The Battle of Jutland, HMS Royal Oak by Anthony Saunders
The Battle of Jutland was fought in the North Sea between the 31st May and the 1st of June 1916. The British Grand Fleet had been virtually unopposed for nearly a century but now there was a challenge to the throne; the German Navy. Although smaller, it had caught up fast and by the time of Jutland, had some telling advantages over the British Fleet. the plan for the battle was to lure the British Grand Fleet into a lethal trap in German waters. In the event although desperately fought by both sides, the battle was a stale mate. the confused conflict was hampered on both sides by bad luck, bad weather and poor communications. at the end of the battle, the Royal navy had suffered higher losses in men and ships, but the German fleet never ventured out of harbour to seek battle again.
The Battle of Jutland proved to be the last capital ship big fleet battle of the twentieth century. Here HMS Royal Oak is seen leading HMS Superb and HMS Canada as part of the 4th battle squadron at around 7pm on the 31st of May 1916.
