The Battle of Jutland

The Admirals

Photograph of Admiral Reinhard Scheer and his flagship, the battleship SMS Friederich der Grosse.
Admiral Reinhard Scheer and his flagship, the battleship SMS Friederich der Grosse.

Admiral Reinhard Scheer (1863-1928)
Scheer was a capable Commander of the German High Seas Fleet and confident that he could defeat the British Grand Fleet - but only if its battleship force could be reduced to that of the German High Seas Fleet.

He was occupied in doing this when taken by surprise by the British Grand Fleet on 31st May 1916 off the coast of Jutland. Admiral Scheer was in a difficult position - under pressure from his own side to bring the German High Seas Fleet to action but all too aware of the likely result should he attempt to do so.

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