THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND

Admiral Sir David Beatty's Official Report.

ON May 31, 1916, occurred the one great naval battle of the war, off Jutland, Denmark, between the British Grand Fleet under Admiral Jellicoe, and the German High Sea Fleet, under von Scheer. In point of forces engaged, it was the greatest naval battle in the history of the world, although indecisive. Night separated the combatants, the German fleet retiring to its mine-shielded base, from which it never ventured again.

This account is by Vice Admiral Beatty, who commanded the advance British force which bore the brunt of the fighting, and who had previously fought the Germans off Heligoland. Of the main fleet, comprising 29 dreadnaughts, 9 battle cruisers and a host of lesser craft, the British lost 3 battle cruisers and 8 destroyers. Unofficially, the Germans lost 1 dreadnaught, 1 battle cruiser, 2 light cruisers and 5 destroyers, in a fleet of 25 dreadnaughts, 5 battle cruisers and other craft.

AT 2.20 p.m. reports were received from "Galatea" the light cruiser stationed on the eastward flanks, indicating the presence of enemy vessels. The direction of advance was immediately altered to S. S. E., the course for Horn Reef, so as to place my force between the enemy and his base.

At 2.35 p.m. a considerable amount of smoke was sighted to the eastward. This made it clear that the enemy was to the northward and eastward and that it would be impossible for him to round the Horn Reef without being brought to action. Course was accordingly altered to eastward and northeastward, enemy being sighted at 3.31 p.m. They appeared to be five battle cruisers.

After the first report of the enemy the 1st and 3rd Light Cruiser Squadrons changed their direction and without waiting for orders spread to the east, thereby forming a screen in advance of the Battle Cruiser Squadrons and 5th Battle Squadron by the time we had hauled up to the course of approach. They engaged enemy light cruisers at long range. In the meantime the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron had come in at high speed and was able to take station ahead of the battle cruisers by the time we turned E.S.E., the course on which we first engaged the enemy. In this respect the work of the light cruiser squadrons was excellent and of great value.

From a report from Galatea at 2.25 p.m. it was evident that the enemy force was considerable and not merely an isolated unit of light cruisers, so at 2.45 p.m. I ordered "Engadine" to send up a seaplane and scout to N.N.E. At 3.08 p.m. a seaplane was well under way ; her first reports of the enemy were received in "Engadine" about 3.30 p.m. Owing to clouds it was necessary to fly very low, and in order to identify four enemy light cruisers the seaplane had to fly at a height of 900 feet within 3,000 yards of them, the light cruisers opening fire on her with every gun that would bear. This in no way interfered with the clarity of reports, which indicates that seaplanes under such circumstances are of distinct value.

At 3.30 p. m. I increased speed to 25 knots and formed line of battle, the 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron forming astern of the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, with destroyers of the 13th and 9th Flotillas taking station ahead. I turned to E.S.E., slightly converging on the enemy, who were not at a range of 23,000 yards, and formed the ships on a line of bearing to clear the smoke. The 5th Battle Squadron, who had conformed to our movements, were now bearing N.N.W., 10,000 yards. The visibility at this time was good, the sun behind us, and the wind S.E. Being between the enemy and his base, our situation was both tactically and strategically good.

At 3.48 p.m. the action commenced at a range of 18,500 yards, both forces opening fire practically simultaneously. Course was altered to the southward, and subsequently the mean direction was S.W.E., the enemy steering a parallel course distant about 18,000 to 14,500 yards.

It would appear that at this time we passed through a screen of enemy submarines. The destroyer "Land-rail" of 9th Flotilla, who was on our port beam trying to take station ahead, sighted the periscope of a submarine on her port quarter. Though causing considerable inconvenience from smoke, the presence of "Lydiard" and "Landrail" undoubtedly preserved the battle cruisers from closer submarine attack. "Nottingham" also reported a submarine on the starboard beam.

Eight destroyers of the 13th Flotilla, "Nestor," "Nomad," "Nicator,""Narborough," "Pelican," "Petard," Obdurate, Nerissa, with "Moorsom" and "Morris" of 10th Flotilla, "Turbulent" and "Termagant" of the 9th Flotilla, having been ordered to attack the enemy with torpedoes when opportunity offered, moved out at 4.15 p.m. simultaneously with a similar movement on the part of the enemy. The attack was carried out in the most gallant manner and with great determination. Before arriving at a favorable position to fire torpedoes, they intercepted an enemy force consisting of a light cruiser and 15 destroyers. A fierce engagement ensued at close quarters, with the result that the enemy was forced to retire on their battle cruisers, having lost two destroyers sunk, and having their torpedo attack frustrated. (Some torpedoes were fired by the enemy, two of which crossed the track of the 5th Battle Squadron, which had been turned away to avoid the attacks.) Our destroyers sustained no loss in this engagement, but their attack on the enemy battle cruisers was rendered less effective owing to some of the destroyers having dropped astern during the fight. Their position was therefore unfavorable for torpedo attack.

"Nestor," "Nomad" and "Nicator" pressed home their attack on the battle cruisers and fired two torpedoes at them at a range of 6,000 and 5,000 yards, being subjected to a heavy fire from the enemy's secondary armament. "Nomad" was badly hit and apparently remained stopped between the lines. (She was sunk later by the German Battle Fleet.) Subsequently "Nestor" and "Nicator" altered course to the S.E., and in a short time the opposing battle cruisers having turned 16 points, found themselves within close range of a number of enemy battleships. Nothing daunted, though under a terrific fire, they stood on, and their position being favorable for torpedo attack, fired a torpedo at the second ship of the enemy line at a range of 3,000 yards. Before they could fire their fourth torpedo, "Nestor" was badly hit and swung to starboard, "Nicator" altering course inside her to avoid collision and thereby being prevented from firing the last torpedo. "Nicator" made good her escape and subsequently rejoined the 13th Flotilla. "Nestor" remained stopped, but was afloat when last seen. (She was sunk later by the German Battle Fleet.) "Moorsom" also carried out an attack on the enemy's Battle Fleet.

"Petard," "Nerissa," "Turbulent" and "Termagant" also pressed home their attack on the enemy battle cruisers, firing torpedoes at 7,000 yards after the engagement with enemy destroyers. "Petard" reports that all her torpedoes must have crossed the enemy's line, while "Nerissa" states that one torpedo appeared to strike the rear ship. These destroyer attacks were indicative of the spirit pervading His Majesty's Navy, and were worthy of its highest traditions.

From 4.15 to 4.43 p.m. the conflict between the opposing battle cruisers was a very fierce and resolute character. The 5th Battle Squadron was engaging the enemy's rear ships, unfortunately at very long range. Our fire began to tell, the accuracy and rapidity of that of the enemy depreciating considerably. At 4.18 p.m. the third enemy ship was seen to be on fire. The visibility to the north-eastward had become considerably reduced and the outline of the ships very indistinct.

At 4.26 p.m. there was a violent explosion in "Queen Mary"; she was enveloped in clouds of gray smoke and disappeared. Eighteen of her officers and men were subsequently picked up by "Laurel."

At 4.38 p.m. "Southampton" reported the enemy's Battle Fleet ahead. The destroyers were recalled, and at 4.42 p.m. the enemy's Battle Fleet was sighted S.E. Course was altered 16 points in succession to starboard, and I proceeded on a northerly course to lead them towards the Grand Fleet. The enemy battle cruisers altered course shortly afterwards, and the action continued. "Southampton" with the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron held on to the southward to observe. They closed to within 13,000 yards of the enemy battle fleet and came under a very heavy but ineffective fire. "Southampton's" reports were most valuable.

The 5th Battle Squadron were now closing on an opposite course and engaging the enemy battle cruisers with all guns. The position of the enemy Battle Fleet was communicated to them, and I ordered them to alter course 16 points. Led by Rear Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, M.V.O., in "Barham," this squadron supported us brilliantly and effectively.

At 4.57 p.m. the 5th Battle Squadron turned up astern of me and came under the fire of the leading ships of the enemy Battle Fleet. "Fearless," with the destroyers of 1st Flotilla, joined the battle cruisers, and, when speed admitted, took station ahead. "Champion," with 13th Flotilla, took station on the 5th Battle Squadron. At 5 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Light Cruiser Squadrons, which had been following me on the southerly course, took station on my starboard bow; the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron took station on my port quarter.

The weather conditions now became unfavorable, our ships being silhouetted against a clear horizon to the westward, while the enemy were for the most part obscured by mist, only showing up clearly at intervals. These conditions prevailed until we had turned their van at about 6 p.m.

Between 5 and 6 p.m. the action continued on a northerly course, the range being about 14,000 yards. During this time the enemy received very severe punishment, and undoubtedly one of their battle cruisers quitted the line in a considerably damaged condition. This came under my personal observation and was corroborated by "Princess Royal" and "Tiger." Other enemy ships also showed signs of increasing injury.

At 5.05 p.m. "Onslow" and "Moresby," who had been detached to assist "Engadine" with the seaplane, rejoined the battle cruiser squadrons and took station on the starboard (engaged) bow of "Lion." At 5.10p.m. "Moresby," being 2 points before the beam of the leading enemy ship, fired a torpedo at the 3rd in their line. Eight minutes later she observed a hit with a torpedo on what was judged to be the 6th ship in the line. "Moresby" then passed between the lines to clear the range of smoke, and rejoined "Champion." In corroboration of this, "Fearless" reports having seen an enemy heavy ship heavily on fire at about 5.10 p.m., and shortly afterwards a huge cloud of smoke and steam similar to that which accompanied the blowing up of "Queen Mary" and "Indefatigable."