Flash report: British Admiralty 01 July 1915. I wish to report a major fleet action with the German High Seas Fleet on 28th of June, 1915. The results of this action are rather disappointing. As you know the Germans have deployed and used their fleet rather aggressively since the start of the war. Several times, Germans ships have bombarded our shores and then engaged responding units of the Grand Fleet. Naval intelligence reported the German ships were again in route to our coast. We were able to identify the ships as the 1st Battle Squadron with SMS Prinz Regent Luitpold, SMS Ostfriesland, and SMS Nassau, The 3rd Battle Squadron with SMS Friedrich Der Grosse, SMS Konig and SMS Konig Albert. These were joined by the 1st Scouting Group of SMS Seydlitz and SMS Moltke along with the 4th Scouting Group of SMS Blucher and SMS Roon. Four light cruisers and 18 destroyers completed the German force. Our own 2nd Battle Sqd. of HMS Conquerer, HMS Erin and HMS Benbow was joined by the powerful 4th Battle Sqd. of HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Agincourt, HMS Superb and HMS St. Vincent. Unfortunately HMS Vanguard, of the 2nd Battle Squadron, ruptured a major steam line and was force to return to Scapa flow for repairs. The 1st Battle Cruiser squadron with HMS Lion, HMS Australia and HMS Inflexible, and 1st Cruiser squadron of HMS Black Prince and HMS Cochrane along with four light cruisers and 16 destroyers, escorted to battleships to hunt the Germans. On 28 June 1915 at 0600, German guns bombard Yarmouth doing a great deal of damage. The Germans steer NNE after clearing the mine fields. At 0800 we sight the German fleet SW of us. Our Armored Cruisers are driven off by heavy German shells from the van of the German battle line. The 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron comes into action first. The German line turns west and is paralleled by our Battle Cruisers. The 4th Battle Squadron turns behind and follows in support of our Battle cruisers. Unfortunately the Battlecruiser, with their greater speed have pulled away as they attempt to also support our cruisers in action further west with the German Seydlitz and Moltke. All six German battleships now concentrate on the 4th Battle Squadron. The Battle cruisers turn 180 degrees to rescue the 4th. The HMS Lion is able to join up. Inflexible is hit by 4 12 shells to her vitals as well as other numerous hits. All engines off line and her boilers out she is unable to stop her flooding and sinks. HMS Australia also hit numerous times, suffers a magazine explosion from numerous fires. The German Battle Cruisers and Armored Cruisers are able to chase off our own cruisers inflicting damage on every cruiser in our force. The Germans are forced to break off the pursuit with the arrival off 2nd battle Squadron. At long range the two forces exchange fire. Blucher and Roon both get a taste of 13 shells and withdraw from the action. British destroyers lay heavy smoke screens preventing the two German Battle Cruisers from engaging, while the 2nd turns on the main German force. With on British squadron east of them and one south the Germans begin to suffer serious damage. The Germans continue to concentrate their fire on the 4th. HMS St. Vincent is hit by 18 12 shells and a dozen 5.9 shells. she suffers a rudder jam and finally succumbs to progressive flooding and sinks. HMS Superb and HMS Agincourt are wrecked and turn out of line, covered by the QE and Lion.. The Germans attempt to break the action as we pound them. On one turn to the east Konig Albert is not with them. 9-15 and 12-12 have ruptured her hull and she rolls over and sinks. At this point in the action Seydlitz and Moltke succeed in driving of our destroyers and can reengage. The QE is quickly struck by multiple 11 shells. Benbow slowed to 12 knots and on fire is forced to also turn away. Erin is pummeled by very accurate fire. The timely flooding of her forward magazine saves the ship from destruction. Hit by 15 major caliber shells and only four guns left in action she to pulls out of line. With all ships damaged, our fleet turns to the NW and breaks off the action. The Germans appeared happy to see us turn away. They turn east and head for home. Our forces again failed to concentrate properly. When the Battle Cruiser pulled away from 4th Battle squadron it isolated both forces from each other, This resulted in the loss of three ships. The 2nd Battle Squadron was well fought, first rescuing our cruiser force and then isolating the GErman Battle Cruises from the action while we concentrated all fire on the German battleships. It is believed the German force was heavily damaged in the action. This action was fought using In Harms Way. The German player received 160.6 points, the British 118.5. A major victory for the Germans. The action stated about 6:30pm and ended at 10:00 pm. We start with map movement and then go to the table top when the forces sight each other. For campaigns we also establish yard time for repairs and work ups to rejoin the fleet.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 18:47:08 +0000
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