The Battle of Jutland

The Admirals

Photograph of Admiral Sir David Beatty and his flagship, the battlecruiser HMS Lion.
Admiral Sir David Beatty and his flagship, the battlecruiser HMS Lion.

Admiral Sir David Beatty (1871-1936)
Beatty's impetuosity in attacking the German High Seas Fleet at Jutland inflicted damage to the Germans but also caused major losses to the British battlecruisers until the arrival of the British Grand Fleet battleships.

The encounter of the British and German Fleets resulted in a German tactical victory, although strategically the British succeeded in discouraging further German offensive fleet actions for the remainder of the war.

With Admiral Sir John Jellicoe in overall command of the action at Jutland and blamed for the lack of a clear British success, the dashing Beatty was seen by some as his natural successor.

He was accordingly appointed Commander of the British Grand Fleet in November 1916 following the movement of Admiral Jellicoe to First Sea Lord, although Beatty's rapid promotion caused controversy within the Royal Navy.

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