JUTLAND BATTLE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1925, Page 1

JUTLAND BATTLE

TRIBUTE TO LORD JELUCOE. INTERESTING SIDELIGHTS!. That it was hcciiu.se he was under ‘loud ns the result of the Rattle o •Jutland was the reason given on las Tuesday night at Christchurch, bv AI J. J- Dougall why Earl Jellieoe was sent to New Zealand as Governor General. r l he conferring of an earl dum upon him was not. said Air Don gall, a result of bis having beer Uovornor-Gonera! of the Dominion, hut was a result of the cloud having cleared away to give place to the realisation that Earl Jellieoe \va« one of the greatest admirals England had produced, and that Ids name was entitled to be ranked with that of Nelson, Hie romaiks were made at the members' evening held by the Canterbury fX■ Z.) branch ol the Navy l.cagne in ■onimemoration of the ninth annivor■arv of the Rattle of Jutland. AD Dougall said there was every reason vh\ British people (should eelehrato the Raffle of Julla'nd. “Wc art I now permitted.” he said, “to sav hings that would not have been quite u place while Earl Jellieoe was still vitli us In N’e.i Zealand. He was rented an earl immediately on relin-

ui-hing his position as Governor-Ger

era! of Now Zealand. If any Net Zealander thinks that he got tint title by reason of the fact that he wa

Covonior-Ceneral of New Zealand lie is very mistaken. That honour was conferred upon him because lie was the victor of .futland. “You all know,” he said, “that when, the reports of the Rattle of Jutland came out there was a tremor of a; prehension throughout the Rritish F.mpire. and that apprehension was heightened by the vainglorious German reports of a great German naval victory. The Rriii-h Admiralty was responsible for tbe reports we received, and they publi-lied the reports u.s they were received from (he Admiral of the Fleet during the progress of the fight. Subsequent events have shown that though our losses were great, the result of that light was one of the most brilliant victories recorded in history. It was not a spectacular victory, with the destruction or annihilation of the opposing Hoot, but there was this marvellous fact- that the fleet that met the Rritish Fleet never dared again to put to sea until it went to the most abject surrender recorded in hi.s-

The commander of that victorious Rritish Fleet was to -some extent under a cloud. Perhaps it was that cloud that caused him to come to New Zealand, and there is no doubt that liis visit to New Zealand lias implanted in him and his family a low of this country that has never been equalled by that of any previous Governor we have bad. T believe there is no doubt that Far! Jellnoo and liis family carry with them the esteem, love and admiration of every man, woman and child in New Zealand.” The Rattle of .futland. said Mr Roiigall, was not even yet properly recognised. \ good deal had been said about 'tile Nelson touch." ”1 believe."’ said Air Dougall. ‘‘that i .Nelson bad been in the same position that Admiral .leilieoe was placed in the Rattle of Jutland he would have done precisely the i-ame tiling. When Nelson, at the Rattle of the Nile, and again at Trafalgar, took the chance of destruction there were three other battle Heels to defend Kurland if bis licet had been wined' out. AVlion Admiral .leilieoe fought the Rattle o[ Jutland liis fleet was the only one to 'blend Hie Rritish Empire. If lb.": Heet had be n l.calen (lerniuny would have obtained command of lie seaamt the Rritish Umpire would have been a thing of the past.” As a high German ollieer had since put it. Admiral .leilieoe at the Rat! of Jutland held the Rritish Kmpire in the palm of his hand. He had !• decide whether he would take the line cf caution or whether he would he aggressive and at tempt I lie annihilation of the German High Seas Fleet, lie knew what the consequence to the Rritish Kmpire would he ol defend, and the superiority of the Rritish Fleet in ships and weight of guns was not so great as in encourage the lielicf that rushing in would have resulted in the annihilation of the German Heel.. The Rritish cruiser squadron had suffered very heavy 10-ses. Admiral .leilieoe elu's'e the line of caution, lie was not going to sacrifice the British Kmpire to a ihame. even great chance of success. “I do not believe,” said Mr Dimgall. ‘'that the Rritish people roognlso yet that salient feature of the Rattle of Jutland. The Admiralty and people who understand naval affairs in (treat Britain now thoroughly appreciate the part lie played, and he is now receiving the honour that is due to him. And as time goes on the greater that honour will be. Til twenty years' time, or perhaps immediately after Karl Jellieue passes away, bis name will stand alongside Nelson's as one of the greatest admirals that the British Kmpire or Old Kngiand has produced. It is only fitting, therefore that wo should celebrate, the Rattle of Jutland in equal proportion nub that of Nelson Day and the great Rattle of Trafalgar.”

A .NOT TIKI! VIEWPOINT. A lecture on tho Battle 111 J inland ivns it Iso given bv Lieutenant-Comma n<lvi• A. 1!. Boyle. who took part in the ;ui ion. Lieutenant-Commander Hoyle explained the situation in the North Sen prior io the battle, ami dealt with the strategy of the British Navy. The British staff for deciphering the Gerinan wireless signals was extraordinarily efficient, he said, and at Dogger Bank the British found the (lonium ships in exactly the position and .steering exactlv the course they were toid they would he. Me explained the meaning of straddle lire anti mentioned that it was never hoped to strike a ship with ail the shells tired. Five per rent of hits was all that were Imped for. When the British Fleet set out for Juthi lid tho-e on hoard did not know where the shins were hound tor. They thought it was just one of the periodical sweeps up and down the North Sea. There was much excitement when it was found that the Berman ships were in sight. Fire was opened at a range of about nine and a half miles. Ft was necessary to had the range l.y shooting. After a quarter of nil hour's fighting the Indefatigable was hit and Mown up. Shortly after the Queen Alary blew up also. A shell ignited her midships magazine and she was broken in half. The Germans used their battle cruisers as a. bait to draw the British Fleet towards the German battle fleet. When the German battle fieet was sighted Admiral Beatty turned north again. The British battle cruisers were built tor fighting all over the world and the German ships were built for fighting in the North

Sea only. That was why the Rritish ships blew up and the German ships did not. The Gorman armour was strong enough to resist the Rritish fire, hut the Rritish ships were not in the same position. After getting a certain

distance to the north, they sighted the battle Heet. After the battle fleet came tip the light was very had, and it was

difficult to see what was happening. Finally the time came when Admiral Jellieoe had to decide whether or not

to turn away. His policy had always been to keen the Rritish Fleet intact, and so he turned away, In the night lie German Heet escaiied.

Lieutenant-Commander Boyle mentioned that the casualties at the Rattle of Jutland were live times those at tho Battle of Trafalgar.