Janko Vuković
| Janko Vuković | |
|---|---|
Janko Vuković
|
|
| Born |
27 November 1871 Jezerane, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | 1 November 1918 (aged 46) Pula, Austria-Hungary |
| Allegiance | |
| Service/branch |
 Austro-Hungarian Navy
|
| Years of service | 1890-1918 |
| Rank |
 Ship-of-the-Line Captain Rear-admiral
|
| Commands held |
|
| Battles/wars |
Adriatic Campaign of World War I
|
| Awards |
 Order of the Iron Crown Military Merit Cross Karl Troop Cross
|
Adriatic Campaign of World War I
Janko Vuković, sometimes spelt Janko Vukovich or von Vukovich, also known as Janko Vuković de Podkapelski or Janko Vuković-Podkapelski (Jezerane, September 27, 1871 - November 1, 1918) was a Croatian naval officer who served in the Austro-Hungarian Navy and for a brief period as commander-in-chief of the navy of State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs. Vuković saw action in World War I and was appointed commander of the fleet in October 1918 as the Austria-Hungary disintegrated and the entire navy was handed over to the fledgling State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs. He died at the helm of SMS Viribus Unitis, sunk by Italian commandos.
He attended the Naval Academy in Fiume (modern Rijeka), and in his naval career he commanded the Habsburg-class pre-Dreadnought SMS Babenberg, the fast light cruiser SMS Admiral Spaun, and rose to command of the fleet's flagship, the dreadnought SMS Viribus Unitis by the end of the First World War.
On October 29, 1918 the National Council of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs broke off all relations with Austria and Hungary, establishing the new State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs. Subsequently, Emperor Charles gave the entire Austro-Hungarian Navy, merchant fleet, and all its installations to the new state. When representatives of the National Council arrived at the naval base at Pula on October 31, the commander in chief, Admiral Miklós Horthy, asked to whom he should hand over command of the fleet. The representatives had not considered the matter, and after some discussion accepted Horthy's suggestion of Vuković, who was promoted to rear-admiral and made commander in chief of the new country's navy when Horthy's flag was lowered at 5 pm.
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Wikipedia