 For most of World War I, "Habsburg" remained in her home port of Pula, in present-day Croatia except for two engagements.In 1914, she was part of the Austro-Hungarian flotilla sent to protect the escape of the German ships SMS "Goeben" and SMS "Breslau" from the British-held Mediterranean; she advanced as far as Brindisi before being recalled to her home port.Her sole combat engagement occurred in late May 1915, when she participated in the bombardment of the Italian port city of Ancona.