Jellicoe's deployment problem: information before boldness

The official Naval Staff appreciation argues that deployment on the starboard wing offered acceptable risks: German destroyers were already occupied, and British light forces were available to oppose an attack. It criticises deployment on the port wing for adding two or three miles to the range when visibility was little more than five miles. An alternative was to form line ahead on Iron Duke using an older signal, which the appreciation regarded as familiar and practicable. Clarke disputes the assumptions behind that proposal, particularly that Jellicoe could identify Beatty's flag and understand his position despite missing reports. He also objects to introducing a manoeuvre the fleet had not practised for roughly twenty years during the battle.