ADMIRALS' METHODS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1387, 17 April 1915, Page 4

ADMIRALS' METHODS.

Different admirals employ different methods in naval fighting, though of course the main course taught iu the War College is more or less adhered to. The disposition of the different units in action naturally depends to a great extent on weather conditions as well as to the position taken up hy the enemy. The stupendous task of an admiral commanding may be more readily grasped when it Is remembered that not only must he fight his fleet to the best advantage, but must forestall every possible manoeuvre on the part of bis opponent that may lure him into such danger spots as minefields or lurking submarines. It is here that the eyes of the fleet, destroyers and light cruisers play their part, and, by means of their superior speed, dash into the danger zone to a point ahead immediately in the enemy’s course, dropping mines, thus forcing him to divert his fleet. But it is not only in matters like these that admirals differ- It is in the actual formation of the battle fleet itself, each having his own idea as to how to obtain best results from gunfire, and at the same time, show the smallest target to the enemy. For instance, Admiral Wilson, who is generally recognised as the ablest British tactician, invariably manoeuvred his fleet in such a manner that at the psychological moment of the battle, the whole of bis battle fleet were in a close formation, while Ford Charles Beresford favoured, a much more open formation at the moflfent of fighting. The present com-raander-in chief, Admiral Jellicoe, belongs to the Wilson school, consequently we may expect a naval battle fought under him to be of a short, sharp, and decisive character. His methods are intended to drive a cotnp j ' - .i. wedge through the enemy, divicLi.g his ships and destroying them in turn.