German cruiser Emden shells Madras
Early in the First World War, the German light cruiser SMS Emden shelled Madras, setting fire to oil tanks in the harbour area.
On the night of 22 September 1914 the German light cruiser SMS Emden, commanded by Karl von Muller, approached Madras. It illuminated and shelled the oil storage tanks of the Burmah Oil Company near the harbour, setting them on fire, and also hit a merchant ship. Von Muller later wrote that the attack was meant to disturb British commerce and diminish British prestige. The bombardment caused panic in the city, and many residents left for a time. It was one of the few attacks on Indian soil during the war.
