The Jutland Battle.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16676, 8 July 1916, Page 5

The Jutland Battle.

SIB JOHN JBLLICOE'S REPORT CONTINUED.

(Australian and X.Z. Cable Associa-

tion.)

LONDON, July 6

The following is a continuation of Admiral Jellicoe's despatch regarding the Jutland battle (the first instalment of which wjis published in yesterday's "Chronicle") :—

"On receipt of information that the enemy had been sighted, I started at full speed on a south-easterly course for two hours, severely .testing the steaming qualities of trie older battleships. Great credit is due to the engine room departments of the whole Fleet for maintaining a speed in excess of the trial speeds of some of the older vessels. Admiral Hood, with the third battle-cruiser squadron, was iin advance of the battle-fleet, and was ordered to reinforce Admiral JJeatty. We first heard gunfire at 5.30, and the squadron took its station, ahead of the Lion at 6.20." ADMIRAL HOOD'S INSPIRING DEEDS. Admiral Beatty then takes up the narrative. He says :— "Admiral Hood carried'out the manoeuvre magnificently, bringing his squadron into action ahead in the most inspiring manner, and worthy of his great naval ancestors. The third battlecruiser squadron was meanwhile within 8000 yards of the enemy's leading ship. They poured in a hot fire, causing the Germans to turn. The visibility was now reduced to four miles, and the enemy ships were temporarily lostl Thqugh the visibility was indifferent, it was undoubtedly more favourable to us than the enemy. Their ships showed up clearly at intervals, enabling us to punish them severely, and establish our definite superiority. The reports and observations proved that- their battle-cruisers and battleships suffered considerably. The head of the Germans crumbled up, leaving the battleships as targets for the majority of our .battle-cruisers. Before leav_ ing us, Thomas' magnificent BATTLESHIPS WROUGHT GREAT EXECUTION. "The third light cruiser squadron, including the Falmouth and Yarmouth, fired torpedoes, one finding its mark. Tlie cruisers then attacked the heavy ships with immunity to themselves, demonstrating that the fighting efficiency of the enemy had been seriously impaired. t " The Indomitable reports that a ship of the Derflinger class fell out of the enemy line a«t this time." Here ends the second extract by Admiral Beatty, and Admiral Jellicoecontinues:— "Enemy flashes were visible at 5.55, though no ships were distinguishable in the mist. It was impossible to determine the position of the enemy's battle fleet, and the different positions estimated in the Iron Duke's and Lion's reckonings has added to the Uncertainty of the general situation. The cruisers under Rear-Admirals Heath and Arbuthnot were now in action with the enemy light cruisers, which sunk the Defence; and the Warrior was observed passing down between the British and German battlefleets under very heavy fire. The Defence disappeared, and the Warrior passed to the rear,, disabled. It is probable thati Rear-Admiral Arbuthnot, desiring to complete the destruction of the enemy light cruisers, was unaware of the approach of the enemy's heavy ships in the mast until he foun4. himself in close proximity to their main fleet. Before he could withdraw his ships were caught by a heavy fire and disabled. It is unknown when the Black Prince sank, but a wireless was received between 8 and 9 o'clock. The enemy light cruisers were now attacking the destroyers Shark, Acasta, and Christopher, and the result was that the Shark was sunk. THE BATTLE FLEET ENGAGED. "By 6.15 I sighted Admiral Beatty and the German battle-cruisers, and gauged the position of-the enemy battle fleet, but it was all-important to ensure that own own ships were not mistaken for enemy vessels. The fleets became engaged during deployment, Admiral Beatty forming the battlecruisers ahead of .the battle fleet divisions. The battle fleet were led by the Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admirals Sir Cecil Burney, Evan Thomas, Sir xnos. Jerra-in, and Sir Frederick Sturdee, and Rear-Admirals Alexander Duff, Arthur Leveson and Ernest Gaunt. The first battle squadron opened fire at 6.17 upon some battleships of the Kaiserl classc, and the other battle squadrons at 6.30 upon battleships of the Koenig class. Meanwhile Vice-Admiral Evan Thomas, realising the direction of the deployment, formed astern of the British line, under a heavy fire from the enemy's main fleet. Again the enemy ' showed SIGNS OF PUNISHMENT, one ship being afire, and another appeared to drop right astern. The destroyers' head line emitted volumes of grey smoke, covering their capital ships as with a pall, under cover of which they turned away, and we lost sight of them. ) "At 7.45 I ordered the light cruisers to sweep westward, and again we located thorn. The battle cruisers and battleships BECAME HEAVILY ENGAGED. At ten thousand yards the Lion repeatedly hit the leading ship, which turned away emitting very high flames and with a heavy list to port. The Princess Royal set fire to a threefunnelled battleship. The New Zealand and Indomitable report that a third ship, which both engaged, hauled out of line heeling over and on fire. Mist again enveloped the enemy, who were LAST SEEN STEERING WESTWARD. AH the battle-cruisers at 8.40 felt a heavy shock, a« if tliey had struck a ! mine or had been torpedoed. As an examination of the bottoms showed no I sign of being hit, the occurrence is assumed to indicate the blowing-up of

a big vessel. I now believed the enemy were north-westward and that we were well between him and his base. In view of the gathering darkness and the fact that the strategical position made certain that we could locate the enemy at daylight under the most favourable conditions, I did not consider it desirable or proper to close with the enemy's battle fleet during the darkness. ACCIDENT TO THE WARSPITE. An accident caused the Warspite's helm to become jammed temporarily, and took the ship in the direction,of the enemy's line. Captain Philpotts' clever handling extricated the ship from an awkward situation. At this time, owing to the mist and smoke, it was only possible to see four or five ships in the enemy's van at once, and from eight to twelve ships of the rear squadron. The action between the battle fleets lasted till 8.20. the range varying from nine thousand to twelve thousand yards. " The British, alterinug their course, endeavoured to close upon the enemy, but the latter constantly turned away and opened up the range under cover of destroyer attacks and smoke screens; as the effect of the British fire was felt. The alterations in the course brought the British to a quarterly bearing from the enemy battle line, but placed us between the enemy and their bases. The Iron Duke passed the wreck of the Invincible at 6.55. The Badger was standing by. During the somewhat brief periods the Germans were visible through, the mist our battleships and battle-cruisers kept up A HEAVY AND EFFECTIVE FIRE, causing me much satisfaction. The enemy ships were seen fco be constantly hit. Some were observed to haul out from the line, and at least one was seen tb sink. The enfemy's fire was ineffective, and our damage was insignificant." > • Admiral Jellftioe's despatch ends here and Admiral Beatty again takes up the narrative :— "I received -your signal that the course of the fleet be southward at 7 o'clock. We soojh regained touch with the enemy, at -15,000 yards, sighting two battle-<:ruis©rs and two battleships of the Koenig class. The visibility improved considerably as the sun descended below the clouds." TORPEDO ATTACKS. Admiral Jellicoe continues : The Germans appeared to rely very much upon torpedo attacks, which were favoured by the low visibility and the fact that We were chasing their fleet. A large number of torpedoes were apparently fired, but only one took effect. It was upon the Marlborough, but even the Marlborough was able to continue the action. BATTLE SQUADRONS IN ACTION. "The enemy's efforts to keep out of effective gun range were aided by the weather conditions, which were ideal for the purpose. Vioe-Admiral Burnley's first battle squadron came into action with the enemy's third battle squadron at 6.17 at a range of eleven thousand yards. He administered severe punishment on the battleships and ba/ttlecruisers. The Marlborough.'s fire was particularly rapid and effective. "The Marlborough fired seven salvoes at a ship of the Kaiser class, then engaged a cruiser and a battleship until a torpedo hit her. The Marlborough listed considerably to starboard,. but was able to re-open fire. The cruiser then fired fourteen salvoes at another ship of tlie Kaiser class, hitting her frequently, until, the German ship turned out of the line. The Marlborough set a fine example' to the squadron. The fourth battle squadron, in which the Iron Duke, with Admiral Sturdee, was leading one division, engaged a squadron of the Koenig and. Kaiser class, and some battle-cruisers. The Iron Duke opened fire at 6.30 upon a ship of the Koenig class at 12,000 yards. The Koenig ship was quickly riddled, the hitting commencing with the second salvo. The fire of the other ships of the squadron was principally directed on tlio battle-cruisers and cruisers as they appeared out of the mist. Several hits were observed. Vice-Admiral .Terrain's second battle squadron was in action with vessels of the Kaiser or Koenig class from 6.30 to 7.30. Meanwhile our light cruisers and destroyers were attacking the enemy' 6 battleships with torpedoes. An explosion of a ship of the Kaiser class was observed at 8.40. During these attacks four enemy destroyers were 6unk. The enemy was entirely out of sight by 9 o'clock, upon which the destroyer attacks in the darkness made it necessary to dispose the fleet for the night, while providing for a renewal of the action at daylight. I accordingly manoeuvred to remain between the enemy and his bases, placing our flotillas in a position to protect our fleet from the destroyers, while the destroyers were favourably situated for attack on the enemy's heavy ships. The British heavy ships were not attacked during the night, but the 4th, 11th and 12th flotillas delivere-d a series of MOST GALLANT AND SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS, causing the enemy heavy losses. During the attacks the fourtTi flotilla incurred severe losses, including Captain Wintour its gallant leader. He brought the flotilla to a high pitch of perfection, and" took heavy toll of the enemy vessels. The Spitfire and Ardent torpedoed enemy vessels. Captain Stirling's 12th flotilla executed an admirable attack upon, six large vessels, including some of' the Kaiser class. The third enemy ship of the> line was blown up, and the Maenad twenty minutes Jater torpedoed a fourth ship. Capt. Hawkley's 11th flotilla sank a destroyer at pointblank range. A heavy explosion was also observed on a battleship of the Kaiser class during the night. TRIBUTE TO THE DESTROYERS. "The work by the destroyers sur-

passed the very highest expectations. 5' Admiral Jellicoe continues : — "At daylight on the Ist June, the battle fleet, which was southward and westward of the Horn Reef, turned northward IN SEARCH OF THE ENEMY, also foii the purpose of collecting our cruisers and destroyers. The t British Fleet remained m proximity to the battlefield near the line of approach to German ports until 11 in the morning, despite the disadvantages of the long distance from our bases, and the dangers incurred in waters adjacent to the enemy coasts from submarines and torpedoers. The enemy, however, made no sign, and I was reluctantly compelled to come to the conclusion that the High Sea Fleet had returned to port. The enemy must have known of our position, as a Zeppelin was sighted. NO SIGN OF ENEMY SHIPS. " The scene of the fight was thoroughly searched, some survivors being picked up and a large amount of wreckage seen, but no enemy ships. We reached our bases without incident en Friday, after a search for the Warvior, which, had evidently foundered. FLEET HEADY AGAIN. "The Fleet fuelled and replenished its ammunition, and was reported ready for further action at 9.30 on the evening of the 2nd June.' 3 [ Dealing with the losses and person-, nel, Admiral Jellicoe says: "The conditions of low visibility and the approach of darkness enhance the difficulty of giving an accurace account of the damago inflicted and the names of the ships sunk, but the schedule has been compiled after mos+ careful examination of all the evidence of all the officers who testified to seeing the enemy's vessels actually sunk, and with "the aid of personal interviews with a large number of these officers." HEROISM OF ALL RANKS. "I am of opinion thai the schedule gives the minimum. I deeply regret the loss of the Queen Mary and the ships already reported, also the deaths of such officers as Rear-Admirals Arbuthnot and Hood and six captains— Sower ly, Pro use, Cay, JBonham, Wintour and Ellis. They led officers and men who were equally gallant, and whose deaths are mourned by their comrades. They fell in doing their duty nobly, a death which they would be the first to desire. The enemy fought with the gallantry expected. "We particularly admired the conduct of a disabled light cruiser, which passed down the British line shortly after deployment, under heavy fire, which was returned by the only gun left in action. ' "The conduct of the officers and men is beyond praise. They were cool and determined, with a cheeriness which would have carried them through anything. The heroism of the wounded was the admiration of all. I cannot adequately express the pride with which the spirit of the Fleet filled me. The work in the engine-room department was excellent, and failures in material were conspicuous by their absence. I wish to draw special attention to Vioe-Admirals Burney's and Evan Thomas' services. TRIBUTE TO ADMIRAL BEATTY. "Admiral Beatty again showed his fine qualities, gallant leadership,*''firmdetermination and correct strategic insight which appreciated the situation immediately. 1 fully sympathise with his feelings when the evening mist and failing light robbed the Fleet of the complete victory for which he manoeuvred, and his ships strove so hard for. Vice-Admiral Maddens work as Chief of Staff was of inestimable value." ADMIRAL BEATTY'S REPORT, appended, adds : "It is impossible fco give a definite statement of the losses inflicted on the enemy, but they were considerably greater than we sustained. Despite their numerical superiority, our control and drill remained undisturbed throughout. Our superiority to the enemy in this respect was very marked. Their efficiency was rapidly reduced under punishment, while ours was maintained throughout. ANOTHER CASABIANCA. "The behaviour of the ships' companies under the terrible conditions of a modern sea battle was magnificent." Admiral Beatty quotes as an instance the gallantry of John Travers, aged 16, aboard the Chester. Though montally wounded early in the action, he yet remained alone at a most exposed post awaiting orders, with the gun's crew dead all round.