The Dogger Bank Incident - The Silliest Military Blunder?

EDIT: I know the music is too loud. I made this ages ago and so I wasn't really used to mixing sound levels properly. I can't really do anything about it now, though. I've enabled subtitles.

A fleet of Russian naval ships mistakenly believed that Japanese torpedo boats were hanging around the North Sea. One morning, they mistook British fishing boats fresh out of Hull as being these torpedo boats, with disastrous results. Here's the story of one of the silliest military blunders of the 20th century. The entire story, including the Russian fleet's later escapades, reads like something from a dark comedy.

I've realised that I hadn't really made it clear at the beginning that there were no Japanese ships at all in the North Sea - all the ships had mistaken fishing vessels for enemy ships.

[madmoff]

Here after Drachinifel's videos on the Kamchatka and the Second Pacific Squadron.

[Hyperious_in_the_air]

this entire thing has got to be the biggest military clusterfuck I've ever seen

[rtk]

A Yorkshire naval engagement,  certainly an epic military blunder. Of course Yorkshire was to be involved in another Naval attack during WW1 when the German navy bombarded Scarborough and Whitby. Great work well thought out as ever.

[jamiengo]

Would’ve been interesting to see how quickly it would’ve taken for the Channel Fleet to beat the 2nd Russian Pacific Squadron

[robintripp]

Lovely witty video once again. More please.

[deancarr]

My great grandfather was the acting admiral of the fishing fleet Thomas Carr 1867 - 1939 was sent from Salford as a young boy to “train” on the training ship Southampton moored in the Humber .

[davidprice]

Wow, so much knowledge with one so young. First videos I’ve seen of you after giggling the battle of Dogger Bank, and well, fuck if I’ll
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[johnjephcote]

Trying so hard to listen against the ragtime music...

[gazof-the-north]

Someone needs to make a movie about this Russian fleets comedy show!

[Burmych]

Thing is that, Britain was a member of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, and Japan was purchasing some military equipment, including ships, from Britain. So the russkies assumed that a squadron of these torpedo boats was built in Britain. By the way given their size and maximum range they wouldn't have sailed through Cape of Good Hope. Suez Canal is the obvious choice.

[sebastianverney]

You couldn't make it up (unless you were Cervantes): Russian naval fleet attacks fleet of Grimsby fishing trawlers in belief that it’s a fleet of Japanese torpedo boats.

[namelesssomebody]

The modern Russian Navy should continue to maintain the standards and traditions of the 2nd Pacific Squadron.

[thekenneth]

And yet the crowned heads of Europe were utterly astonished that the Japanese handily whupped Russia's arse in this war. One of the finest examples ever of racial prejudice totally overriding blatant common sense. Great video, YHH, and yet another great hat!

[PaulVegan]

A snake can be venomous, not "poisonous".

[jounilojander]

I remember one old blund operation if I don't remember wrong year was 1854 or 1855 once again Crime war! 2 British ship arrived near town(Kokkola). Peace negoations did't go well so British dried to attack. Unfortunately Finns was waiting and attacker must withdraw. They Lost one boat whish is still in museum!

[jbs]

Wait, the Russians were prepared to send MORE ships!? Lmao

[markkay]

please get rid of the background music

[PicRic]

If only the Russ were that "good" now, says Ukraine!

[jamesroad]

i wonder how many binoculars were thrown?