The impact of the Battle of Sirte was not only military, but also not only the countries involved in the war. The impact of this naval battle is far beyond the realization of the countries involved.

After the outbreak of the war, Istanbul was the core city of the Black Sea straits, the only access to the Black Sea, and the core city of the Black Sea Straits.

However, although the Ottoman Empire reaped the dividends of the war, the Ottoman people were not satisfied. Because the Ottomans were humiliated, and yes, the British did not give the Ottomans enough respect for their detention of two Ottoman battleships.

Look at Chile, which was also conscripted by the British, Britain not only compensated it, but also promised it to return the battleship after the war, and if the battleship was lost in the war, then the British government would give sufficient compensation, which can be described as full of sincerity.

After looking at the conditions given to the Ottomans, the Ottoman battleships were forcibly conscripted, and the Ottoman sailors who were ready to receive were disembarked from the ships, without any compensation, and only promised to return the battleships after the war. As for how to compensate for losses suffered in the war, there is not a word.

Generous conditions for the Chileans and such harshness for the Ottomans did not justify the British insulting the Ottomans, although Chile was a traditional ally of Britain and the saltpeter mines in Chile were also very important. True, the Ottomans considered this a deliberate humiliation of the British.

In fact, whether Britain humiliated the Ottomans or not, there is actually a miscalculation here, a miscalculation of the British and Russian governments. They believed that the Ottoman government would be involved in the war, and if the two battleships were delivered, they would be a powerful weapon at sea against the Entente.

You must know that at this time Russia did not have dreadnoughts in the Black Sea, and Britain and France were still facing the threat of Italy and Austria in the Mediterranean.

The main reason for this miscalculation was the large pro-German forces in Ottoman territory. The Big Four of Al-Shabaab, led by Grand Vizier (equivalent to Prime Minister) Hamad Riza, War Secretary Enver, Home Secretary Talat, and Navy Minister Jammar, are all pro-German.

In addition, Germany had a large military advisory group in the Ottomans. These specialized officers of the German General Staff were regarded by the Ottomans as military mentors, so the Turkish army was guided by German officers in both strategy and tactics, and German officers were appointed as chiefs of staff of various armies and armies, so to speak, a Turkish army led by Germans.

Because of this, no matter how you look at it, the Ottomans want to be allies of Germany, let alone give him warships.

The Ottomans protested in the face of the British seizure of the battleship, but this diplomatic protest could only be used to wipe the butt, and the London side did not pay attention to it.

In this case, the Ottomans naturally could not stand it.

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

Thus, on October 13, Germany and the Ottomans signed a secret alliance treaty, which put the Ottomans on the side of the Central Powers.

Why, one might ask, did the Ottomans join the alliance and not declare war on the Entente, while remaining neutral?

The simple reason is that the Ottomans were unprepared, combined with their hesitant and greedy nature, which led to this.

The lack of preparation is simple: the Ottomans were an agrarian country, with 85% of the country's population engaged in agriculture, and they did not have the capacity to arm millions of people.

Under German training, the Ottomans had a standing army of only 250,000, and their military industry could only produce a small number of weapons, most of which needed to be imported. This also led to the fact that the Ottoman military was unable to stock up on a large number of weapons and equipment, so its military power capability was very weak.

As for greed, it is worth mentioning that the Ottomans also had sneaky contact with France and Russia after the signing of the alliance treaty with Germany, but because they had their own evil intentions, it did not work. (Russia has always wanted Istanbul, and France needs Russia to contain Germany from the Eastern Front, and it does not dare to anger 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 to seek benefits.

There is another idiom that can describe the country of the Ottomans, who do great things and sacrifice their lives, and forget their lives when they see small profits.

Some people may say that the Ottomans did not show a change of court after entering the war?

It can only be said that you are too naïve, because from the beginning of his participation in the war, the Entente was ready to dismember him. Looking at the dismemberment of the Ottomans after the end of World War I in history, if it weren't for Kemal's strength, the local chicken would have been even more miserable.

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

As for why Germany was in a hurry at this time, the main reason was that the Eastern Front was not fighting ideally. After winning the Battle of East Prussia, the German army fought the Battle of Ivangelodes and the Battle of Lodz one after another, although the Russian army was discouraged from peeking into Silesia, but 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 would increase their strength.

However, at this time, because of the occupation of Paris, Germany had no idea of transferring troops on the Western Front at all, and could only transfer some newly formed troops (most of which were returned to the Western Front).

Then the Ottoman Empire, which could disperse the pressure at this time, became important at this time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the best condition that our country has obtained for you, and for this condition, we have been talking with Vienna and Rome for a long time before we can obtain it for your country."

In the Grand Vizier House, the German ambassador to the Ottomans, Mr. Bachmann, was handing over a document to Hamed Riza.

"Your Excellency, please sit down for a moment, we need to discuss."

Hamed, who took the paper, asked him to wait, saying that he needed to consult with the other three.

"It's okay, I can wait."

Showing his willingness to wait, Hamad 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 for the Germans."

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

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

After the repetition of the firearms, Enver went on to talk about the more important division of the spoils. "If the Ottomans join the alliance, then Germany, Italy and Austria will promise to acquire Georgia, the island of Cyprus, and the Russian-Armenian region for the Ottoman Empire, and the German government will provide the Ottoman Empire with a loan of 80 million marks for the people's livelihood ......"

When Enver had finished, Hamed looked at him and said. "Enver, do you think the Germans' terms are acceptable this time?"

"Teacher, I think this time Germany has given a lot of sincerity, these are the territories we have lost. As long as we can win, it will be just right for the people to feel enough national self-confidence. And at the moment it seems that Germany's hopes of winning are very high. In addition, our army is almost ready. ”

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

As the most military-savvy of the Big Four and Hamed's successor, Enver's words carry a lot of weight.

"I think it's acceptable, too."

Home Secretary Talat voted in favor.

"I think so too."

Well, all three agreed.

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

As soon as he stood up, Hamed felt a wave of dizziness and his body shook.

"Be careful, teacher."

Enver's eyes were quick, and he immediately got up and helped Hamed.

"It's okay, it's a little old, the future depends on you."

Hamed patted Enville on the shoulder and walked out.

On 15 January, Ottoman announced his entry into the Alliance, and subsequently declared war on Britain, France, and Russia, giving the Allies a new member.

(End of chapter)