Q&A · 2:07:28-2:08:53

What Jellicoe might gain by turning toward the torpedoes

Accepting heavier British losses might destroy more of the German fleet and open a far more aggressive Baltic strategy.

Question

What might have happened if Jellicoe turned toward the German torpedoes at Jutland?

Short answer

Britain would probably suffer more losses but might destroy the German fleet and gain the freedom to operate aggressively in the Baltic.

Notes

Jellicoe would probably lose ships if the Grand Fleet turned toward the German torpedo attack rather than away. Britain could still win decisively so long as its surviving fleet remained larger and forced the Germans home. If the High Seas Fleet were destroyed rather than merely checked, the Royal Navy might attempt bombardment and intervention in the Baltic. German mines and submarines would remain serious obstacles, but Britain could concentrate its large trawler and destroyer forces on clearing a route.