Operation Albion

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Operation Albion
Part of World War I
Date September - October 1917
Location Baltic Sea
Result German victory
Belligerents
German Empire Russian Republic
Commanders
General von Estorff
Vizeadmiral Ehrhard Schmidt
Strength
23,000 men,
5000 horses,
1400 vehicles,
150 machine-guns,
54 guns,
12 mortars and munitions

Operation Albion was the German land and naval operation in September and October 1917 to invade and occupy the Estonian islands of Saaremaa (Ösel), Hiiumaa (Dagö) and Muhu (Moon), then part of the Russian Empire.

The land campaign opened with landings at Tagga Bay, Saaremaa, on 11 October 1917, after extensive naval activity to clear mines and subdue coastal artillery batteries and the island is secured by 16 October. The Imperial Russian Army evacuated Muhu on 18 October.

After two failed attempts, the Germans managed to land on Hiiumaa on the 19th and captured the island on the following day.

The Russian Baltic Fleet had to withdraw from Muhu Sound after major losses. - see Battle of Moon Sound

The Germans claimed 20,000 prisoners and 100 guns captured during Operation Albion since 12 October.

Contents

[edit] Order of battle

[edit] German Units

  • 42nd Division,
  • 2nd Infanterie Cyclist Brigade
  • Special Unit
    • Flagship : Moltke
    • Squadron III
    • Squadron IV. Vizeadmiral Souchon.
    • II Aufklarungsgruppe
    • VI Aufklarungsgruppe
    • Flagship: Emden
    • II Flottille ( 10 boats )
    • VIII Flottille ( 11 boats )
    • VI Flottille ( 11 boats )
    • X Flottille ( 11 boats )
    • 7th Half-Flottille ( 7 boats )
    • U-Flottille Kurland ( 6 boats )
    • Sperrbrechergruppe.
    • II Minesweeper Flotilla.
    • 3rd Half-Flotilla
    • 4th Half-Flotilla
    • 8th Half-Flotilla
    • 3rd S-Half-Flotilla
    • S-Flotilla of the Baltic
    • Netbarrier Unit of the Baltic.
  • Battleship Kaiser

[edit] Russian Units

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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