The Smoke Screen of Jutland

Considering the Battle of Jutland (31 May 1916) to be a precursor to the ultimate victory of 1918, Commander John Irving gives a detailed account of the highs and lows of this extraordinary naval battle that involved more than 200 vessels in close engagement. After analysing all the records of the Battle of Jutland, including key unpublished evidence, he puts together a strong defence of Royal Navy Grand Fleet’s admiral, Sr. John Jellico. With academic rigour and clear vision, John Irving takes the reader through the facts: German guns claimed three times as many hits on British ships as the British claimed on the Germans. He then outlines the multiple errors on the day which led to Sr. John Jellicoe being underinformed. Yet despite these failures, it can be argued that the Battle of Jutland confirmed British naval dominance. The German battlecruisers retreated during the night in order to escape defeat. Sir John Jellico had secured Britain’s safety; the prestigious Royal Navy Grand Fleet suffered losses, but delivered victory.