First Victory

by Mike Carlton

When the ships of the new Royal Australian Navy made their grand entry into Sydney Harbour in October 1913, a young nation was at peace. Under a year later Australia had gone to war in what was seen as a noble fight for king, country, and Empire. Thousands of young men joined up for the adventure of having "a crack at the Kaiser." And indeed the German threat to Australia was real, and very near—in the Pacific islands to the north, and in the Indian Ocean. In the opening months of the war, a German raider, Emden, wreaked havoc on the maritime trade of the British Empire. Its battle against the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney, when it finally came, was short and bloody—an emphatic first victory at sea for the fledgling Royal Australian Navy. This is the stirring story of the perilous opening months of World War I and the bloody sea battle that destroyed the Emden in a triumph for Australia that resounded around the world. In the century since, many writers have been there before Mike Carlton. Most were German, some of them survivors of the battle, others later historians, and they have generally told the story well. British accounts vary in quality, from good to nonsense, and there have been some patchwork American attempts as well. Curiously, there has been very little written from an Australian point of view. This book is—in part—an attempt to remedy that, with new facts and perspectives brought into the light of day.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, World War I, Australia, Military History, Maritime

496 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Mike Carlton is one of Australia's best-known broadcasters and journalists. In a 40-year career, he has been a radio and television news and current affairs reporter, foreign correspondent, radio host and newspaper columnist.

He was an ABC war correspondent in Vietnam in 1967 and 1970, and for three years was the ABC's Bureau Chief in Jakarta. He also reported for the ABC from London, New York and major Asian capitals. In television, he was one of the original reporters on the ABC's groundbreaking This Day Tonight in the 1970s. Mike turned to talk radio in 1980, first at Sydney's 2GB, and then for four years in London at Newstalk 97.3FM, where he won a coveted Sony Radio Academy award in 1993 for Britain's best talk breakfast program.

In television, he reported and hosted Indonesia: A Reporter Returns, a three-part documentary for SBS in 2008. He has recently retired from the Radio 2UE breakfast program in Sydney and has returned to writing a column for the Saturday edition of the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mike has had a life-long passion for naval history.

Reviews

[Shane Amazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although First Victory is promoted as the story of one vessel going head to head with an enemy of incredible strength and guile, it is far, far more than just that. What author Mike Carlton has done is to create a portal back in time where life was much more simple, a time when a handful of ambitious men could lead a country into the new world, and a time when all that stood between tradition and victory was the willingness to take a chance.

It is a transitional time in the history of the world. Wind driven ships are giving away to steam powered behemoths, breathing fire and spitting smoke. The powers that be in Briton are loosening the reigns they have on their distant colonies, and a nation once comfortable under the watchful eye of the mother country is now ready to take on responsibility for its own future. But a new navy is not the key to unlocking a new future alone, it is going to take powerful men and the courage of conviction to open the door to a new Australia.

And this is where Mike Carlton shows his genius. The first part of the book paints a picture for the reader as to what that time period was like, and he pulls no punches. The descriptions of that time period go far beyond the look of the people in their ankle high skirts and suit and ties. In fact, Carlton writes how racial injustice effects the thinking of men during that time period and how the upbringing of these men has an effect on their future deeds. In First Victory you will read about far more than just the cold steel of a technological marvel, you will read how politicians, sailors, soldiers, and even media men form Australia into a naval powerhouse. But eventually this well laid out prelude will give way to war, and here too, Carlton brings the rain.

In the decades leading up to the war the author shows how Germany began its expansion into bordering territories and how that expansion effected the people of those lands. The pride of German conquest was only matched by the deflation of once proud people into a life of forced servitude to their new masters. And unlike Australia, the German Navy is an old shoe with something to prove to her doubters. And like what we saw with the men that built the Australian navy we, too, see here that it was bold men that kept the German fleet alive as well.

So the chess pieces are carved and on the board, the only thing to do now is make the first move. With the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand the war begins and the Emperor of Austria-Hungary moves the first piece. Quick to follow is Russia as they move against Austria-Hungary. Then Germany sides with A-H against the Russians. Then the British take up arms against Germany, and Australia sides with the mother country. And then previous treaties and agreements force nations to pick sides until everyone finds a home on the the chessboard. Now we have the pieces, the board, and the opponents. All we need now is the first sea volley to breach the big guns and start the beginning of naval warfare in world war one.

The history books may tell you how the war started, carried on, and ended, but they have never told you how the people of that era built the foundation for future's past quite like First Victory does.

Good read.

*I received this book in ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit about Australian history from First Victory. While most of the information in this book is related to ships and war, there are some random tidbits, like how swimming at the beach in daylight had been banned in Australia until 1902. (That one was a shocker.)

I like how the author is able to intertwine facts into a storytelling method of bring the scene alive in front of your eyes, seeing the story play out. It's not dry textbook reading.

Recommended for: Adults

Suitable for: Ages 15 & up

1 instance of extremely vulgar language in a song, along with other mild cursing throughout the book.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Mike Carlton goes beyond the deadly duel fought between HMAS Sydney and SMS Emden in November 1914. The author delves into some detail about the how the Royal Australian Navy came about, the political trials and tribulations, and the men that made it all possible. From the moment the new RAN sailed into Sydney harbour in 1913 Australia, as a nation had something substantial to contribute to the defence of the realm.
The author likened the battle cruiser HMAS Australia as equivalent to a US Nuclear submarine today. He goes on to explain that mainland Australia faced a very real threat from the German navy's East Asiatic Squadron, be it bombardment or the seizing of merchant shipping. The presence of HMAS Australia was a spectre to the German warships in the Pacific and if she had have been present at Coronel things may have turned out quite different.
As it happened, the large ships of the RAN spent the opening weeks of the war chasing phantoms, ie Spee's squadron, around the Pacific and taking possession of the German colonies in New Guinea. Very quickly the priority went to escorting the convoy carrying the Australian's and New Zealnders to war. Indeed the Emden was a huge threat to the safety of these ships. She had been causing havoc to merchant shipping in the Indian Ocean, bombarding Madras in India and even sinking a Russian cruiser in Penang harbour and a French torpedo boat soon after. The Emden than turned her attention on the Wireless station on the Cocos Islands and the valuable undersea cables that came from the island. The wireless operators were able to send a quick message off before the German landing party reached shore. Sydney was duly despatched to intercept the raider and what followed was a short sharp action that saw the SMS Emden "beached and done for' on North Keeling Island.
The author describes all of these events in great detail and in a narrative that flows and is easy to follow. His description of the battle itself is riveting reading as is the trials of the Emden's landing party who commandeered a small schooner once the battle was all but lost and eventually made their way back to Germany, via the Ottoman Empire! This episode must truly rank as on of the great maritime odysseys of modern times.
A highly recommended book.

[Reet Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

The SMS Emden had to be stopped, plain and simple. World War I had only been going for a few months now – not even a year – and already the Emden was wreaking havoc on British shipping. It had only been in recent years that Australia had built up a navy of their own. The HMAS Sydney had been launched the same year Titanic sunk (1912 – as a Titanic Buff I felt the need to throw that one in there). Now two years later she was going to hunt out the troublesome Emden and put a stop to the disruptions the Germans were causing. No easy task, mind you. The Emden had done serious damage on land and one sea; she had attacked a British Indian port and caused considerable damage physically and moral-wise. When the Sydney eventually located the Emden it would be a brutal fight to the end.

Mile Carlton does a good job of setting the backdrop of what Australia was like during World War I while giving sufficient background information of conditions prior to the war (e.g. Australian navy’s development) – so those of without knowledge of these events can understand it well enough without needing to read other Aussie history books. There was a section or two I took issue with, but overlooking that, this is indeed worth a read. I have a fascination with the World War I navies to begin with, plus a particular interest in Australia so it all blended together well. I found the account of the fight between the Sydney and the Emden fascinating as well as gruesome. Mr. Carlton manages to bring into this story the human aspect. It’s not so much facts, dates and events as it is personalities (I’m a sucker for human interest) and I think that’s what I liked most about First Victory: 1914.

As a side note I love the cover art.

DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received an electronic copy of “First Victory: 1914” from NetGalley.com provided by the publishers, Random House Australia Pty Ltd, in exchange for our honest review.

Previously published here: http://reetchampionbookreviews.wordpr...

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Victory 1914: The Hunt for the German Raider Emden by Mike Carlton is a history of WWI in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Carlton is a forty year veteran of radio and television news and current events reporting. He was an Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) Vietnam correspondent during the war. He later served in London, Jakarta, and New York. A long time naval historian this is his fifth book and second on the Australian navy.

I think of myself as fairly well read and educated on WWI . I have a pile of WWI books and remember most of my history classes in college and grad school. One thing I remember clearly from 20th Century History was about WWI. Dr. Smith covered the class and said although there was a huge naval race between Britain and Germany, the Battle of Jutland was the only real naval activity (aside from submarine warfare) in the war and it wasn't worth putting too much time into because it was essentially fought to a draw. Living in both the Northern and Western hemisphere seems to have a dramatic effect on our world view. I do recall Australia's efforts in WWI, but it seemed those efforts were to be filler for the British lines along with troops from Canada, India, and other countries in the empire and commonwealth. Little did I realize there was quite some activity outside of the European theater.

Australia was ready to do its part in providing its own protection at the turn of the 20th century. This proved to be a benefit for Britain and its Two Power Rule. Britain's fleet would remain the combined size or greater than the next two most powerful navies in Europe. The German naval race was putting pressure on Britain's superiority. The British decided it was better not to send ships to Australia because they would be put to better use in protecting Britain. If Britain should fall what good would a few ships do to protect all of Australia. If Australia falls and Britain eventually wins, Australia would be free at the end of the hostilities. Although Britain valued the almost £ 23 million of wool and nearly £ 15 million in gold from Australia, protecting it at the expense of the British homeland was not in the plans.

Australia did have fears of it's own. Germany, looking to expand its small Empire, was moving into the South Pacific looking for territory. Australia was also worried about Japanese interests in the area. Britain chose to nullify the powerful Japanese naval threat with a treaty. German New Guinea and particularly the German port of Tsingtao, China remained threats for Australia. The outbreak of war put Germany a difficult spot in the Pacific. Having only a small fleet in the area, the German plan was to head East to Chile for supplies and a friendly port as there were no longer a safe port for the German fleet in the Indian or Western Pacific Oceans. Von Spee, said that one ship should stay behind and fight. There was no way a fleet in Chile would be able to respond or effectively fight. The plan was approved, knowing the ship left behind would probably not last the war before running out of supplies or meeting the British fleet. It was decided Von Spee and the Emden would remain behind.

The Emden very quickly made a reputation as a raider. Carlton calls it piracy legalized by war. Ships carrying contraband to belligerent nations were open prey for riding and sinking. Von Spee followed the rules of war and no one from the ships he raided or captured complained about their treatment. In fact he was well known for taking care of crews and passengers of ships he captured. He had quite a reputation as a gentleman until the end. The Emden, nonetheless, became the target of the Australian Royal Navy.

Although initially opposed to Australia taking any action against German holdings, Britain eventually reversed it decision with the stipulation that any territory captured would belong to Britain and not Australia. Britain saw the need for possible bargaining chips at the war's end. Australia would man its navy and build an army for the benefit of Britain. Although many would find that position rather subservient, Australia was at a transition point. Many of the people considered themselves as members of the British Empire, more so than Australians. The six Australian colonies became a federation became a Commonwealth in 1901. Independence from British rule was still new. There was still loyalty to the mother country but a sense of pride as a nation and a need to prove itself.

First Victory contains a wealth of information not only a very important part of Australian history, but world history. In the northern hemisphere, not many people are aware of the war in the Southern hemisphere and Indian Ocean. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I and it is quite an important anniversary for the people of Australia. As a veteran myself, I take time and honor Remembrance Day or as it is called in America Veteran's Day. We tend to forget in America. Veterans Day is no longer a holiday for most Americans, veterans included. While people in other country's remember, their service members, Americans would rather put a Chinese made “We Support the Troops” magnets on their foreign SUVs, powered by imported petroleum than make a serious effort to remember. We are very much symbolism over substance here. This is a very enlightening book and a history that reads like an action/adventure story. Truly a remarkable read and recommended for anyone interested in naval or WWI history.

When the last shot was fired on Monday 11 November 1918, 418,809 Australians had enlisted, 331,781 of them serving overseas. This was from a population of four million, or 38.7 per cent of all men between the age of 18 to 44.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra records that 61,720 died and 137,013 were wounded or gassed.

I would like to thank Random House Australia for making an advance copy of this book available for review in the United States. For Americans reading this, Veterans Day is two days away and please take a moment to member all those serving and all those who have served.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Carlton, please write more books? I have read the four you have written and they have all been superb. I had hesitated reading this one as I thought I knew all about the sinking of the German light cruiser Emden by the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney in World War 1. I was mistaken as Mike Carlton had expanded the subject to cover the build up with the War, the positioning and strategy of the German Pacific fleet as well as the personal stories of the main protagonists, The author is no lover of the stupid decisions of the desk bound Admirals in Whitehall and Churchill in particular for their mistakes and the fact that they were overruling the strategy of the men on the spot, particularity at a time when radio communication was in its infancy and it was the sailor on the spot who paid the penalty. I thought this was a superb read and thoroughly recommend it. I hope Mike Carlton is listening to my plea.

[Darren Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The time is late 1914. As the First World War becomes increasingly global and the Western Front takes its grim shape in Europe, the German light cruiser SMS Emden has had stunning success in the Indian Ocean - capturing and sinking ships (including three in one day); bringing British trade through the Indian Ocean to a halt; and delaying much-needed troop convoys from Australia and New Zealand.

And then on the morning of 9 November the Emden attacks a British coaling station in the Indian Ocean's Cocos Islands, which brings in the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney…

First Victory was an engrossing page-turner for several reasons. Carlton's style was highly readable with endlessly fascinating and interesting detail, and along with the fateful encounter between the Emden and the Sydney (which is honestly and unflinchingly recounted) he deftly includes other facets such as the birth of the Royal Australian Navy; what the world and seafaring was like in 1914; and the incredible odyssey made by some 'Emden' survivors that demonstrates yet again that truth is more wildly spectacular than fiction.

[Sue Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eminently readable history of the careers of two ships - SMS Emden and HMAS Sydney. Carlton puts the events at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands fully into their historic setting and rounds out the picture of a brief battle with the words of many of the men that fought it.

[Bill Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carlton blends the focus of the book with relevant background and stories of individuals caught up in the maelstrom. And he doesn't pull any punches on the utter incompetence of many in the naval hierarchy and the governments of the day. Both Australian and British.

[Margaret Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I know why my German great grandfather was nationalized in Sydney in 1915. I had no idea, previously, that the Germans had been so active in our part of the world.

Thank you, also, for the insight into more of Saint Winston's colonial blunders.

[Pei-jean Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goes a lot more in depth than I was expecting which for me can be a little hit and miss because I sometimes feel that the information provided isn’t necessary to the story at hand which is the the naval engagement between HMAS Sydney and the German ship the SMS Emden during WWI.

[Chris Carswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bloody ripping yarn! No tripping over awkward prose here, the story of the Sydney vc Emden showdown is backgrounded with copious material on the geo-political and social situation in Australia at the time. Carlton does no thet hold back with his views on Churchill and Hughes. Churchill in particular gets a thumping. The German captain is sainted and the stories of the journeys of Mucke (the first mate) and Lauterbach back home to the fatherland are worthy of separate titles. Carlton gives credit to Deakin and others for the foresight and energy in securing a modern fleet for Australia. To highlight this he gives others descriptions of what might have happened if the Emden had got in among the convoy headed for Cairo.

[Wayne's · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging and interesting account of an important event in Australia's history that has been little written about in the popular realm.

Well written and absorbing a must read for those interested in Australian history.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Loved the details. The extended story line and new facts.