JUTLAND BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 127, 31 May 1935, Page 10

JUTLAND BATTLE

TODAY'S ANNIVERSARY

NINETEEN YEARS AFTER

HIGHLIGHT OF WAR

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, one of the highlights of the Great War and the greatest naval engagement in history. The battle commenced on the afternoon of May 31, 1918, and lasted until the morning of the following day. The first information of the battle in New Zealand was published in "The -Post" in the issue of June 3, 1916, when a cablegram from the High Commissioner ia London (the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, later to become Sir Thomas) was re» ceived to the following effect:—

"The Admiralty announces that on Wednesday afternoon (May 31) a naval engagement took place off the coast of Jutland. The British ships on which the brunt of the fighting fell were of the battle-cruiser fleet, some cruisers, and light cruisers, supported by four fast battleships, and among these the losses were heavy. The German battls fleet, aided by low visibility, avoided a prolonged engagement with our main forces, and soon after these appeared on the scene the enemy returned to port, though not before receiving severe damage from our battleships. "The battle-cruisers Queen Mary, Indefatigable, Invincible, and the cruiser 3 Defence and Black Prince were sunk. The Warrior was disabled, and after being towed for some time had to be abandoned by the crew. It is. also known "that the destroyers Tipperary, Turbulent, Fortune, Sparrowhawk, and Ardent were lost, and six .others are missing and not yet accounted for. No British battleships or light cruisers were,sunk. ' ■

"The enemy's losses were serious, at least one battle-cruiser being destroyed and one severely damaged. One battleship is reported sunk by our destroyers during the night attack. Two light cruisers were disabled and probably sunk. The exact number of enemydestroyers disposed of during the action cannot be ascertained with';'any certainty, but must have been large. A GENERAL GLOOM. ' The wording of the message left a feeling of insecurity and the pros and cons of the action were discussed for a great many days. Those who can take their minds back over the intervening years will remember the general gloom that pervaded all classes of the community. . The High Commissioner's message created the opinion that though the German High Seas Fleet had returned to- port without pursuing any possible advantage, it had, had the best of the action. It was not until the -war was over that any real information was received about the battle, and it became apparent that the Germans were pleased to be able to get back to the security of the Kiel Canal. . The history of the battle on the British side is centred round the two leaders, Admirals Jellicoe and Beatty, both of whom have been supported by different schools of thought. A great number of books and pamphlets have been written about the tactics of the British Fleet and probably still m.ore will be written. The gunnery of both sides and the behaviour, of the armaments -in active service have also given rise to argument, and.the battle will probably always have more thai* an ordinary historical interest in naval circles. . INDECISIVE ACTION. It has.been said that- there, was neither a victor nor a vanquished at Jutland, as both sides failed to achieve their objective. The British ,Com-mander-in-Chief preserved the Grand Fleet from the danger of German torpedoes, while Admiral yon Scheer was able to boast that he had saved the High Sea.Fleet from the clutches of a superior enemy. Both sides probably lost great advantages, but it, is ..difficult to estimate how much more could have been done when it is remembered that the fate of two nations was an the balance and the leaders, could not afford to underestimate the strength of the opposition. . ■ History may eventually say whether anyone was to blame for the indecisiveness of the battle, but whatever the verdict may be, the British Empire will always consider the .Battle of Jutland one of the greatest events of the war, and one in which British bravery and tenacity were exemplified to the .satisfaction of all Britons. Everyone regretted that the Germans had not remained in the open to fight the action to a finish but realised that the British Fleet could not possibly follow th» German ships when they retired. THE BRITISH ADMIRALS. Both thfl British Admirals are now more or less considered national heroes. Earl Jellicoe naturally appeals more than Earl Beatty to most New Zealanders; because he is known to them personally, but Beatty has always claimed admiration as a virile seaman who cannot fail to stir the imagination At the time of the action Admiral Jellicoe was in command of the Grand Fleet and was in direct command of, the battleship squadron. Beatty was incommand of the cruiser squadron an* bore the brunt of the action, and both were honoured by their country br being created Earls, and received grantf from Parliament, the Commander-i» Chief receiving £50,000 and Eai* Beatty £100,000. V - Since these honours were conferred both have held high office in the A6> miralty, Earl Jellicoe becoming Firs? Sea Lord in November, 1916, a positio* he held until December of the follo\* ing year. Earl Beatty's star was in tht ascendant for several years after th* war, and he was appointed First Sea Lord in 1919, and remained in that office until 1927. Earl Jellicoe is now 75 years old and Earl Beatty 64