The pursuit of `` Goeben '' and `` Breslau was a naval action that occurred Coming_to_be in the Mediterranean Sea at the outbreak Process_start of the First World War when elements of the British Mediterranean Fleet attempted Hold to intercept the German `` Mittelmeerdivision '' consisting of the battlecruiser and the light cruiser .

Renamed Name_conferral Yavuz Sultan Selim and Midili '' , the former `` Goeben '' and `` Breslau '' were ordered Request by their German commander to attack Attack Russian positions , in doing so bringing Bringing the Ottoman Empire into the war on the side of the Central Powers .

Writing Writing several years later , Winston Churchill—who had been First Lord of the Admiralty—expressed the opinion that by forcing Hostile_encounter Turkey into the war the `` Goeben '' had brought Bringing `` more slaughter , more misery , and more ruin Destroying than has ever before been borne Bringing within the compass of a ship . ''