31st May 1916
The Battle of Jutland
Introduction
The Battle of Jutland took place between the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet on the 31st May 1916 in the North Sea, off the mainland of Denmark.
Although it was the only major naval battle of World War I, it became the largest sea battle in naval warfare history in terms of the numbers of battleships and battlecruisers engaged, bringing together the two most powerful naval forces in existence at that time.
You can follow the events of the Battle of Jutland step-by-step using maps, graphics, photographs and animations on how the battle unfolded. As well as a description of the events that took place, we will also be trying to explain the actions of Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, commander of the British Grand Fleet.
Why - despite leading the most powerful naval force in the world - did Admiral Jellicoe turn away from the German High Seas Fleet at the Battle of Jutland?
Above:
Admiral Sir David Beatty, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe and Admiral Reinhard Scheer, commanders at Jutland
of the most powerful naval forces in World War I.
Navigation
+++ Background to the Battle +++
Why did the most powerful naval forces in the world collide at Jutland?
+++ The Admirals +++
Profiles of the commanders of the British and German fleets.
+++ A Comparison of the Fleets +++
A comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet.
+++ The Battle Area +++
Map illustrating the battle area of the Battle of Jutland, showing the positions of the British Grand Fleet and German High Seas Fleet at 14.00 hours on 31st May 1916.
+++ The Battle Action at Jutland +++
An animated movie of the Battlecruiser and Main Fleet action as the world's most powerful naval forces unexpectedly collide at Jutland.
+++ Gains and Losses +++
Damage assessment of the British and German fleets following the Battle of Jutland.
+++ Short Term Consequences +++
Quotes relating to the short term consequences of the Battle of Jutland.
+++ Long Term Consequences +++
Quotes relating to the longer term consequences of the Battle of Jutland.
+++ Free eBook: Battle Fleet Action from HMS Neptune +++
Join the look-out in the fore-top of HMS Neptune as Admiral Beatty's battlecruisers lead the German High Seas Fleet into the massed guns of the battleships of the British Grand Fleet.
+++ NEW! The Ultimate Battle of Jutland Resource Pack +++
This unique package is crammed with exclusive diagrams, images and rare hard-to-find resources that would take you weeks to find - even if you knew where to look.
+++ Image Gallery +++
A gallery of photographs displaying the ships and admirals of the British and German fleets that took part in the Battle of Jutland.
+++ Site Map +++
A list of every page on this web site.