, she came out victorious, taking only minor damage while sinking 5 destroyers and damaging 2 cruisers. Austrian government tried cover up the story, every time calling Mazowsze “Fast Battleship” and locking crews away in bases but Polish media did all they can to belittle Austrian Navy, and had all facts on their side. After all, proud battleships Monarch and Wien, cruisers and destroyers ran away from single Polish ship. Austrian commander, Admiral von Babenbach blamed faulty munitions, pointing to the fact that his ships hit Mazowsze multiple times without other effects that damaged paint and smashed illuminators. In such situation he considered staying under accurate Polish fire to be suicide, and decided to shadow Mazowsze instead, but lost track of her in the night. On the other hand younger officers of the squadron were blaming cowardice and incompetence of higher grades generating great deal of dissent. Finally, all blame was put on the admiral, who was downgraded and imprisoned for cowardice.
Austrian big ships, second PC, Aurora was almost identical to SMS Saida
Austrian DDs:
ORP Mazowsze
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