Neutral forces

  • N.J. Fjord
    Notes: A small Danish tramp steamer.
  • "[A] silent ship with a pyramid of white canvas, serene, peaceful and quiet, ... a large barque lying almost becalmed, but moving gently through the water, rippling with the light breeze, her canvas only half filled"
    Notes: Probably the Norwegian barque Candace

British Forces

Battle Cruiser Force

Rosyth

1BCS

Rosyth
  • Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty
  • Rear Admiral O. de Brock
  • HMS Lion (flagship)(flagship) (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain A.E.M. Chatfield
    Crew: Gunnery Officer Commander G.F. Longhurst, Chief Gunner Mr. (later Captain) A. Grant
    Notes: Repairs at Rosyth and Tyneside, rejoined the fleet on 19th July without Q turret, which was replaced 6th - 23rd September. See also 1.
  • HMS Princess Royal (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship) (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain W.H. Cowan
    Crew: Gunnery Officer Commander C.B. Prickett
    Notes: Refit & repair at Portsmouth, rejoined the fleet on 15th July. See also 1.
  • HMS Queen Mary (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Captain C.I. Prowse
    Crew: Gunnery Officer Commander R.H. Llewellyn
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Tiger (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain H.B. Pelly
    Notes: Under repair at Rosyth, rejoined the fleet on 2nd July. See also 1.

2BCS

Rosyth
  • Rear Admiral W.C. Packenham
  • HMS New Zealand (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Captain JFE. Green
  • HMS Indefatigable (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Captain C.A. Selby †(killed)

1LCS

Rosyth
  • Commodore E.S. Alexander-Sinclair
  • HMS Galatea (flagship)(flagship)
  • HMS Phaeton
    Commanding officer: Commander JE Cameron
  • HMS Inconstant
    Commanding officer: Capt. BS Thesiger
  • HMS Cordelia
    Commanding officer: Capt. TPH Beamish

2LCS

Rosyth
  • Commodore W.E. Goodenough
  • HMS Southampton (flagship)(flagship) (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
  • HMS Birmingham
    Commanding officer: Captain A.A.M. Duff
  • HMS Nottingham
    Commanding officer: Captain C.B. Miller
  • HMS Dublin (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain A.C. Scott

3LCS

Rosyth
  • Rear Admiral TDW. Napier
  • HMS Falmouth (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Captain J.D. Edwards
  • HMS Yarmouth
    Commanding officer: Captain T.D. Pratt
    Notes: Linking ship between light cruiser screen and VABCF.
  • HMS Birkenhead
    Commanding officer: Capt. E Reeves
  • HMS Gloucester
    Commanding officer: Capt. WF Blunt
Seaplane carrier
Rosyth
  • HMS Engadine
    Commanding officer: Lt.Commander C.G. Robinson
    • 4 Short Type 184 seaplanes

    Planned to be ready to attack Zeppelins off the Horns Reef on 1st June 1916, where the ships would be escorted by light cruisers and destroyers.

    HMS Onslow and HMS Moresby detached from 1DF to escort HMS Engadine while sending up floatplanes at 1447, 31st May.

    Launched 1 a/c at 1508, Ft.Lt. F.J. Rutland and Assistant Paymaster G.S.Trewin, observer; forced to fly very low because of low clouds, fired at by SMS Frankfurt, Pillau and Elbing , and reported light cruisers' change of course to VABCS. Burst a petrol pipe at 1547, and recovered at 1600.

    Cloud base at 1000' to 1200', patches below 900'.

    The sea became too rough to launch other a/c after 1530.

Destroyer screen for 1BCS

13DF
  • HMS Champion
    Commanding officer: Captain J.U. Farie (D.13)
    Notes: C class cruiser
  • HMS Nestor (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Commander the Hon. E.B.S. Bingham
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Nomad (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander P.Whitfield
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Narborough
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander G. Corlett
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Obdurate
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander C.H.H. Sams
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Petard
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander E.C.O. Thompson
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Pelican
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander K.L. Beattie
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Onslow (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander J.C. Tovey
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Moresby
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander R.V. Allison
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Nicator
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander J.E.A. Mocatta
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Nerissa
    Commanding officer: Lt. commander M.C.B. Legge
    Notes: Yarrow M class destroyer
10DF
Part (detached from Harwich Force.)
  • HMS Turbulent (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander D. Stuart
    Notes: Talisman class destroyer
  • HMS Termagant
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander C.P. Blake
    Notes: Talisman class destroyer

Destroyer screen for 2BCS

9DF
Part (detached from Harwich Force.)
  • HMS Lydiard
    Commanding officer: Commander M.L. Goldsmith
    Notes: L class destroyer
  • HMS Liberty
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. PWS King
    Notes: L class destroyer
  • HMS Landrail
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander F.E.G.H Hobart
    Notes: L class destroyer
  • HMS Laurel
    Commanding officer: Lt. HDC Stanistreet
    Notes: L class destroyer
10DF
Part (detached from Harwich Force.)
  • HMS Moorsom
    Commanding officer: Commander J.C. Hodgson
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Morris
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander E.S. Grantham
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer

Temporarily attached

5BS
Rosyth, from Scapa Flow
  • Rear Admiral Hugh Evans-Thomas
13th Subdivision
  • HMS Barham (flagship)(flagship) (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain A.W.C. Waller
    Notes: Repairs completed at Devonport, 4th July. See also 1.
  • HMS Valiant
    Commanding officer: Captain M. Woollcombe
    Notes: 1
14th Subdivision
  • HMS Warspite (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain E. Phillpotts
    Notes: Repairs completed at Rosyth, 20th July. See also 1.
  • HMS Malaya (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain the Hon. A.D.E.H. Boyle
    Notes: Repairs completed at Invergordon, 10th July. See also 1.
1DF
Rosyth. Part. Screening 5BS.
  • HMS Fearless
    Commanding officer: Captain C.D. Roper (D.1)
    Notes: Active class cruiser
  • HMS Acheron
    Commanding officer: Cdr. CG Ramsey
    Notes: I class destroyer
  • HMS Ariel
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. Tippet
    Notes: I class destroyer
  • HMS Attack
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. CHN James
    Notes: I class destroyer
  • HMS Hydra
    Commanding officer: Lt. FG Glossop
    Notes: I class destroyer
  • HMS Badger
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander C.A. Fremantle
    Notes: I class destroyer
  • HMS Goshawk
    Commanding officer: Cdr. DF Moir
    Notes: I class destroyer
  • HMS Defender (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander LR. Palmer
    Notes: I class destroyer
  • HMS Lizard
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. E Brooke
    Notes: I class destroyer
  • HMS Lapwing
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. AH Gye
    Notes: I class destroyer

Grand Fleet

Scapa Flow
  • Admiral Sir John Jellicoe

2BS

Cromarty
  • Vice Admiral Sir Martyn Jerram
  • Rear Admiral Arthur Leveson
1st Division
  • HMS King George V (flagship)(flagship)
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Ajax
    Commanding officer: Capt. GH Baird
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Centurion
    Commanding officer: Capt. M Culme-Seymour
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Erin
    Commanding officer: Capt. VA Stanley
    Notes: 2
2nd Division
  • HMS Monarch (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Conqueror
    Commanding officer: Capt. HHD Tothill
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Orion
    Commanding officer: Capt. O Backhouse
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Thunderer
    Commanding officer: Captain J.A. Ferguson
    Notes: 1
Attached
  • HMS Boadicea
    Commanding officer: Captain L.C.S. Woollcombe

4BS

Scapa Flow
  • Vice Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee
  • Rear Admiral Duff
3rd Division
  • HMS Iron Duke (force flagship)(force flagship)
    Commanding officer: Captain F.W. Dreyer
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Royal Oak
    Commanding officer: Capt. C. MacLachlan
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Suberb (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Commanding officer: Capt. E Hyde-Parker
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Canada
    Commanding officer: Capt. WCM Nicholson
    Notes: 1
Other
  • HMS Active
    Commanding officer: Captain P.Withers
    Notes: Attached to fleet flagship, HMS Iron Duke.
  • HMS Oak
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. D Faviell
    Notes: Destroyer tender to fleet flagship, HMS Iron Duke.
  • HMS Abdiel
    Commanding officer: Commander Curtis
    Notes:

    Marksman class destroyer-minelayer.

    Planned to lay a minefield to the SW of the Vyl lightship on the night of 31st May / 1st June.

    Detached at 2315, 31st May to lay 30 mines 15 miles SW by W of the Vyl lightship, to the west of a similar line laid on 4th May. Mines laid 0224-0300.

    SMS Ostfriesland struck a mine in the 4th May line at 0620, 1st June.

4th Division
  • HMS Benbow (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Capt. HW Parker
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Bellerophon
    Commanding officer: Capt. EF Bruen
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Temeraire
    Commanding officer: Capt. EV Underhill
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Vanguard
    Commanding officer: Capt. JD Dick
    Notes: 1
Attached
  • HMS Blanche
    Commanding officer: Captain J.M. Casement

1BS

  • Vice Admiral Sir Cecil Burney
  • Rear Admiral E.F.A. Gaunt
5th Division
Scapa Flow
  • HMS Colossus (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Commanding officer: Captain A.D.P.R. Pound
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Collingwood
    Commanding officer: Capt. JC Ley
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Neptune
    Commanding officer: Capt. VHG Bernard
    Notes: 1
  • HMS St. Vincent
    Commanding officer: Captain W.W. Fisher
    Notes: 1
6th Division
  • HMS Marlborough (flagship)(flagship) (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain G.P. Ross
    Notes: Repairs completed 2nd August. See also 1.
  • HMS Revenge
    Commanding officer: Capt. ES Kiddle
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Hercules
    Commanding officer: Captain Clinton-Baker
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Agincourt
    Commanding officer: Capt. HM Doughty
    Notes: 2
Attached
  • HMS Bellona
    Commanding officer: Captain A.B.S. Dutton

1CS

Cromarty
  • Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, Bt. †(killed)
  • HMS Defence (flagship)(flagship) (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Captain S.V. Ellis †(killed)
  • HMS Warrior (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Captain V.B. Molteno
  • HMS Duke of Edinburg
    Commanding officer: Captain H. Blackett
  • HMS Black Prince (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Captain T.P. Bonham †(killed)

2CS

Scapa Flow
  • Rear Admiral H.L. Heath
  • HMS Minotaur (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Captain C.S.H. D'Aeth
  • HMS Hampshire
    Commanding officer: Capt. HJ Savill
  • HMS Cochrane
    Commanding officer: Capt. E la T Leatham
  • HMS Shannon
    Commanding officer: Capt. JS Dumaresq

4LCS

Scapa Flow
  • HMS Calliope (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Commodore C.E. le Mesurier
  • HMS Constance
    Commanding officer: Capt. CS Townsend
  • HMS Comus
    Commanding officer: Capt. AG Hotham
  • HMS Caroline, Captain HR Crooke
  • HMS Royalist
    Commanding officer: Capt. H Meade

4DF

Scapa Flow
  • HMS Tipperary (flagship)(flagship) (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Captain C.J. Wintour (D.4) †(killed)
    Notes: Destroyer leader
  • HMS Broke (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Commander AL Wilson
    Notes: Destroyer leader
  • HMS Ophelia
    Commanding officer: Commander LGE Crabbe
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer. Escorting 3BCS.
  • HMS Achates
    Commanding officer: Commander Hutchinson
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Porpoise
    Commanding officer: Cdr. HD Colville
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Spitfire (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander C.W.E. Trelawny
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Unity
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander AM Lecky
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Garland
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander R.S. Goff
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Ambuscade
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander G.A. Coles
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Ardent (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander A. Marsden †(killed)
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Fortune (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander F.G,. Terry †(killed)
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Sparrowhawk (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander S. Hopkins
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Contest
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander EGH Master
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Shark (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander L.W. Jones †(killed)
    Notes: K class destroyer. Escorting 3BCS.
  • HMS Acasta (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander J.O. Barron
    Notes: K class destroyer. Escorting 3BCS.
  • HMS Christopher
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander F.M. Kerr
    Notes: K class destroyer. Escorting 3BCS.
  • HMS Owl
    Commanding officer: Cdr. RG Hamond
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Hardy
    Commanding officer: Cdr. RAA Plowden
    Notes: K class destroyer.
  • HMS Midge
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. JRC Cavendish
    Notes: K class destroyer.

11DF

Scapa Flow
  • HMS Castor (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Commodore J.R.P. Hawksley, Commodore (F)
  • HMS Kempenfelt
    Commanding officer: Commander HE Sullivan
    Notes: Destroyer leader
  • HMS Ossory
    Commanding officer: Cdr. HV Dundas
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Mystic
    Commanding officer: Cdr. CF Allsup
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Magic
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. GC Wynter
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Mandate
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. E McCW Lawrie
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Minion
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. HC Rawlings
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Martial
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. J Harrison
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Milbrook
    Commanding officer: Lt. CG Naylor
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Marne
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. GB Hartford
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Manners
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. GC Harrison
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Michael
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. CL Bate
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Mons
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. R Makin
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS 3 Yarrow M class destroyers
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Morning Star
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. HU Fletcher
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Mounsey
    Commanding officer: LtCdr RV Eyre
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Moon
    Commanding officer: Cdr. WD Irvin
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer

12DF

Scapa Flow
  • HMS Faulknor
    Commanding officer: Captain A.J.B. Stirling, D.12
    Notes: Destroyer leader
  • HMS Marksman
    Commanding officer: Cdr. NA Sullivan (Flag, 2nd Half Flotilla)
    Notes: Destroyer leader
  • HMS Obedient
    Commanding officer: Cdr GW McO Campbell
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Maenad
    Commanding officer: Cdr. JP Champion
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Opal
    Commanding officer: Cdr. GC Sumner
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Mary Rose
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. EA Homan
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Marvel
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. TW Grubb
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Menace
    Commanding officer: LtCdr CA Poignand
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Nessus
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. EQ Carter
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Narwhal
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. HV Hudson
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Mindful
    Commanding officer: Lt Cdr JJC Ridley
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Onslaught (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Lt. Commander A.G. Onslow, DSC †(killed)
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Munster
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. SF Russell
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Nonsuch
    Commanding officer: LtCdr HIN Lyon
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Nobel
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. HP Boxer
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer
  • HMS Mischief
    Commanding officer: LtCdr. CA Ward
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer

Seaplane carrier

Scapa Flow
  • HMS Campania
    Commanding officer: Captain O. Schwann
    Notes: Missed the signal to sail, weighed anchor 2 hours late at 2345, but ordered back to Scapa at 0437. HMS Campania could have caught up with the Grand Fleet at about 1330 on 31st May.
    • 10 aircraft, type unknown.

3BCS

Temporarily attached Grand Fleet for gunnery practice at Scapa Flow
  • Rear Admiral the Hon. H.A. Hood †(killed)
  • HMS Invincible (flagship)(flagship) (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Captain A.L. Cay †(killed)
    Crew: Gunnery Officer Commander H. Dannreither †(killed)
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Inflexible
    Commanding officer: Captain EHF Heaton-Ellis
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Indomitable
    Commanding officer: Captain F.W. Kennedy
    Notes: 1
Attached
  • HMS Chester (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Captain R.N. Lawson
    Notes: From 3LCS.
  • HMS Canterbury
    Commanding officer: Captain P.M.R. Royds
    Notes: From 5LCS, Harwich.

Harwich Force

5LCS

  • HMS Carysfoot (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Commodore R. Tyrwhitt
  • HMS Arethusa
  • HMS Cleopoatra
  • HMS Conquest
  • HMS Penelope

9DF

  • HMS Undaunted
  • HMS Lightfoot
    Notes: Marksman class destroyer, destroyer leader.
  • HMS Lark
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Laverock
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Linnet
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Laertes
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Laforey
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Lance
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Lawford
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Legion
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Lennox
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Leonidas
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Llewellyn
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Lookout
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Loyal
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Lucifer
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Lysander
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Lassoo
    Notes: L class destroyer.
  • HMS Lochinar
    Notes: L class destroyer.

10DF

  • HMS Aurora
  • HMS Nimrod
    Notes: Destroyer leader.
  • HMS Manly
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Mansfield
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Matchless
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Mentor
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Meteor
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Milne
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Minos
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Miranda
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Murray
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.
  • HMS Myngs
    Notes: Admiralty M class destroyer.

Actions

14 November 1914

A letter of 14th November 1914 from the Admiralty to C-in-C GF promised the C-in-C that the Harwich Force would join him if a fleet action was imminent. This was overlooked or forgotten by the Admiralty on 30th May.

30 May 1916, 1755

Admiralty informed the C-in-C that the Harwich force, 3BS and 3CS would not be sent to sea until more was known of the German objectives.

30 May 1916, 1820

The Harwich Force was ordered to be ready to sail at daylight if required.

30 May 1916, 2235

The orders were modified to hold the Force at one hour’s notice.

The Harwich force would have had to have sailed by 2000, 30th May, to have reached Beatty’s rendezvous point, sailing at 18 knots.

31 May 1916, 0435

Tyrwhitt sent an urgent telegram to the Admiralty, reminding them that he had received no further orders. The reply was to remain at one hour's notice, as no further indication of the enemy’s objectives had been received.

Tyrwhitt would have had to have sailed at 0500 on the 31st to have reached Jellicoe before dark.

31 May 1916, 1645

The Harwich Force sailed without orders with 5 light cruisers, 2 destroyer leaders and 16 destroyers (I am unsure as to which 16 destroyers sailed.)

31 May 1916, 1712

The Harwich Force was ordered back to Harwich to await further orders by the Admiralty, when at the Cork light vessel of the mouth of the River Orwell.

1 June 1916, 0252

The Harwich Force was finally ordered to join the Grand Fleet when all fear of a combined raid by a detachment of the HSF and the German destroyers in Belgian ports on the Channel had passed.

1 June 1916, 0350

The Harwich Force sails.

Forces based at Sheerness

These forces were actually lying in the Swin, the northern passage of the Thames estuary. They received no sailing orders.

3BS

  • HMS Africa
  • HMS Albermarle
  • HMS Britannia
  • HMS Commonwealth
  • HMS Dominion
  • HMS Hindustan

3CS

  • HMS Antrim
  • HMS Devonshire
  • HMS Roxburgh

Harwich Submarine Flotilla

Regular patrols off Terschelling

24-30 May 1916

E16, E23, E37, H9

1 June 1916, 1200

D3, V1, H10 sailed from Harwich to relieve the 24 May 1916 patrol.

Additional patrols

30 May 1916, evening

HMS Lurcher,E31, E53, D6 left Harwich to patrol positions off Southwold, midway to the Dutch coast.

30 May 1916, evening

E55, E26, D1 left Harwich for the Vyl light.

31 May 1916, 1200

HMS Talisman, G2, G3, G4, G5 left Harwich for a patrol position on the SE side of the Dogger Bank.

Blyth Submarine Flotilla

Regular patrols, 54o00'- 54o30'N, 2o30'-3o30'E

24-28 May 1916

G3, G4

28 May 1916

G6, E42 sailed from Blythe to relieve 24 May 1916 patrol.

Additional patrols

28-31 May 1916

G10 off Southern Norway

1 June 1916

E30 off Southern Norway

There were no British submarines in the Kattegat between 28th May - when the G1 left - and 7th June.

Ships absent

  • HMS Dreadnought
    Notes: Refitting, then to 3BS, Sheerness. See also 1.
  • HMS Menelaus
    Commanding officer: Cmdr. C.W.N. McCulloch
    Notes: Kite balloon ship. Unable to raise steam in time to sail with the Fleet, left Scapa at 0130; ordered back with defects at 0430, May 31.

1BS

  • HMS Royal Sovereign
    Commanding officer: Capt. A.T. Hunt
    Notes: Remained in port. Joined GF 25th May 1916, not yet worked up.

2BCS

  • HMAS Australia
    Commanding officer: Capt. S.H. Radcliffe
    Notes: Repairing collision with HMS New Zealand, Devonport. Rejoined 9th June.

5BS

  • HMS Queen Elizabeth
    Commanding officer: Capt. G.P.W. Hope
    Notes: Refitting at Rosyth dockyard; in 30th May 1916, out 1st June 1916.

4BS

  • HMS Emperor of India
    Commanding officer: Capt. C.W.R. Royds
    Notes: In the floating dock at Invergordon until 3rd June.
  • HMS Blonde
    Notes: Refitting.

2CS

  • HMS Achilles
    Commanding officer: Capt. F.M. Leake
    Notes: Refitting.
  • HMS Donegal
    Commanding officer: Capt. W.H. D'Oyly
    Notes: Detached to intercept shipping off the coast of Norway.

3LCS

  • HMS Chatham
    Notes: Struck a mine on 26th May, refitting.

1DF

  • HMS Botha
  • HMS Jackal
  • HMS Archer
  • HMS Tigress

4DF

  • HMS Cockatrice
  • HMS Paragon
  • HMS Victor

11DF

  • HMS Marmion
  • HMS Musketeer

12DF

  • HMS Napier
  • HMS Maleluke

13DF

  • HMS Negro
  • HMS Nereus
  • HMS Paladin
  • HMS Penn
  • HMS Pigeon
  • HMS Nepean

Ships completing or working up

  • HMS Ramilles
    Notes: Launched 12th September 1916, completed ?th September 1917. See also 1.
  • HMS Resolution
    Notes: Launched 14th January 1915, completed ?th December 1916. See also 1.
  • HMS Renown
    Notes: Completed 20th September 1916, joined 1BCS January 1917. See also 1.
  • HMS Repulse
    Notes: Completed 18th August 1916, joined BCF as flagship 1BCS, 16th September 1916. See also 1.

13DF

  • 4 Admiralty M class
    Notes: Completed 29-31 May 1916.

After the battle

1800 hours, 2nd June 1916

C-in-CGF reported 24 dreadnought battleships and 3 battlecruisers ready for sea:

2BS

Cromarty
  • Vice Admiral Sir Martyn Jerram
  • Rear Admiral Arthur Leveson
1st Division
  • HMS King George V (flagship)(flagship)
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Ajax
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Centurion
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Erin
    Notes: 2
2nd Division
  • HMS Monarch (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Conqueror
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Orion
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Thunderer
    Commanding officer: Captain J.A. Ferguson
    Notes: 1

4BS

Scapa Flow
  • Admiral Sir John Jellicoe
    Position: CinCGF
  • Vice Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee
    Position: VA4BS
  • Rear Admiral Duff
    Position: RA4BS
3rd Division
  • HMS Iron Duke (force flagship)(force flagship)
    Commanding officer: Captain F.W. Dreyer
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Royal Oak
    Commanding officer: Capt. C. MacLachlan
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Suberb (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Canada
    Commanding officer: Capt. WCM Nicholson
    Notes: 1
4th Division
  • HMS Benbow (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Capt. HW Parker
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Bellerophon
    Commanding officer: Captain EV Underhill
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Temeraire
    Commanding officer: Capt. EV Underhill
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Vanguard
    Commanding officer: Capt. JD Dick
    Notes: 1

1BS

  • Vice Admiral Sir Cecil Burney
  • Rear Admiral E.F.A. Gaunt
5th Division
Scapa Flow
  • HMS Colossus (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Commanding officer: Captain A.D.P.R. Pound
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Collingwood
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Neptune
    Notes: 1
  • HMS St. Vincent
    Commanding officer: Captain W.W. Fisher
    Notes: 1
6th Division
  • HMS Revenge (flagship)(flagship)
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Hercules
    Commanding officer: Captain Clinton-Baker
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Agincourt
    Commanding officer: Captain Doughty
    Notes: 2

5BS

Rosyth, from Scapa Flow
  • Rear Admiral Hugh Evans-Thomas
    Position: RA5BS
13th Subdivision
  • HMS Valiant
    Commanding officer: Captain M. Woollcombe
    Notes: 1

BCF

Reorganised on 5th June
2BCS
Rosyth
  • HMS New Zealand
    Commanding officer: Captain J.E.F. Green
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Inflexible
    Commanding officer: Captain Heaton-Ellis
    Notes: 1
  • HMS Indomitable
    Commanding officer: Captain F.W. Kennedy
    Notes: 1

To join

  • HMAS Australia (flagship)(flagship)
    Notes: Rear Admiral W.C. Packenham, RA2BCS, aboard. Returned from Devonport on 7th June.
  • HMS Emperor of India
    Notes: In the floating dock at Invergordon until 3rd June. To 4BS.
  • HMS Royal Sovereign
    Notes: Joined GF 25th May 1916; not yet worked up. To 1BS

Notes

No battleships or battlecruisers had been fitted with fitted with secondary armament or searchlight directors in 1916 (source: Marder, v.3, p.260)

German Forces

Battlecruiser force

Departed Schillig Roads at 0100, 31st May.

  • Vice Admiral Franz von Hipper
  • Korvettenkapitän Erich Raeder
    Position: 1. Admiralstabsoffizier

I Scouting Group

  • SMS Lützow (flagship)(flagship) (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Harder
    Crew: 1. Artillerieoffizier Korvettenkapitän Paschen
  • SMS Derflinger (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Hartog
    Crew: 1. Artillerieoffizier Korvettenkapitän G. von Hase
    Notes: Repairs completed 15 October; returned to service December 1916.
  • SMS Seydlitz (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See von Egidy
    Crew: 1. Artillerieoffizier Kapitänleutnant Forster
    Notes: Returned to service 16th September 1916.
  • SMS Moltke (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Harpf
    Crew: 1. Artillerieoffizier Kapitänleutnant Scharmacher
    Notes: Returned to 30th July 1916.
  • SMS von der Tann (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Zenker
    Crew: 1. Artillerieoffizier Korvettenkapitän Marholz
    Notes: Returned to service 2nd August 1916.

IXth Flotilla

Screening 1SG
  • Korvettenkapitän Goehle
  • V 28 (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Lenßen
17th Half Flotilla
  • V27 (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Buddecke
  • V26
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Hans Köhler
  • S36
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Franz Fischer
  • S51
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Dette
  • S52
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Ehrentraut
18th Half Flotilla
  • Korvettenkapitän Werner Tillessen
  • V30 (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Ernst Wolf
  • S34
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Andersen
  • S33
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant von Münch
  • V29 (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Erich Steinbrinck
  • S35 (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Fredrich Ihn

IInd Scouting Group

  • Konteradmiral F. Boedicker
  • SMS Frankfurt (flagship)(flagship) (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Thilo von Trotha
  • SMS Pillau
    Commanding officer: Fregattenkapitän Konrad Mommsen
  • SMS Elbing (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Fregattenkapitän Madlung
  • SMS Wiesbaden (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Fregattenkapitän Reiß †(killed)

IInd Flotilla

  • Fregattenkapitän Schuur
  • B98 (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Theodor Hengstenberg
3rd Half Flotilla
  • Korvettenkapitän Boest
    Notes: Aboard B98.
  • G101
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Rudolf Schulte
  • G102
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant von Barendorff
  • B112
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant August Claussen
  • B97
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Leo Riedel
4th Half Flotilla
  • Korvettenkapitän Dithmar
  • B109 (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Victor Hahndorff
  • B110
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Bollheim
  • B111
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Schickhardt
  • G103
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Fritz Spiess
  • G104
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant von Bartenwerffer

VIth Flotilla

  • Korvettenkapitän Max Schultz
  • G41 (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Hermann Boehm
11th Half Flotilla
  • Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Rümann
    Notes: Aboard G41.
  • V44
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Holleuffer
  • G87
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Karstens
  • G86
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Grimm
12th Half Flotilla
  • Kapitänleutnant Lahs
  • V69 (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Stecher
  • V45
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Lassmann
  • V46
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Krumhaar
  • S50
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Recke
  • G37
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Wolf von Trotha

High Seas Fleet

Main Body
  • Vizeadmiral Reinhard Scheer
    Position: Chef der Hochseestreitkräfte
    Notes: Aboard SMS Friedrich der Große
  • Kapitän zur See Adolf von Trotha
    Position: Chef des Stabes
    Notes: Aboard SMS Friedrich der Große
  • Kapitän zur See von Levezow
    Position: Chef der Operationsabteilung
    Notes: Aboard SMS Friedrich der Große
  • SMS Friedrich der Große (force flagship)(force flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Theodor Fuchs

IIIrd Squadron

  • Konteradmiral Paul Behncke
  • Konteradmiral H. Nordmann
    Position: 2nd Admiral of IIIrd Squadron
  • Korvettenkapitän Freiherr von Sagern
    Position: 1. Admiralstabsoffizier
5th Division
  • SMS König (flagship)(flagship) (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Brüninghaus
    Notes: Repairs completed 21st July.
  • SMS Grosser Kurfürst (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Goette
    Notes: Repairs completed 16th July.
  • SMS Markgraf (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Seiferling
    Notes: Repairs completed 20th July.
  • SMS Kronprinz
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Konstanz Feldts
6th Division
  • SMS Kaiser (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Freiherr von Keyserlingk
  • SMS Prinzregent Luitpold
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Heuser
  • SMS Kaiserin
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Sievers

Ist Squadron

  • Vizeadmiral E. Schmidt
  • Konteradmiral W. Engelhart
    Position: 2nd Admiral of Ist Squadron
  • Korvettenkapitän Wolfgang Wegener
    Position: 1. Admiralstabsoffizier
1st Division
  • SMS Ostfriesland (flagship)(flagship) (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See von Natzmer
    Notes: Repairs completed 26th July.
  • SMS Thüringen
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Hans Küsel
  • SMS Helgoland (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See von Kamecke
    Notes: Repairs completed 16th July.
  • SMS Oldenburg
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Höpfner
2nd Division
  • SMS Posen (2nd flagship)(2nd flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Richard Lange
  • SMS Rheinland (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Rohardt
    Notes: Repairs completed 10th June.
  • SMS Nassau (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Notes: Repairs completed 10th July.
  • SMS Westfalen (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Redlich
    Notes: Repairs completed 17th June.

IInd Squadron

Added to Scheer's plan "at the last moment"; left the Elbe at 0145, 31st May, joined astern of the German dreadnoughts at 0445 31st May.

  • Konteradmiral F. Mauve
  • Konteradmiral Freiherr F. von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels
    Position: 2nd Admiral of IInd Squadron
  • Korvettenkapitän Kahlert
    Position: 1. Admiralstabsoffizier
3rd Division
  • SMS Deutschland (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Meurer
  • SMS Pommern (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Bölken †(killed)
  • SMS Schlesien
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Fr. Behncke
IVth Division
  • SMS Schleswig-Holstein
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Barrentrapp
  • SMS Hessen
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Bartels
  • SMS Hannover (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Wilhelm Heine

IVth Scouting Group

  • Kommodore L. von Reuter
  • Korvettenkapitän Heinrich Weber
    Position: Admiralstabsoffizier
  • SMS Stettin
    Commanding officer: Fregattenkapitän Friedrich Rebensburg
  • SMS München
    Commanding officer: Korvettenkapitän Oscar Böcker
  • SMS Frauenlob (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Fregattenkapitän Georg Hoffman
  • SMS Stuttgart
    Commanding officer: Fregattenkapitän Hagedorn
Attached
  • SMS Hamburg
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur SeeBauer
    Notes: Leader of Submarines

1st Leader of Destroyers

  • Kommodore A. Michelsen
  • Korvettenkapitän Junkermann
    Position: Admiralstabsoffizier
  • SMS Rostock (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Fregattenkapitän Otto Feldmann

2nd Leader of Destroyers

  • Kommodore P. Heinrich
  • Kapitänleutnant Meier
    Position: Admiralstabsoffizier
  • SMS Regensburg
    Commanding officer: Fregattenkapitän Heuberer

Ist Flotilla

  • Kapitänleutnant Conrad Albrecht
1st Half Flotilla
  • G38
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Metger
  • G39 (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Loefen
  • G40 (seriously damaged)(seriously damaged)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Richard Beitzen
  • S32
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Fröhlich

IIIrd Flotilla

  • Korvettenkapitän Hollman
  • S53 (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Götting
5th Half Flotilla
  • Kapitänleutnant Gautier
    Notes: Aboard V71
  • V71
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich Ulrich
  • V73
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Delbrück
  • G88
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Scabell
6th Half Flotilla
  • Kapitänleutnant Karlowa
  • S54
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Karlowa
  • V48 (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Eckoldt
  • G42
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Bernd von Arnim

Vth Flotilla

  • Korvettenkapitän Heinecke
  • G11 (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Adolf Müller
9th Half Flotilla
  • Kapitänleutnant Hoefer
  • V2
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Hoefer
  • V4 (sunk)(sunk)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Barop
  • V6
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Hans Behrendt
  • V1
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Nöthig
  • V3
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Manfred von Killinger
10th Half Flotilla
  • Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Klein
  • G8
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Rodenberg
  • G7
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Meinecke
  • V5
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Tils
  • G9
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Anschütz
  • G10
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Haumann

VIIth Flotilla

  • Korvettenkapitän von Koch
  • S24 (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Fink
13th Half Flotilla
  • Kapitänleutnant G. von Zitzewitz
    Notes: Aboard S15
  • S15
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Christian Schmidt
  • S17
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant von Puttkammer
  • S20
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Benecke
  • S16
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Walter Loeffler
  • S18
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Haushalter
14th Half Flotilla
  • Korvettenkapitän Hermann Cordes
    Notes: Aboard S19
  • S19
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Reimer
  • S23
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Arthur von Killinger
  • V189
    Commanding officer: Oberleutnant zur See Keil
  • V186
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant W. von Keyserlingk
    Notes: Sent back to Helgoland with a leaky condenser, at 0715, 31st May.

U-boats

Patrol lines for the original operation (a bombardment of Sunderland on 23rd May)

Off the Firth of Forth
  • U66
  • U63
  • U51
  • U32
  • U70
  • U24
  • U52
Other
  • U47
    Notes: Reconnoitered Sunderland, night of 21/22 May, then to patrol off Peterhead.
  • U46
    Notes: Off Terschelling. Delayed by engine problems.
  • U67
    Notes: Off Terschelling.
  • UB21
    Notes: Off the Humber.
  • UB22
    Notes: Off the Humber.
  • UB27
    Notes: Off the Forth, which she was to attempt to enter.

Boats that received warning signal "31 Gg.2490"

"31 Gg.2490" indicated that the High Seas Fleet would be at sea at 1004, 31st May.

Received first warning signal
  • U32
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant von Speigel
    Notes: Off the Forth.
  • U67
    Notes: Off Terschelling.
  • U70
    Notes: Off the Forth.
  • UB22
    Notes: Off the Humber.
Received 0100, 31st May
  • U66
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant von Bothmer
    Notes: Off Peterhead.

Other patrols off the British Coast

  • U43
    Notes: East of the Pentland Firth.
  • U44
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Wagenfuhr
    Notes: East of the Pentland Firth.
  • U63
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant O. Schultz
    Notes: Off the Forth.
  • U46
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant L. Hillebrand
    Notes: Returning to base, periscope u/s.
  • UB27
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Dickson
    Notes: Returning to port, port propeller u/s after clearing nets in the Firth of Forth, 25th May.

Minelaying missions

  • U72
    Notes: To lay 22 mines in the Moray Firth, but returned 25th May with leaky oil tank.
  • U74
    Notes: To lay 22 mines in the Firth of Forth, but sunk with all hands by gunfire from 4 armed trawlers on 27th May.
  • U75
    Notes: To lay 22 mines to the west of the Orkneys. On 29th May U75 laid mines in a channel normally used by fleet auxiliaries 2 miles to the west of the Orkneys. These mines were in fact laid in the wrong position: U75 laid the mines off Marwick Head, on the NW coast of the main Orkney Island, mistaking it for Hoy Island. HMS Hampshire, with Lord Kitchener on board, was sunk in this minefield on 5th June.

Flanders U-boat Flotilla

Minelaying

These boats, with 12 mines each, were to lay mines off Harwich and the Thames estuary on the night of 31st May – 1st June.

  • UC10
  • UC6
  • UC1

Patrol off the Suffolk coast

These boats were to patrol off the Suffolk coast from 0300 1st June to 1600 2nd June.

  • UB17
  • UB29
  • UB19
  • UB12
  • UB10
  • UB6

Patrol off the Dutch coast

These boats were to patrol the Dutch coast as far as Terschelling, then to join the patrol ilnes off the Suffolk coast.

  • UB18
  • UB23

Other

  • UC1
    Notes: Developed an engine defect and returned to base.

Zeppelins

  • KorvetteKapitän Peter Strasser
    Position: Leader of Airships

Reconnaissance between the Skagerrak and Framborough Head

From 1130, 31st May

Weather was very hazy, with cloud base at 1000 feet, which inhibited reconnaissance.

  • L9
    Notes: 100 miles E of Sunderland, but forced back with engine trouble.
  • L14
    Notes: Skagerrak, but did not reach its assigned area, being late to take off (?).
  • L16
    Notes: 80 miles E of Flamborough Head (off the Humber.)
  • L21
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant Dietricht
    Notes: 120 miles E of Peterhead. L21 was ordered to reconnoiter the Dogger Bank on the afternoon of 31st May, but held his course for Peterhead.
  • L23
    Commanding officer: Kapitänleutnant von Schubert
    Notes: 240 miles E of Noss Head (Pentland Firth), but changed his plans on his own initiative to scout to the north of the advancing Ist Scouting Group, in place of L14.

L23 sighted L14 on her starboard quarter at 1750, 15 miles NW of the Horn’s Reef lightship, steering NNW for the Skagerrak. However at 1830 on the 31st May, L23 was still 50 miles SW of the position at which the 1st SG first sighted the BCF, i.e. both airships were well astern of the HSF.

Reconnaissance requested over the Horn’s Reef at dawn 1st June

Provided by 6 airships that took off shortly after midnight

The weather was again hazy, with low cloud base at 3200 feet to 1000 feet.

  • L11
    Commanding officer: KorvetteKapitän Schütze
    Notes:

    Scouted the area NW of Helgioland.

    0400
    90 miles NW of Heligoland, L11 sighted "12 British battleships and numerous smaller vessels steering NNE at high speed". These were 1BCS and 2 BCS, accompanied by 2CS and LCS. This was reported to Vizeadmiral Scheer.
    0440
    L11 then sighted "a second squadron of 6 dreadnoughts, accompanied by light forces, approximately 18 miles NNW of the vessels first sighted". These were the rear ships of the Grand Fleet.
    0450
    L11 then sighted "3 battle-cruisers and 4 smaller vessels, about 20 miles N of the vessels first sighted". These were 1BS, 6th Division, HMS Revenge, Hercules and Agincourt, screened by HMS Faulknor, Obedient, and Marvel. L11 was then taken under fire from up to 21 ships, in the light of the rising sun.
    0520
    L11 was forced to break contact and run before the wind to the NE.
    0535
    L11 descended again and took up position between the GF and the HSF, and remained off the Horn’s Reef until recalled at 0700.

    Viceadmiral Scheer interpreted the formations sighted by L11 to be the Harwich force.

  • L13
    Notes: Searched the area N and W of Terschelling.
  • L17
    Notes: Cruised the area 50 miles SSW to WNW of Horn’s Reef.
  • L22
    Notes: Sighted gunfire, searchlights and explosions between 0100 and 0200, 20-35 miles NW of Horn’s Reef; broke off reconnaissance at 0300 owing to a strong SW wind driving her off course.
  • L24
    Notes:

    Sighted gunfire, searchlights and explosions between 0100 and 0200, 20-35 miles NW of Horn’s Reef; fired at by light forces at 023 50 miles W of Bovbjerg, and again at 0305.

    L24 dropped several running salvoes of 3 to 5 * 110 lb / 50 kg bombs on unidentified vessels.

    L24 then sighted a force of “twelve large units and many cruisers, formed in line abreat with the cruisers out ahead”. This was a British convoy plus escorts in Jammer Bay on the N coast of Jutland; L24 was driven off by gunfire.

    This was reported to Vizeadmiral Scheer, who interpreted the formation to be the Grand Fleet.

Ships absent

Battleships

IIIrd Squadron
  • SMS Koenig Albert
    Notes: Turbine (Marder) or condenser (Tarrant) trouble, dockyard.
IInd Squadron
  • SMS Pruessen
    Notes: 2BS, guard ship, Baltic.
Other
  • SMS Bayern
    Notes: Commissioned 18th March 1916, not yet worked up, on trails in the Baltic.

Cruisers

  • SMS Graudenz
    Notes: Dockyard, repairing mine damage.
  • SMS Straslund
    Notes: Dockyard, refitting with 5.9” guns.
  • SMS Strasburg
    Notes: Baltic.
  • SMS Kolberg
    Notes: Baltic.
  • SMS Augsburg
    Notes: Baltic.
  • SMS Brummer
    Notes: Ready for service, but not included in battle orders.
IVth Scouting Group
  • SMS Berlin
    Notes: Dockyard.

Destroyers

Ist Flotilla
  • 7 vessels forming the balance of the flotilla.
IIIrd Flotilla
  • V74
  • G85
  • V70
  • S55
VIth Flotilla
  • S49
  • V43
VIIth Flotilla
  • One older vessel.

Major ships under construction

  • SMS Baden
    Notes: Completed October 1916.
  • SMS Hindenburg
    Notes: Completed October 1917.

After the battle

Wilhelmshaven, 1800 hours, 2nd June

The High Seas Fleet can muster 10 dreadnoughts ready for sea.

Flagship

1 dreadnought
  • Vizeadmiral Reinhart Scheer
  • SMS Frederich der Grosse (force flagship)(force flagship)

IIIrd Squadron, Vth Division

1 dreadnought
  • Konteradmiral P. Behncke
  • SMS Kronprinz

IIIrd Squadron, VIth Division

4 dreadnoughts
  • Konteradmiral H. Nordmann
  • SMS Kaiser (flagship)(flagship)
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Baron von Keyserlingk
  • SMS Prinzregent Luitpold
  • SMS Kaiserin
  • SMS Koenig Albert

Ist Squadron, Ist Division

2 dreadnoughts
  • Vizeadmiral E. Schmidt
  • SMS Thuringen
  • SMS Oldenburg
    Commanding officer: Kapitän zur See Hopfner

Ist Squadron, IInd Division

2 dreadnoughts
  • Konteradmiral W. Engelhart
  • SMS Posen (flagship)(flagship)
  • SMS Rheinland
    Notes: (?)

Sources

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