Reports from Fifth Battle Squadron

Enclosure No. 16 to Battle Cruiser Fleet Letter No. B.C.F. 01 of 12/6/16.
No. 024A. QUEEN ELIZABETH, 9th June 1916. Sir, I HAVE the honour to forward herewith report on the Action of the 31st May, together with reports from ships of the 5th Battle Squadron. 2. MyrecommendationsofOfficersandMenwillbeforwarded later when reports are received from H.M. Ships " Malaya and " Barham." I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient Servant, HUGH EVAN THOMAS, The Commander-in-Chief, The Grand Fleet.

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CAPTAIN'S REPORT.—H.M.S. BARHAM.
No. 181. H.M.S. Barham, 6th June 1916. Sir, I HAVE the honour to forward herewith a report on the action of 31st May 1916, in which H.M. Ship under my command flying your flag took part. 2. The recording of details is not so full or accurate as I should have wished. This is partly due to the fact that Lieutenant Reginald Edward Blyth, R.N., Assistant Navigator, who was in the lower conning tower for the purpose, was mortally wounded about 1 hour after the engagement opened. Mr. Alec Edward Dodington, Midshipman, R.N., who worked with him, was afterwards entirely occupied in keeping the reckoning, which he did in a highly creditable manner under difficult circumstances. 3. Whilst the general trend of the action remains clearly fixed in the memory, it is impossible to reconstruct it strategically or tactically, owing to the difficulty of seeing the enemy, and to the lack of knowledge of the movements or positions of our own squadrons. It is considered of great importance that in a squadron flagship, an Assistant Navigating Lieutenant should be permanently borne who will be able not only to keep an accurate reckoning continuously, but also to note tactical data. The importance of a reliable position after action cannot be over estimated, and during action a continuous plot of our own and the enemy's tracks may be invaluable in avoiding mines or in deciding in a tactical or strategical movement.

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4. Although the BARHAM received considerable structural damage from the enemy's shells, and the casualties were fairly heavy, the ship was in a thoroughly efficient fighting condition, and had all guns in action and fire control practically intact at the end of three hours' engagement. This reflects great credit on the Officers responsible for the upkeep of the propelling machinery and of the guns' mountings and electrical equipment. 5. During the engagement, the behaviour of the Officers and men was entirely praiseworthy, and their duties were carried out in a cool and intelligent manner, under, in some cases, very trying situations. - * * * * * I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, A. W. CRAIG, Captain. Rear Admiral Commanding Fifth Battle Squadron.

ENCLOSURE TO BARHAM'S LETTER No. 181 OF 6th JUNE 1916.
Report of Action of 31st May 1916. Disposition and courses prior to Action. Noon position 56° 49' 5 N., Long. 3° 28' E. Fifth Battle Squadron (BARHAM, VALIAN, WARSPITE, MALAYA) 5 miles astern of 1st B.C.S. (LION, PRINCESS ROYAL, QUEEN MARY, TIGER). 2nd B.C.S. (" New Zealand," " Indefatigable ") some dis- tances on Port Beam of 1st B.C.S. Course S. 81 E. advancing 18 knots. 2.15 p.m. course N. by E. 5th B.C.S. 5 miles ahead of " Lion," ordered to look out for advanced Cruisers of Grand Fleet. 2.38 p.m. S.S.E. 22 knots in consequence of 1st L.C.S. reporting enemy cruiser S.S.E. at 2.35 p.m. The Battle Cruiser Squadron turned rather before the 5th Battle Squadron and were out of sight for some time. Hauled round gradually to N.E. following motions of Battle Cruiser Fleet, and then back to eastward, the enemy Light Cruisers being sighted at 3.50 on this course, and shortly after, two Battle Cruisers all steering to S.E. Speed now 24 knots. 2. Our Destroyer escort on the enemy side attempting to pass ahead of " Barham " prevented fire being opened until 3.58, when the two enemy Light Cruisers (Kolberg type) were engaged, range 17,000. These turned away 8 points after the third salvo and it is not thought that they were hit.

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CAPTAIN'S REPORT.— H.M.S. WARSPITE.
H.M.S. Warspite, 4th June 1916. Sir,

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