Jutland 1916, 20:10 Night Action

Upon Scheer’s final retreat away from the British, Jellicoe made the conservative decision to steer away from the incoming German torpedoes. As the British had already suffered a number of losses, Jellicoe considered this to be the wiser option. Beatty, on the other hand, maintained a heading parallel to the Germans and, as night fell, hoped to at least stay within a reasonable distance so that the offensive could be resumed at daylight the next day. Jellicoe was cautious of night-time engagements as the Royal Navy’s night-time capabilities were inferior to the Germans’, who possessed more advanced spotlights and star shells. During the pursuit south, the light cruisers HMS Caroline and HMS Royalist, on the western flank of the main British column, sighted the German fleet and requested backup from their commander Vice-Admiral Jerram. Jerram declined support as he thought the ships that had been spotted could be part of Beatty’s group.