Battle of Dogger Bank 24 January 1915

On 24 January 1915, decrypted intelligence revealed a planned German raid on Dogger Bank’s North Sea fishing fleet. British Vice-Admiral Beatty was sent to neutralize the German battlecruiser convoy, which headed to Dogger on 23 January. Early on 24 January, German Vice-Admiral Hipper, realizing British battle cruisers were approaching, starboard to the rear, retreated. The elderly Blücher slowed its pace and by 8.52 am the British ships opened fire. Lion and Tiger struck Seydlitz and New Zealand and Indomitable pummelled Blücher, causing ammunition fires in both ships. The New Zealand did not receive Beatty’s message to engage the retreating enemy and continued firing on Blücher. At approximately 10.15 am Derfflinger shelled Lion, decommissioning it. Having disabled HMS Meteor, Blücher caught fire, sinking at 13.13. Hipper retreated, while Beatty’s fleet were subjected to a small bomb attack from two German planes. Beatty also withdrew. Dogger Bank was considered a British victory.