[Naval Operations of the First Balkan War]

Naval operations of the First Balkan War.

By the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire’s global political and military influence had begun to wane, and it was considered by many Westerners to be ‘the sick man of Europe.’ Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro and Serbia all obtained their independence and established The Balkan League in 1912 to further regional interests again the policies of Sultan Mehmed V.

War was declared in October of that year and the resulting 8-month conflict was an absolute debacle for the Ottoman Empire, which would ultimately lose 80% of its European territory. This complete collection of 28 lithographed maps was prepared by the Turkish General Staff in 1964 and 1965 to reflect on the naval lessons of the disastrous war. Numerous engagements like the Battle of Elli and the Battle of Lemnos are outlined across the various theaters of conflict, which include the Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Adriatic Sea, and more.