Jackal Tepe at the Dardanelles

[stevenbecker]

Mates,

 

Do you show this place on your records?

 

Kleesattel Adam    Art-Matrose Marine    Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom) - Coastal Artillery     1915-    (born at Nürnberg died 1-7-15) Tot Schakal Tepe an den Dardanellen (Jackal Tepe at the Dardanelles) cause not stated? 
 

Cheers

 

S.B

[emrezmen]

 

He was probably killed during a naval bombardment on that day. 

 

According to Mitchell Report, a battery of five 15 cm QF guns was established there in May 1915. Remains of the battery can be seen today on reverse slope of the hill. There's also a small cemetery.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

 

Edited 20 February , 2021 by emrezmen
Typo

[Guest]

Emrez,

 

Mate thank you, I was looking on the wrong side of the Dardanelles 

 

Cheers

S.B

[emrezmen]

Anytime.

 

Actually there's a hill with the same name on the Peninsula as well. The hill immediately south of Tekke Tepe, above Chakal Chair, is also called Chakal Tepe but it's a long shot considering the soldier's unit and date of death.

 

Cheers

Edited 20 February , 2021 by emrezmen

[Guest]

Emrez,

 

Mate do you have any details on what happened this day for this man to died?

 

Krebs Bernhard    Boots-Maat d.S. I Marine    der Seewehr I PO SMS Goeben (Yavuz) - II. Matr-Div.Kapitulanten - Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando)    1915-    (born at Weingarten Euskirchen KIA or DoW 24-7-15) Tot Grobgeschoß Lunge rechter Oberarm (lung & R upper arm)
 

Its possible he died from these wounds, as I have a number of Germans from the Goeben and Breslau Killed and wounded during July 1915, like

 

Eckert Max    Boots-Maat Marine    PO SMS Goeben (Yavuz) - II. Matr-Div. Kapitulanten - Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando) Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen possibly Coastal Artillery or Naval Shore Det    1915-    (born at Magstadt Reblingen DoW 20-7-15) Tot reported (WIA 12-7-15) Grobgeschoß Unterleib und Schulter (wounded abdoman and shoulder) at Gallipoli
 

Kalkowski Otto    Matrose Marine     SMS Goeben (Yavuz) - II. Matr-Div 1. Abtl - Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando) Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen possibly Coastal Artillery or Naval Shore Det    1915-    (born at Roklum Halberstadt KIA 12-7-15 or 13-7-15) Tot Grobgeschoß (shot) at Gallipoli

 

Lünemann Martin    ObMatrose Marine     Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando) - II. Matr Div 5 Komp - Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen possibly Coastal Artillery or Naval Shore Det    1914-15    (born at Leer ) leicht verwundet (minor wound) WIA 12-7-15 at Sedd el bahr Gallipoli
 

Cheers

S.B

Edited 21 February , 2021 by stevebecker

[michaeldr]

Following the very useful lead provided by Emrezmen above, two of the (several) references in the Mitchell Report are:

 

Page 481 -

No. 50 (Chakal Tepe) Battery (see Plate 87).—Armament:—Three 15cm. L/40 Q.F. guns on c.p. mountings. In May, 1915, five guns were placed on Chakal Tepe for direct fire against Helles. Two of these guns were knocked out by ship fire. The remaining three were then withdrawn to their present position for indirect fire. They are sited on reverse slope of Chakal Tcpc at foot of a long south slope and are about one mile from the sea, and about 200 ft. above sea level. They are irregularly emplaced in shallow circular pits 20 ft. in diameter, about 100 yds. apart under trees and connected by ordinary communication trenches. The guns are of the same type as those at Dardanos, but are not shielded. This battery is purely a field work, with dug-out ammunition expense stores and shelters, and no concrete except that under the pedestals.

The observation post is at Chakal Tepe with L.B. plotter and observation post at Yeni Shehr, same as for Top Chamlar (No. 49). The gun sights arc marked with corrections for level, angle of sight, and different natures of shell.

 

Page 506 -

The following are some notes of information collected from Turkish officers on ships' fire at Asiatic guns controlled by aeroplane observation … … …

3rd May, 1915.—Chakal Battery—H.M.S. “Agamemnon” scored direct hit on a 15 cm. Q.F. Naval gun. Gun and carriage were put out of action.

 

The captain of the Agamemnon wrote a long article describing his ship's activity at the Dardanelles (A NARRATIVE OF H.M.S. AGAMEMNON IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. January 1915 to March 1917 - The Naval Review, Vol.IV, page104>). This account is a little difficult to follow as he does not always give his dates very clearly, however this seems to me to be his description of the action on 3^rd May:-

 

At 8 a.m. the aeroplane we asked far to spot while we came to conclusions with the three 8-inch howitzer guns (sic), arrived overhead (Pilot, Flight-Commander Pierse; Observer, Major Hogg), and we opened on them with our after 12-inch turret. After 38 rounds had been fired the aeroplane reported all three guns knocked out, 12 direct hits being reported during the first 26 rounds, after which we changed to a fourth gun close to. 'Four hits were reported on this one, out of 12 rounds, at 10.30 a.m., when the aeroplane had to return to replenish with fuel. At 4 p.m. the vice-admiral made a wireless to us : "Tenedos Air Station.- Congratulations on good shooting and good spotting, which has been of great service."

…........................................................................................................

 

The 12^th July 1915 will be much more difficult to sort out as this was a particularly significant day at Helles, with many major units involved. Known to the British as The Action of Achi Baba Nullah, it involved the French Corps and 52nd Division who made an attack on the right of our line at Helles from the sea to the Sedd el Bahr - Krithia road, a front of 2,000 yds.

 

This is the Mitchel Report's account naval involvement on 12/13 July 1915 (page 238)

 

The advance of the Army on 12th and 13th July was assisted on 12th by "Prince George," with "Hector," "Harpy," "Savage," "Wolverine," and "Suffren." On the 13th "Chatham," "Savage" and "Harpy" were engaged. On the 12th "Prince George" took up a position approximately south-west (True) 4,500 yds. from Sari Tepe at 0710 with “Hector" and kite balloon a mile or so to the westwards. Fire was opened with 12-in. on the summit of Achi Baba and with 6-in. on Krithia, but the kite balloon was unable to spot and "Hector" was ordered back to harbour. The ship was shelled with light guns from the shore and hit four times with little damage. The firing ceased at 0800 and recommenced in the afternoon, the objectives being Achi Baba observation posts, Krithia (especially the windmills) and a communication trench about 1,500 yds. N.N.E. of Krithia. Fifty-six rounds of 12-in. and 237 rounds of 6-in. were fired during the day. Fire on Krithia and Achi Baba appeared effective from the ship. The Krithia mills were damaged but not razed to the ground. The result of the firing on the trench was not really ascertained as the balloon observer did not appear to know exactly what was required. On the right flank on the 12th the attack was assisted by "Harpy" and "Savage" which attacked the Turkish trenches, making a series of runs up past De Totts Battery, opening fire at Kereves Dere Valley and returning to the entrance again on completion of the run. Four of the runs were made, one each at 0800, 0900, 1000 and 1130. Very great care was necessary in these attacks owing to the closeness of the French trenches and only a few rounds could be fired as a certain bearing was being passed. They were under fire from both sides of the Straits during these attacks. At 1900, at the same time as the French infantry attack began, "Harpy " and "Savage " assisted in the same manner, but few shots could be fired with safety for the French as the valley was thick from smoke of bursting shell. Another attack was made by the destroyers at dusk, but during this an enemy torpedo boat was reported at Soghan Dere and the firing was broken off to search for her. "Wolverine” was on the left flank of the Southern Zone and during the attack fired at batteries in the neighbourhood of Sari Tepe. While the destroyers were engaged on the right flank "Patrie" engaged the Asiatic batteries and to a large extent kept them silent. On the 13th "Harpy" and "Savage" delivered two more attacks on the Turkish trenches and by 0600 had finished their operations. Notes made by these ships during the attack were to the effect that the French on shore fired star shell and used their searchlight with great effect punctually at the time requested by the destroyers and that the shore batteries did not fire at the boats during the night or when they were being engaged by a battleship or shore guns. The destroyers were, however, not fully informed from time to time as to the alterations in the positions of the French lines nor of the effect of their fire on the enemy. At about 1400 on the 13th "Chatham" was sent to fire in response to a request from the Military. Her instructions were to bombard Krithia (especially windmills) and also observation stations near the top of Achi Baba between 1615 and 1700, with greatest intensity between 1620 and 1645. The greater number of rounds were to be fired at Achi Baba. The ship was to be in position approximately S. by W. (True) 2,500 yds. from the position which "Prince George" had occupied on the previous day. Fire commenced at 1615 when 73 rounds of H.E. were fired at Achi Baba at 9,800 yds. range and 49 at Krithia at 7,600 yds. The ship was kept stationary during the fire, as there was too much work for a balloon. The only form of spotting available was that from the ship, from which position the fall of shot was thought to be generally correct. The ship was shelled from the shore during her firing and hit once or twice without material damage being done. It was found impossible to locate the gun firing.

 

Edited 22 February , 2021 by michaeldr

[Guest]

Mates,

 

Many thanks, these Naval Germans are popping up killed or wounded, who don't show there being in the Landungsabteilung, which points to them being in Botlz MG's detachments..

 

So Coastal Artillery or Mine detachments seams the best bet for Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen, as Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando) seamed to apply for most Germans in Turkey at that time.

 

I have collected a large number of Germans killed and wounded during the Dardanelles fighting, in all units, many more then given by Wolf, but also fall outside the normal dates for the battles, so these minor actions look the best for there losses.

 

Just to give some in Aug how they were lost I am unsure but British Ships seams the best idea so far?

 

Deul Wilhelm     Art-ObMatrose deR Marine     Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom) - VII Mat Div .A.A - Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen Coastal Artillery     1915-    (born at Witgendorf i. Schl. ) verwundet (wounded) WIA 16-8-15 at Intepe Dardenelles 
Hiepe Martin    Art-Matrose deR Marine     Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom) - IX Mat Div A.A - Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen Coastal Artillery     1915-    (born at Wolfersdorf Roda KIA 15/16-8-15) Tot at Intepe Dardenelles 
Huck Otto    Art-ObMatrose deR Marine    Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom) - IX Matr. A.A - Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen Coastal Artillery     1915-    (born at Brumath i. Elsaß DoW 15/16-8-15) gestorben infolge schwer verwundet (badly wounded) in Gefschaft (in prison) possibly PoW at Intepe Dardenelles shown Kopfschuß (shot head) commemoration at Tarabya Istanbul orig. Grabstein vorhanden
Kurtz Louis    Art-ObMatrose deR Marine     Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom) - IX Mat Div A.A- Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen Coastal Artillery     1915-    (born at Schwäbisch-Hall Jagstkreis ) Tot schwer verwundet (badly wounded) WIA 16-8-15 at Intepe Dardenelles 
Lösking (Lorsking) Wilhelm    Art-Matrose deR Marine     Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom) - III Mat Div A.A - Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen Coastal Artillery     1915-    (born at Bremerhaven KIA 16-8-15) Tot Kopfschuß (shot to head) at Intepe Dardenelles 
Pflitsch (Plitsch) Ernst    Art-Matrose Marine     Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom) - II Mat Div A.A - Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen Coastal Artillery     1915-    (born at Bielstein Gummersbach KIA 16-8-15) Tot Grobgeschoß (shot) at Intepe Dardenelles 
Riehn Kurt    Heizer Marine    Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom) - II Wehr - Deutsche Abteilung in der Dardanellen Coastal Artillery     1915-    (born at Neu Paleschken ) leicht verwundet (minor wound) WIA 16-8-15
 

Cheers

 

S.B

Edited 22 February , 2021 by stevebecker

[emrezmen]

On 22/02/2021 at 00:55, stevebecker said:

Emrez,

 

Mate do you have any details on what happened this day for this man to died?

 

Krebs Bernhard    Boots-Maat d.S. I Marine    der Seewehr I PO SMS Goeben (Yavuz) - II. Matr-Div.Kapitulanten - Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando)    1915-    (born at Weingarten Euskirchen KIA or DoW 24-7-15) Tot Grobgeschoß Lunge rechter Oberarm (lung & R upper arm)
 

Sorry, no idea but, as pointed out by you and Michael, this was after 2nd Battle of Kereviz Dere aka Battle of Achi Baba Nullah so probably DoW.

 

 

[michaeldr]

11 hours ago, stevebecker said:

Brumath i. Elsaß DoW 15/16-8-15) gestorben infolge schwer verwundet (badly wounded) in Gefschaft (in prison) possibly PoW at Intepe Dardenelles shown Kopfschuß (shot head) commemoration at Tarabya Istanbul orig. Grabstein vorhanden

 

The inclusion in your list of this chap who is said to possibly have been taken prisoner, makes me wonder about this action on 15/16^th August 1915.

There was no landing at In Tepe, so how could he have possibly have been taken PoW?

 

One suggestion which occurs to me is that while In Tepe is mentioned as his base, in fact he may well have been directly involved in the fighting, not on he Asian shore, but on the Gallipoli peninsula itself.

 

There are several references to reinforcements being provided by the German navy at the time of the August offensive. Machine gun detachments were sent, and also

“Captain Knaab arrived at the Anafarta Group, in command of a 9-cm battery from the Goeben, together with naval gunners” [see Klaus Wolf, p.174]

Although the Goeben is mentioned, by far the easiest and quickest way to provide these urgently needed reinforcements would have been to take them from those naval artillery detachments from the Goeben who were already stationed close by on the Asian shore.

 

 

[Guest]

Michael,,

 

Its also the problem with the Geheime Marine Verlustliste, in many of the dates and places recorded are not always correct

 

the 16 August maybe a general date for these losses.

 

This group of losses is shown as

 

Marmarameer 6-8 Gallipoli 8-8 Intepe 16-8-15

 

So they may have been lost between 6 Aug to 16 Aug?

 

Its one of the strange things about these lists

 

But I do have most of those shown died as 16-8-15 or 15-8-15 on other lists, while the wounded I had to take for the Geheime.

 

Funny you mention Capt Knaab, he is shown as Army in Wolf's book but shown commanding men from the Goeben?

 

Knaab     Capt    SMS Goeben - 9cm battery German navy artillery personal att Sulva Bay Anafarta Group 8-15 to Commander 2nd Heavy (Agir) Artillery Bn 16th Corps    1915-    from report by Maj Lierau Heavy (Agir) Artillery Anafarta Group (not identified)?  shown in Klaus Wolf's Book
 

Usedom was known to bring not only German Naval Coastal Artillery, but I also show a number of Army Artillery officers with the Coastal batteries ( I don't know if the Army had Coastal Guns?) .

 

Like

 

Gößel     Matrose Marine     att Ottoman Batteries at Kumkale or Intepe    1915-    WIA 9-6-15 near Kumkale shown two killed when 12 cm howitzer battery "Usedom battery" led by Capt Haspi SMS Goeben was hit?  (not identified)? 

 

Laß (Lass) Robert August Ludwig    Feuerwerker Maat Marine     SMS Breslau (Midilli) - Landungs-Abtl.- att Ottoman Batteries "Usedom battery" at Intepe near Kumkale - shown ObLtzS Ordnance Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando) - Coastal Artillery to 3/III Naval Artillery Det in Wolf    1915-    (1880 at Groß-Elmenhorst

Grimmen KIA 9-6-15) Tot shown 12cm howitzer battery "Usedom battery" was led by Capt Haspi SMS Goeben at Intepe near Kumkale mentioned in Klaus Wolf's Book page 225 

 

Schirrmacher Paul Leo Gustav    Matrose Marine     SMS Breslau (Midilli) - Landungs-Abtl.- att Ottoman Batteries "Usedom battery" at Kumkale or Intepe - Coastal Artillery Sdr-Kdo (Sonderkommando Usedom)     1915-    (born at Wilhelmsburg Harburg KIA 9-6-15) Tot shown 12 cm howitzer battery "Usedom battery" was led by Capt Haspi SMS Goeben at Intepe near Kumkale mentioned in Klaus Wolf's Book page 225 
 

Haspi or Hasbi Efendi    Kapt-Lt Marine    SMS Goeben - OC Usedom battery att Ottoman Batteries at Kumkale commander of artillery group at Intepe named "Hasbi Group"     unknown    possibly Ottoman officer Hasbi Efendi 12 cm howitzer battery "Usedom battery" was led by Capt Haspi SMS Goeben (not identified)? 
 

Cheers

 

S.B

Edited 23 February , 2021 by stevebecker