Chart No. 1. Typical British Chart, of the later manœuvres of the action which are in dispute 31 Chart No. 2. The Battle of Jutland facing 54 Chart No. 2 is so placed that it can be opened outside the pages for use as the text is being read. THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND MAY 31, 1916 Authorities quoted in the text are indicated as follows: Admiral Jellicoe (J), Vice Admiral Beatty (B), Admiral Scheer (S). The Battle of Jutland has been made a matter of bitter controversy, and accounts of the action have been so molded to fit partisan theories that the actual events have become obscured. Yet these events can now be determined through means that were never before available in the case of a great naval battle. Both commanders have published their detailed accounts, and there is no longer any reason for uncertainty as to the essentials of the action. Many of the tales from Germany were obviously untrue, but Admiral Scheer, the German Commander-in-Chief, has given a straightforward story of the battle which supplements the version of Admiral Jellicoe, the British Commander-in-Chief. When the wide field of operations is taken into account, the two narratives of the rival commanders agree to a surprising extent as to the events of the early stages of the action. The engagement between the two advanced forces, the advent of the German High Seas Fleet, and the running fight to meet the British Grand Fleet, are related in confirmation of Lord Jellicoe’s report, and of the account in his book. Concerning the events of these first phases of the battle the various British narratives also practically agree. Most of the differences and controversies relate to the ensuing stages. Concerning these events of the latter part of the action Admiral Scheer supplies much needed data, throwing new light upon manœuvres which had not been understood by the British--and no narrative has yet been published which covers this ground. To understand the battle, it is necessary to remember that it had become the custom of the British fleet to leave its safeguarded bases in the north of the British Isles and make periodical sweeps through the North Sea. The Admiralty had ordered the Grand Fleet to begin such a sweep on May 30.[1] At the beginning of his Report of the battle Admiral Jellicoe thus describes the situation: [1] “In accordance with instructions contained in their Lordship’s telegram, No. 434, of 30th May, code time 1740, the Grand Fleet proceeded to sea on 30th May, 1916.” (J)