page_title: Battle of Rufiji Delta
section_title: Sinking
hierarchical_section_title: Battle of Rufiji Delta / Sinking
caption_attribution_description: For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Kreuzer Königsberg zerschossen Information added by Wikimedia users.Français&#160;: Le SMS Königsberg, croiseur allemand sabordé dans le delta du Rufiji (fleuve de Tanzanie de 600 km, navigable sur plus de 100 km avant de se jeter dans l'océan indien à environ 200 km au sud de Dar es Salam. Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck en a peu de temps après récupéré quelques canons et munitions qu'il a fait monter en artillerie de campagne maniée par un équipage commandé par le commandant Max Loof
context_page_description: The Battle of the Rufiji Delta was fought in German East Africa from October 1914 – July 1915 during the First World War, between the German Navy's light cruiser SMS Königsberg, and a powerful group of British warships. The battle was a series of attempts, ultimately successful, to sink the blockaded German cruiser.
context_section_description: Two shallow-draught monitors, HMS Mersey and Severn, were towed to the Rufiji from Malta by the Red Sea, reaching the delta in June 1915. With non-essential items removed, added armour bolted on, and covered by a full bombardment from the rest of the fleet, they ran the gauntlet. Aided by a squadron of four land aircraft, two Caudrons and two Henry Farmans, based at Mafia Island to spot the fall of shells, they engaged in a long-range duel with Königsberg, which was assisted by shore-based spotters. Although Mersey was hit and the monitors were unable to score on the first day, they returned again on 11 July. Finally, their 6 in (150 mm) guns knocked out Königsberg's armament and then reduced her to a wreck. At around 14:00, Looff ordered her scuttled with a torpedo. After the battle, the British were unquestionably the strongest naval power in the Indian Ocean.
caption: Battle damage to Königsberg.
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