Reports from Fourth Battle Squadron

VICE-ADMIRAL'S REPORTS, 4th BATTLE SQUADRON
Enclosure No. 6 to Submission No. 1415/0022 of 20/6/16 from C.-in-C. Home Fleets.

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From : The Vice-Admiral Commanding, Fourth Battle Squadron. H.M.S. " Benbow." To : The Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, H.M.S. Iron Duke." Date : 4th June 1916. No. :0131. The attached summary of the reports from the Fourth Battle Squadron on the action of the 31st May is submitted in continuation of the rough personal reports already forwarded. A more detailed report will be submitted separately. F. C. D. STURDEE, Vice-Admiral.

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Enclosure No. 7 to Submission No. 1415/0022 of 20/6/16 from C.-in-C. Home Fleets. No.0131. BENBOW 5th June 1916. Sir, I HAVE the honour to report that, in the battle of 31st May 1916, off the Jutland Coast the Fourth Battle Squadron was in the centre of the Battle Line with the BLANCHE acting as repeating ship on the off side. The EMPEROR OF INDIA and DREADNAUGHT were not present, being away refitting.

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Tlie Flag of Rear-Admiral Alexander L. Duff, C.B., was hoisted in the " Superb." 2. The ships under my direct command were the " Benbow,". " Belk'ri)hon," '' Temeraire," and " Vanguard," they formed the Fourth Division of the J3attle Fleet, \vith the " Benbmv " leading. The " Superb " and " Canada " were in the Third Division under the immediate command of the Commander-in-Chief who led that Division in the Fleet Flagship " Iron Duke." 3. The Fourth Division being placed in the centre of the Fleet conformed generally to the movements ordered by the Commander-in-Chief 4. On one occasion only was any separate action necessary, when at 7.10 p.m. a Destroyer attack was observed. The Fourth Division were then ordered to turn away by Sub- Divisions two points in succession in conformity with the Grand Fleet Battle Orders. The attack was soon repelled by the gun fire of the ships, and the Division ordered to turn back to the course of the Fleet forming astern of the Third Division. 5. At 8.31. p.m., the track of a torpedo was seen passing ahead. " Benbow " turned towards it. It is beheved that the torpedo passed ahead of " Iron Duke." 6. The attached summary shows the principal points noted by the four ships of the Fourth Division, 7. Our ships were not seriously under fire, but, considering the youth of the ships' companies and the fact that it was their first time under fire, it is most satisfactory to be able to report on the keenness and cool behaviour of the Officers and men of all the ships. No apprehension was shown. 8. The general gunnery efficiency seemed to be good, and no breakdowns were reported. The conditions of hght and haze did not give the ships much opportunity for using their guns and the restraint from firing when the enemy was hidden by haze reflects credit on the control. The rapid manner in which the Destroyers were made to turn away promptly showed good control and effective fire. 9. None of the ships were struck nor were there any casualties. 10. The visibihty Avas low and variable, the maximum range obtained being 13,500 yards, which was recorded in " Benbow " at 6.14 p.m., as the range of an enemy capital ship. The average range obtainable was about 11,000 yards. 11. Owing to the haze and low visibihty the targets were few and consisted of a Light Cruiser at moderate range, a Battle Cruiser at longer range and Destroyers approaching to attack, 12. Firing commenced on an enemy's Battle Cruiser at 6.30 p.m., and due to the varjdng visibihty, was intermittent up to 7.28 p.m., when the enemy retired behind a smoke screen.

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At 7.18 p.m., a big fire was observed in this ship.

13. There was considerable difficulty in distinguishing friend from foe owing to these large Fleets meeting in varying visibility. 14. The following ammunition was expended from the main armament :- BENBOW - 40 rounds VANGUARD - 80 rounds BELLEROPHON - 62 rounds TEMERAIRE - 72 rounds 15. Rear-Admiral Duff's report is attached. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, F. C. D. STURDEE, Vice-Admiral The Commander-in-Chief, H.M. Ships and Vessels, Grand Fleet.

REAR-ADMIRAL'S REPORT, 4th BATTLE SQUADRON. From—The Rear-Admiral Fourth Battle Squadron. To—The Vice Admiral Commanding Fourth Battle Squadron. Date—4th June 1916. A^o.—017. Submitted. Theenclosedreportwaswrittenbeforearriving inharbouronJune2nd. Itwasnotsentinatthetimeasnot being in command of a Division the report of the Captain of " Superb " would practically cover all the points coming under mv observation. No. 017. A. L. DUFF, Rear-Admiral. Report on action of 31st May 1916. " Superb," Sir, 1st June 1916. In accordance with your signal 1835 of 1st instant, I have the honour to make the following report. 2. Owing to weather conditions under which the action was fought, and knowing little of the general situation preceding the arrival of the Battle Fleet on the scene of action, or, in fact, at any time, necessarily limits the scope of my remarks to what I actually saw take place. 3. The main features of the action appeared to be : (a) Thelowvisibihty ; (6) The difficulty of distinguishing between friend and foe, owing to the weather conditions. This was accen- tuated through ignorance of the disposition of the Rosyth