JUTLAND RECALLED.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3333, 9 August 1926, Page 7

JUTLAND RECALLED.

i .Bit by bit fresh evidence is being i brought forward to show that Lord Jellicoe i was justified in his policy at Jutland, und , the new,facts, while they will never efface, will at least rectify to some degree the false impression given to the world of the realities of Jutland. The latter work must be strengthened by an interesting quotation in an article signed “Tarpaulin” in “The Human Side ol Jutland,” which says:—“ The difficulty of getting the news together can only be appreciated by those who have studied the signals in the Blue Book, in which they were published to the world. And the human element shows up once more in a message to the Admiralty on the afternoon of June 3: “Submit. Communications to press re enemy’s casualties and our own, and general history of the action may be amended to agree with my reports of the action. Last night’s communique magnifies ours and minimises enemies casualties, and gives somewhat false impression of action generally. “This, I think, is as forceful a criticism of the notorious Admiralty announcement of the Battle of Jutland as anyone has ever written.” On the large issue of policy the long article in to-day’s “Times” is a vindication of Lord Jellicoe. It is largely technical, but one part at least may be quoted with regard to what happened between 5.30 and 5 o’clock : “It is only possible to describe the directing principle of the intricate manoeuvres which took place between 5.30 and 6 o’clock. On the British side those manoeuvres were part of a considered tactical plan. Admiral Jellicoe had always intended to engage his opponent in a single battle line, deployed outside torpedo range. This system of tactics I would, he hoped, give him on initial advantage by shaking his opponent’s line by artillery fire from the more numerous and powerful British broadsides. In spite of every possible handicap—mist and haze, the inability of the reconnaissance forces to inform him fully of the enemy’s position and course—Admiral Jellicoe succeeded.” On the effect of the battle on the naval course of the wav it says :~“Like many other naval actions, the Battle of Jutland was indecisive. The Germans certainly inflicted more losses than they suffered, but their success did not alter tiic relative strengths of (he two Fleets or assist the German plan of reducing the British Battle Fleet by -.attrition. On returning home.

Admiral Schoer reported to the Emperor that an unrestricted submarine campaign was the only war plan which promised the slightest hope of a decision at sea. His; report was a. confession that, though he . might hope for tactical successes in a fleet action, the German Battle Fleet would never redress its numerical inferiority by battle. “Though indecisive, tho Battle of Jutland will always occupy an eminent place in naval annals on account of the marvellous qualities of bravery and seamanship which, it evoked. It showed that a battle at sea under modern conditions inflicted •suffering and loss on a scale which nobodv had dreamed of; and it showed, also, that the officers and personnel of both sides were .equal (o the trial. A complete description of the acts of distinguished bravery by each side would fill many volumes : and it must suffice to say that our credit stands the higher in that we were faced by an adversary of exceptional courage and discipline. Commander Loftus-Jones, of the Shark, who lay mortally wounded on the deck of his sinking destroyer, unconscious of any anxiety except that the flag should be kept flying, is a typical example. “Tlie leaders were not behind their personnel in skill and courage. It would-be unjust to withhold admiration for Admiral Scitecr’s tactical ability ; but his qualities were far surpassed by those of his opponent. With extraordinary insight and judgment. Admiral Jellicoe divined what tactics ins enemy would adopt; and. in spite of difficulties which nobody could base foreseen, lie carried out his own counter-plan with the mental serenity of a doctor of logic and the firmness and tenacity of a great leader."

It is pertinent to the altitude' taken by ■erlairi critic's of Lord Jellicoe’s work to old that (his naval export says "Just as Admiral Beatty was laming jortli to join the Mattie Fleet, the Gala,ea. on the eastern wing of his screen, got Into contact with the left wing cruiser of Admiral flipper's light cruiser line. Both diips at once engaged and the Hattie oi Jutland began.

“Admirals I'cully and Hipper manoeuvred to develop' contact, and at 3.47 the British Mattie Cruisers opened fire on their German opponents, which by then had been in sight for about <t. quarter of an hour. Admiral dellieoe. with the Battle Fleet, was still some 70 miles to the northward. and Admiral Sclicer was about the same distance to the southward with the High Seas Fleet. “The action between the rival Battle Cruiser Squadrons opened on southerly course;-, and went definitely against is.

Admiral Beatty’s alterations of course during the spelling movements• were insufficiently understuod by the sth Ban!" Squadron, which was, in consequence, left sonic wav behind. At 4 o clock the indefatigable was sunk by a salvo from the Ven del' Tann, and 25 minutes later roe Queen Marv was sunk in a gun duel with tin- Seycllil/. and the Derftlinger. Bather over half an hour’s action thus_ reversed the relative strengths of tile British and German Battle Cruiser Squadron: but .Admiral Hipper was not allowed to press Ins success.”