The Harwich Naval Forces: Their Part in the Great War — Story, Setting & Ideas

Eyewitness Testimony as Primary Source

Knight's preface makes clear that his information comes from conversations with naval officers and men at Harwich, not from official documents. This reliance on oral accounts shapes the book's tone and detail. For example, the description of the sinking of the Königin Luise—the first German ship lost in the war—is presented through the lens of those who witnessed it. Similarly, the account of the action off Heligoland Bight includes the Arethusa's duel with the Frauenlob and the sinking of the Mainz, all drawn from participant recollections. Knight does not claim completeness, noting that a full history would be written later. This approach gives the narrative a vivid, immediate quality but also limits its scope to what his informants chose to share.

Submarine Patrols and Tactical Priorities

The second part of the book details the Harwich submarine flotilla's duties, including reconnaissance, mine-laying, and patrol. Knight explains a specific Admiralty order: for outward-bound enemy surface craft, a submarine's primary duty was to surface and report by wireless; attacking was secondary. For homeward-bound craft, the priority was reversed. This distinction reveals the tactical importance placed on early warning. The text also describes the E23's attack on the battleship Westphalen on August 19, 1916, during which the submarine torpedoed the ship twice—first on the port side, then on the starboard after passing through a destroyer screen. Knight notes that the Westphalen escaped but was likely out of action for months.

Mine-Laying and the North Sea Environment

Knight describes the Harwich submarines' role in laying mines in the North Sea, particularly in the great minefield declared in summer 1917, which stretched from the Frisian Islands to latitude 56° north. He notes that the Dutch removed their lightships to the western side of this field, creating a line of lights. The text also comments on the physical conditions of submarine operations: the water depth of 20 to 30 fathoms allowed submarines to rest on the bottom without excessive pressure, but the atmosphere after hours submerged was described as extremely uncomfortable—'a fresh-air crank would die in it.' Such details ground the strategic narrative in the lived experience of the crews.

Readers should approach this book as a contemporary account shaped by its sources—interviews with participants rather than official records. Knight's narrative is strongest in its specific episodes and technical details, such as the distinction between reporting and attacking duties for submarines. The book does not attempt a comprehensive history but offers a focused look at one force's contributions. Those interested in the human side of naval operations will find value in the firsthand recollections, while readers seeking broader strategic analysis may need to supplement this with other works.

Rain fell against the windows that afternoon while I read E.F. Knight’s account of Harwich’s destroyers, their quiet, relentless vigilance in the North Sea. It left me thinking about ordinary people caught in something vast. Later, almost by accident, I found A Journey Through France in War Time — Story, Setting & Ideas on a shelf, and it felt like the same grey weather, seen from another shore.