GIBRALTAR 1914-1918: WAR AND ALLIED SHIPPING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

The role played by the naval base of Gibraltar during the First World War has worth little attention by international historiography of the War and the one specifically focused on the colony. In contrast, the high value of that position in the Admiralty network offered the allies a full range of strategic advantages in the Mediterranean. This case study deals with the activities developed by the base from logistics, providing its condition of allied supplies' redistribution centre since the Battle of Gallipoli; as well as naval control point, keeping sea communications and merchant routes safe against submarine aggression. Therefore, Gibraltar remarkably contributed to the belligerents' war struggle to survive.