Today 24th Jan 1915 Naval and Overseas Operations Battle of the Dogger Bank, was a naval battle fought near the Dogger Bank in the North Sea on 24 January 1915, during the First World War, between squadrons of the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet. Decoded radio intercepts had given the British advance knowledge that a German raiding squadron was heading for Dogger Bank, so they dispatched their own naval forces to intercept it. The British found the Germans at the expected time and place; surprised, the smaller and slower German squadron fled for home. During a stern chase lasting several hours, the British slowly caught up with the Germans and engaged them with long-range gunfire. The British disabled Blücher, the rear German ship, but the Germans put the British flagship HMS Lion out of action with heavy damage. Due to a signalling mixup, the remaining British ships broke off pursuit of the fleeing enemy force to sink Blücher. By the time this had been done, the German squadron had escaped; all the remaining German vessels returned safely to harbour, though some had heavy damage requiring extended repairs. Lion made it back to port but was out of action for several months. Since the British lost no ships and suffered few casualties, while the Germans lost a ship and most of its crew, the action was considered a British victory. Both Britain and Germany soon replaced commanders who were thought to have shown poor judgement, and both navies made some changes to equipment and procedures in response to problems identified during the battle. British Force 5 battlecruisers 7 light cruisers 35 destroyers German Force 3 battlecruisers 1 armoured cruiser 4 light cruisers 18 destroyers Casualties and losses British 1 Battlecruiser out of action 1 destroyer out of action 15 killed 32 wounded German 1 armoured cruiser sunk 1 Battlecruiser heavily damaged 954 killed 80 wounded 189 captured Political, etc. Publication of letter by Mr. Bryan refuting charge that U.S.A. Government had shown partiality to the Entente. Remember today 176 Sdt Louis Barnet, 357e RI Born at Roanne, Loire on 5 July 1884, Louis was living at 48, rue Etienne Marcel in the town when, as a reservist, he was called back into full time service on 2 August 1914. Initially serving with the 157e RI, he was transferred to the 357e soon after its creation and served in the Battles of Lorraine from the middle of September 1914 and then in the Vosges mountains. Louis fell ill on duty in January 1915 and died of disease in hospital at Bruyeres, Vosges on 24 January 1915. He is buried in the military plot in the civilian cemetery at Bruyeres.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:49:23 +0000