Difference between revisions of "Fourth L.C.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland"

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==LETTER OF PROCEEDINGS—FROM COMMODORE, 4TH LIGHT CRUISER SQUADRON==
 
==LETTER OF PROCEEDINGS—FROM COMMODORE, 4TH LIGHT CRUISER SQUADRON==
−
Enclosure No. 15 to Submission No. 1415/0022 of 20/8/16
 
−
from C.-in-C., Home Fleets.
 
−
No, C. 14.
 
−
"Calliope," 3rd June 1916
 
−
Sir,
 
−
 
−
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith, in the form of a diary, the proceedings of the Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron  when not actually in station, during the Fleet action of 31st May 1916.
 
−
2. The diary has been compiled from the reports and track charts forwarded by ships of the Squadron.
 
−
I have the honour to be,
 
−
The Commander-in-Chief,
 
−
Grand Fleet.
 
−
Sir,
 
−
Your obedient Servant,
 
−
C. E. LE MESURIER,
 
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Commodore,
 
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Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron.
 
−
 
−
(Enclosure to 4th Light Cruiser Squadron Letter No. C. 14 of 3rd June 1916.)
 
−
DIARY OF PROCEEDINGS.
 
−
Date, 31st May 1916. All times G.M.T.
 
−
P. M .
 
−
5.45. Heavy firing S.S.W.
 
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6.12. One Enemy Light Cruiser to Southward, on fire and stopped.
 
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6,13. 4th Light Cruiser Squadron turned to East in line ahead. Battle Cruiser Fleet 2' South, steering East, engaging enemy Battle Cruisers on parallel course.
 
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6.20. One enemy four-funnel Light Cruiser observed to sink.
 
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6.22. "Queen Mary " blew up.
 
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6.32. " Invincible ' blew up.
 
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6.35. " Acasta " badly hit, passed through Squadron from Southward.
 
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6.35. Centre and Rear Divisions of Battle Fleet opened fire.
 
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6.45. Altered course to close "King George V." division. Received signal for deployment.
 
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7.0-7.15. Took up action station on "King George V."
 
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7,15. One enemy Battle Cruiser ( I " Lutzow ") beating West surrounded by T.B.D.'s steering slowly to N.W.
 
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7.18. Two enemy Battle Ships " " class, engaged by " Orion ' division, observed heavily on fire.
 
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7.22. Ordered by Commander-in-Chief to attack enemy destroyers. Latter—a half flotilla—bearing N.W. by N., steering towards head of "King George V." division.  Opened fire 8,000-9,000 yards, leading T.B.D. disappeared; one other disabled.
 
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7.25-7.35. At least six torpedoes observed in Squadron to pass ahead or through the Squadron's track.
 
−
7.36. Enemy destroyers retired, 4th Light Cruiser Squadron resumed station on "King George V."
 
  
 +
{|width=1024px
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2| Enclosure No. 15 to Submission No. 1415/0022 of 20/8/16
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2| from C.-in-C., Home Fleets.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2| No. C. 14.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2| "{{UK-Calliope}}," 3rd June 1916
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|Sir,
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|I HAVE the honour to forward herewith, in the form of a diary, the proceedings of the Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron  when not actually in station, during the Fleet action of 31st May 1916.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|2.||The diary has been compiled from the reports and track charts forwarded by ships of the Squadron.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|I have the honour to be,
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|Sir,
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|Your obedient Servant,
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|[[Charles Edward Le Mesurier|C. E. LE MESURIER]],<br>Commodore,<br>Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|The Commander-in-Chief,
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|Grand Fleet.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2 align=center|(Enclosure to 4th Light Cruiser Squadron Letter No. C. 14 of 3rd June 1916.)
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2 align=center|DIARY OF PROCEEDINGS.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|Date, 31st May 1916. All times G.M.T.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top colspan=2|P. M .
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|5.45.|| Heavy firing S.S.W.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|6.12.|| One Enemy Light Cruiser to Southward, on fire and<br>stopped.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|6.13.|| 4th Light Cruiser Squadron turned to East in line ahead.<br> Battle Cruiser Fleet 2' South, steering East, engaging<br> enemy Battle Cruisers on parallel course.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|6.20.|| One enemy four-funnel Light Cruiser observed to sink.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|6.22.|| "{{UK-QueenMary}} " blew up.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|6.32.|| " {{UK-Invincible}} " blew up.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|6.35.|| " {{UK-Acasta}} " badly hit, passed through Squadron from<br> Southward.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|6.35.|| Centre and Rear Divisions of Battle Fleet opened fire.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|6.45.|| Altered course to close "King George V." division.<br> Received signal for deployment.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|7.0-7.15.|| Took up action station on "King George V."
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|7,15.|| One enemy Battle Cruiser ( ? " {{DE-Lutzow}} ") bearing West<br> surrounded by T.B.D.'s steering slowly to N.W.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|7.18.|| Two enemy Battle Ships [[König Class Battleship (1913)|" König " class]], engaged by<br> " Orion " division, observed heavily on fire.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|7.22.|| Ordered by Commander-in-Chief to attack enemy destroyers.<br> Latter—a half flotilla—bearing N.W. by N.,<br> steering towards head of "King George V." division.<br>  Opened fire 8,000-9,000 yards, leading T.B.D.<br> disappeared; one other disabled.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|7.25-7.35.|| At least six torpedoes observed in Squadron to pass<br> ahead or through the Squadron's track.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|7.36.|| Enemy destroyers retired, 4th Light Cruiser Squadron<br> resumed station on "{{UK-KingGeorgeV}}."
 +
|-
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|valign=top|8.5.|| " {{UK-Castor}} " and T.B.D.'s turned to West, a smoke screen<br>observed W.N.W.—1st Division, " {{UK-Calliope}} ," <br>" {{UK-Constance}} ," and " {{UK-Comus}} " turned to support " {{UK-Castor}}."
 +
|-
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|valign=top|8.18.|| Opened fire on enemy's destroyers, a half flotilla steering<br>towards rear of Battle Cruiser Fleet in direction S.S.W.
 +
|-
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|valign=top|8.24.|| Enemy destroyers made smoke cloud and retired on own line.
 +
|-
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|valign=top|8.26.||Sighted enemy Battle Fleet N.W., 8,000 yards, [[Deutschland Class Battleship (1904)|" Pommern "<br> class]] centre, [[Kaiser Class Battleship (1911)|" Kaiser " class]] rear divisions, course south.
 +
|-
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|valign=top|8.28.||Enemy Battleships opened fire on Light Cruisers.
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|-
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|valign=top|8.30.||" {{UK-Calliope}} " fired a torpedo at leading ship of " Kaiser "<br>division at 6,500 yards—Light Cruisers retired on "King<br>George V." divisions heavily shelled by three enemy<br>battleships.
 +
|-
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|valign=top|8.35.||Enemy ceased firing.
 +
|-
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|valign=top|8.38.||An explosion noticed on one " Kaiser " class Battleship.
 +
|-
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|valign=top|8.45.||" {{UK-Calliope}} " took station on 2nd Battle Squadron. " {{UK-Constance}} "<br> and " {{UK-Comus}} " proceeded through the line to<br>get ahead of the "King George V."
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|8.45.||" {{UK-Caroline}} " and " Royalist " (ahead of " {{UK-Castor}} " and<br>destroyers) who were ahead of "King George V."<br>observed three enemy Battleships—pre-Dreadnoughts<br>N.N.W. closing slowly—leading enemy ship challenged<br>by Searchlight towards "Castor."
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|9.5-9.10.||" {{UK-Caroline}} " fired two torpedoes and " {{UK-Royalist}} "<br>fired one torpedo at enemy, mean range 8,000 yards.<br>Enemy opened fire on " {{UK-Caroline}} " and " {{UK-Royalist}} ,"<br>also on " Comus "—rejoining "Caroline." Latter and<br>" Royalist " turned away.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|9.14.||Enemy ceased firing.
 +
|-
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|valign=top|9.17.|| Enemy fired one large star shell.
 +
|-
 +
|valign=top|9.35.||" Calliope " reached head of line, 4th L.C.S. formed astern<br>of her. Squadron closed on "King George V." at<br>2.0 a.m. 1st June.
 +
|}
 
<!-- in case we find more individual reports
 
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=={{UK-Calliope|f=p}}==
 
=={{UK-Calliope|f=p}}==

Revision as of 11:41, 25 September 2013

The Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron had five light cruisers operating in support of the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland:[1]

On 3 June, 1916, Charles E. Le Mesurier submitted a short "Diary of Proceedings" on the operation of the squadron at the Battle of Jutland.[2]

LETTER OF PROCEEDINGS—FROM COMMODORE, 4TH LIGHT CRUISER SQUADRON

Enclosure No. 15 to Submission No. 1415/0022 of 20/8/16
from C.-in-C., Home Fleets.
No. C. 14.
"Calliope," 3rd June 1916
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith, in the form of a diary, the proceedings of the Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron when not actually in station, during the Fleet action of 31st May 1916.
2. The diary has been compiled from the reports and track charts forwarded by ships of the Squadron.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
C. E. LE MESURIER,
Commodore,
Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron.
The Commander-in-Chief,
Grand Fleet.
(Enclosure to 4th Light Cruiser Squadron Letter No. C. 14 of 3rd June 1916.)
DIARY OF PROCEEDINGS.
Date, 31st May 1916. All times G.M.T.
P. M .
5.45. Heavy firing S.S.W.
6.12. One Enemy Light Cruiser to Southward, on fire and
stopped.
6.13. 4th Light Cruiser Squadron turned to East in line ahead.
Battle Cruiser Fleet 2' South, steering East, engaging
enemy Battle Cruisers on parallel course.
6.20. One enemy four-funnel Light Cruiser observed to sink.
6.22. "Queen Mary " blew up.
6.32. " Invincible " blew up.
6.35. " Acasta " badly hit, passed through Squadron from
Southward.
6.35. Centre and Rear Divisions of Battle Fleet opened fire.
6.45. Altered course to close "King George V." division.
Received signal for deployment.
7.0-7.15. Took up action station on "King George V."
7,15. One enemy Battle Cruiser ( ? " Lützow ") bearing West
surrounded by T.B.D.'s steering slowly to N.W.
7.18. Two enemy Battle Ships " König " class, engaged by
" Orion " division, observed heavily on fire.
7.22. Ordered by Commander-in-Chief to attack enemy destroyers.
Latter—a half flotilla—bearing N.W. by N.,
steering towards head of "King George V." division.
Opened fire 8,000-9,000 yards, leading T.B.D.
disappeared; one other disabled.
7.25-7.35. At least six torpedoes observed in Squadron to pass
ahead or through the Squadron's track.
7.36. Enemy destroyers retired, 4th Light Cruiser Squadron
resumed station on "King George V."
8.5. " Castor " and T.B.D.'s turned to West, a smoke screen
observed W.N.W.—1st Division, " Calliope ,"
" Constance ," and " Comus " turned to support " Castor."
8.18. Opened fire on enemy's destroyers, a half flotilla steering
towards rear of Battle Cruiser Fleet in direction S.S.W.
8.24. Enemy destroyers made smoke cloud and retired on own line.
8.26. Sighted enemy Battle Fleet N.W., 8,000 yards, " Pommern "
class centre, " Kaiser " class rear divisions, course south.
8.28. Enemy Battleships opened fire on Light Cruisers.
8.30. " Calliope " fired a torpedo at leading ship of " Kaiser "
division at 6,500 yards—Light Cruisers retired on "King
George V." divisions heavily shelled by three enemy
battleships.
8.35. Enemy ceased firing.
8.38. An explosion noticed on one " Kaiser " class Battleship.
8.45. " Calliope " took station on 2nd Battle Squadron. " Constance "
and " Comus " proceeded through the line to
get ahead of the "King George V."
8.45. " Caroline " and " Royalist " (ahead of " Castor " and
destroyers) who were ahead of "King George V."
observed three enemy Battleships—pre-Dreadnoughts
N.N.W. closing slowly—leading enemy ship challenged
by Searchlight towards "Castor."
9.5-9.10. " Caroline " fired two torpedoes and " Royalist "
fired one torpedo at enemy, mean range 8,000 yards.
Enemy opened fire on " Caroline " and " Royalist ,"
also on " Comus "—rejoining "Caroline." Latter and
" Royalist " turned away.
9.14. Enemy ceased firing.
9.17. Enemy fired one large star shell.
9.35. " Calliope " reached head of line, 4th L.C.S. formed astern
of her. Squadron closed on "King George V." at
2.0 a.m. 1st June.

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 34, 44.
  2. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 295-297.

Bibliography

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