BEATTY’S “NELSON TOUCH” LEGEND DEMOLISHED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 55, 27 May 1927, Page 1

BEATTY’S “NELSON TOUCH” LEGEND DEMOLISHED

JELLICOE VINDICATED “FOLLOW ME” ORDER BAD TACTICS By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright LONDON, Tuesday. HARPER’S book contains a complete vindication of Lord Jellicoe and apportions no small amount of the blame for not securing better results at Jutland to Lord Beatty’s actions.

The author asserts that Lord Beatty’s famous “follow me” appeal

to Lord Jellicoe actually caused the van of the British fleet to diverge from the enemy’s course. Lord Beatty lost the first round of the fight, and Lord Jellicoe won the second. The Admiralty’s omission prevented Lord Jellicoe from securing the final victory.

The newspapers are refighting the Jutland battle in the light of the publication of Admiral Harper’s book. It has been issued in advance of his official report made in 1919, which the Admiralty will shortly publish. The naval correspondent of the “Gazette” says: “Admiral Harper finally demolishes the legend of an inconfpetent Jellicoe and a Beatty with the ‘Nelson touch.’ A. and N.Z.

Rear-Admiral John Ernest Harper is a son of the late Mr. Leonard Harper, formerly of Christchurch, and grandson of Bishop Harper, first bishop of Christchurch. He was educated at Christ’s College, and entered the Navy in 1888. He was captain in 1913. and rear-admiral in 1924. From 1911 to 1914 he commanded the Royal yacht.

The Admiralty instructed him to pre •are the special report on the Battle o utland in 1919. This he did, but th< eport has not been made public.