From February 1900 until 1902 Admiral Felix von Bendemann commanded the East Asia Squadron ("Ostasiengeschwader") from his flagships SMS "Irene", and then . When Bendemann took command of the East Asia Squadron, he found it unprepared for the challenges presented by the brewing Boxer Rebellion. He actually had to borrow charts from the Russians and maps from the British in order to operate in the Yellow Sea. Nevertheless, he forcefully advanced the idea of taking the Taku Forts and the ships under his command were able to make a noteworthy contribution in the Battle of Taku Forts (1900). On 8 June 1900 he brought the large cruisers , SMS "Hertha" and the small cruisers and SMS "Irene" before the Taku Fort (together with warships of other nations) to land detachments of marines ("Seebatallione") for the protection of their citizens in Tientsin.