Austro-Hungarian Warships of World War I

Book excerpt: "Although the Austro-Hungarian Navy was never one of the world's mightiest fleets, it often fought successfully against superior enemies, as at the battle of Lissa in 1866. In World War I the Italian fleet was again much bigger, nevertheless, the Austro-Hungarian Navy was held in such respect by the Allies that the Italian Navy was further strengthened by British and French battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and patrol vessels. Even so, the 'Imperial and Royal Navy' still succeeded in guarding its coasts against invasion and protecting the supply lines of the Austrian Army on the Albanian front. At the same time its own light forces, submarines and seaplanes attacked Allied bases and shipping routes right up to the end of hostitlities..."--Publisher description.