Operation Albion: The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands (Twentieth-Century Battles)

I may be wrong, but I believe this is the ONLY book-length work in English that contains more than a passing mention of the German conquest of the Baltic Islands. It is certainly the definitive work as all other works devoted to this operation are reasonably short articles in journals. A very great bonus to this obvious reason for reading this book is that it is very well written, accompanied by maps that materially assist in following the campaign, and structured so that the reader's questions are usually answered before they are formulated.

I will not attempt to revisit the ground covered by the lengthly review by ML Shakespeare, but wish to note that this work could not have been written until after 1990 when the Soviet/Russian primary sources began to become available. The author has made superb use of those sources, marrying them up with the German naval sources, and delivering an outstanding work.

An additional point is that the availability of this book in 1941 might have materially aided the US Navy and Marines in constructing an effective tactical doctrine for amphibious invasions of hostile territory. Instead, the US planners studied the failed Gallipoli campaign and attempted to construct plans to avoid Hamilton's mistakes. The African assault was ignored as irrelevant and adding nothing beyond what could be learned from Gallipoli. Unfortunately, there was much to be learned from the German Albion operation, but US planners were almost totally devoid of information concerning its details.

If the reader is interested in amphibious operations, the number of contested assault landings in history that were successful before World War II can be counted on one hand. Albion is by far the most relevant and should be seen as the direct forerunner to the Marine landing at Guadacanal (unopposed) and the Torch landings in North Africa.

In short, this is a seminal and definitive historical work on a previously ignored and almost unknown military campaign. I recommend that all interested parties reading this review BUY and READ this book.

Iy is an out standing history of one of the most unknown but sucessful amphibious operations of World War I. The author did a fantastic job of making it interesting reading. Highly recommended to any person who is interested in World War I.

Where was the most successful amphibious operation of World War I? Was it in Turkey, German East Africa, or maybe Estonia?

In the first amphibious assault of the war (1914), a large British Indian Army attempted a landing at Tanga, German East Africa that ended in disaster. Winston Churchill's Gallipoli Campaign (1915) is regarded as a symbol of military incompetence and calamity resulting in 141,113 Allied casualties.
.
Author Michael B. Barrett's "Operation Albion: The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands" brings to light an amazing, completely overlooked campaign so completely atypical to the ubiquitous World War I trench war narrative we are so accustomed to.

"In October 1917, an invasion force of some twenty-five thousand soldiers of the German XXIII Reserve Corps, accompanied by a flotilla of 10 dreadnaughts, 350 other vessels, a half-dozen zeppelins, and 80 aircraft" set out for the Gulf of Riga.

Operation Albion's objective was the capture of Russian controlled Baltic Islands, near Riga, and uncomfortably close to Russia's capital, St. Petersburg. Why were the Baltic Islands an attractive target for Germany? Dr. Barrett reveals, "The Germans hoped their seizure would be the final blow to a Russian seething with revolutionary discontent, and even if the loss of the islands did not lead to immediate capitulation, capturing them would breach the Russian defenses and doom St. Petersburg."

Dr. Barrett's meticulously researched and finely written book draws on new material recently made available from Russian archives.

This well- constructed narrative lets the reader eavesdrop on meetings as the Germans carefully planned their invasion of the Baltic Islands. "What is astonishing," cites the author, "is that Operation Albion was conducted by military forces with no experience in either amphibious or joint warfare."

The author takes us inside the "kriegsspiel" where the commanders carry out their final war game rehearsal of Operation Albion. Dr. Barrett does a fine job presenting the myriad issues German planners faced.

The success of the invasion depended on careful coordination of landings, bombardments and timely seizure of key positions. Much of the German time- table hinged on Russia's slow initial reaction and, always, there was the incessant threat of mines. Naval planners agonized over how minesweepers would quickly carry out their vital work without detection.

German battleships were assigned the bombardment of fortifications and shore batteries. Quickly, assault troops were to be ferried ashore in torpedo boats and motor launches. Local artillery support for the landings was to be supplied by 88mm and 105mm guns aboard the torpedo boats.

In good weather, aircraft based from a seaplane tender would provide air cover and reconnaissance.

Among the planners, there was much apprehension about possible interference from a squadron of British submarines known to be operating from the nearby Finland coast.

The bulk of the chosen German infantry were bicycle troops. Their speed would be critical in cutting off Russian troops attempting to retreat off Osel island's west causeway and escape to the Estonian mainland.

As Dr. Barrett's book makes clear, the command structure for such a complex, unique joint services operation was difficult to resolve. Differing army and navy officers, government officials, and royalty contended for the prestigious leadership positions. When even the Kaiser's brother, Prince Henry, sought the assignment, the Head of the Navy Cabinet, embarrassed the Kaiser by stating the "Prince did not possess the necessary qualifications."

Dr. Barrett systematically details the Russian's defensive plan on each island, pointing out unit strengths, fortifications, trench lines, road- blocks, and the disposition of artillery pieces as well. The author discloses, the Russian ground commander, Rear Admiral Sveshnikov, intended to concentrate troops at the few landing zones, then conduct a delaying action by taking advantage of dense forests and bogs, and mainly defending road junctions and choke points.

The Russian naval defenses featured two pre-dreadnaughts and two cruisers along with many smaller warships. It was hoped that carefully positioned minefields would keep German battleships from coming close enough to bombard the fortifications. Long- range shore batteries protected the minefields from German minesweepers.

Historian Paul Halpern described the defensive naval plan Russia implemented as "a form of naval trench warfare, with the ships sheltering behind the minefields and coordinating their fire with the powerful coastal batteries."

The author insightfully notes, that the Russians had long expected a German attack on the Baltic Islands. Russian spies quickly detected the frenzied marshalling of forces taking place in the assembly ports. They evidently had expected the attack almost 20 days before hand. "Exhausted by the constant vigilance, however, the Russians finally lowered their guard." Dr. Barrett explains. At that point, the Germans launched their last military operation in the East during the First World War.

In Chapter Five, the author skillfully narrates the fight for Osel, Moon, and Dago Islands. Quickly moving German bicycle troops raced to take key positions before panicky Russian army units could effectively react. The two fleets engaged in cat-and-mouse naval actions in the shallow, mine-filled, surrounding waters.

To what extent did Russian submarines, minefields, and surface units seriously disrupt the German naval operations?

Did Russian officers rally their mutinous troops to throw back the German invasion?

Would the German Navy's zeppelins and powerful battleships corner and annihilate the Russian fleet?

Could trapped Russian army units -- backed up by heavy artillery and armored cars -- brush aside the lightly armed German bicycle troops blocking the strategic Osel causeway and escape to the Estonian mainland?

Ultimately the reader will find out if the Germans were able to deliver "a crushing blow" that would knock Russia out of the war.

"Operation Albion: The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands" contained 9 excellent indispensable maps and 37 interesting photographs (including 6 of rare naval actions). This solid and authoritative book will appeal to anyone interested in World War I, naval operations and military history.


About the author

Michael B. Barrett is Professor of History at the Citadel and Brigadier General (retired), U.S. Army Reserve. Prof. Barrett graduated from The Citadel in 1968 with honors and a degree in Modern Languages (German). He was also a Distinguished Military Graduate. He did his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts and had a Fulbright Scholarship to Germany for dissertation research.

His most recent publication is a book titled "Operation Albion: The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands", from Indiana University Press. He is currently working on a history of the Austro-German Campaign in Romania, 1916. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.