VIII. The Battle Cruiser Action. Move 4. 3.48 to 4.08 p. m.
Position 4
At 3.48 the British and German battle cruisers opened fire simultaneously. According to Beatty's report the range was 18,500 yards. The Germans reported an opening range of 13,000 meters. The British report is assumed to be correct. As soon as fire was opened Beatty went ships right simultaneously about 30° and steadied on a course which was probably about 150° true.
At 3.51, only three minutes after fire had been opened, the Lion was hit by two shells; by 4 p.m. the Tiger and Princess Royal had also been hit by several shells. The Lion received several more hits and at 4 p.m. the roof of one of her turrets was blown off. The German fire was extremely rapid and accurate, and, the range having decreased by 4 p.m. to 16,000 yards, was having great effect on the British ships. In order to confuse the German fire control the course was altered slightly to the southward at this time.
At 4.06 several projectiles of a salvo hit the Indefatigable at the outer edge of the upper deck in line with the after turret. A magazine exploded and the Indefatigable fell out of column, sinking by the stern. Another salvo hit her forward and she turned over and sank.
The British fire was also accurate and a number of hits were scored. It is believed, however, that no turret guns were placed out of action or appreciable damage caused.
At about 4.08 the British destroyer Landrail, which was on the port beam of the Lion, trying to gain her position-ahead, sighted the periscope of a submarine. The Nottingham, of the second light cruiser squadron, also sighted a periscope.
At about 3.48 the first and third light cruiser squadrons, having concentrated from their positions in the screen, took station astern of the fifth battle squadron.
At 4 p.m. Admiral Jellicoe directed the third battle cruiser squadron to reinforce Beatty. By this time the speed of the battle fleet had reached 20 knots.
IX. The Destroyer Action. Move 5. 4.08 to 4.30 p.m.
Position 5
The action between the battle cruisers continued at gradually increasing ranges. You will remember that at 4 p.m. the British battle cruisers had changed course slightly away from the enemy: the Germans must have also changed course away at this time. Admiral Jellicoe states that the range, which had been 16,000 yards at 4 p.m., had increased to 23,000 at 4.12. By his own sketch, however, it is only 18,000 yards and I assume this distance to be correct, especially as it agrees with the official report of Admiral Beatty. In order to close the enemy, Beatty changed course to 135° true.
At 4.08 the fifth battle squadron opened fire at a range of about 19,500 yards. Only two of the German battle cruisers were visible from, the vessels of this squadron, due partly to the decreasing visibility and to the smoke made by the battle cruiser fleet and other vessels ahead. The Germans also frequently laid smoke screens and zigzagged to disturb the British fire control. At about 4.12 torpedoes were seen passing through the line of the British battle cruisers; they were probably fired by the submarines sighted by the Landrail and Nottingham. One torpedo passed under the Princess Royal.
By this time a number of British destroyers had assembled ahead of the battle cruiser fleet and had been given general instructions by Admiral Beatty to attack when a favorable opportunity occurred. Therefore at 4.15 the following destroyers moved out to attack:
Thirteenth Flotilla:
Nestor, Commander the Honorable E. B. S. Bingham.
Nomad, Lieut. Commander Paul Whitfield.
Nicator, Lieutenant T. E. A. Mocatta.
Narborongh, Lieut. Commander Geoffrey Corlett.
Pelican, Lieut. Commander Kenneth A. Beattie.
Obdurate, Lieut. Commander Cecil H. H. Sams.
Petard, Lieut. Commander Evelyn C. O. Thompson
Nerissa, Lieut. Commander Montague C. B. Legge.
Tenth Flotilla:
Moorsom, Commander John C. Hodgson.
Morris, Lieut. Commander Edward S. Graham.
Ninth Flotilla:
Turbulent, Lieut. Commander Dudley Stuart.
Termagant, Lieut. Commander Cuthbert P. Blake.
At the same time that the British destroyers commenced their advance, Hipper, in an attempt to reduce the great superiority of the British since the fifth battle squadron had entered the fight, ordered his destroyers to attack. Accordingly, 15 destroyers accompanied by the light cruiser Regensburg advanced against the British battle cruisers. At 4.30 the opposing destroyers met between the lines and a desperate engagement at several hundred yards' range commenced.
Meanwhile, the change of course of the battle cruiser fleet to southeast had again decreased the range at which the battle cruiser action was being fought. By 4.18 the range was about 17,000 yards between the battle cruisers and about 19,000 yards between the German battle cruisers and the fifth battle squadron. The action now became very fierce and the fire of both British and German ships was extremely effective.
At 4.18 a fire was noticed on the Seyditz, the third ship in the German column.
At 4.23 the Barham, flagship of the fifth battle squadron, received her first hit.
At 4.26 a salvo hit the Queen Mary abreast of "O" turret; a magazine exploded and the ship was completely destroyed; a great amount of wreckage fell upon the decks of the Tiger, the next ship in formation. A few of the crew of the Queen Mary and of the Indefatigable were saved by the British destroyers. Admiral Jellicoe was not informed of the loss of either of these ships until the following morning.
X. The German Main Body Appears. Move 6. 4.30 to 4.45 p.m.
Position 6
At 4.30 a most desperate engagement was being fought between 12 British destroyers and 15 German destroyers and one light cruiser. The British destroyer Petard fired a torpedo at the leader of a group of three German destroyers, hitting and sinking her. Another German destroyer was sunk by gunfire. As the British battle cruisers were well in advance of the German battle cruisers, and as the destroyers on each side may be assumed to have been about the same distance ahead of their own battle cruisers, it will be seen that the British boats had a much better opportunity for making a successful torpedo attack than did the German boats. Therefore, as the British battle cruisers were too far ahead to allow an effective attack on them by the German destroyers, these boats had to be content to fire at the fifth battle squadron. This squadron turned away to avoid the attack, two torpedoes passing through the line without effect.
The German destroyers were forced to retreat before the advance of the British destroyers before their torpedo fire could have any effect other than to delay somewhat the advance of the fifth battle squadron. However, they had to a great extent broken up the attack of the British destroyers, which had been launched from a very favorable position.
Four British destroyers, Narborough, Pelican, Obdurate and Morris, had fallen so far to the rear that they were unable to fire any torpedoes.
Three destroyers, Nestor, Nomad and Nicator, were unable to attack from a favorable position on the bow and therefore pushed home an attack from on the beam of the battle cruisers, which turned away and covered the destroyers with a heavy fire from their secondary batteries. The Nomad was crippled by this fire before reaching torpedo range, left the column and lay dead in the water. Nicator and Nestor fired torpedoes at the battle cruisers at a range of 6000 yards. Nestor was then crippled by the fire of a light cruiser, probably the Regensburg, and remained dead in the water. Nicator rejoined her flotilla.
The Petard, Turbulent and Termagant also pushed home their attack and each fired a torpedo at the German battle cruisers at a range of 7000 yards.
The remaining two destroyers, Moorsom and Kerissa, were unable to fire any torpedoes at this time, but continued on to the southward.
During the destroyer attacks the engagement between the heavy ships had been continuing with great fierceness. The effectiveness of the fire, however, had been somewhat reduced by the decrease in the visibility, the smoke of the destroyers between the lines and the fact that the fifth battle squadron and the German battle cruisers had been compelled to maneuver to avoid torpedoes. The German battle cruisers had been forced to use their secondary batteries for a time against the British destroyers led by the Nestor and this must have interfered with the fire of their turret guns.
Of the five torpedoes fired by the British destroyers during this period three passed close to the Moltke and it is believed that one hit the Seyditz. as this ship, according to a German account published since the armistice, is said to have been hit "at the very beginning of the action." This ship was apparently very little damaged, due to the excellent protective arrangements of the (Germans, and continued in the formation throughout the action.
At 4.38 Commodore Goodenough, commanding the second light cruiser squadron, which was ahead of the battle cruiser fleet, reported that he had sighted the German battle fleet bearing south east (135°) true and steering to the northward at high speed.
Admiral Beatty recalled his destroyers. At 4.42 he himself sighted the enemy and turned his four remaining battle cruisers in succession through 180° to the right and proceeded to the northward "to lead them towards the battle fleet," which was then distant a little over 50 miles.
The second light cruiser squadron kept on to the southward to obtain information of the German battle fleet.
The fifth battle squadron and the German battle cruisers continued for the present in their courses and continued the action.
The accounts of the British destroyer attacks at this time vary greatly. I have accepted as correct Admiral Jellicoe's book, as this is the latest and therefore probably the most reliable authority. Other accounts have been used to supply additional details.
XL The German Battle Fleet Enters the Action. Move 7. 4.45 to 5 p.m.
Position 7
At about 4.45 the leading squadron of the German battle fleet opened a heavy fire on the second light cruiser squadron at the short range of 13,000 yards. Commodore Goodenough turned to the northward and continued sending his reports of the German forces to Beatty and Admiral Jellicoe. His escape without being hit by a single shell seems remarkable and seems to show that the gunnery of the German battleships was less accurate than that of their battle cruisers, a fact which will be demonstrated several times during the day.
At 4.52 Hipper turned his five battle cruisers in succession 180° to the left—away from the enemy—and steadied on a northerly course, continuing his action with the fifth battle squadron, which still kept on to the southward.
At 4.57, in accordance with instructions from Beatty, the fifth battle squadron turned in succession through 180° to the right and steadied on a northerly course. This squadron came under the fire of the leading ships of the battle fleet, but at such long range that probably no hits were scored.
The Norissa, which with the Moorsom had been unable to attack the German battle cruisers and had been proceeding to the southward, now moved toward the battle cruisers which were on a northerly course. Two torpedoes were fired at a range of about 7000 yards. Moorsom fired four torpedoes at the second and third ships in the German battle fleet at ranges of about 8500 yards. Nottingham of the second light cruiser squadron fired one torpedo at the extreme range of 16,500 yards.
The first and third light cruiser squadrons, and the Fearless with the destroyers of the first flotilla, which had just been concentrated, took position ahead of the battle cruiser fleet. The Champion with the destroyers of the 13th flotilla took station near the fifth battle squadron.
As soon as the German battle cruisers turned to the northward the second scouting group of light cruisers which had been following them to the southward also countermarched and took position ahead of Hipper. They were joined here by two additional scouting groups, probably the third and fourth, which had arrived with the German battle fleet. Several flotillas of destroyers accompanied the light cruisers, while the remaining flotillas proceeded with the battle fleet. Vice Admiral Scheer took command of all the German forces.
XII. The Run to the North. Move 8. 5 to 5.35 p. m.
Position 8
All the British and German forces continued to the northward. The first and third light cruiser squadrons and the destroyers of the first flotilla led the British formation. Then came the battle cruiser fleet of four ships which held the five German battle cruisers at a range of about 14,000 yards. Next came the fifth battle squadron ; the two leading ships, Barham and Valiant. assisted the battle cruiser fleet by engaging the German battle cruisers at the same range; the two rear ships, Warspite and Malaya, engaged the leading German battleships "as long as their guns would bear" at the very long range of 19,000 yards. The destroyers of the 13th flotilla accompanied the fifth battle squadron and the second light cruiser squadron brought up the rear of the line.
The German line was headed by three scouting groups of light cruisers and several flotillas of destroyers, all of which forces were sufficiently to the eastward to be out of range of the British ships. Well on the port quarter of the light cruisers were the German battle cruisers which engaged the British battle cruisers and the fifth battle squadron. The German battle fleet followed the battle cruisers at a considerable interval. The third battle squadron apparently made 23 knots for a time as the fifth battle squadron, which was making 25 knots, was able to draw away only very slowly. The leading battleships fired a few shots from time to time at the British battleships.
The visibility conditions became worse and favored the Germans. At 5.12 the German battle cruisers, although only distant 14,000 yards, were invisible to Beatty and the battle cruiser fleet ceased firing until about 5.40.
The ships at the head of the British line gradually altered course to the eastward, conforming to the reported position of the British battle fleet. The German ships also altered course to the eastward to prevent the enemy from gaining a favorable position on the bow.
At 5.10 the Lion fired two torpedoes at the German battle cruisers; at the same time the destroyer Moresby fired a torpedo from a position on the starboard bow of the Lion at the battle cruiser column at a range of about 7000 yards.
At about 5.15 the German battle fleet came up to the crippled destroyers Nestor and Nomad. Both were sunk, but only after they had fired all their torpedoes. It is pleasing to note that Commander E. B. S. Bingham of the Nestor was taken prisoner by the Germans and was awarded the Victoria Cross.
At 5 p. m. Admiral Hood with the third battle cruiser squadron and the accompanying light cruisers and destroyers were in the following formation:
Invincible (flag)
Inflexible.
Indomitable.
Destroyers Shark, Christopher. Ophelia and Acasta formed ahead in a submarine screen.
The light cruiser Canterbury five miles ahead.
The light cruiser Chester bearing 276° true, distant probably about five miles.
All these forces were on course 184° true making 25 knots.
At 5.30 gunfire was heard to the southwest and the Chester headed in that direction to investigate.
At 5 p. m. the battle fleet was in position Latitude 57° 24' N., Longitude 5° 12' E. The course was 132° true and the speed 20. The scouting line of the first and second cruiser squadrons was about 16 miles in advance of the battle fleet, steering the same course and making the same speed. They were spaced at intervals of six miles on the line.
XIIL The British Main Body Comes on the Scene. Move 9. 5.35 to 5.55 p.m.
Position 9
The British forces under the command of Admiral Beatty continued to the northward, gradually changing course to the eastward so that at 5.55 the course was about 45° true. The range from the British battle cruisers to the German battle cruisers was about 14,000 yards. At 5.40 Beatty reopened fire; this was very effective between 5.42 and 5.52, the Lion firing 15 salvos. The fifth battle squadron fired at the same range at the German battle cruisers, being by this time well out of range of the German battle fleet.
The German forces conformed to the movements of the enemy in turning to the eastward, so that at 5.55 the battle cruisers were probably steering about 45° true. The German light cruiser groups were well in advance and beyond supporting distance of their battle cruisers. They were accompanied by several flotillas of destroyers.
At 5.36 the Chester, attached to the third battle squadron, sighted a three-stacked German light cruiser on her starboard bow, accompanied by one or two destroyers. The Chester changed course to west to close, but observing a destroyer in a favorable position for attacking her with torpedoes, headed north to avoid the attack, bringing the enemy cruiser abaft the port beam. The two light cruisers opened fire on each other at a range of 6000 yards. Soon two or' three additional light cruisers were sighted by the Chester astern of the first; these vessels did not open fire immediately.
The fourth salvo of the German light cruiser hit the Chester, putting one gun out of commission and wounding many of the crews of two other guns. The Chester now altered course to the northeast to receive assistance from the British battle cruisers. As she changed course the remaining enemy vessels opened fire, inflicting serious injuries and killing or wounding a total of 81 men.
At 5.40 gunfire was seen by the third battle cruiser squadron. Admiral Hood changed course to starboard and headed to the northwest, bringing the enemy light cruisers on his port bow. At 5.55 he was steering about 325° true and opening fire on the light cruisers at a range of about 11,000 yards. The four destroyers in company with him were standing in to make a torpedo attack, led by the Shark, Commander Loftus Jones.
At 5.40 firing was heard ahead by the first and second cruiser squadrons. Soon afterward ships were seen emerging from the mist. Rear Admiral Keath ordered the second cruiser squadron to concentrate on the Minotaur. He then made the signal to engage the vessels sighted, but very fortunately they were made out to be the third battle cruiser squadron before fire was opened.
At 5.47 the Defense, flagship of Sir Robert Arbuthnot, with the Warrior in column astern of her, sighted four German light cruisers bearing 177 true. These light cruisers evidently formed the third of the scouting groups, two of them being engaged with the third battle cruiser squadron at this time. The Defense changed course 34° to port and each ship tired three salvos at a German light cruiser. The shells fell short and the Defense then headed directly for the German ships, the Warrior following.
The battle fleet continued on its course of 132° true at the speed of 20 knots. A little after 5.40 a report was received from the Black Prince, the westernmost ship in the scouting line, that battle cruisers were in sight, bearing 166° true, distant five miles. At 5.45 the Comus of the fourth light cruiser squadron, which was spread three miles ahead of the battle fleet, reported that heavy gunfire could be seen bearing 166° and 188°. At 5.50 Sir Robert Arbuthnot reported ships bearing 188° true and heading 31° true. At 5.55 Admiral Jellicoe made a signal to Sir Cecil Burney, who led in the Marlborough the starboard wing division, asking what he could see.
XIV. Engagements Between the Light Forces. Move 10. 5.55 TO 6.10 p.m. Position 10
At 5.56 Beatty sighted the leading battleships of the battle fleet (Marlborough) bearing 346° true, distant five miles. In order to take up a position to the eastward of the battle fleet, he immediately changed course to 76° true and proceeded at utmost speed. This decreased the range of the German battle cruisers to about 12,000 yards. The action between the opposing battle cruisers seems to have been very light at this time. The fifth battle squadron continued after the battle cruiser fleet and were fairly heavily engaged with the German battle cruisers.
When the third battle cruiser squadron opened fire at 5.55 on the German light cruisers which had been pursuing the Chester, they fired torpedoes and quickly turned away. At 6.10 nine torpedoes were seen approaching; the Invincible and Indomitable turned to starboard, while the Inflexible turned to port to avoid the torpedoes. Three of them narrowly missed the Indomitable, one passed under the Invincible and two others passed very close.
Shortly after Hood had opened fire on the first group of German light cruisers another group of four vessels came out of the mist. The four destroyers, led by Commander Loftus Jones in the Shark, advanced with the greatest gallantry to attack them. The light cruisers opened an accurate fire which damaged the Shark and Acasta. The Shark, in turn, torpedoed a light cruiser, which was probably the Rostock. The British destroyers then turned back, but three more ships came out of the mist and further damaged the Shark, which lay helpless and surrounded by enemy light cruisers and destroyers. After having been hit repeatedly by shells, two torpedoes, fired by a German destroyer, hit her and she sank with colors flying. Only six men of her heroic crew were saved. Commander Loftus Jones was killed, being awarded the Victoria Cross.
At 5.55 Sir Robert Arbuthnot was heading with the Defense and Warrior directly at the German light cruiser group, which he had sighted at the head of the German line. At 6.01 he changed course a little to the right so as to bring the German vessels on the port bow. At 6.05 the Defense and Warrior opened fire and with their second salvos badly crippled the German light cruiser Wiesbaden, which hauled out of the line and lay dead in the water. The German light cruisers replied, but the range was too great for their fire to be effective. They withdrew to the southward, leaving behind the crippled Wiesbaden.
At 6 p.m. the British battle fleet was in Latitude 57° 11' N., Longitude 5° 39' E. The formation was still line of divisions, the course 132° true and the speed 20. The fourth light cruiser squadron and the submarine screen of the 4th, nth and 12th flotillas were still in position ahead.
At about 6.01 a signal was received from Sir Cecil Burney stating that at 5.56 strange vessels were in sight bearing 144° true and steering east.
At 6.02 a signal was made to the battle fleet to change course to 166° true, division leaders changing simultaneously and the other vessels in succession after them. Speed was reduced to 18 knots to allow all vessels to get into position.
At 6.02 strange vessels were sighted by the Iron Duke bearing 121° true and distant about five miles. By about 6.04 these vessels were recognized as belonging to the battle cruiser fleet. This was confirmed by a signal from Sir Cecil Burney at 6.05 stating that at 6 p.m. the battle cruiser fleet had been made out distant about three or four miles. At 6.05 the following signal was received from Sir Cecil Burney in response to Admiral Jellicoe's inquiry of 5.55: "Gun flashes and heavy gunfire on the starboard bow."
At 6.06 Admiral Beatty reported to Jellicoe that the German battle cruisers bore 121° true. Jellicoe immediately changed course to 121° true.
At 6.08 the destroyer flotillas were ordered to take "Destroyer position No. 1." This was as follows:
11th flotilla. Three miles broad on the port bow of King George V, the leader of the left wing column.
4th flotilla. Two miles on the port beam of the second ship of the left wing column.
12th flotilla. Three miles broad on the starboard bow of the Marlborough, the leader of the right wing column.
The destroyers were unable to gain their positions before the deployment of the battle fleet. The disposition of two flotillas on the left and one on the right of the battle fleet indicates that Jellicoe
considered that a deployment to the left was most probable.
At 6.05 the destroyer Onslow, sighting a German light cruiser, probably the Wiesbaden, in a position favorable for a torpedo fire at the battle cruiser fleet, stood in from a position on the engaged bow of the Lion and engaged her with gunfire at a range of 3000 yards; the Onslow, sighting a German battle cruiser, closed in to attack her with torpedoes.
The British forces had effected a very heavy concentration against the head of the German line. The German battle fleet was not engaged and the five German battle cruisers and about 15 German light cruisers which led the formation were attacked simultaneously by the following overwhelming forces of the Grand Fleet:
Fifth battle squadron, Four battleships.
Battle cruiser fleet, Four battle
Third battle cruiser squadron, Three battle
Defense and Warrior, Two armored cruisers.
Chester, Canterbury, 3d It. cr. Sqd, Six light cruisers.
Shark and accompanying boats, Four destroyers.
Onslow, One destroyer.
In the engagements between these forces which were taking place at the head of the line, all the advantages had rested with the British. They had torpedoed the Rostock and crippled the Wiesbaden by gunfire, and on their side had suffered no losses other than the sinking of the Shark and the heavy casualties on the Chester. The German light cruisers and destroyers had retired. Hipper felt compelled to do likewise. The German official report says: "British light cruisers and destroyers launched an attack against our battle cruisers, which avoided the attack by maneuvering." Hipper's maneuver, according to the sketches of Captain Schreibe, a German authority, was a countermarch to the right through 180°, bringing him on a southwesterly course and allowing him to close up the wide gap which had existed during the entire run to the northward between the German battle cruisers and their battle fleet.
XV. The Deployment of the Battle Fleet. Move 11A. 6.10 to 6.30 p.m. Position 11A
The battle cruiser fleet continued on at utmost speed, steering easterly courses so as to gain a position which would place it at the head of the battle fleet after it had deployed. Until 6.15 the course was 105° true: then it was changed to 56° true.
At 6.10 the three ships of the third battle cruiser squadron were maneuvering to avoid torpedoes fired at them by the German light cruisers. At 6.11 the Invincible changed course to 265° true after sighting the Lion in that direction. At 6.16 the Inflexible and Indomitable regained their positions astern of her. At 6.20 the German battle cruisers were sighted at a range of S600 yards.
At 6.20 Beatty sighted the third battle cruiser squadron ahead and ordered Hood to take position ahead of him. At 6.22 Hood countermarched to the left and steadied on course 98° true, opening fire at the German battle cruisers at the short range of 8000 yards. At 6.25 Beatty altered course to 98° true and fell into column astern of Hood. The German battle cruisers were now concentrating a heavy fire on the Invincible, making numerous hits, none of which, however, caused serious damage.
At 6.10 Sir Robert Arbuthnot had been standing in toward the crippled Wiesbaden with the intention of completing her destruction. He came under the fire of the German battle cruisers, but gallantly continued on his course, passing at 6.15 ahead of the Lion. At 6.16 the Defense was hit by two salvos from the German battle cruisers and blew up. The Warrior was very badly damaged and passed out of the action to the westward, running astern of the fifth battle squadron. The Duke of Edinburgh was concentrating on the Defense when the battle cruiser fleet appeared ahead. She was therefore compelled to turn to port and head to the northeast. .She later joined the second cruiser squadron. The Black Prince was seen to turn to the left at the same time the Duke of Edinburgh turned. It is believed that she passed to the rear of the battle fleet and in attempting to rejoin the British forces during the night was sunk by German battleships.
Rear Admiral Evan-Thomas, commanding the fifth battle squadron, had sighted the Marlborough at 6.06. Not seeing the other divisions, he believed that the Marlborough was leading the entire battle fleet and decided to take station ahead of her. At 6.19 he sighted the rest of the battle fleet and saw that it would be necessary for him to take station to the westward of it. He therefore went ships left about 90°, and then ships right 90° taking station in rear of the sixth division of the battle fleet. During these turns Evan-Thomas came under the fire of the German fleet. This fire was generally ineffective, hut one shell unfortunately struck the steering-gear of the Warspite and jammed it so that she turned directly toward the Germans: running directly in front of the Warrior, she shielded that vessel from German fire. Although hit about 30 times by heavy shells the Warspite was brought out of action and succeeded in gaining a British base without difficulty.
At about 6.30 the third light cruiser squadron from its position on the engaged bow of the Lion launched a torpedo attack on the German battle cruisers. The Falmouth and Yarmouth fired torpedoes at a range of 7000 yards and then gallantly opened fire with their guns on the German battleships. One torpedo probably hit the Lutzow.
At 6.10 the Onslow, Lieutenant Commander J. C. Tovey, was standing in to attack the German battle cruisers. After a favorable position was reached the order was given to fire all four torpedoes. After only one torpedo had been fired the Onslow was hit by a heavy shell. The captain, thinking that all torpedoes had been fired, headed away. Soon he discovered that he had three torpedoes left; he closed the Wiesbaden and torpedoed her; then he again headed toward the German battle cruisers and fired the remaining two torpedoes. Another hit then totally disabled the Onslow. The destroyer Defender, on the outboard side of the battle cruiser fleet was hit at about this time by a 12-inch shell and her speed was reduced to 10 knots. At 7.15 the Defender took the Onslow in tow under a heavy fire and succeeded in towing her to a British base.
Let us now consider the movements of the battle fleet. At 6.14 Beatty signaled to the Iron Duke: "Have sighted the enemy's battle fleet bearing south-southwest (188° true)." At 6.15 Evan-Thomas signaled that the battle fleet bore south-southeast (144° true). Sir Cecil Burney reported that at 6.07 the fifth battle squadron bore southwest (211° true). You will note that the British reported magnetic bearings. I have placed the true bearings after them in accordance with my normal procedure in this paper.
Admiral Jellicoe was therefore able to plot the position of the German battle fleet at 6.15 as 30° forward of the starboard beam of the Iron Duke. At the same time it was 60° forward of the starboard beam of the Marlborough. At 6.16 Admiral Jellicoe made signal "to form line of battle on the port wing column on a course southeast by east (110° true)." In accordance with this signal the first division changed course 11° to the east, from 121° true to 110° true. The leaders of the other five divisions changed course simultaneously from 121° true to 43° true, the other vessels following their division leaders in succession. These five divisions changed course to 110° true when they arrived in position astern of the first division. At 6.16 speed was reduced to 14 knots to enable the battle cruiser fleet to take position ahead of the first division.
At 6.14 shells commenced to fall near the ships of the sixth division. At 6.17 the Marlborough, having reached her course of 43° true, opened fire on the second division of the German battle fleet at a range of 13,000 yards on a bearing 20° abaft the starboard beam, 159° true. Twelve German battleships were in sight. As the other ships of the sixth division turned in succession on 43° true they also opened fire.
At 6.18 salvos commenced to straddle the fifth division, but no hits were made.
At about 6.20 a number of ships of the second and fourth battle squadrons fired salvos at the crippled Wiesbaden. This ship remained afloat until the next morning; only one survivor was rescued.
Now let us examine the movements of the German forces. Hipper, continued his turn through 360° and after steering about northeast (true) for a time gradually turned to east (true), which course he was steering at 6.30. The German battle cruisers engaged in a fierce engagement with the third battle squadron, in which many hits were made, particularly on the two leaders, Invincible and Lutzow. At 6.10 the German light cruisers took the lead again, but by 6.30 had probably turned to the southward along the track later taken by the battle cruisers and battleships. At 6.30 German destroyers, according to the reports of Collingwood and Neptune, were visible. This was probably the third flotilla, which Captain Schreibe mentions as having made an attack about this time. The destroyers did not venture far inside the line of their battle cruisers, but fired torpedoes at long range at the battle cruiser fleet.
The German battle fleet opened fire on the sixth division about 6.14 and on the fifth division about 6.18. At about 6.20 a very heavy fire was concentrated on the Warspite at a range of about 8000 yards. Many hits were made on the Warspite, but the shooting at the British battle fleet seems poor. By 6.30 all the 16 battleships of the German battle fleet were firing. The six pre-dreadnoughts were probably a considerable distance in the rear and apparently did not take any part in the action.
While the visibility at this time had decreased it decidedly favored the British, according to the evidence of both Beatty and Jellicoe. This is probably responsible for the failure of the German battle fleet to fire with more effect on the British first battle squadron.
By 6.30 the first three divisions of the British battle fleet were on course 110° true, the three following divisions and the fifth battle squadron were still on course 43° true, a course which increased their range to the German battle fleet.
At 6.10 the British had had a great superiority in the number of ships engaged, and the results obtained were in their favor. In the next 20 minutes, however, only four additional British battleships had entered the action, while 16 German battleships had become engaged. At 6.30, therefore, the superiority lay with the Germans and the results were highly favorable to them.