My Italy

The impact of the Battle of Sirte was not only military, nor did it only affect the participating countries. The impact of this naval battle far exceeds the awareness of the countries involved.

After the war broke out, Istanbul, as the core city in the Black Sea Strait, the only channel to the Black Sea, became extremely prosperous.

However, although the Ottoman Empire reaped the dividends brought by the war, the Ottoman people were not satisfied. Because the Ottomans were humiliated, yes, the British detained two Ottoman battleships and did not give the Ottomans enough respect at all.

Look at Chile, which also had its battleships recruited by the British. The British not only compensated it, but also promised to return the battleships after the war. If the battleships were lost during the war, the British government would provide sufficient compensation, which can be said to be full of sincerity.

After looking at the conditions given to the Ottomans, they forcibly recruited Ottoman battleships and kicked off the Ottoman sailors who were ready to receive them. There was no compensation and they only promised to return the battleships after the war. As for how to compensate for losses suffered during the war, there is not a word.

The generous conditions for the Chileans were so harsh for the Ottomans. Although Chile was a traditional ally of the British, and Chile's saltpeter mines were also very important, this did not become a reason for the British to insult the Ottomans. Yes, the Ottomans believed this was a deliberate humiliation by the British.

In fact, did Britain humiliate the Ottomans? There was actually a misjudgment here, a misjudgment by the British and Russian governments. They believed that the Ottoman government would participate in this war, and if the two battleships were delivered, they would become a maritime weapon against the Allies.

You must know that Russia does not have any dreadnoughts in the Black Sea at this time, and Britain and France are still facing threats from Italy and Austria in the Mediterranean. Giving the Ottomans two battleships at this time is not to support the enemy.

The main reason for this misjudgment was the huge pro-German forces in the Ottoman territory. The four giants of the Al-Shabaab party, headed by Grand Vizier (equivalent to Prime Minister) Hamed Riza, War Minister Enver, Interior Minister Talat, and Navy Minister Jammal, are all pro-Germany.

In addition, Germany had a large military advisory group in the Ottoman Empire. These professional German general staff officers were regarded as military mentors by the Ottomans. Therefore, the Turkish army accepted the guidance of German officers in both strategy and tactics, and appointed German officers as chiefs of staff of each group army and corps. It can be said that this is a A Turkish army led by Germans.

Because from all aspects, the Ottomans wanted to be Germany's allies, let alone give them battleships.

Faced with the British seizure of warships, the Ottomans expressed protest, but this kind of diplomatic protest could only be used to wipe their butts and London ignored it.

Under such circumstances, the Ottomans naturally couldn't stand it.

At this time, the German ambassador to Constantinople took the opportunity to propose to the four Ottoman giants a treaty to conclude a German-Turkish alliance. Due to the long-term conflict between the Ottomans and Tsarist Russia, coupled with the fact that its army has long been affected by the German military mission headed by Sanders, coupled with the pro-German stance of the Big Four.

Therefore, on October 13, Germany and the Ottomans signed a secret alliance treaty, which allowed the Ottomans to stand in the Allied camp.

Some people may ask, why did the Ottomans not declare war on the Allies after joining the alliance, but still remained neutral?

The reason is simple, that is, the Ottomans' lack of preparation, coupled with their hesitant and greedy nature, led to this situation.

The lack of preparation is simple. Ottoman is an agricultural country, with 85% of the country's population engaged in agriculture. It does not have the ability to arm millions of people.

Under German training, the Ottoman standing army was only 250,000, and its military industry could only produce a small amount of weapons, most of which needed to be imported. This also resulted in the Ottoman military being unable to reserve a large amount of weapons and equipment, so its military power capabilities were very weak.

As for greed, let me say one more thing. After the Ottomans signed the alliance treaty with Germany, they also secretly contacted France and Russia, but because they had their own agendas, nothing came of it. (Russia has always wanted Istanbul, and France needs Russia to contain Germany from the Eastern Front, and it doesn’t dare to offend Maozi.)

It can be seen from the actions of the Ottomans that although there are passive reasons for wanting to participate in this war, the main reason is wanting to gain benefits.

There is also an idiom that can describe the Ottoman country, which cherishes one's life when doing big things, and forgets one's life when seeing small gains.

Some people may say that Osman didn’t show any intention of changing his family after joining the war?

I can only say that you are too naive, because from the time he participated in the war, the Allies were ready to dismember him. Looking at the plan to dismember the Ottoman Empire after the First World War in history, it would have been even more miserable if Kemal had not taken charge.

As for now, taking advantage of Italy's victory in the Battle of Sirte, the Germans want to dispel some thoughts that the Ottomans should not have.

As for why Germany was anxious at this time, the main reason was that the Eastern Front was not playing ideally. After winning the Battle of East Prussia, the German army fought successively at the Battle of Ivangorod and the Battle of Lodz. Although the Russian army's desire to peek at Silesia was dispelled, the pressure on the Eastern Front did not decrease at all. As the commanders of the German army on the Eastern Front, Hindenburg and Ludendorff hoped that the General Staff could increase their troops.

However, at this time, because of the occupation of Paris, Germany had no idea of ​​mobilizing troops on the Western Front. It could only mobilize some newly formed troops (most of which were returned to the Western Front).

Then the Ottoman Empire, which can disperse the pressure at this time, becomes important at this time.

"Everyone, this is the best condition our country has obtained for you. For this condition, our country negotiated with Vienna and Rome for a long time before we obtained it for your country."

In the Grand Vizier's Palace, the German Ambassador to the Ottomans, Mr. Bachmann, was handing a document to Hamed Riza.

"Ambassador, please sit down for a moment. We need to discuss this."

Hamed, who took the document, asked him to wait and said he needed to discuss it with the other three.

"It's okay, I can wait."

After showing his willingness to wait, Hamed asked the servant to serve him tea and then went to the backyard, where the other three were already waiting.

"This is a new condition from the Germans."

After placing the document in his hand on the table, War Minister Enver immediately picked it up and read out Germany's conditions. "Germany is willing to provide 100,000 1888 Committee rifles, 500 Maxim machine guns, 15 million machine rifle bullets, 210 artillery pieces of various types, 8,000 tons of artillery shells, 300 radios, telephone lines..."

This is an arms worth 120 million marks, which can be said to be full of sincerity.

After reading about the generals, Enver continued to talk about the more important division of the spoils. "If the Ottomans join the alliance, Germany, Italy and Austria will promise to acquire Georgia, Cyprus, and Russian Armenia for the Ottoman Empire. In addition, the German government will provide a loan of 80 million marks to the Ottoman Empire for people's livelihood..."

After Enver finished speaking, Hamed looked at him and said. "Enver, do you think the Germans' conditions are acceptable this time?"

"Teacher, I think Germany is very sincere this time. These are the territories we have lost. As long as we can win, it will make the people feel enough national self-confidence. And currently, it seems that Germany has a very high hope of winning. In addition, our army is almost ready.”

Enver's words were obviously optimistic about Germany's victory on the battlefield.

As the person who knows the most about military matters among the Big Four and is Hamed’s successor, Enver’s words hold great weight.

"I also think it's acceptable."

Home Secretary Tallaght voted in favor.

"I think so too."

Okay, all three of them agreed.

Since everyone agreed, Hamed, as the leader of the Ottoman Youth Party and Grand Vizier, would naturally not object. "Since everyone agrees, then I will go see Ambassador Bachmann."

As soon as he stood up, Hamed felt dizzy and swayed.

"Be careful teacher."

Enver, with his sharp eyesight and quick hands, immediately stood up and supported Hamed.

"It's okay, it's just an old problem. I'll have to rely on you in the future."

Hamed patted Enver on the shoulder and walked out.

On January 15, the Ottomans announced that they would join the Allied camp, and subsequently declared war on Britain, France, and Russia. The Allies had new members.