Blockade; Cruiser Warfare and the Starvation of Germany in World War 1
Saturday, May 14th 2016 2:00pm
Auditorium
Steve Dunn is an author with a special interest in the British Navy of the early 20th century and World War One. He will give a talk in the Auditorium based on his recently published book.
Blockade; Cruiser Warfare and the Starvation of Germany in World War 1 sets out to give the British Navy the credit it deserves for the role it played in the defeat of Germany during WW1.
On the 100th anniversary of what became known as the Turnip Winter (1916-17), a period of severe civilian hardship for the German public, the book makes it clear that it was the success of the British Naval Blockade that ultimately brought Germany to its knees.
Dunn’s Blockade uses first-hand accounts to provide real-insight into the long-running battle, which saw the Navy deny Germany access to the sea, to trade and vital raw material. This led to starvation, malnutrition and illness, which claimed hundreds of thousands of civilian German lives and destroyed the country’s home-front morale.
“This wasn’t a fashionable campaign and it didn’t receive much publicity at the time and is almost forgotten today,” said Dunn. “And yet it was one of the largest and most sophisticated undertakings of the First World War. It literally starved the German people and military into submission.
“Without the Northern Blockade the war would have gone on for longer, but because of it the world’s preeminent land force was compelled to seek an armistice.”
The book looks at the failure and strategy changes of both sides and how they were forced to use converted passenger liners and merchant vessels as warships. It focuses specifically on the little-known story of the 10th Cruiser Squadron, largely Shetland based, whose sailors have never received the recognition they deserve.
“It was both challenging and emotional to write – not least because the British ships were mainly crewed by volunteer reservists, who had to deal with the hard work and danger of the task they faced as well as appalling weather conditions.”
In line with his previous books, Dunn tackles issues that are often ignored and tries to bring a different perspective. During the last two years he has been a guest speaker at a wide variety of WW1 events, giving audiences the chance to challenge his ideas face-to-face.
Tickets are priced £3.50 and are available from www.thelittleboxoffice.com/smaa . or at Shetland Museum and Archives Reception. Tickets must be paid for at the time of booking and are non-refundable.
Doors open at 1.30pm
Category: Lectures