Battle of Jutland WW1 | Illustrated London News
from the archives of The Illustrated London News
Main menu
Home
Newspapers
The Illustrated War News
The Illustrated London News
The Sphere
The Tatler
The Bystander
The Sketch
The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News
The Graphic
Buy the Magazine
Explore
Highlights
Map
Topics
War Artists
Learning
Timeline
Timeline
1914
Franz Ferdinand assassinated
Europe declares war
Recruitment begins
Battle of Mons
Battle of the Marne
Battle of the Aisne
East Coast bombed
1915
Edith Cavell executed
Poison gas introduced
Gallipoli Campaign begins
RMS Lusitania sunk
Munitions Ministry created
1916
Verdun Offensive begins
Battle of Jutland
Somme Offensive begins
1917
USA enters the war
W.A.A.C. established
The Battle of Passchendaele
1918
Rationing introduced
Russian Armistice signed
Operation Michael begins
Hundred Days Offensive
Spanish Flu peaks
Armistice signed
1919
Peace Treaty signed at Versailles
Cenotaph unveiled
About
The ILN at War
Highlights
map
Search
advanced search
Publication
The Illustrated War News
The Illustrated London News
The Sphere
The Tatler
The Bystander
The Sketch
Sporting & Dramatic News
Date
Home
Battle of Jutland
Battle of Jutland
John Cornwell, a 16-year-old on HMS Chester, who was posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross for his gallantry during the Battle of Jutland in 1916
Jutland was the greatest naval battle of the First World War, yet its result was ultimately inconclusive with both sides claiming victory. In May 1916, British Admiral John Jellicoe was intent on trapping the German “High Seas Fleet”, while its Commander, Reinhard Scheer, was trying to force a tactical mistake from the British “Grand Fleet”.
At the end of May, Scheer attempted to provoke the Royal Navy by launching a naval sweep into the Skagerrak, south-east of Norway, to destroy any small British forces that might be there. Scheer’s hope was that he could draw out the battle-cruiser squadron commanded by British Admiral David Beatty, and destroy it before Jellicoe could arrive with his Grand Fleet. However, Scheer was unaware that British intelligence specialists had succeeded in deciphering German wireless codes, and Jellicoe was forewarned of the attack. As such, both fleets were put to sea early.
On 31 May 1916 at 2:28pm, Beatty’s squadron came across German battle-cruisers commanded by Admiral Franz Hipper. The HMS Indefatigable and HMS Queen Mary were sunk and Beatty’s flagship, HMS Lion, was badly damaged. When Beatty saw the rest of the German High Seas Fleet approaching, he ordered a retreat, and was pursued by Scheer until the Grand Fleet arrived. The Illustrated London News published Admiral Beatty’s account of the battle:
“At 3.48pm the action commenced at a range of 18,500 yards, both forces opening fire practically simultaneously… At 4.08pm the fifth Battle Squadron came into action and opened fire at a range of 20,000 yards. The enemy’s fire now seemed to slacken… our fire began to tell, the accuracy and rapidity of that of the enemy depreciating considerably. At 4.18pm the third enemy ship was seen to be on fire.”
Though the High Seas Fleet managed to sink another British battle-cruiser, HMS Invincible, the Germans were now very much outgunned by the Grand Fleet. Scheer was forced to turn home. During the withdrawal the German battle-cruiser Lutzow was sunk, but the majority of the High Seas Fleet escaped undamaged.
Victory was claimed by both sides, but The Illustrated London News stated that Jutland had been Britain’s victory and that “the Admiralty entertain no doubt that the German losses are heavier than the British”. In reality, the British lost 14 ships and 6,094 men whereas the Germans lost 11 ships and 2,551 men. Though the Royal Navy had suffered greater losses, it could afford to, unlike Germany.
Jutland had effectively ended any threat that the High Seas Fleet posed to the Royal Navy in the North Sea, and proved that Germany could not challenge Britain’s naval supremacy in this war.
Click here to access the archives for more articles related to the Battle of Jutland
Browse the Timeline
Current event31/05/1916
Most popular
The Orange and Green: Irish-Canadian Rangers in … 18 views
Oases in Western Egypt from Which British … 16 views
War Prizes: Ships Taken from Germany by … 15 views
The Dead Irish Leader: At the Funeral … 14 views
“The Old Business of Trench-Warfare Has Been … 14 views
A Leader in the Great Crisis in … 14 views
The Greatest of Modern Battlefields: Achi Baba … 14 views
Visited by the Prince of Wales: The … 13 views
Dead on the Field of Honour: Officers … 12 views
Another Monarch in Exile: Ex-King Ludwig of … 12 views
Related articlesThe Victory of Jutland Bank: British Battle-Cruisers Photographed in ActionSHOWING WHAT THE GREAT NAVAL BATTLE LOOKED LIKE. AND THE ENORMOUS HEIGHT OF THE SHELL-SPLASHES: PART OF THE BRITISH FLEET ENGAGING THE GERMAN HIGH SEAS FLEET ON MAY 31. This…Photographs of the Greatest Sea-Fight in History: British Battle-Cruisers in the Battle of Jutland BankSIR JOHN JELLICOE says in his despatch “The conduct of officers and men throughout the day and night actions was entirely beyond praise. No words of mine could do them…”The German Losses Are Heavier Than the British”: Enemy Ships of the Types Sunk by the Grand FleetTHE “Kaiser” class of super-dreadnought battle-ships are of 24 tons ; of 236 knots speed; mount ten inch and fourteen inch guns ; and are armoured with 22-inch steel. Their…
Find us onTwitter
History Pin
DiscoverTimeline
The ILN at War
War Artists
The Newspapers
Topics
HelpHow to Use This Site
Terms and Conditions
Privacy
CompanyAbout Us
Contact Us
Copyright and Credits
© 2016 Copyright ILN LIMITED. All rights reserved.