Kaiser Wilhelm II had ordered that in the event of war, "Goeben" and "Breslau" should either conduct raids in the western Mediterranean to prevent the return of French troops from North Africa to Europe, or break out into the Atlantic and attempt to return to German waters, on the squadron commander's discretion. On 3 August 1914, the two ships were en route to Algeria when Souchon received word of the declaration of war against France. "Goeben" bombarded Philippeville (now Skikda, Algeria) for about 10 minutes early on 3 August while "Breslau" shelled Bône (now Annaba, on the site of the ancient city of Hippo) in accordance with the Kaiser's order. Tirpitz and Admiral Hugo von Pohl then transmitted secret orders to Souchon instructing him to sail to Constantinople, in direct contravention of the Kaiser's instructions and without his knowledge.