Why did jellicoe turn away at the battle of jutland

Why Did Jellicoe Turn Away at the Battle of Jutland?

Despite commanding the world's greatest naval force, Admiral Jellicoe's actions allowed the german High Seas Fleet to escape. What influenced his decisions?

battle of jutland, 31 May 1916, admiral sir john jellicoe, british grand fleet, german high seas fleet, world war one, ww1, wwI, naval warfare, naval history, battle of skagerrak,

At the time the First World War, the British Grand Fleet was the most formidable naval force in the world. Commanded by Admiral John Jellicoe, the British Grand Fleet hoped to engage the german High Seas Fleet in a pitched battle, but at the same time, both sides were reluctant to commit themselves.

The Germans knew that they could not take on the much larger British Grand Fleet, while the British knew they had little to gain from a victory and everything to lose by a defeat. Victory over the german High Seas Fleet would not harm Germanys war effort in the slightest, whilst defeat - unlikely but possible - would cause Britain to lose the war.

The German High Seas Fleet, commanded by Admiral Reinhard von Scheer, planned to avoid an all-out battle until they could sink enough British warships to make the numbers more even. To this end,Recommended For You