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Through the Autumn of 1914 the only (as far as I know) example of German and Austro-Hungarian Naval surface units working together occurred.
In the Pacific during 1914 the Protected cruiser SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth was representing the Austro-Hungarian Navy and flying the flag for the Dual monarchy. She was an elderly vessel (launched in 1890) with a main battery of 2 x 9.4" and 6 x 5.9" guns
As the July crisis deepened the cruiser had to take refuge in the only friendly port in the region, the German concession of Tsingtau where she joined the Iltis class gunboats Iltis, Tiger, Jaguar and Luchs, the torpedo boats S90 and Tsingtao and the unprotected cruiser Cormoran.
With the departure of the light cruiser Emden the Elisabeth was the largest warship present though her combat value was fairly negligible compared to the warships of the Royal Navy in the region and even more so should Japan enter the war.
With the declaration of War Admiral Jerram's China Squadron quickly set up a blockade of the city interdicting any traffic in or out. Elisabeth, for better or worse was now stranded there. This blockade was soon enforced by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Land invasion would follow
The German Naval authorities had already reduced Tiger, Iltis, Luchs and Cormoran with their guns & Crew redeployed to the commerce raiders Cormoran and Prinz Eitel Friedrich. Any Sailors left behind were added to the Marines defending the city
As the battle unfolded the Jaguar & Elisabeth were used to assist German defenders by providing artillery support on the peninsula and they were a thorn in the side of the Anglo-Japanese force. Half the crew were disembarked to serve as marines
On 6th September Elisabeth became the target of the first ship based aircraft air raid when a MF.11 aircraft launched from the Wakamiya tried to bomb her but failed.
As the siege went on and the Allied navies pressed into the bay some of the Elisabeth's guns were removed to form Batterie Elisabeth manned by gunners from the cruiser and others moved to point defence
With no hope of escape Elisabeth was finally scuttled on the 2nd November in the bay following Luchs, Iltis, Cormoran and Tiger. As the scuttling charges went off her Captain is reported to have bade her "Good bye Lisa"
The remainder of the crew joined the Marines on the front
The remainder of the crew joined the Marines on the front
Following the surrender of the garrison on the 7/11 the crew were placed into internment in Japan along with their German Comrades. Pictured is a grave yard of the ship's fallen
Not my usual level of detail - being kept busy - but an interesting story from #WW1 #history that is oft overlooked but one I'm sure @PikeGrey1418 will agree is worth a look into 
