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SMS EMDEN und sein kommandant
SMS EMDEN und sein kommandant

SMS EMDEN und sein kommandant

Author
Datec 1918
Object number00016865
NameBook
MediumInk on paper, boards
DimensionsOverall: 220 x 150 x 15.5 mm, 0.4 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis book titled "SMS EMDEN und sein kommandant" ("SMS EMDEN and her Captain") was written by Frzählung von Gustav Adolf Erbmann and published in 1918. It tells the story of the EMDEN and her captain Karl Friedrich Max von Muller whilst the cruiser was in the China Sea.The book also covers her relatively short but very effective career as a raider in the Indian Ocean before being destroyed by HMAS SYDNEY at the Battle of Cocos on 9 November 1914. HistoryThe Battle of Cocos is regarded as one of the Royal Australian Navy's greatest victories, certainly of WWI, and even further endeared HMAS SYDNEY to those at home. What is interesting and important to remember of course is that the SMS EMDEN was similarly revered in Germany for her numerous exploits in disrupting Allied shipping and certainly by the courage and skill of her captain, Karl Friedrich Max von Muller. The successes of the EMDEN had been reported back home and von Muller was well known once the war ended, especially as his reputation of being particularly gallant and an excellent leader was well established. It was often asked of von Muller after the war why he didn't write of the EMDEN'S achievements and his experiences himself and he replied, "I should not be able to escape the feeling that I was coining money from the blood of my comrades."(Taylor, John M., MHQ Magazine, summer 2007 issue). SignificanceThis account by Erbmann tells the other side of the Battle of Cocos focusing on the heroic and skilful role of Captain von Muller and his command of the EMDEN. By many accounts von Muller was not only an excellent strategist and leader, but also a generally daring and chivalrous opponent.