Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 24:15-26:18

Scheer could keep the High Seas Fleet mobile enough to trap Hipper's pursuers

A faster High Seas Fleet could use a Baltic diversion and Hipper's scouting force to cut off the British battlecruisers.

Battle Of JutlandBattlecruisersFifth Battle SquadronFleet TacticsGerman NavyHigh Seas FleetReinhard Scheer
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Question

What could Admiral Scheer have done differently at Jutland?

Short answer

The plan would use slow pre-dreadnoughts as a diversion near Denmark and keep the High Seas Fleet fast enough to swing behind the British battlecruisers pursuing Hipper, accepting the danger of the Fifth Battle Squadron.

Notes

A different plan would detach the slow pre-dreadnoughts and use them near the Danish coast or Baltic entrance as a diversion. The remaining High Seas Fleet would preserve speed and stay closer to Hipper. The aim would be to let Hipper draw the British battlecruisers south of the main German force, then turn behind them and cut off their retreat. This manoeuvre might expose the Germans to the Fifth Battle Squadron and its 15-inch guns. Pursuing the trap would accept that bloody risk in exchange for a chance to destroy the British battlecruisers.