The Battle of Jutland: WWI's Largest Naval Clash Begins

On 31 May 1916, the largest naval battle of the First World War erupted off the coast of Jutland, Denmark. It was the only time the British and German fleets of mighty dreadnought battleships came directly to blows. German Admiral Reinhard Scheer hoped to ambush and weaken Britain’s Grand Fleet, but British codebreakers gave early warning, and both navies put to sea.

The clash was vast and chaotic, involving some 250 ships and around 100,000 men. Over the course of the fighting, Britain lost 14 ships and more than 6,000 sailors, while Germany lost 11 ships and over 2,500 men. The unexpected destruction of large vessels such as HMS Invincible and HMS Queen Mary drove the heavy British toll.

Neither side won the decisive victory it craved.

Yet the outcome favoured Britain. Despite its losses, the Grand Fleet retained control of the North Sea, confirming British naval dominance and sustaining the blockade that helped force Germany’s eventual defeat in 1918.