Meant to put out a map of Africa today, but stuff got in the way. Tomorrow I will finish the map and post it.
The Netherlands, and Alternate History. Part I
Part II, Chapter IV
British
French
Spanish
German
Belgian
Italian
Dutch
Portuguese
Ethiopian Empire
Finished the map yesterday afternoon an forgot about it till now. So here it is the division of Africa under the terms of the Berlin conference.
The English really wanted the Cape as supply place for the route to India. They would have taken it anyway for strategic reasons and the dutch weren't strong enough to do anything about it. When the english took the cape in1806 they considered it a territory conquered from the enemy and not land they had liberated.
This is not right. You're right about the fact that before 1800 mixed relations we're more common in dutch colonies (and european colonies in general). But these were not mariages and the children were born out of wedlock. Why was this so common? Because european people in the colonies died a lot from tropic diseases and administrators didn't take their families with them. In british India it went exactly the same. When during the 19th century administrators began bringing over their wives from England, they immediately started to live apart from the native population, to 'protect' their wives from the lustfull natives. Same argument was used by the boers, who were the most staunch defenders of apartheid in the 19th and 20th century.
This was one of the things I had meant to talk about in earlier updates but didn't. Basically the way it goes is this.
Following the congress of Vienna William uses clever political manoeuvring to gain important concessions. Among them are the retention of all pre war Dutch colonies. Britain is allowed to use the cape as a naval base, provided they also protect Dutch shipping as well as their own. In addition English settlers are encouraged to immigrate to the cape, as well as English business.
The thread is way past the stage when that post was relevant, but anyway, that wasn't an argument against the English trying to take the colony, but the Dutch giving it away. And no, the British can't just take what they wanted, their whole shtick was balance in Europe, doing what you're suggesting ATL would have destroyed that.
I don't see myself ever stating that they were marriages. And you are using the British as an example when Anglophone colonies were the greatest proponents of racial segregation throughout their existence. Boers had as much to do with the Dutch as Southern Red Necks had to do with the British.
Take Portuguese Brazil for example, slavery and general white supremacist views didn't stop interracial children from being born and achieving successful lives. No need to even get on Spain. France wasn't big on it either.
Basically, I don't know what you're trying to achieve necroing six months old posts only to provide less than adequate reasoning.
Part II, Chapter V
Opening Blows. 1914
While Astro-Hungarian armies began their great lunge at the Serbian heartland. And the armies of the Tsar began to trickle south to support the Serbs the rest of Europe seemed to be holding its breath. As if unable to believe that the war they had been planning for the last twenty five years had finally arrived. This was largely due to major miscommunication between the German and Austrian high commands. The Hapsburg armies had gone into the war thinking that their German allies would fight Russia while they dealt with Serbia. While the German high command thought the Hapsburgs would fight the Russians. Freeing up the bulk of the German army for operations against France. The German and Austro-Hungarian army commands would eventually decide upon a strategy of limited Austrian offensives against Russia following the fall of Serbia to draw away Russian forces from the German front. While the Germans would then fight a defensive war in the east while the bulk of their forces went to fight the French.
Germany began a major mobilization of their forces on the second of August with the intention of carrying out the Schlieffen plan, which called for the French lines to be bypassed with a quick swing through Belgium and Luxembourg. Just as the main German army massed along the Belgian border however the British delivered an ultimatum stating that if Belgian neutrality were breached the United Kingdom would have no choice but to declare war upon Germany as an ally of the French. Here the German high command dithered. Some proposed that since Britain had not yet declared war perhaps it would be best to simply attack France along the border of Alsac-Lorraine so as not to bring the might of the British empire and royal navy into the war. Others, backed by the Kaiser himself pushed aside those who wished no keep Britain out and on the fifth of August invaded Belgium. Later that day the British empire declared war on the German and Austro-Hungarian empires.
On the 7th of August the Germans quickly overrun the small Luxembourgian army, on the 8th-28th they swarmed through Belgium and quickly overwhelmed the thinly spread French forces stationed along the Belgian border. Before total German victory could be achieved however the British Expeditionary Force and remnants of the Belgian army stalled the German advance in the south of Belgium. Giving the French army time to arrive along the Somme river and completely halt the German advance.
Growing alliances.
Even as the war began to unfold the two sides of the conflict maneuvered to expand the number of nations arrayed against their enemy. The Central powers would lose Italy to the Entente but gain Bulgaria and the Ottoman empire. The Entente aside from Italy managed to get Japan, Montenegro, Portugal and eventually Greece to declare war on their side. Opening up vast fronts across Europe and Asia minor.
The Netherlands, with its small, yet professional army, major industry and large navy was a major prize for the diplomats of both sides. Dutch entry into the war was deemed by both sides as of the utmost importance. From July to August the Dutch refused to even entertain the possibility of joining the war. Instead calling for a ceasefire and peace negotiations to begin at once. Queen Wilhelmina made it very clear that she wanted the Netherlands to stay out of the fighting. Although the Dutch army was mobilized and sent to the borders with Germany and Belgium to protect Dutch territory and the navy put on high alert.
Despite putting the countries military on alert the official policy of the Queen and her ministers was neutrality until provoked. Or that the Netherlands would preserve their neutrality until they were attacked by one side or another. Delegates from both sides were politely, but firmly, told to tell their leaders that the Netherlands did not wish to spill the blood of their citizens over the actions of some Serbian extremists and that while the nation was willing to continue to trade with both sides food and other essentials, they would not deal in war materials to either side. Thus as the war became bogged down in the trenches the Netherlands remained out of it.
While Astro-Hungarian armies began their great lunge at the Serbian heartland. And the armies of the Tsar began to trickle south to support the Serbs the rest of Europe seemed to be holding its breath. As if unable to believe that the war they had been planning for the last twenty five years had finally arrived. This was largely due to major miscommunication between the German and Austrian high commands. The Hapsburg armies had gone into the war thinking that their German allies would fight Russia while they dealt with Serbia. While the German high command thought the Hapsburgs would fight the Russians. Freeing up the bulk of the German army for operations against France. The German and Austro-Hungarian army commands would eventually decide upon a strategy of limited Austrian offensives against Russia following the fall of Serbia to draw away Russian forces from the German front. While the Germans would then fight a defensive war in the east while the bulk of their forces went to fight the French.
Germany began a major mobilization of their forces on the second of August with the intention of carrying out the Schlieffen plan, which called for the French lines to be bypassed with a quick swing through Belgium and Luxembourg. Just as the main German army massed along the Belgian border however the British delivered an ultimatum stating that if Belgian neutrality were breached the United Kingdom would have no choice but to declare war upon Germany as an ally of the French. Here the German high command dithered. Some proposed that since Britain had not yet declared war perhaps it would be best to simply attack France along the border of Alsac-Lorraine so as not to bring the might of the British empire and royal navy into the war. Others, backed by the Kaiser himself pushed aside those who wished no keep Britain out and on the fifth of August invaded Belgium. Later that day the British empire declared war on the German and Austro-Hungarian empires.
On the 7th of August the Germans quickly overrun the small Luxembourgian army, on the 8th-28th they swarmed through Belgium and quickly overwhelmed the thinly spread French forces stationed along the Belgian border. Before total German victory could be achieved however the British Expeditionary Force and remnants of the Belgian army stalled the German advance in the south of Belgium. Giving the French army time to arrive along the Somme river and completely halt the German advance.
Growing alliances.
Even as the war began to unfold the two sides of the conflict maneuvered to expand the number of nations arrayed against their enemy. The Central powers would lose Italy to the Entente but gain Bulgaria and the Ottoman empire. The Entente aside from Italy managed to get Japan, Montenegro, Portugal and eventually Greece to declare war on their side. Opening up vast fronts across Europe and Asia minor.
The Netherlands, with its small, yet professional army, major industry and large navy was a major prize for the diplomats of both sides. Dutch entry into the war was deemed by both sides as of the utmost importance. From July to August the Dutch refused to even entertain the possibility of joining the war. Instead calling for a ceasefire and peace negotiations to begin at once. Queen Wilhelmina made it very clear that she wanted the Netherlands to stay out of the fighting. Although the Dutch army was mobilized and sent to the borders with Germany and Belgium to protect Dutch territory and the navy put on high alert.
Despite putting the countries military on alert the official policy of the Queen and her ministers was neutrality until provoked. Or that the Netherlands would preserve their neutrality until they were attacked by one side or another. Delegates from both sides were politely, but firmly, told to tell their leaders that the Netherlands did not wish to spill the blood of their citizens over the actions of some Serbian extremists and that while the nation was willing to continue to trade with both sides food and other essentials, they would not deal in war materials to either side. Thus as the war became bogged down in the trenches the Netherlands remained out of it.
Part II, Chapter V
Bogged down in the mud. 1915
As the war grew increasingly bogged down in trench fighting throughout 1915 the nations involved sought out increasingly solutions which would break the deadlock. In the crumbling edifice that was Ottoman controlled Asia minor the British launched the disastrous Gallipoli campaigns which would cost the British empire several battleships and half a million men. Mostly from the dominion of Australia. Along the western front the Germans would attempt to break the deadlock by using gas upon the unsuspecting French line. Although the attack initially led to some success in the end the Entente would simply copy the Germans and soon the misery of the trenches had been made even worse.
The struggle for supremacy extended beyond the land and both Germany and Britain made repeated attempts to bring the others fleet into decisive battle. Germany, with less ships than the Royal Navy attempted to redress the imbalance of power by renewed attempts to bring the Netherlands into the war on their side. Kaiser Wilhelm in fact made the entry of the Netherlands the highest priority for his diplomats and many meetings were held between Dutch and German representatives in which the Netherlands made its policy of neutrality very clear.
Eventually the Kaiser would accept that the Netherlands would not under any circumstances short of invasion enter the war. Making his displeasure known Wilhelm nonetheless maintained good relations with the Netherlands as it was through Dutch ports that much of Germanies foreign imports were coming from (Dutch merchant ships being able to escape search by the Royal navy blockade) thus he could not afford to alienate the Dutch government. No matter how uncooperative they were being.
The Entente also made overtures toward the Netherlands meant to gain them as an ally on their side. The French hoped that Dutch involvement in the war would lead to another front being opened up. Drawing away at least some Germans from killing Frenchmen and maybe putting enough Pressure on the Central powers to end the war. Britain, especially Winston Churchill saw Dutch involvement in the war as essential. Churchill thought that a strong offensive launched from the Netherlands could successfully drive into the German heartland. Opening up a potentially war winning front and sapping German strength. The Russian even went so far as to say that if such an offensive could be launched that they would support it by increasing the pressure in the east. This was more than enough to convince Churchill who quickly went about promising, pleading and even bullying to get gain a Dutch declaration of war.
Like the Kaiser before he failed and with a false good cheer the Entente smiled and wished the Netherlands the best.
Belgian soldier surveys the church he went to before the war. Images such as this, among others, helped convince the Dutch people that staying out of the war was for the best.
As the war grew increasingly bogged down in trench fighting throughout 1915 the nations involved sought out increasingly solutions which would break the deadlock. In the crumbling edifice that was Ottoman controlled Asia minor the British launched the disastrous Gallipoli campaigns which would cost the British empire several battleships and half a million men. Mostly from the dominion of Australia. Along the western front the Germans would attempt to break the deadlock by using gas upon the unsuspecting French line. Although the attack initially led to some success in the end the Entente would simply copy the Germans and soon the misery of the trenches had been made even worse.
The struggle for supremacy extended beyond the land and both Germany and Britain made repeated attempts to bring the others fleet into decisive battle. Germany, with less ships than the Royal Navy attempted to redress the imbalance of power by renewed attempts to bring the Netherlands into the war on their side. Kaiser Wilhelm in fact made the entry of the Netherlands the highest priority for his diplomats and many meetings were held between Dutch and German representatives in which the Netherlands made its policy of neutrality very clear.
Eventually the Kaiser would accept that the Netherlands would not under any circumstances short of invasion enter the war. Making his displeasure known Wilhelm nonetheless maintained good relations with the Netherlands as it was through Dutch ports that much of Germanies foreign imports were coming from (Dutch merchant ships being able to escape search by the Royal navy blockade) thus he could not afford to alienate the Dutch government. No matter how uncooperative they were being.
The Entente also made overtures toward the Netherlands meant to gain them as an ally on their side. The French hoped that Dutch involvement in the war would lead to another front being opened up. Drawing away at least some Germans from killing Frenchmen and maybe putting enough Pressure on the Central powers to end the war. Britain, especially Winston Churchill saw Dutch involvement in the war as essential. Churchill thought that a strong offensive launched from the Netherlands could successfully drive into the German heartland. Opening up a potentially war winning front and sapping German strength. The Russian even went so far as to say that if such an offensive could be launched that they would support it by increasing the pressure in the east. This was more than enough to convince Churchill who quickly went about promising, pleading and even bullying to get gain a Dutch declaration of war.
Like the Kaiser before he failed and with a false good cheer the Entente smiled and wished the Netherlands the best.
Belgian soldier surveys the church he went to before the war. Images such as this, among others, helped convince the Dutch people that staying out of the war was for the best.
Part II, Chapter V
The warring parties had good reason for maintaining good relations with the Netherlands, even if the country refused to join the war on their side. In fact there were rather more than just the one. For starters the Netherlands occupied a strategic position. If it were to join the war on the side of the Central Powers then Dutch warships could ravage the trade passing up and down the English channel, meaning Britain did not wish to see the Netherlands enter the war as an enemy. Conversely the Dutch supplied much of Germanies imports as Dutch merchant ships, escorted by elements of the navy, were not searched by the British warships on blockade. If the Netherlands were to enter the war on either side this flow of goods so important to the people would be cut off. Meaning there were advantages to the Netherlands remaining neutral.
But perhaps the greatest argument for continued Dutch neutrality came from the Dutch navy. At the start of the war this was a fleet of some ten dreadnoughts, eight predreadnoughts, eight armored cruisers, twelve protected cruisers, twenty destroyers and twenty four torpedo boats. And additional ships were under construction to the tune of four new light cruisers and six destroyers. This large force could well have a pivotal impact on the war if it were to join either side. And thus it was in the best interests of both Germany and the Entente to keep the Netherlands from joining their opposite. Even if that meant support for Dutch neutrality to do so. And often that is precisely what it amounted to.
False reports. 1916
In 1916, just after the battle of Jutland word came through the British embassy in Amsterdam that the Netherlands was planning on entering the war on the side of the Central powers on 18th of July. Though the Hague had no such plans the British government immediately assumed the worst. That the Germans, with elements of the Dutch navy, would fight another naval battle. Perhaps off the coast of Britain itself. With the ten Dutch Dreadnoughts the German navy would have near superiority with the RN. Making the outcome of the battle anything but certain.
The British government asked the Admiralty to come up with a plan to neutralize the Dutch fleet. Soon Admiral Sir John Fisher came forward with a bold plan that would, hopefully, not only eliminate the chance of the Dutch fleet falling into German hands. But also place the fleet in the "safekeeping" of the British navy. It called for elements of the Grand fleet, under the command of Admiral David Beatty, to sail into the Dutch fleet anchorage in Texel and seize the ships stationed their by force. With its navy in the "Safekeeping" of the RN and the coast open to British bombardment it was hoped that the Netherlands might be more willing to come to and agreement
Admirals Fisher and Beatty.
The plan was enthusiastically supported by much of the navy. Yet ran into a bit of a brick wall when it came to receiving government permission to carry through with the bold preemptive strike. After all some argued, had there been any other reports to back up a Dutch entry into the war? The answer was no. So why then carry out an insane, and above all else risky mission such as proposed by Fisher when their may well be no need for it. Not even considering the fact that if the operation were to be carried out the Netherlands would then surely enter the war.
The debate would rage until the 28th of June when reports of pro war demonstrations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp reached British intelligence services. It was enough and the Admiralty was given the all clear to carry out the operation on the 12th of July. Immediately the battleships of the Renown class were procured for the operation. As well as Iron duke and Duke of Wellington. The battlecruisers Lion and Tiger were to escort the force alongside eight cruisers and two flotillas of destroyers. In addition to the normal crews of the battleships and cruisers were several thousand men from other ships. Men needed to crew the Dutch vessels once taken.
HMS Revenge Beatty`s flagship.
But perhaps the greatest argument for continued Dutch neutrality came from the Dutch navy. At the start of the war this was a fleet of some ten dreadnoughts, eight predreadnoughts, eight armored cruisers, twelve protected cruisers, twenty destroyers and twenty four torpedo boats. And additional ships were under construction to the tune of four new light cruisers and six destroyers. This large force could well have a pivotal impact on the war if it were to join either side. And thus it was in the best interests of both Germany and the Entente to keep the Netherlands from joining their opposite. Even if that meant support for Dutch neutrality to do so. And often that is precisely what it amounted to.
False reports. 1916
In 1916, just after the battle of Jutland word came through the British embassy in Amsterdam that the Netherlands was planning on entering the war on the side of the Central powers on 18th of July. Though the Hague had no such plans the British government immediately assumed the worst. That the Germans, with elements of the Dutch navy, would fight another naval battle. Perhaps off the coast of Britain itself. With the ten Dutch Dreadnoughts the German navy would have near superiority with the RN. Making the outcome of the battle anything but certain.
The British government asked the Admiralty to come up with a plan to neutralize the Dutch fleet. Soon Admiral Sir John Fisher came forward with a bold plan that would, hopefully, not only eliminate the chance of the Dutch fleet falling into German hands. But also place the fleet in the "safekeeping" of the British navy. It called for elements of the Grand fleet, under the command of Admiral David Beatty, to sail into the Dutch fleet anchorage in Texel and seize the ships stationed their by force. With its navy in the "Safekeeping" of the RN and the coast open to British bombardment it was hoped that the Netherlands might be more willing to come to and agreement
Admirals Fisher and Beatty.
The plan was enthusiastically supported by much of the navy. Yet ran into a bit of a brick wall when it came to receiving government permission to carry through with the bold preemptive strike. After all some argued, had there been any other reports to back up a Dutch entry into the war? The answer was no. So why then carry out an insane, and above all else risky mission such as proposed by Fisher when their may well be no need for it. Not even considering the fact that if the operation were to be carried out the Netherlands would then surely enter the war.
The debate would rage until the 28th of June when reports of pro war demonstrations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp reached British intelligence services. It was enough and the Admiralty was given the all clear to carry out the operation on the 12th of July. Immediately the battleships of the Renown class were procured for the operation. As well as Iron duke and Duke of Wellington. The battlecruisers Lion and Tiger were to escort the force alongside eight cruisers and two flotillas of destroyers. In addition to the normal crews of the battleships and cruisers were several thousand men from other ships. Men needed to crew the Dutch vessels once taken.
HMS Revenge Beatty`s flagship.
Consider that the war is not going well at this point. At least from the point of view of the average Briton. The war, which was promised to last no more than a year, had now dragged on for two. Soldiers fought and died by the thousands. And the pictures being brought back to the public were turning many to an anti war train of thought. In addition the battle of Jutland did much to shatter British expectations of victory. And thus the British government was very keen for a victory. And beating the poor Netherlands when they dont expect it may seem like the only way to do that.
Part II, Chapter VI
The sound of Gunfire.
On the eleventh of July Beatty`s squadron would set off across the channel.As the force entered the North Sea a strict radio silence was maintained and as night began to fall the ships of the squadron were ordered to go black. All portholes and searchlights were to be either turned off or covered up. Only signal lamps were allowed to be used. And then only sparingly and in short bursts. So great was the secrecy with which Beatty carried committed the force to that many amongst the crews of the ships did not know of their destination. As far as they knew their target was elements of the German high seas fleet rumored to be preparing for a further raid against the English seaside.Morning found the ships nearing their target. By midday it would be time. A hasty meeting was called aboard the Revenge in which the admiral discussed last minute details. Went over strategy once more. Generally making sure all the last minute preparation was through by the time the clock stopped ticking.
Beatty could not know that his efforts to keep his force hidden had failed. Shortly before four PM on the eleventh a Dutch Zeppelin, one of three built domestically in the country, sighted the squadron and radioed its position to Admiralty headquarters in Rotterdam. This information was then passed, discreetly, through back channels to the German embassy where it was then reported to the German naval command which responded by sending a force of four battlecruisers under the command of Admiral Hipper to intercept. It was thought by both the Dutch and German naval staffs that the British fleets target was German North Sea ports.
Germany also sent a pair of Zeppelins and a flotilla of Torpedo boats to shadow the British force. The TBs managed to find the British ships by 9 AM, at around 10:30 it became obvious that the destination of the fleet was not Germany. Rather it appeared to be the Netherlands. The German destroyers radioed their findings to high command. Which then, discreetly, passed on the information to the Dutch embassy. Which then relaid the information to Rotterdam. The message arrived at 11:45 and read simply British force making way for NE coast. Reason unknown.
The Dutch admiralty quickly flew into a panic. Two of the Zeppelins were hastily dispatched to find the British force. Only one of the big ships could get airborne however. But it did manage to find the British, albeit within twenty five kilometers of the Dutch coast. Quickly destroyers were dispatched to intercept the British with orders to remain on station but not fire unless fired upon.
At one o'clock Beatty emerged from his cabin to find eight Dutch destroyers blocking his path. The ships signaled asking if he were aware that his ships were within waters claimed by the Netherlands. Hastily Beatty ordered a reply stating, unaware of the fact. He did not however order his ships back. Rather he sent a message to the Admiralty back in London asking what he was to do. Meanwhile the Dutch ships continued to stare down the guns of the British ships.
While the British rushed to reply to Beatty the Dutch admiralty in Rotterdam rushed to send whatever ships they could to support the destroyers staring down the big guns of the RN. Eventually a force of five dreadnoughts and seven cruisers was assembled under the command of admiral Jan Van Jlesser With the Hollandia as his flagship. The ships arrived on station by two fifteen, by which time Beatty had received several contradictory orders from London. These orders told him to do everything from stand firm, to turn tail and run.
As soon as smoke was sighted from the approaching Dutch Dreadnoughts Beatty ordered a full retreat. He was not at all prepared to fight against a fully prepared Dutch fleet and wished to put as much distance between himself and the European coast as possible. The Dutch gave chase and over the next two hours the Dutch caught up to the British. Nerves on both sides were frayed. And could snap at the slightest pressure.
The chase suddenly ended when the British destroyer Violet reported sighting torpedoes heading straight for the British battleships. Beatty then ordered and abrupt course change to starboard, which the Dutch, several kilometers back, interpreted as the beginning of an attack. Admiral Van Jlesser gave permission to fire upon the British and soon the battleships Revenge, Ramillies and Iron duke were taking damage from surprisingly accurate Dutch fire. Able to respond only with his stern turrets Beatty decided at five eleven to initiate a turn which would bring the broadsides of his fleet to bear upon the Dutch. Seventeen minutes later he regretted his decision.
The rest of the Dutch fleet, an additional five battleships, was finally catching up from the north and soon they had managed to encircle and outnumber Beatty`s ships. Van Jlesser successfully cut of Beatty from the south. Forcing the British ships to run to the north. Hoping to breach the Dutch line Beatty ordered a torpedo attack upon the first squadron of Dutch ships by nine of his destroyers. The attack was a bungled from the start and quickly turned to a disaster, ending in the loss of four of the destroyers. Only three of the ships managed to get off their torpedoes before being turned back, none of the torpedoes hit any ships and Beatty with only twelve destroyers.
When night fell Beatty was able to escape. Shaking the Dutch loose he turned to the south and managed to evade Dutch patrols and make it to British waters. However during the night he would loose an additional two destroyers, one to a brief duel with a Dutch cruiser. While the second ship, the Violet, was already heavily damaged and was scuttled at eleven PM. However the worst disaster for Beatty was the grounding of the Battlecruiser Tiger along a sandbank at nine fifteen. Beatty had left the ship, unwilling to be brought to action again. In the morning the ship surrendered to the Dutch cruiser Maarten Tromp.
In total British losses amounted to the Tiger and six destroyers. With significant damage to the Battleships Royal sovereign and Royal oak. Massive flooding to the Revenge and Lion. While seven destroyers had taken severe damage by Dutch guns. Total British losses, not including the crew of Tiger amounted to three thousand one hundred and nine. The Dutch meanwhile suffered the loss of a single destroyer to the Tiger and damage to three others. In total Dutch losses amounted to four hundred and two.
The massive Tiger before the war. And the ship that captured her. Her Netherlands Majesties ship Admiraal Maarten Tromp.
On the eleventh of July Beatty`s squadron would set off across the channel.As the force entered the North Sea a strict radio silence was maintained and as night began to fall the ships of the squadron were ordered to go black. All portholes and searchlights were to be either turned off or covered up. Only signal lamps were allowed to be used. And then only sparingly and in short bursts. So great was the secrecy with which Beatty carried committed the force to that many amongst the crews of the ships did not know of their destination. As far as they knew their target was elements of the German high seas fleet rumored to be preparing for a further raid against the English seaside.Morning found the ships nearing their target. By midday it would be time. A hasty meeting was called aboard the Revenge in which the admiral discussed last minute details. Went over strategy once more. Generally making sure all the last minute preparation was through by the time the clock stopped ticking.
Beatty could not know that his efforts to keep his force hidden had failed. Shortly before four PM on the eleventh a Dutch Zeppelin, one of three built domestically in the country, sighted the squadron and radioed its position to Admiralty headquarters in Rotterdam. This information was then passed, discreetly, through back channels to the German embassy where it was then reported to the German naval command which responded by sending a force of four battlecruisers under the command of Admiral Hipper to intercept. It was thought by both the Dutch and German naval staffs that the British fleets target was German North Sea ports.
Germany also sent a pair of Zeppelins and a flotilla of Torpedo boats to shadow the British force. The TBs managed to find the British ships by 9 AM, at around 10:30 it became obvious that the destination of the fleet was not Germany. Rather it appeared to be the Netherlands. The German destroyers radioed their findings to high command. Which then, discreetly, passed on the information to the Dutch embassy. Which then relaid the information to Rotterdam. The message arrived at 11:45 and read simply British force making way for NE coast. Reason unknown.
The Dutch admiralty quickly flew into a panic. Two of the Zeppelins were hastily dispatched to find the British force. Only one of the big ships could get airborne however. But it did manage to find the British, albeit within twenty five kilometers of the Dutch coast. Quickly destroyers were dispatched to intercept the British with orders to remain on station but not fire unless fired upon.
At one o'clock Beatty emerged from his cabin to find eight Dutch destroyers blocking his path. The ships signaled asking if he were aware that his ships were within waters claimed by the Netherlands. Hastily Beatty ordered a reply stating, unaware of the fact. He did not however order his ships back. Rather he sent a message to the Admiralty back in London asking what he was to do. Meanwhile the Dutch ships continued to stare down the guns of the British ships.
While the British rushed to reply to Beatty the Dutch admiralty in Rotterdam rushed to send whatever ships they could to support the destroyers staring down the big guns of the RN. Eventually a force of five dreadnoughts and seven cruisers was assembled under the command of admiral Jan Van Jlesser With the Hollandia as his flagship. The ships arrived on station by two fifteen, by which time Beatty had received several contradictory orders from London. These orders told him to do everything from stand firm, to turn tail and run.
As soon as smoke was sighted from the approaching Dutch Dreadnoughts Beatty ordered a full retreat. He was not at all prepared to fight against a fully prepared Dutch fleet and wished to put as much distance between himself and the European coast as possible. The Dutch gave chase and over the next two hours the Dutch caught up to the British. Nerves on both sides were frayed. And could snap at the slightest pressure.
The chase suddenly ended when the British destroyer Violet reported sighting torpedoes heading straight for the British battleships. Beatty then ordered and abrupt course change to starboard, which the Dutch, several kilometers back, interpreted as the beginning of an attack. Admiral Van Jlesser gave permission to fire upon the British and soon the battleships Revenge, Ramillies and Iron duke were taking damage from surprisingly accurate Dutch fire. Able to respond only with his stern turrets Beatty decided at five eleven to initiate a turn which would bring the broadsides of his fleet to bear upon the Dutch. Seventeen minutes later he regretted his decision.
The rest of the Dutch fleet, an additional five battleships, was finally catching up from the north and soon they had managed to encircle and outnumber Beatty`s ships. Van Jlesser successfully cut of Beatty from the south. Forcing the British ships to run to the north. Hoping to breach the Dutch line Beatty ordered a torpedo attack upon the first squadron of Dutch ships by nine of his destroyers. The attack was a bungled from the start and quickly turned to a disaster, ending in the loss of four of the destroyers. Only three of the ships managed to get off their torpedoes before being turned back, none of the torpedoes hit any ships and Beatty with only twelve destroyers.
When night fell Beatty was able to escape. Shaking the Dutch loose he turned to the south and managed to evade Dutch patrols and make it to British waters. However during the night he would loose an additional two destroyers, one to a brief duel with a Dutch cruiser. While the second ship, the Violet, was already heavily damaged and was scuttled at eleven PM. However the worst disaster for Beatty was the grounding of the Battlecruiser Tiger along a sandbank at nine fifteen. Beatty had left the ship, unwilling to be brought to action again. In the morning the ship surrendered to the Dutch cruiser Maarten Tromp.
In total British losses amounted to the Tiger and six destroyers. With significant damage to the Battleships Royal sovereign and Royal oak. Massive flooding to the Revenge and Lion. While seven destroyers had taken severe damage by Dutch guns. Total British losses, not including the crew of Tiger amounted to three thousand one hundred and nine. The Dutch meanwhile suffered the loss of a single destroyer to the Tiger and damage to three others. In total Dutch losses amounted to four hundred and two.
The massive Tiger before the war. And the ship that captured her. Her Netherlands Majesties ship Admiraal Maarten Tromp.
After an action like this even "De Telegraaf" (Only pro-English newspaper in WO I) will turn against perfidious Albion.