The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1916. "WIN OR SINK."

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1916. "WIN OR SINK."

JCow that we are in possession of the main facts concerning the recent titanic naval struggle off the Jutland coast, there is ample material for arriving at the conclusion that it was one of the greatest and mo9t brilliant achievements recorded in Britain's naval history. The thrilling and soul-stirring episodes which have been so vividly described in later cables are deserving of the highest and best traditions for which the Navy has justly earned limitless fame. The dominant resolution of the officers and men, who so signally distinguished themselves in the face of tremendous odds, was "Win or sink," and that is the true embodiment of the spirit which animates our first line of defence. It is now stated from an enemy source that the whole German High Sea Fleet was out. We do not know their mission, nor is it a matter of any consequence. They came out in their massed strength against a comparatively small force of British cruisers, and for the time did considerable damage, only to scuttle away like rats when the British battleships appeared. The terrific encounter at short range lasted for six hours, during which the British lost fourteen ships (including eight destroyers), while the enemy lost eighteen (including- nine destroyers and a submarine), had three disabled, and seven seriously damaged. No eulogy is too high for the gallantry and daring of Admiral Beatty, who hung out with grim determination though greatly outnumbered, executing most daring manoeuvres with his battle-cruiser squadron, which was certainly no match for the full strength of the German navy. Fortunately, Admiral Hood came up just in time to prevent a possible disaster, and it was then the stupendous conflict began. The Invincible appears to have been the first victim, but she did not meet her doom till after inflicting great damage on the enemy. Then appeared upon the scene the Warspite and three other cruisers, and tlie great outstanding feature of the battle is the marvellous exploits of the Warspite, which certainly covered herself with glory. She bore the brunt of the terrible attack, became isolated from her consorts, and withstood the attacks of five enemy battle-cruisers, putting up such a magnificent fight as will for ever live in history. -She was surrounded by half-a-dozen enemy warships, bent on her destruction, but she sank or seriously damaged three of her assailants, and then by clever manoeuvring slipped out ,of »iorl>4 and returned to port. It wa« a

thrilling epic of heroism against impossible odds, and furnishes conclusive proof that the skill, courage, and seamanship of. the naval commanders of to-day are fully ecjual to the best of those in the past. What the firing was like is well described as point blank pounding of each other to atoms, while the German destroyers were cwept oft the sea like chaff. The Queen Mary received two terrible broadsides, but it is ■believed her opponent was subsequently sunk. A shell penetrated her armor and exploded the magazine, thus putting an end to one of the most useful cruisers in the Navy, The next to leet her fate was the Indefatigable, annihilating blasts from the German 12in, guns taking her like a tornado and wiping off her men like flies, while the poisonous gases of the German shells played havoc 1 with the crew. It was now the turn of the Invincible to be sent to the bottom by a torpedo, but not before she had put up a splendid fight against heavy odds. But for the bad light which prevailed there would have been a far greater toll of enemy ships. "My one regret,'' said Admiral Jellicoe, "is that the misty weather on Wednesday saved the enemy from far more serious punishment." Only a decent light was necessary to complete the destruction of the Germans in Qetnil. It is -pleasing to know that the New Zealand, flying Admiral Pakenham's flag, took a prominent part in punishing the enemy, and that she only suffered trifling damage. The latest account of the battle will be read with extreme interest. The terrible power of our naval guns is shown by the fact that some of the enemy's light ships were blown right out of the water. The daring exploits of the British destroyers in dashing up to within thirty yards of the biggest German ships, and the magnificent achievement of Lieut.-Commander Percy Hughes Onslow in sinking a battleship singlehanded, illustrate the spirit of the Navy. It was a glorious victory.