In October 1917, an invasion force of some 25,000 German soldiers, accompanied by a flotilla of 10 dreadnoughts, 350 other vessels, a half-dozen zeppelins, and 80 aircraft, attacked the Baltic islands of Dago, Osel, and Moon at the head of the Gulf of Riga. It proved to be the most successful amphibious operation of World War I. The three islands fell, the Gulf was opened to German warships and was now a threat to Russian naval bases in the Gulf of Finland, and 20,000 Russians were captured. The invasion proved to be the last major operation in the East. Although the invasion had achieved its objectives and placed the Germans in an excellent position for the resumption of warfare in the spring, within three weeks of the operation, the Bolsheviks took power in Russia (November 7, 1917) and Albion faded into obscurity as the war in the East came to a slow end.

A Selection of the History Book Club and Military Book Club

About the Author

Michael B. Barrett is Professor of History at the Citadel and Brigadier General (retired), U.S. Army Reserve. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

Reviews

. . . Michael Barrett provides both the World War I enthusiast and the seasoned naval professional a detailed look at one of the past century's early forays into opposed amphibious landings. Oct. 1, 2008

-- Andrew G. Wilson * Naval History *

In the end, what we have in Operation Albion is a thorougly researched, well organized, and very well-written history of an operation that deserves to be more widely studied.October 2008

-- Mark D. Karau * The Journal of Military HIstory *

This book will remain the definitive account of this most unusual operation in World War I for some tiime to come.October 20 2008

-- Richard L. Dinardo * The NYMAS Review *

Specialists in the history of the Great War and the operational history of any period, historians of Germany and of Russia, and anyone with a general interest in well-written military history will enjoy reading this book.March 2009

-- Jesse Kauffman * Stanford University *

. . . the work is extremely well-researched and it fills a large void in the history of the First World War. I highly recommend the book, in particular to students and scholars of the period. April 2009

-- Mark D. Karau * University of Wisconsin *

[Barrett's] book will remain the definitive account of this most unusual operation in World War I for sometime to come. April 2009

-- Richard L. DiNardo * USMC Command & Staff College *

Michael Barrett deftly tells the tale of the most successful amphibious operation of World War I. . . . As a work of military history the book is exemplary. . . . In short, this book deserves its place in a series on twentieth-century battles. January 2009

* Russian Review *

Attraverso il ricorso ad un ampio materiale documentario, in gran parte inedito e conservato presso i maggiori archivi militari statunitensi, tedeschi e russi, l'autore riporta alla luce in maniera brillante ed estremamente accurata un episodio significantivo, e tuttavia perlopiu dimenticati, della Prima Guerra Mondiale: la conquista, avvenuta nelle settimane centrali dell'ottobre del 1917, delle quatro principali isole baltiche - Osel, Dago, Worms, e Moon - situate all'ingresso del Golfo di Riga da parte dell'esercito e della marina tedesca.March 2009

* Ricerche Distoria Politica *

The casual reader will find this book informative and entertaining. For the military professional, a careful reading will pay tremendous dividends, particularly for those interested in amphibious operations and staff planning.Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring 2010

* Marine Corps University Journal *



Book Information
ISBN 9780253349699
Author Michael B. Barrett
Format Hardback
Page Count 312
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press