The following is the KM Fleet Commanders AAR for the Battle of Jutland. Actual Scenario played was "Jutland at 1548" Number of KM players 4. Number of RN Players 5. Duration of the battle about 5 hours and 15 minutes. Battle ended after sunset with visibility gradually decreasing, with the main fleets of both sides out of contact.
In short a 9 player 5 hour battle of Jutland. ACH settings were Cordite OFF, Fragile AP ON. Original game settings were used in every case. Xfire chatrooms were used for secure comms on both sides. Voice chat was not used.
After proceeding South for a time the RN BCF reversed course to apparently open the range, and get astern of the scouting groups. Once there it turned East. The KM forces followed suit to stay engaged with the BCF. Heavy DD and CL Skirmishes occurred during this time. During which the Regensburg was sunk, and Seydlitz blew up.
The Main Body meanwhile reassembled the screen back into fighting units off the Port Bow. Sent the III BS 5th Division (Konigs) ahead at 23 knots to make contact with the fighting and increased fleet speed to 18 knots. The II BS, (the Pre-Dreadnoughts) were not sent home and continued to steam with the fleet. Contact was made with the Scouting Groups on the Starboard Bow as they were heading SE then E and eventually NE. The Main Body of the HSF turned NE and ordered SG1 to take the lead. The BCF at this Point were seen to NE beyond and to Port of SG1. BS1 still in the lead, with 5th BS in rear. They had not yet formed a continuous line of battle.
As the HSF headed NE in pursuit of the BCF, the GF made its appearance off the Port Bow of the KM Battleline. They had formed up into a single Battle line with a tremendous number of escort and screening ships. All headed SE into the left flank of the KM fleet but still out of range. Had the HSF continued to NE the GF could have passed astern of the KM main body. As it was the KM was headed to a point between the GF and the BCF. This was a tactically untenable situation and the KM was forced to turn North, then NW to face the Grand Fleet. At some point during this time Southampton was sunk. Though it remained as a ghost ship and caused some concern to the KM who expended much needed ammo at it as it closed with the BL.
Predictably the BCF tried to take advantage by falling on the German rear where the PD's were located. Indeed 15" shells from the 5th BS started to fall in among these ships as they trailed alone. However the BCF had lost its screen in front and came South without any protection. The allows a series of head on DD attacks on the BCF which effectively shredded its cohesion, broke up its formations again and again. These attacks were made with great determination at the best attack angle possible. Losses to the KM DD's were actually light as they remained under fire for only a brief time. Lion was Torpedoed and eventually sank. Other ships may have been hit. These DD attacks were really exciting, and demonstrate both what DD's can do if handled properly and why screening forces should stay in place.
Meanwhile with the GF closing in, the KM main body was obliged to turn to SW to cut across its Van. For the remainder of the fight fleet course would be W or SW. The II BS (PD's) turned SW on its own to take a position shielded from the GF by the rest of the KM BL. It was still under file from the 5thBS distant of to the East. During this time the Schlesien suffered a rudder casualty and was stuck on cse 180 for a considerable period of time though it eventually recovered and rejoined the fleet. The BCF was kept at bay and disorganized by repeated small DD attacks. The BCF Screen which was off even farther East never got back close enough to stop the KM attacks as the battle headed away from it.
By this time the rear of the German line headed SW, was engaged with the Van of the British line. The RN were NW of the Germans and headed SW to close the range. The British 1st CA came into range and was heavily pounded by the HSF. An unknown number of CA's were sunk. SG1 and SGII had been trying to get in the lead of the BL for the entire battle, but with the fleet making a large circle to the West it never could, and eventually had to fall in astern of the line in an effort to screen the PD's and Nassau's at the rear. In fact the German rear was surrounded on three sides by strong enemy forces and was taking a beating. During this time the Von Der Tann was badly damaged and had to be left behind. It was later sunk.
Here began a tremendous British DD attack on the KM BL The attack came in from the NW into the Starboard side of the KM Battle line. The angle was poor and the attack came in line ahead which allowed defensive fire to concentrate on the leading ships. German DD's were also on hand to engage the British and did so cutting into their right as they came down. Secondary fire from the KM BB's and torpedos from the 4 Nassau's also worked to break up the attack. Finally the SG1 at the rear charged in to screen the BL. RN losses during this attack were very high with at least a dozen DD's sunk and at least one CL (Active). It did however force the entire KM BL to Turn Together South. The only torpedo hit was on Lutzow, which slowed her to 18 knots, but she was able to recover to 20 by sunset.
The reasons for this attack are unclear. It was not a good attack tactically, It is thought here that its purpose was to break up the KM line which in nearly succeeded in doing. The price was very high though. Again this was very exciting, and demonstrated the need for screening ships to stay on station.
By this time in the waning light of day, most German DD's were out of ammo and Torpedo's. Indeed the BC's of SG1 were nearly out of ammo. Light damage was inflicted on every ship in the rear of the KM line. As visibility rapidly dropped the GF now spread out from NW to NE of the retiring HSF was lost of view. Though some skirmishing was still going on it was decided to stop the battle.
It was a draw, but very entertaining and well fought on both sides. The grand tactical maneuvering on the part of the GF was very well done, and gave it the tactical advantage throughout the battle. It forced the HSF to deal with forces on both sides and made a turn toward either flank a very dangerous thing to do. Yet turn it must and all the events of the battle were basically driven by the situation it found itself in and the need to escape. Hats off the architect of this idea. On the other hand (in my view) the CL/DD fighting was done better by the KM who always had ships on hand and in place for every opportunity and emergency. To the great credit of the English however there were many emergencies. I was exhausted by the end of the day. Remained in a virtual coma till bedtime.
Well done to all involved, thanks for coming. Can't wait to try this again.
ANav