Both British fleet and German did not sail off from their bases since the outbreak of the war.

However, only British had the war plan called"Armageddon". The British believed that they could annihilate all German vessels in one stroke by superior guns. It should take place in the decisive battle waters attended by both of all vessels. The Germans took a different view. By the defeats, the loss of all colonial fleets, in particular, Schpee's and the battle of Doggerbank they thought it better to keep the feet in harbour. Moreover, several lines of mine were put around both harbours. It seemed impossible for surface ships and submarines as well to raid enemy bases.

In technology the Germans were more sensitive to prevent magazine explosion by anti-flash doors and developed optical apparatus giving farther sight. The British developed neither.

On the other hand in fire power the British was far superior. German guns equipped in battle ships were less than 12 inch and those in battle cruisers were almost 11 inch. The British already completed super-dreadnought class battleships which had 14 or 15 inch-guns. In this light if one British battleship tried dual against German the result seemed clear.

However, Sheer, commander of German High Seas Fleet took an initiative for the battle. He thought inferiority on fire power might be superseded by submarines. He deployed a dozen of submarine around British naval base, Scapa Flow. It was probable that these submarines could force British fleet attritioned soon after they sailed off. And then by battle cruisers going ahead, the main battleships could destroy induced British fleet jointly like pincer movement.

On 31 May, 1916 before the sun rise Sheer ordered High Seas Fleet to sail off. This fleeｔ consisted of 16 dreadnoughts, 5 battle cruisers and 6 old types accompanied with many cruisers and destroyers.

Hipper, commander of battle cruisers went ahead. One hour later Sheer and his fleet sailed off.

By radio traffic increased the British learned this. Jellico, commander of Grand Fleet ordered all ships ready to sail off. He had the same idea as Sheer. He had also battle cruisers commanded by Beatty to go ahead. British had nine battle cruisers and 28 dreadnought battleships out of which 6 were super-dreadnoughts with 15-inch guns.

Jellico on board, his flag ship,"Iron Duke"left the harbour with white ensign flying back. Top of two rows of fleet was Iron Duke, super-dreadnought.

A dozen German submarines were deployed around Scapa Flow. But, all of them failed to sight any of British main ships. This repeated in World War 2. Japanese usually used their submarines for reconnaissance and attrition by accompanying with main ships. All were failures. For submarines to sight far targets is very tough.

However, once Hipper left his base it was impossible to return. He also failed to sight enemy ships. It was 1200 sharp.

Around the same time Beatty who had left the Firth of Forth also failed to find anything. But both scouting ships going far ahead found out each other. One hour later Hipper turned back to draw Beatty to German main body. A long range gunnery occurred soon after, but as a result of lack of anti-flash doors British two battle cruisers exploded and sank by 1626. Beatty's flagship, Lion damaged heavily but he did not shrink.

He steamed up and cut straight into German battle cruisers. And then, he found out German battle ships nearing. In his turn he tried to draw German ships to the Grand Fleet. It seemed for Jellico's operational plan to come triumphant.

However, Jellico could hear gunnaries groaning, but not learn where those happened. He wondered whether he should approach to where the gunnaries sounded or to where he could enjoy better location to fire. He advanced to somewhere and found out he cut into the flank of Scheer.

All ships of both started to fire heavily but during the first stage of gunnaries British battlecruiser, Invincible sank immediately. However, Scheer learning their inferiority on quantity decided to flee away by smoking. The Germans turned to West and Beatty to South to interfere. However, Jellico did not to pursue. The reason why was not clarified but he might be convinced of victory by watching Germans flying away.

Scheer met again with Beatty at 2015, but lost fighting spirit. He steamed up and hurried home. Beatty fired shells for 15 minutes but gave up to pursue because of the sun set. German battle cruiser, Luezow was damaged heavily by this bombardment and abandoned after reaching its base.

All German 5 battle cruisers damaged heavily but fulfilled their mission as rear guards while returning. Scheer and Hipper returned safely to their bases by the morning of next day.

In this battle British lost 3 battle cruisers and 11 minor ships. Germans also lost 1 old type, 1 battle cruiser and 9 minor ships. British lost 6096 seamen and Germans 2551.

Afterwards, both sides acclaimed the battle as their victory. British damaged more but German could not sail off during the rest of war period.

There occurred a severe dispute among Japanese naval officers about which was a victor in this battle. This battle also ensued to no conclusion. Someone suddenly hit upon the idea why not to take the judgment of admiral Togo, victor of Tsushima.

After long briefing, the Admiral said, "The British won the battle. Which damaged more has nothing to do with the issue. The Germans fled away, so they lost."

This was a very simple verdict. True it may be.