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Battle of the Strait of Otranto, Raid on the Drifters 14–15 May 1917
Battle of the Strait of Otranto, Raid on the Drifters 14–15 May 1917
The 1917 Battle of the Strait of Otranto was the result of an Austro-Hungarian raid on the Otranto Barrage, an Allied naval blockade of the Strait of Otranto. The blockade was conducted by lightly armed former fishing drifters laying and monitoring submarine nets with larger Allied Naval ships in support. The Austro-Hungarian Navy raided the Otranto Barrage with a force of three light cruisers, plus diversionary forces and submarines in support. It was an attempt to break the barrier to allow U-boats freer access to the Mediterranean, and Allied shipping. The three Austro-Hungarian cruisers: Novara, Saida, and Helgoland, modified to resemble large British destroyers, were to attack the drifters on the night of 14 May and attempt to destroy as many as possible before daybreak. Three Allied Navies were operating in the area, the Italian, French and British, an Italian convoy was sunk by the diversionary destroyers and the cruisers at 03:30 began attacking the small barrage ships. The Austro-Hungarians frequently gave the drifter crews warning to abandon ship before opening fire. In some instances, the drifter crews chose to fight, the "Gowan Lee" returned fire on the Austo-Hungarian ships. The ship was heavily damaged, but remained afloat; her skipper, Joseph Watt, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the battle. There were 47 drifters in Barrage on the night of 14 May; the Austro-Hungarians managed to sink 14 drifters and damage four more. After the raid the Austro-Hungarian Cruisers were pursued by the Allies, HMS Dartmouth traded shots and caused damage but was torpedoed by a U-boat. The French destroyer Boutefeu was sunk by a mine while in pursuit. This community is an attempt to identify as many members of the Navy, mainly of the Royal Naval Reserve who were involved in the Otranto Barrage. I have complied it from those listed as killed, injured or captured as well as those awarded gallantry medals or mentioned in dispatches.
Created by: , Fife3190
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Born 1899
Died 1917
Royal Navy DA 15230 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Drifter "Floandi"
More about James Boulton -
Born 1890
Royal Navy 5098/DA Second Hand Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy DA 5098 Second Hand Royal Naval Reserve
More about John Turner -
Born 1880
Royal Navy 1838/ES Engineman Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy ES 1838 Engineman Royal Naval Reserve
More about William Noble -
Born 1890
Royal Navy 4142/DA Second Hand Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy DA 4142 Second Hand Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy DA 4142 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Drifter "Morning Star II"
More about Robert Mckenzie -
Born 1888
Died 1917
Royal Navy Z/2402 Royal Naval Division
Royal Navy Clyde Z/2402 Ordinary Seaman Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Royal Navy 3018/TS Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
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More about George Craig -
Born 1875
Royal Navy Acting Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy Lieutenant. Royal Naval Reserve
More about Robert Henry Baunton -
Born 1878
Royal Navy WSA 834 Chief Skipper Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy 834 WSA Chief Skipper Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Drifter "Floandi"
More about Dennis John Nichols -
Born 1897
Royal Navy 2089/TS Engineman Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy TS 2089 Engineman Royal Naval Reserve
More about Walter Watt -
Born 1878
Royal Navy 1760/ES Engineman Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy ES 1760 Engineman Royal Naval Reserve
More about Charles Mobbs -
Born 1896
Royal Navy 11219/DA Leading Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy DA 11219 Leading Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
More about William Francis Painter -
Born 1886
Royal Navy 222985 Boy 1st Class
Royal Navy 222985 Ordinary Seaman
Royal Navy 222985 Able Seaman
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More about Thomas Cornelius Doyle -
Born 1890
Royal Navy Z/3256 Royal Naval Division
Royal Navy Clyde Z/3256 Ordinary Seaman Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Royal Navy 2727/ST Trimmer Royal Naval Reserve
More about William Urquhart -
Born 1898
Died 1956
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Royal Navy DA 11801 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
More about Albert Louis Clarke -
Born 1887
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Royal Navy SD 1302 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
More about Samuel Huggett -
Born 1895
Royal Navy 223/SD Leading Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy SD 223 Leading Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
More about Alexander Magill -
Born 1896
Royal Navy 3296/SD Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy SD 3296 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
More about George Olive -
Born 1878
Royal Navy WSA 1774 Skipper Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy 1774 WSA Skipper Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Drifter "Coral Haven"
More about Robert Cowe -
Born 1867
Royal Navy 2113/TS Engineman Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy TS 2113 Engineman Royal Naval Reserve
More about James Dowie -
Born 1879
Royal Navy WSA 1310 Skipper Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy 1310 WSA Skipper Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Drifter "Admirable"
More about William Farquhar -
Born 1878
Royal Navy 1491/TS Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy TS 1491 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Drifter "Gowan Lea"
More about Frederick Hawley Lamb