AN ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCEMENT.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14195, 6 June 1916, Page 5

AN ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCEMENT.

RESULT OF THE ACTION QUITE

PLAIN

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BATTLE

ENEMY EARLY COMPELLED TO

RETREAT,

CONTINUOUS ACTION IMPOSSIBLE.

GERMAN STATEMENTS FALSE

LOSSES GREATLY UNDERSTATED,

(Received June 5, 8.20 p.m.) London, June 5. The Admiralty makes the following announcement: —

Until Sir John Jellicoe is able to supply a full despatch an attempt to give cetaih of the history of tho engagement would be premature, but the results are quite plain.

The Grand Fleet came into touch with the High Sea Fleet at 3.30 in the .afternoon, of May 31st, and the leading ships of the two fleets engaged in a vigorous fight, in which the battlecruisers, fast battleships, and subsida'ry craft took an active part. The losses were severe on both sides.

When the main body of the British fleet came into contact with the Germans a very brief period sufficed to compel the latter, who had been severely punished, to seek refuge in protected waters. This manoeuvre was possible by the low 'visibility due to the mist. Although the Grand Fleet were now and their able to get into momentary' contact with their opponents, no continuous action was possible. They continued the pursuit until tho liglit wholly failed, while the British destroyers successfully attacked during the night. ■

Meanwhile Sir -John Jellicoe, having driven the, enemy to port, returned to the main scene of action and scouted the sea in seaicb of disabled vessels. J^ Thursday evening there was uotlin'g moic to be done, and Sir John Jelhcoe icturnod fco his bases 400 miles away, and lefuellcd. The fleet wa» again ready for sea by the even-ing-of the 2nd inst.

Thoio is nothing to add. Tho British loci's Ime already been fully stated. The enemj's accounts of thoir losses are false. From such evidence as has j como Lo ouv knowledge there is no I doubt that the German losses were hca.tei than the British, not inerulj lelativoK to the strength of tho iei spec the fleets^ but absolutely.

There seems to be the strongest ground for supposing that the Germans lost two battleships, two of their most powerful Dreadnought-cruisers, the light cruisers Wiesbaden and Elbing, a light cruiser of the Rostock feype, the light cruiser Fi-auerilob, at least nine desti-oyers and a sub-

marine,