Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 40:06-40:54

What reliable radios could have changed at Jutland

Reliable reporting would give Jellicoe the information and time needed to execute a more complete tactical deployment.

Battle Of JutlandCommand And ControlGrand FleetJohn JellicoeNaval Communications
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Question

How would functioning radios have affected Jutland?

Short answer

They could have given Jellicoe time and information to deploy more completely, exposing the German fleet to a much heavier tactical defeat.

Notes

Working radios and timely reports would give Jellicoe the information needed to organise the Grand Fleet for contact. His crossing of the German line could then be more complete, with much heavier German losses expected in this counterfactual. Those losses would also be harder for Germany to replace. British construction capacity meant that an apparently comparable loss burden would still hurt the German fleet more.