GERMAN PRAISE

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4873, 21 July 1936, Page 6

GERMAN PRAISE

FOR BRITISH AT JUTLAND. Celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, described in Germany as “the world’s greatest naval battle, ending in a German victory,” lasted three days this year, says the Daily Telegraph. In the fleet and among the seacoast population a successful effort has been made to restore the spirit which, under Prussian inspiration, ran throughout Germany during the first two years of the war. Jubilation reached it height when every ship taking part in the Baltic manoeuvres was ordered to fly the old Imperial War Flag. With this exaltation of victory was a recognition of the chivalry of Birtish sailors who lost their lives at Jutland. It was expressed by Admiral Raeder, Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy, when Herr Hitler inaugurated the memorial at Laboe, near Kiel, to the 34,836 German sailors who lost their lives in the Great War.

“Wherever we fought with the British Navy, at Jutland, Coronel, or elsewhere,” said Admiral Raeder, “we learned to respect in them foes of like race and character, true to their glorious traditions. They had, like ourselves, a single aim in view—-that of making the utmost sacrifice in fulfilling their duty to their country. “To-day, on the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, the German Navy, as it bows its head in the solemn hour before its dead and those of its brave allies, unites with the British Navy in common remembrance of the men who on both sides died a heroic seaman’s death while the guns thundered in the greatest naval fight of all times. They died performing their duty as the honour of their flag commanded.”

Afterwards Herr Hitler laid a wreath on the Golden Book containing the names of German sailors who fell in the war. This was accompanied by a salute of 21 guns fired from every ship of the High Seas Fleet.

Representatives of Bulgaria, Turkey, and the former Austro-Hun-garian Navy then laid their wreaths to the roll of drums. The marine guard of honour presented arms and the flags of the ships which took part in the World War were carried into the vault. The Laboe Memorial, on the shore of the Kiel Bight, is a tower 280 feet high, curved in the shape of a ship’s prow. In a Hall of Honour within are inscribed the names of the German warships sunk during the Great War.

In Berlin, Jutland Day was celebrated by a company of marines marching through the Brandenburg Gate and down Unter den Linden to the strains of “I am a Prussian.”,