Warships in the Baltic Campaign 1918-20: The Royal Navy takes on the Bolsheviks

During the Russian Revolution in 1917, the Baltic states became a battleground between Russian Reds and Whites, German troops, and emerging Baltic independence forces. The British government intervened in November 1918 to protect British interests and support the emerging Baltic states. The campaign involved naval clashes between the two sides, with the most spectacular being an attack on the Soviet naval base of Kronstadt in June 1919 by a force of British torpedo boats. The British squadron was withdrawn in early 1920 following Soviet recognition of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A captivating exploration of the British naval intervention in the Baltic during 1918-20, delving into the intricate dynamics between the British, Soviet, and Baltic nationalist fleets that clashed on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The backdrop to this pivotal period was the Russian Revolution of October 1917, which transformed the Baltic states into a battleground between Russian Reds and Whites, German troops, and emerging Baltic independence forces. Recognizing the importance of safeguarding British interests and supporting the emerging Baltic states, the British government decided to intervene in November 1918. Initially, a small force of cruisers and destroyers was dispatched to the region, but this initial contingent was soon augmented by a diverse array of British warships, including aircraft carriers, monitors, submarines, and torpedo boats.

In contrast, the Russian Baltic Fleet, now under the control of the Bolsheviks, posed a formidable challenge to the British intervention. The ensuing campaign saw intense naval clashes between the two sides, with the most notable incident being an attack on the Soviet naval base of Kronstadt in June 1919 by a force of small British torpedo boats. Led by the legendary Captain John Rushworth, these British torpedo boats launched a daring raid that resulted in the sinking of the Russian cruiser Oleg. This audacious action effectively bottled up the Baltic fleet in port for the remainder of the campaign, allowing the British to exert their influence and support the emerging Baltic states.

However, the British intervention in the Baltic was not without its challenges. The campaign was marked by political complexities, as the British sought to balance their commitment to safeguarding British interests with their support for the fledgling Baltic states' quest for independence. The withdrawal of the British squadron in early 1920, following Soviet recognition of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, marked the end of the naval campaign. Nevertheless, the impact of the British intervention in the Baltic was profound, as it helped shape the geopolitical landscape of Europe and played a significant role in the eventual establishment of independent Baltic states.

This New Vanguard title offers a comprehensive and insightful account of the naval side of this little-known but strategically crucial campaign. It provides a detailed description of the political background to the conflict, highlights the key points of the naval campaign, and showcases the warships that were involved. The book is written in a concise and engaging style, making it accessible to a wide range of readers interested in military history and geopolitical affairs. By examining the naval clashes between the British, Soviet, and Baltic nationalist fleets, this title sheds light on an overlooked chapter of World War I that had a lasting impact on the region's history.

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 183 x 248 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472851666