The only time during the war when the great battle fleets clashed

THE Battle of Jutland was fought on the North Sea during the afternoon and evening of 31 May 1916 and was the only time during the First World War, when the great battle fleets of the British and German Empires met in conflict.

- JACK SWEET Yeovil historian

At about 3.45pm on that day a century ago, the battle cruisers scouting ahead of both fleets opened fire on each other, and so began the contest which both navies had eagerly awaited. When the battle was over some eight hours later, the German High Seas Fleet returned to harbour claiming a tactical victory because it had sunk more of the Royal Navy's ships, but in turn the British claimed a strategic victory because the German fleet had been forced to retire, and never challenged the Royal Navy again during the war.

The Royal Navy lost three battle cruisers, three armoured cruisers and eight destroyers sunk in the battle, 6090 officers and men were killed and just over 500 wounded. The German High Seas Fleet suffered the loss of one battleship, one battlecruiser, four light cruisers and five destroyers, 2550 officers and men were killed and 507 wounded.