THE JUTLAND BATTLE

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1916, Page 5

THE JUTLAND BATTLE

ADMIRAL JELLICOE'S REPORT. OBVIOUS VICTORY FOR THE BRITISH. MIST ALONE SAVES THE GERMANS. SOME GALLANT EXPLOITS London, July 0. Admiral Jclliooe's despatch proceeds: On receipt of the information that the enemy had been sighted we started at full speed on a south-easterly course for two hours, severely testing the steaming qualities of the older battleships. Great credit is due to the en-gine-room departments of the whole fleet for maintaining a speed in excess of the trial speeds of some of the older vessels. Admiral Hood, with the third battlecruiser squadron, was in advance of the battle fleet, and was ordered fo reinforce Admiral Beatty. 'lie first heard the gunfire at 5.30, and the squadron took station ahead of the Lion at 0.20. ADMIRAL BEATTY'S NARRATIVE. * Admiral Beatty tlien takes up the narrative, and says: Admiral Hood carried out the manoeuvre magnificently, bringing his squadron into action ahead in the most inspiring manner, worthy of his great naval ancestors. The third battle-cruiser squadron was meanwhile within 8000 yards of the enemy's leading ship, and they, by "pouring in a hot fire, caused the Germans to turn. The visibility was now reduced to four miles, and the enemy ships were temporarily lost. Though the visibility was indifferent, it was undoubtedly more favorable to us than to the enemy. Their ships showed up clearly at intervals, enabling us to punish them very severely and establish a definite superiority. Reports and observation prove that the battle-cruisers and battleships suffered considerably. The head of the German line crumbled up, leaving the battleships as targets for the majority of our battle-cruiser*. Before leaving us Admiral Thomas' magnificent battleships accomplished great execution. LIGHT CRUISERS' ATTACK. The third light cruiser squadron, including the Falmouth and Yarmouth, lived torpedoes, one finding its mark. The cruisers then attacked the heavy ships with impunity to themselves, demonstrating that the fighting efficiency of the enemy had been seriously impaired. The Indomitable reports that a ship "f the IVrflingor class fell out of the enemy line at this time. Here ends the second extract from Admiral Beatty's report, and Admiral .lellieoe continues: The enemy Hashes were visible at 5.55, although no ships were distinguishable in the mist. It was impossible to determine the position of the enemy's battle Meet, and the different positions estimated in tlte Iron Duke's and Lion's reckonings added to the uncertainty of the general situation. The cruisers under Rear-Admirals Heath and Arbuthnot were now in action with the enemy light cruisers, some of which had been sunk. The Liefence and Warrior were observed passing down between the British and German battle-fleets under very heavy fire. The Defence disappeared, and the Warrior passed to the rear disabled. It is probable that Admiral Ai'Duthnot, desiring to complete the destruction of the enemy light cruisers, was unaware of the approach of the enemy's heavy ships in the mist until he found himself in close proximity to the main tleet, and, before he could withdraw his ships, they were caught by heavy lire, and disabled. It is unknown whw the Black Prince sank, but a wireless received between eight and nine o'clock said: ''The enemy light cruisers are now attacking the destroyers Shark, Aeasta and Christopher, and as the result the Shark sank " BATTLESHIPS IN ACTION. By 0.15 I sighted Admiral Beatty and the German 'battle-cruisers, and gauged the position of the enemy battle Sleet, hut it was all-important to ensure that our own ships were not mistaken for enemy vessels. The fleets became engaged during the deployment, Admiral Beatty forming the battle-cruisers ahead of the battle fleet. The divisions of the battle fleet were led by the Commander-in-Chief, Vice,Admirals Sir Cecil Burney, Sir Thomas Jerram, Sir Frederick Sturdee and RearAdmirals Alexander Dull', Arthur Leveson and Ernest Gaunt. The first battle squadron opened lire at 0.17 upon a battleship of the Kaiser class, and the other battle squadrons at 0.110 upon battleships of the Koenig class. Meanwhile Rear-Admiral EvanThomas, realising the direction of deployment, formed astern of the British line, under heavy fire from the enemy battle fleet. An accident caused the "Warspite's helm to become jambed temporarily, which took the ship in the direction of I the enemy's line. Captain Philpotts' clever handling wjricatod the ship from an awkward situation. At this time, owing to the mist and smoke, it was only possible to see four or live ships of the enemy's van at once and eight to twelve ships of the rear squadron. ENEMY HARD HIT. The action of the battle fleets lasted to 8.20 p.m. The ranges were iiOOC to 12,000 yi.rds. The British, altering their cou"se, endeavored to close, but the enemy constantly turned away and opened the range under cover of desjroyer attacks and smoke screens, as the effect of the British lire was felt. The alterations of the course brought the British to a quarterly bearing from the enemy battle line, but placed us between the enemy and their bases. The Iron Duke passed the wreck of the Invincible at 0.55, with the Badger standing by. During the somewhat brief periods the Germans were visible through the mist the battleships and battle-cruisers kept up a heavy and effective lire, causing me much satisfaction. Enemy vessels were seen constantly hit, and some were observed to haul out from the line, and at least one was seen to sink. The enemy's fire wjj| ineffective and our damage was iniMficant.

ADMIRAL BEATTY'S REPORT. Sir John Jellicoe ends here, and Admiral Beatty again takes up the narrative ■ '■l received your signal that the course of tlio licet was southward at 7 o'clock. H e soon regained touch with the enemy at lj,ooo yards, sighting two battlecruisers and twe battleships of the Koe«ig class. The visibility improved considerably as the sun descended bslow the clouds. "Agair Hie enemy showed signs of punishment, one ship being on Are and another appeared to drop right astern. l'lie destroyers at the bead of the line emitted volumes of grey smoke, covering the capital ships as with a pall, under cover of which they turned away. "We lost sight of them at 7.45. I ordered the light cruisers to sweep westward, and again located the ibattlceriiiscrs and battleships, and became heavily engaged at 10,000 yards. The Lion lilt tlie leading ship repeatedly, and she turned away emitting very high (lames, with a heavy list to port. The Princess Royal set fire to a three-fun-nelled battleship, and the New Zealand and Indomitable report that a 'third ship, which both engaged, hauled out of the line, heeling over and on fire. Mist again enveloped the enemy, which was I last seen steering westward. "All the battle-cruisers, at 8.40, felt a. heavy shock, as if they had struck a mine or been torpedoed. An examinations of the bottoms showed no sign of the occurrence, it was assumed to indicate the blowing up of a big vessel. I now believed the enemy was northwestward, and that we were well -between him and his base. In view of the gathering darkness and the fact that the strategical position made certain that we could locate the enc-ny at daylight under the most favorable conditions, I did not consider it desirable or proper to close with the enemy battle fleet during the darkness." GERMANS TRUST TO TORPEDOES. Sir John Jellicoe continues:—The Germans appeared to rely very much on torpedo attacks, which were favored by the low visibility and the fact that we were the chasing fleet. A large number of torpedoes, apparently, were fired, but only one took elect. It was upon the Marlborough, and even the Marlborough was able to continue the action. The enemy's efforts to keep out of effective gun range were aided by the weather conditions, which were ideal for the purpose. RAPID AND EFFECTIVE SHOOTING. Admiral Burney's first battle squadron came into action with the enemy's third battle squadron at fi.l7. The range was 11,000 yards, and they administered severe punishment. The fire of the battleships and battle-cruisers, and of the Marlborough, was particularly rapid and effective. The Marlborough first fired seven salvoes at a ship of the Kaiser class and then engaged a cruiser and a battleship until a torpedo hit her. The Marlborough listed considerably to starboard, but was able to re-open fire on the cruiser. She then iired fourteen rapid sivlvoes at another ship of the Kaiser class, hitting her frequently, until the Kaiser turned out of the line. The Marlborough set a fine example to the squadron.

A KOENIG RIDDLED Tlu> fourth battle squadron, in which was tiie Iron Duke, with Admiral Sturdee leading one division, engaged u squadron of tlie Koenig and Kaiser class and some battle-cruisers. The Iron Duke opened fire at 0.30 upon a ship of the Koenig class, at 12,000 yards. The Koenig was quickly riddled, hitting commencing with the second salvo. The fire of the other ships of the squadron was principally directed on the battlo-eniiaors as they appeared out of the mist, and several hits were observed. Admiral Jerram's second battle squadron was in notion with vessels of the Kaiser or Koenig class from 6.30 to 7.30. Meanwhile our light cruisers and destroyers were attacking the enemy battleships with torpedoes. An explosion on a ship of the Kaiser class was observed at 8.40. During these attacks four enemy destroyers were sunk. FIGHT IN /HE NIGHT. The enemy was entirely out of sight by nine o'clock, upon which destroyer attacks in the_darknena made it necessary to dispose the licet for the night, whilst providing for a renewal of the action at daylight. 1 accordingly manoeuvred to remain between the enemy bases, placing our flotillas in a position to protect the fleet from destroyers while the destroyers were favorably situated to atttack the enemy's heavy ships. The British heavy ships were not attacked during the night, but the 4th, 11 tli and 12th Flotillas delivered a series of most gallant and successful attacks, causing the enemy heavy losses. DESTROYERS SURPASS EXPECTATIONS. During the attacks the 4th Flotilla incurred severe losses, including Captain Wintour, the gallant leader. l\e brought the flotilla to a high pitch of perfection and took a heavy toll of enemy vessels. The Spitfire and Ardent torpedoed enemy vessels Captain Stirling's 12th Flotilla executed an admirable attack upon six large vessels, including some of the Kaisei class. A third enemy ship-of-the-line was blown up, and the Maenad twenty minutes later torpedoed a fourth ship. Captain Hawkley's 11th Flotilla sank a destroyer at point-blank range. A heavy explosion was also observed on a battleship of the Kaiser class during' the night. The destroyers surpassed my very highest expeteations. THE ENEMY DISAPPEARS. Sir John Jellicoe concludes:—At daylight on June 1 the battle fleet, 'Which was southward and westward of the Horn licet, turned northward in search of the enemy, also f. r the purpose of collecting our cruisers and destroyers. The British fleet remained in the proximity of the battlefield and near the line of approach to the German ports until. 11 o'clock in the morning, despite the disadvantage of the long distance from our bases and the dangers incurred in waters adjacent to the enemy coasts from submarines and torpedoers. The enemy, however, mtd« no sign, and I reluctantly was compelled to the conclusion that the High Sea Fleet had returned to port. The enemy must .have known our position, as a Zeppelin .w«a sighted. The t«ne of the fcht

was thoroughly searched, t.nd some survivors picked up. a large amount of' wreckage was seen, but no enemy ships Vve.reached our bases without intideat on Friday, after a search for the Warrior, which had evidently foundered. Tha fleet took fuel, replenished ammunition and was reported ready for further ac- ■ tiou at ».30 on the evening of June 2, . THE LOSSES. Dealing with losses and personnel Sh John Jellicoe says: The conditions of low visibility and the approach of darkness enhanced the difficulty of giving » n accurate account of the' damage i». Ilicted and the names of the ships sunk hut the schedule has been compiled after the most careful examination of the evidence of all the officers, who testified to seeing enemy vessels actually sink, and with the aid of personal interviews with a large number of these officers, Sir John Jellicoe says: ''l am of opinion that the schedule gives the minimum. "1 deeply regret the lossNof the Queen Mary and the ships already reported and the deaths of such officers as Ad- ' mirals Arbuthnot and Hood, and six captains—Sowerby, iProus, Cay, Bpnham Wintour and Ellis. The officer,! led men who were equally gallant, and whose deaths are mourned by their comrades. They fell doing their duty nobly—a death which they would be the first to v desire. \ TRIBUTE TO THE EXEMY. The enemy fought with the gallantry expected. We particularly admired the conduct of a disabled light cruiser which passed down the British line shortly after deployment under a heavy . lire, which was returned by the only gnu left in action. The conduct of our officers and men was beyond praise. They were cool and determined with a cheeriness which would have carried them through anything. The heroism of the wounded was the admiration of all. FILLED WITH PRIDE. I cannot adequately exres* the prld» with which the spirit of the fleet filled me. The work of the engine-room department was excellent. Failures in material were conspicuous by their absence. I draw special attention to the services of Admirals Burney and EvanThomas. Admiral Ueatty again showed fine qualities of gallant leadership, firm determination and • correct strategic „ insight. Tie appreciated the situations immediately. I fully sympathise with hif, feeling when the evening mist and failing light robbed the fleet of the complete victory for which he manoeuvred and his ships had striven so hard. Vice-Adniinil Madden's work as chief of staff was of inestimable value. SDPERIORITY OVER; THE ENEMY. Admiral Beatty's reports are appended. He adds that it is impossible to give a definite statement of the losses inflicted on the enemy, but they were considerably greater than we sustained, despite their numerical superiority. Our control and drill remained undisturbed throughout. Our superiority tq the enemy in this respect was very marked. Their efficiency was rapidly reduced under punishment, while ours was maintained throughout. The behaviour of the ships' companies under the terrible conditions of a modern sea battle was magnificent. An instance is that of John Travers, aged sixteen, on hoard the Chester, who was mortally mounded early in the action, yei remained alone in a most exposed post awaiting orders with the gun's crew dead all round." THE OFFICIAL PLANS The official plan shows Admiral Beatty's battle-cruisers going eastward at the beginning of the battle and turning south-east when they sighted Admiral von Hipper to the north-east, Admiral von Hipper similarly turned south-west until the High Sea Fleet was sighted ihead fit ."> o'clock, when Admiral Beatty, Admiral von Hipper, and Admiral Von Schcer all turned and steamed almost northward until 0 o'clock, when the Germans made a complete circle and went south-west across Admiral Baatty's earlier track. Admiral Beatty meanwhile, going outside the German curse, turned east and continued thus for an liour until Sir John Jellicoe joined the line, when tho whole British fleet at 7 o'clock steamed south-west parallel to the German line between Germany and Jutland. The situation of the Germans after 8 o'clock was not traceable, owinp <o nightfall, but Admirals beatty and Jellicoe went south until daylight, when they returned to the scene of the main fight.