From the Dreadnought to Scapa Flow, Volume III: Jutland and After: May to December 1916

From the Dreadnought to Scapa Flow: Royal Navy in the Fisher Era, #3

by Arthur J. Marder

On 31 May 1916 the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet met in battle for the first and last time. In this encounter off the coast of Jutland, was the test of years of planning by Fisher, Churchill, and others, and of the training by Jellicoe of the Grand Fleet which he had commanded since August 1914. Professor Marder examines the Grand Fleet Battle Orders in force at the time and considers Jellicoe's and Beatty's tactical plans; he vividly describes the battle cruiser action and the main action which followed it, the German retreat, and their escape during the night, assesses the effects of these events on public opinion and official thinking and evaluates the results of this historic and controversial battle. The final chapters deal with the remaining months of 1916, in which the results of Jutland took effect in various ways, and refer to the submarine threat, which was becoming increasing serious.

This volume contains 16 folding charts; this large number is due to the fact that 14 charts (Nos. 2-15) are devoted to a detailed record of the movements of both sides at the Battle of Jutland, from 2:45 p.m. on 31 May to 6:00 a.m.on 1 June. Prepared on the basis of both the British and German official histories, and collating the two with all available information, these form a definitive charting of the battle which will probably never be superseded.

One further volume will complete the work down to 1919.

Genres: World War I, Naval History

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

The son of Maxwell J. Marder and Ida Greenstein, Arthur Jacob Marder was raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard University, where he obtained his Bachelor's degree in 1931, his master's degree in 1934, and his Ph.D. in 1936 with a study of British naval policy 1880-1905.

Reviews

[Urey Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 3 of a five volume history of the Royal Navy in World War I, this is the most fascinating of the three I have read to date, focussed entirely upon the Battle of Jutland and its aftermath. Marder had unrestricted access to Royal Navy records, logs, signals and veterans... this is a remarkable, and remarkably comprehensive, treatment of the battle. It is said, to the point of becoming a cliche, that military commands fight the last war, and Jutland is a good example of the verity of the adage. The last fleet engagement that the Royal Navy fought was 100 years prior... and they fought Jutland with command and control, signals and fleet tactics virtually unchanged. It is a fascinating perspective into British failures and inability to adapt over the evolution of the battle. Marder also vividly and effectively explains the environmental issues - fog, failing daylight, sea states and distances - that all played vital roles in the way the battle unfolded. He explains weapons, ships and personalities. He is objective - although a history of the Royal Navy, Marder pulls no punches in his assessments and analyses. Just a wonderful, engaging and comprehensive history of the battle of Jutland.

[Bobble Hat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most detailed RN history covers Jutland. Well researched and narrated without wading too far into the Beatty/ Jellicoe swamp.