Description
Book SynopsisIn October 1917, an invasion force of some 25,000 German soldiers, accompanied by a flotilla of 10 dreadnoughts, 350 other vessels, a half-dozen zeppelins, and 80 aircraft, attacked the Baltic islands at the head of the Gulf of Riga. This work presents an account of a little-known but dramatic World War I battle for control of the Baltic Islands.
Trade Review. . . Michael Barrett provides both the World War I enthusiast and the seasoned naval professional a detailed look at one of the past century's early forays into opposed amphibious landings. Oct. 1, 2008
-- Andrew G. Wilson * Naval History *
In the end, what we have in Operation Albion is a thorougly researched, well organized, and very well-written history of an operation that deserves to be more widely studied.October 2008
-- Mark D. Karau * The Journal of Military HIstory *
This book will remain the definitive account of this most unusual operation in World War I for some tiime to come.October 20 2008
-- Richard L. Dinardo * The NYMAS Review *
Specialists in the history of the Great War and the operational history of any period, historians of Germany and of Russia, and anyone with a general interest in well-written military history will enjoy reading this book.March 2009
-- Jesse Kauffman * Stanford University *
. . . the work is extremely well-researched and it fills a large void in the history of the First World War. I highly recommend the book, in particular to students and scholars of the period. April 2009
-- Mark D. Karau * University of Wisconsin *
[Barrett's] book will remain the definitive account of this most unusual operation in World War I for sometime to come. April 2009
-- Richard L. DiNardo * USMC Command & Staff College *
Michael Barrett deftly tells the tale of the most successful amphibious operation of World War I. . . . As a work of military history the book is exemplary. . . . In short, this book deserves its place in a series on twentieth-century battles. January 2009
* Russian Review *
Attraverso il ricorso ad un ampio materiale documentario, in gran parte inedito e conservato presso i maggiori archivi militari statunitensi, tedeschi e russi, l'autore riporta alla luce in maniera brillante ed estremamente accurata un episodio significantivo, e tuttavia perlopiu dimenticati, della Prima Guerra Mondiale: la conquista, avvenuta nelle settimane centrali dell'ottobre del 1917, delle quatro principali isole baltiche - Osel, Dago, Worms, e Moon - situate all'ingresso del Golfo di Riga da parte dell'esercito e della marina tedesca.March 2009
* Ricerche Distoria Politica *
The casual reader will find this book informative and entertaining. For the military professional, a careful reading will pay tremendous dividends, particularly for those interested in amphibious operations and staff planning.Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring 2010
* Marine Corps University Journal *
Table of ContentsContents
List of Maps
Dates, Times, and Names
Acknowledgments
1. Submarine UC-58, Tagga Bay, 28 September 1917
2. The Strategic Importance of the Baltic Islands
3. The Decision to Mount Operation Albion
4. The Islands and Their Defenses
5. The Invasion
6. Ösel, 12–13 October 1917: The Central Island
7. Ösel, 12–16 October 1917: The Island's Ends
8. The Capture of Moon and Dagö Islands
9. The Naval Battle for the Baltic Islands
10. Conclusion
11. Epilogue
Appendix: A Word on Sources
Notes
Bibliography
Index
