Military Issues & History Forum • Re: Operational Art or War Doctrine

The battle of Jutland was the only major clash between the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet.

It occurred in the southern North Sea, off the coast of the Jutland Peninsula which gives its name to the battle.

While the British lost more ships than the Germans, it was the pivotal naval battle of the First World War.

Whilst the High Seas Fleet emerged twice more into the North Sea, there was no other major battle and the Royal Navy retained command of the sea, without which Germany could not win the war.
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German losses in the battle were less than the British, but strategically, the German Fleet only ventured to sea on two further occasions before the end of the war.

Jutland was a battle that the British did not have to win, but if the Germans had won, they would have gained command of the sea and would have won the war.

Fisher knew how to use technological development for strategic ends. Because he never lost sight of the role of the fleet, each of its ships the Grand Fleet at Jutland was the product of a technological innovation that aimed at strategic results. Adapting technology to strategic needs and then using technological development to subdue an opponent is the great lesson that Jutland provides...


Command at sea is fought for chokepoints and access to a continent’s gateways; it is not an end in itself.

While the tactics and strategy of Nelson have been studied for over a hundred years, the Battle of Jutland is far more complicated than the whole of Nelson's war experience, and it will take many years of faithful study to prepare us to reap the benefit of all the professional data furnished by this great sea fight.

Statistics: Posted by ramana — 23 Aug 2024 23:45