lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 20, 2019 14:49:45 GMT
The German-American Naval War of 1903The German-American Naval War of 1903—never heard of it? Well, of course, because it never happened in real life. But it was fought as a war game. At the turn of the 20th century, war-gaming was used for training exercises. One tabletop game in the early 20th century was the Jane Naval War Game. Jane’s tabletop training exercise came with scoring grids, ship-identification cards, target cards, wooden pieces, maps, and even wooden paddles to move the pieces around. In 1902 and 1903, Scientific American published a series of articles in its weekly Supplement that presented a simulated a naval war between Germany and United States, played by the Portsmouth naval war-gaming society using the Jane Naval War Game. The war game accounts make fascinating reading, presenting a series of battles taking place worldwide—mid-Atlantic, South America, Philippines, China, and Havana—with friendly fire incidents, night actions, and U.S. submarines playing a key element. The game was played with fleets assigned to admirals and individual ships maneuvered by different players. Admirals were allowed to give any orders to their captains until firing commenced. After that, orders were transmitted through umpires. Shell hits on ships were recorded using a device called a striker, somewhat analogous to throws at a dart board. Maneuvers during night actions were carried out in the dark to simulate nighttime combat conditions. Since the intent of the games was to teach naval strategy and tactics, the articles do not give any background to the diplomatic sources of the war except to state that relations become strained between the U.S. and Germany over German actions in the Philippines and Central America—a legitimate U.S. concern at the time. Each fleet consisted of over 40 battleships, cruisers, and monitors. Summary of the Combat
The initial engagement of the war was a mid-Atlantic cruiser action. The action was considered a German victory with the loss of two German vessels compared to five U.S. ships sunk and one struck. The second encounter was an indecisive battle off Cape Bojeador in the Philippines, with heavy damage to both sides but only one German ship sunk. The remaining German vessels continued to their port of Kiautschou (present day Jiaozhou, China) with the U.S. fleet going to Manila to refit. In the meantime the two countries’ small South American fleets battled off Camarones Bay, Argentina, resulting in a U.S. victory. The war then proceeded with a German attempt to secure Manila. A German fleet was sent to the Philippines and troops landed near Manila. This fleet was then met by the over-matched U.S. Far East division, which was essentially destroyed. However, the U.S. North Atlantic and Mediterranean squadrons were on route to Manila. On arrival of this U.S. fleet, the German land force was re-embarked and most of the German fleet retired to Kiautschou, leaving a few cruisers and destroyers. This German cruiser squadron was attacked during a night engagement by a similarly sized U.S. cruiser force. The result was each side was annihilated by destroyer attack with only one vessel surviving the encounter. Read the entire German-American Naval War of 1903 from beginning to end by clicking on the links below:
The Naval War-Game Dec. 20, (1902) The War - Various Movements, Page 1 (Dec. 27, 1902)The War - Various Movements, Page 2 (Dec. 27, 1902)An Indecisive Action in the Far East, Page 1 (Jan. 3, 1903)An Indecisive Action in the Far East, Page 2 (Jan. 3, 1903)Action off the South American Coast, Page 1 (Jan. 10, 1903)
Action off the South American Coast, Page 2 (Jan. 10, 1903)How Hits Are Determined, Page 1 (Jan. 24, 1903)How Hits Are Determined, Page 2 (Jan. 24, 1903)Engagement Off Manila, Page 1 (Jan. 31, 1903)Engagement Off Manila, Page 2 (Jan. 31, 1903)After the Battle of Manila (Feb. 7, 1903)Desperate Cruiser Action Off Manila, Page 1 (Feb. 14, 1903)Desperate Cruiser Action Off Manila, Page 2 (Feb. 14, 1903)Operations Off Kiao Chau, Page 1 (Feb. 28, 1903)Operations Off Kiao Chau, Page 2 (Feb. 28, 1903)Torpedo Attack on the German Fleet at Kiao Chau, Page 1 (March 7, 1903)Torpedo Attack on the German Fleet at Kiao Chau, Page 2 (March 7, 1903)Victory in the Far East, Page 1 (March 14, 1903)Victory in the Far East, Page 2 (March 14, 1903)Severe Defeat and Destruction in the Far East, Page 1 (March 14, 1903)Severe Defeat and Destruction in the Far East, Page 2 (March 21, 1903)Torpedo Action Off Key West, Page 1 (March 28, 1903)Torpedo Action Off Key West, Page 2 (March 28, 1903)Torpedo Action Off Key West, Page 3 (March 28, 1903)Monitors and Submarines in Action in the Final Battle, Page 1 (April 4, 1903)Monitors and Submarines in Action in the Final Battle, Page 2 (April 4, 1903)Additional links:
Google driver folder with PDFsLink to Scientific American Supplement Catalog
Major Ships Involved in the WarAmerican Battleships
USS Maine (BB-10) USS Missouri (BB-11) USS Ohio (BB-12) USS Alabama (BB-8) USS Kearsarge (BB-5) USS Indiana (BB-1) USS Massachusetts (BB-2) USS Wisconsin (BB-9) USS Oregon (BB-3) USS Iowa (BB-4) USS Illinois (BB-7) USS Kentucky (BB-6) German Battleships
SMS Wittelsbach SMS Wettin SMS Zähringen SMS Mecklenburg SMS Schwaben SMS Kaiser Friedrich III SMS Kaiser Wilhelm II SMS Kaiser Karl der Grosse SMS Kaiser Barbarossa SMS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse SMS Brandenburg SMS Wörth SMS Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm SMS_Weissenburg SMS Prinz Heinrich Article was posted on Road to the Great War and can be read here: The German-American Naval War of 1903
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Apr 20, 2019 15:49:18 GMT
Lordroel Looks interesting and never realised that the USN had a Med squadron at that point! Only had a brief look so far but sounds like it ended up with ruinous losses to both sides capital fleets and a lot of economic damage as well. Many thanks for an interesting link. 
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 20, 2019 16:03:46 GMT
Lordroel Looks interesting and never realised that the USN had a Med squadron at that point! Only had a brief look so far but sounds like it ended up with ruinous losses to both sides capital fleets and a lot of economic damage as well. Many thanks for an interesting link. Steve
No problem, i like these kind of old fashion naval games and thus i toughed this would be interesting to post here, seems i was right. In the end the umpires decided that even if Germany could scrap enough forces to keep fighting, the Atlantic voyage could not be undertaken in the face of the American Fleet that remained. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Apr 21, 2019 8:19:18 GMT
Lordroel Looks interesting and never realised that the USN had a Med squadron at that point! Only had a brief look so far but sounds like it ended up with ruinous losses to both sides capital fleets and a lot of economic damage as well. Many thanks for an interesting link. Steve
No problem, i like these kind of old fashion naval games and thus i toughed this would be interesting to post here, seems i was right. In the end the umpires decided that even if Germany could scrap enough forces to keep fighting, the Atlantic voyage could not be undertaken in the face of the American Fleet that remained.
I think given the logistical problems of fueling and supporting such a force its rather amazing they managed to get a main battle fleet in the region at all and captured Havana according to a note in the last chapter. Have to try and find the time to read through all the articles but been rather busy recently and feeling a bit low on energy/willpower.
Definitely an interesting conflict. Sounds from reading the last chapter the Germans made a serious mistake targeting the US Monitors rather than finishing their capital ships off 1st and also the USN got rather lucky with their subs but always going to be difficult/impossible for the Germans to maintain a substantial force in the US backyard, especially lacking any bases of their own in the region. Not to mention the risk of something happening in Europe.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 21, 2019 8:22:50 GMT
No problem, i like these kind of old fashion naval games and thus i toughed this would be interesting to post here, seems i was right. In the end the umpires decided that even if Germany could scrap enough forces to keep fighting, the Atlantic voyage could not be undertaken in the face of the American Fleet that remained. I think given the logistical problems of fueling and supporting such a force its rather amazing they managed to get a main battle fleet in the region at all and captured Havana according to a note in the last chapter. Have to try and find the time to read through all the articles but been rather busy recently and feeling a bit low on energy/willpower.
Definitely an interesting conflict. Sounds from reading the last chapter the Germans made a serious mistake targeting the US Monitors rather than finishing their capital ships off 1st and also the USN got rather lucky with their subs but always going to be difficult/impossible for the Germans to maintain a substantial force in the US backyard, especially lacking any bases of their own in the region. Not to mention the risk of something happening in Europe.
True, the Germans might have done better if they had a base of operations already in the Caribbean before the outbreak of War, ore that is how i see it. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Apr 22, 2019 0:11:16 GMT
I think given the logistical problems of fueling and supporting such a force its rather amazing they managed to get a main battle fleet in the region at all and captured Havana according to a note in the last chapter. Have to try and find the time to read through all the articles but been rather busy recently and feeling a bit low on energy/willpower.
Definitely an interesting conflict. Sounds from reading the last chapter the Germans made a serious mistake targeting the US Monitors rather than finishing their capital ships off 1st and also the USN got rather lucky with their subs but always going to be difficult/impossible for the Germans to maintain a substantial force in the US backyard, especially lacking any bases of their own in the region. Not to mention the risk of something happening in Europe.
True, the Germans might have done better if they had a base of operations already in the Caribbean before the outbreak of War, ore that is how i see it.
Although there would be a bit of a catch 22 there. Any attempt to get such a base would incite a lot of US hostility so could prompt a pre-emptive strike by the US, probably using the Monroe doctrine as a basis.
They really need an ally in the region to supply such a base immediately but there isn't likely to be one suitable. Doubt any local nation would be willing to anger the US that much apart from probably not trusting the Germans, or any other extra-Americas power that much. France has bases but is unlikely to help out Germany, the Dutch are unlikely to be willing to and the only other option is Britain but that doesn't want a war with the US.
The only exception I could see would be if something came out of the crisis over Venezuela debt where Britain and Germany - and possibly other European nations - were involved in an issue over Venezuela defaulting on its debts. It was settled peacefully but possibly could have resulted in a clash. However its unlikely and furthermore the other problem for Germany is that her vital interests are in Europe and she can't really commit major military strength away from that theartre. Think this was about 1903 time but having problems accessing Wiki at this point.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 22, 2019 7:24:35 GMT
True, the Germans might have done better if they had a base of operations already in the Caribbean before the outbreak of War, ore that is how i see it. Although there would be a bit of a catch 22 there. Any attempt to get such a base would incite a lot of US hostility so could prompt a pre-emptive strike by the US, probably using the Monroe doctrine as a basis. I remember once in 1888, the Dutch didn’t protest when German naval engineers descended on Klein Curaçao (English: Little Curaçao) and where intent on building a naval shipyard and using it as a base for the German Imperial Navy as part of the hoped for Imperial colonization of the Deutsche Karibik,a German Caribbean Colony, but were driven off by the windswept conditions of the remote outpost when a tropical storm swept away the first foundations of a wharf and and the Germans ran out of money to fund its reconstruction. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Apr 22, 2019 10:30:34 GMT
Although there would be a bit of a catch 22 there. Any attempt to get such a base would incite a lot of US hostility so could prompt a pre-emptive strike by the US, probably using the Monroe doctrine as a basis. I remember once in 1888, the Dutch didn’t protest when German naval engineers descended on Klein Curaçao (English: Little Curaçao) and where intent on building a naval shipyard and using it as a base for the German Imperial Navy as part of the hoped for Imperial colonization of the Deutsche Karibik,a German Caribbean Colony, but were driven off by the windswept conditions of the remote outpost when a tropical storm swept away the first foundations of a wharf and and the Germans ran out of money to fund its reconstruction.
Interesting. Haven't heard of that and rather surprising given their very limited resources at the time. Mind you I think that the USN wasn't particularly strong at the time having been cut back to a rump after the civil war and Anglo-German relations weren't anything like as toxic at the time. However the US isn't going to be happy with the idea.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 22, 2019 10:39:24 GMT
I remember once in 1888, the Dutch didn’t protest when German naval engineers descended on Klein Curaçao (English: Little Curaçao) and where intent on building a naval shipyard and using it as a base for the German Imperial Navy as part of the hoped for Imperial colonization of the Deutsche Karibik,a German Caribbean Colony, but were driven off by the windswept conditions of the remote outpost when a tropical storm swept away the first foundations of a wharf and and the Germans ran out of money to fund its reconstruction. Interesting. Haven't heard of that and rather surprising given their very limited resources at the time. Mind you I think that the USN wasn't particularly strong at the time having been cut back to a rump after the civil war and Anglo-German relations weren't anything like as toxic at the time. However the US isn't going to be happy with the idea.
Seems it was the French and British who discouraged any future German territorial ambition in the Caribbean, that coupled with the storm and lack of money might be a reason why Germany never manged to create their Deutsche Karibik . Do not know what might been if Klein Curaçao had manged to remain a German naval base and what effect it could have on a German-American Naval War of 1903. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Apr 22, 2019 11:47:27 GMT
Interesting. Haven't heard of that and rather surprising given their very limited resources at the time. Mind you I think that the USN wasn't particularly strong at the time having been cut back to a rump after the civil war and Anglo-German relations weren't anything like as toxic at the time. However the US isn't going to be happy with the idea.
Seems it was the French and British who discouraged any future German territorial ambition in the Caribbean, that coupled with the storm and lack of money might be a reason why Germany never manged to create their Deutsche Karibik . Do not know what might been if Klein Curaçao had manged to remain a German naval base and what effect it could have on a German-American Naval War of 1903.
Well if they built a sizeable base there to give some support to a large fleet it would boost their abilities considerable. Having not yet read the Scientific American reports in full so don't know if it mentioned how the German fleet supported itself in the Caribbean, especially things like coaling and ammunition resupply, along with repairs of battle and other damage which would be major issues. A suitable fleet base would make that a lot easier.
Of course constructing such a base, even without a sizeable fleet being located there before the war is likely to sour relations with the US and see the latter build up its fleet more. Plus depending on the German attitude presuming the American war with Spain occurs that could worsen things. Not to mention with colonial interests in the are France is also likely to increase its naval presence and Britain probably to follow so you could see something of a naval race in the region.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 22, 2019 17:44:17 GMT
Seems it was the French and British who discouraged any future German territorial ambition in the Caribbean, that coupled with the storm and lack of money might be a reason why Germany never manged to create their Deutsche Karibik . Do not know what might been if Klein Curaçao had manged to remain a German naval base and what effect it could have on a German-American Naval War of 1903. Well if they built a sizeable base there to give some support to a large fleet it would boost their abilities considerable. Having not yet read the Scientific American reports in full so don't know if it mentioned how the German fleet supported itself in the Caribbean, especially things like coaling and ammunition resupply, along with repairs of battle and other damage which would be major issues. A suitable fleet base would make that a lot easier. Of course constructing such a base, even without a sizeable fleet being located there before the war is likely to sour relations with the US and see the latter build up its fleet more. Plus depending on the German attitude presuming the American war with Spain occurs that could worsen things. Not to mention with colonial interests in the are France is also likely to increase its naval presence and Britain probably to follow so you could see something of a naval race in the region.
The first battle of the German-American Naval War of 1903 takes place between the US South Atlantic squadron who was ordered to try to engage the Germans in those waters but lost to the Germans in the Battle of the Mid-Atlantic with the USS Olympia and USS Detroit captured and six American cruisers sunk while the Germans lost SMS Prinz Heinrich and SMS Thetis. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Apr 22, 2019 20:13:41 GMT
Well if they built a sizeable base there to give some support to a large fleet it would boost their abilities considerable. Having not yet read the Scientific American reports in full so don't know if it mentioned how the German fleet supported itself in the Caribbean, especially things like coaling and ammunition resupply, along with repairs of battle and other damage which would be major issues. A suitable fleet base would make that a lot easier. Of course constructing such a base, even without a sizeable fleet being located there before the war is likely to sour relations with the US and see the latter build up its fleet more. Plus depending on the German attitude presuming the American war with Spain occurs that could worsen things. Not to mention with colonial interests in the are France is also likely to increase its naval presence and Britain probably to follow so you could see something of a naval race in the region.
The first battle of the German-American Naval War of 1903 takes place between the US South Atlantic squadron who was ordered to try to engage the Germans in those waters but lost to the Germans in the Battle of the Mid-Atlantic with the USS Olympia and USS Detroit captured and six American cruisers sunk while the Germans lost SMS Prinz Heinrich and SMS Thetis.
As far as I'm aware neither of them would have any bases in the region, other than the German colonies in Africa and possibly for the US Liberia. I know that for the attack on the Philippines in 1898 the US fleet was initially based in Hong Kong prior to the actual outbreak of war so either both might be using neutral bases but suspect they would have to withdraw themselves from such bases once fighting starts.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 23, 2019 3:14:56 GMT
The first battle of the German-American Naval War of 1903 takes place between the US South Atlantic squadron who was ordered to try to engage the Germans in those waters but lost to the Germans in the Battle of the Mid-Atlantic with the USS Olympia and USS Detroit captured and six American cruisers sunk while the Germans lost SMS Prinz Heinrich and SMS Thetis. As far as I'm aware neither of them would have any bases in the region, other than the German colonies in Africa and possibly for the US Liberia. I know that for the attack on the Philippines in 1898 the US fleet was initially based in Hong Kong prior to the actual outbreak of war so either both might be using neutral bases but suspect they would have to withdraw themselves from such bases once fighting starts.
So far what i am reading, both the Americans and Germans use a lot of coaling ships to keep their warships going when they are out of reach of friendly ports where they could conduct coaling. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Apr 23, 2019 12:09:04 GMT
As far as I'm aware neither of them would have any bases in the region, other than the German colonies in Africa and possibly for the US Liberia. I know that for the attack on the Philippines in 1898 the US fleet was initially based in Hong Kong prior to the actual outbreak of war so either both might be using neutral bases but suspect they would have to withdraw themselves from such bases once fighting starts.
So far what i am reading, both the Americans and Germans use a lot of coaling ships to keep their warships going when they are out of reach of friendly ports where they could conduct coaling.
That's the only practical way if you don't have friendly bases/ports. Which is a big problem for the Germans in the Carribean especially and probably a factor for both of them elsewhere.
However there are problems with coaling at sea. Even if you find a suitable bay somewhere, which is very strongly recommended its a slow hard and dirty task. Also do you keep the colliers with the fleet, probably slowing it down and meaning they need escorts or have them traveling independently? The latter means they need to know where to meet up with your fleet, which can restrict flexibility, especially since radio is still very new short ranged and unreliable and also their in danger of being intercepted by the enemy.
Plus colliers will supply coal but what about ammunition, spare parts, ability to repair damage at sea, which even if relatively minor can restrict the affected ship and hence the fleet as a whole?
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 23, 2019 15:22:37 GMT
So far what i am reading, both the Americans and Germans use a lot of coaling ships to keep their warships going when they are out of reach of friendly ports where they could conduct coaling. That's the only practical way if you don't have friendly bases/ports. Which is a big problem for the Germans in the Carribean especially and probably a factor for both of them elsewhere. However there are problems with coaling at sea. Even if you find a suitable bay somewhere, which is very strongly recommended its a slow hard and dirty task. Also do you keep the colliers with the fleet, probably slowing it down and meaning they need escorts or have them traveling independently? The latter means they need to know where to meet up with your fleet, which can restrict flexibility, especially since radio is still very new short ranged and unreliable and also their in danger of being intercepted by the enemy. Plus colliers will supply coal but what about ammunition, spare parts, ability to repair damage at sea, which even if relatively minor can restrict the affected ship and hence the fleet as a whole?
I remember that Russian also had that trouble if i am correct during the Russo-Japanese War. |
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