What became of the Turkish Navy Lugers?

Norme · 07-13-2011, 11:06 AM

In an event that was to have far reaching consequences, two Imperial German warships, the Göben and the Breslau, sought refuge at Constantinople (now Istanbul) from British naval forces in the opening days of WW1. As Turkey was officially neutral, this caused a huge political uproar, which was solved when Germany "donated" these two vessels, together with their crews (and Lugers), to Turkey. Partly as a result of this, Turkey sided with Germany, and these two ships, renamed the Yavuz Sultan Selim and the Midilli, served in the Turkish Navy throughout the war (the Midilli struck a mine and sank in1918).
The Göben would have carried about 120, and the Breslau about 70 Navy Lugers, and I wonder whether any of these have survived in Turkey. Perhaps forum member Evren can help? Regards, Norm

07-13-2011, 11:06 AM	#1
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	What became of the Turkish Navy Lugers? In an event that was to have far reaching consequences, two Imperial German warships, the Göben and the Breslau, sought refuge at Constantinople (now Istanbul) from British naval forces in the opening days of WW1. As Turkey was officially neutral, this caused a huge political uproar, which was solved when Germany "donated" these two vessels, together with their crews (and Lugers), to Turkey. Partly as a result of this, Turkey sided with Germany, and these two ships, renamed the Yavuz Sultan Selim and the Midilli, served in the Turkish Navy throughout the war (the Midilli struck a mine and sank in1918). The Göben would have carried about 120, and the Breslau about 70 Navy Lugers, and I wonder whether any of these have survived in Turkey. Perhaps forum member Evren can help? Regards, Norm Attached Thumbnails