Jutland version II

[ghappy1000]

Now that I've received some extra information, I'll restart the Jutland timeline with slightly more historical evidence. This has a pyrrhic German victory with better conditions for the Germans.
Part 1
At about 3p.m. on 31 May 1916,Hipper’s Battle cruisers had been detected by the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron although it was at 3:22 p.m. that Hipper sighted the British Battle cruisers but due to the direction of the prevailing winds Beatty did not identify Hipper for several minutes. Beatty continued to advance towards Hipper and eight minutes later the Lutzow opened fire on HMS Lion following a sharp turn to the south within a minute Lion and the rest of the Battlecruisers assembled opened fire.

The 5th Battle Squadron however, had not seen Beatty’s orders to turn south and was now well behind the faster moving Battlecruisers but their massive 15 inch Guns and greater range would soon come back into play. The German Battlecruisers had advantage of the weather gauge with their smoke being blown clear while the British had it blowing across their decks towards their targets and within a few minutes HMS’ Lion, Princess Royal and Tiger had all been hit with only crack shot HMS Queen Mary landing a reply on the Germans. [Taken from 'Room 40's Greatest Triumph]
All of a sudden, catastrophe struck the British. At approximately 4:00 p.m., a shell from Lutzow detonated on HMS Lion's Q Turret. In the scenario, every member in the turret made cordite arrangement errors and the fire caused by the shell left everybody dead or crippled. With nobody willing to assist the wounded men after an explosion and fire following, the fires spread and by 4:20 P.M., the Lion had detonated with the loss of Admiral Beatty and virtually every crew member on board, with some 15 barely escaping to become prisoners of the Germans.
This is the pod used until further notice. HMS Indefatigable and Queen Mary explode as historical.

 

[ghappy1000]

P.O.D. [Battle of Riga]

In 1915, the Germans were on the offensive at Gorlice Tarnow and won battles over the Russians. The pod is that, the Germans won the Battle of Riga in this timeline due to the presence of a few extra old pre-dreadnoughts and more minesweepers to accelerate the mine sweeping process. As a result, Riga was taken in October 1915, along with the need to take into account coastal defence and the Russians decided to prepare a counterattack to retake the city by December. The operation would fail and provide the Germans some badly needed lessons for Jutland.

 

[ghappy1000]

Battle of Riga

To intrude the Riga Gulf, the Germans sent the pre dreadnought battleships of the Wittelsbach, Braunschweig and Deutschland classes. Besides, a force of 4 dreadnoughts of the Nassau class ships were used to cover the assault force. The minelayer Deutschland was ordered to cover the assault with minelaying to block the exits to the bay. At the last moment, a few more minelaying submarines and auxiliary minelayers were ordered to plant more mines and obstruct the progress of the Russian fleet in the gulf. Half a division of minesweepers was also ordered to sweep the Russian minefields.
German order of battle in this scenario:
4 Nassau class dreadnoughts,10 pre dreadnoughts [with 5 in reserve], the Cruisers SMS Augsburg, SMS Bremen, SMS Graudenz, SMS Pillau, SMS Roon, SMS Prinz Heinrich and 56 destroyers [as increased escort would be needed in this scenario]. The reserve pre dreadnoughts would scare the Russians with coastal bombardment at the Sorve Peninsula and Estonian islands with 16 destroyers as escort. The minelaying cruiser Nautilus, minelayer Deutschland, 3 UC class submarines and several minesweepers were to support the operation with necessary mine warfare.
During the operation, the pre dreadnoughts shocked the Russians that they diverted attention from the vulnerable support ships. In this scenario, the minelaying operation is still aborted as historical, but the presence of extra mines caused the battleship Slava and a few smaller vessels to sink after colliding with one or two mines, although the Germans lost 1 cruiser and a pre dreadnought to accidental mining. The British submarines E1 and later the E9 would be sunk by the minefield. By 12 August, the defences of the port were breached and the Germans took Riga. Although another cruiser and pre dreadnought each would be lost, the city of Riga fell to the Germans temporarily and the Russians retreating from the defeat at Gorlice Tarnow were ordered to capture Riga. The operation would be supported by the Baltic Fleet, shocked at the size of the German force.

 

[ghappy1000]

Russian counterattack at Riga after its fall

After the fall of Riga to the German Navy, the Russians withdrew a corps from the front against Germany in Prussia to counterattack. The German threat of encirclement of the Russian armies became more severe, with 60,000 extra prisoners captured compared to reality. Although the Russians recaptured Riga on 20 September, the Germans were not far behind and the city was encircled on 15 October. The Russian Navy would sortie in support of the besieged defenders, but the city had supplies for only 4 weeks and a new offensive was needed to support the defenders.
After halting the German attackers on 25 October, the Russians launched their counterattack. Although the attacking Russians outnumbered the Germans by 3 to 1, the German artillery bombardment neutralised the numerical superiority, leading to the operation's failure.
Now, would the Russians try to sail out in support of Riga or do you think that this is impossible? [Very likely the latter, but I'm suggesting a way for the Germans to learn some lessons and do better at Jutland.]

 

[NHBL]

Countermarch...

The Kiel Canal is a German major advantage. The High Seas Fleet isn't needed in the North Sea right now. It might be a good time to bring more dreadnoughts...the Helgoland class come to mind as good candidates.

Bring them into the Baltic, and the balance of power is drastically in Germany's favor. The question is if the Kaiser will accept the risks to these ships...

 

[ghappy1000]

The Kiel Canal is a German major advantage. The High Seas Fleet isn't needed in the North Sea right now. It might be a good time to bring more dreadnoughts...the Helgoland class come to mind as good candidates.

Bring them into the Baltic, and the balance of power is drastically in Germany's favor. The question is if the Kaiser will accept the risks to these ships...

I still think the Germans would muster the pre dreadnoughts as their dreadnoughts need to be saved for the decisive battle against Britain.

 

[ghappy1000]

Gangut class dreadnoughts

According to Wikipedia,the Gangut class dreadnoughts were sent on minelaying operations in November 1915 and two of them were sent on minelaying operations off Liepaja on 27 August 1915. Perhaps November 1915 is probably the best time for them to sortie in support of the besieged Russians in Riga or the advancing Germans in the Baltic.

 

[galveston bay]

don't underrate the Russian Navy. They learned a lot from the Russo Japanese War, particularly on how to use mines both defensively and offensively. The Germans were defeated twice in efforts to enter the Gulf of Riga, and the Russians even managed to grab a German codebook (and get it to the British). The British also has some submarines in the Baltic that operated with considerable effect.

 

[ghappy1000]

Don't underrate the Russian Navy. They learned a lot from the Russo Japanese War, particularly on how to use mines both defensively and offensively.The Germans were defeated twice in efforts to enter the Gulf of Riga, and the Russians even managed to grab a German codebook (and get it to the British). The British also has some submarines in the Baltic that operated with considerable effect.

Okay, have the Germans outweigh them by 3 to 1 [effectively 2 to 1 because of the pre dreadnoughts] and the Germans have a difficult time defeating the Russians. They learn some lessons and make good use of them at Jutland.
As for the lessons learnt, the Germans still outnumbered the Russians and the dreadnoughts had little armour. A Nassau class battleship should be able to tackle them with some ease. Minefields would be featured in the timeline, but the same with German torpedo boats. In this timeline, extra forces cause the Germans to pierce Riga's defences. Two of the British submarines not sunk otl had been lost in this scenario, one to a minefield and another to damage or mining.

 

[ghappy1000]

The destruction of the Baltic Fleet

On 10 November, the starving defenders of Riga, exhausted by the blockade of the port and with a counterattack being devastated by bombardment from German pre dreadnoughts, were about to surrender. In response, the Russians ordered the sending of the Baltic Fleet to assist the city and enable the success of a counter offensive. The dreadnoughts, Andrei Pervozvanny class battleships and cruisers were to engage the German Baltic Fleet while the Tsesarvich was ordered to bombard German positions. If possible, the pre dreadnoughts' gunfire would force the Germans to retreat and permit the counteroffensive to succeed. Meanwhile, the destroyers were to provide cover from submarines and torpedo boats.
After laying mines off the Estonian coast, the force, with a convoy of ships to scare the Germans into coastal defence, would be escorted by the protected cruisers Oleg, Bogatyr, Diana and Aurora, along with several destroyers and submarine support. If impossible, the convoy would return to Petrograd and the force would bombard German positions instead. The latter course was taken.
During the night of 10-11 November, the force shelled German positions and mined the approaches to the Gulf of Riga. The 2 patrolling German pre dreadnoughts were sunk, along with the escorting torpedo boats. However, the destroyer Novik was sunk with another destroyer damaged. The retreating German forces [consisting of 2 cruisers] sacrificed themselves to make a torpedo attack that only crippled the cruisers Gromboi and Rossia, which put into the liberated Riga harbour for temporary repairs.
Upon receiving the news, the Germans ordered the Nassau class dreadnoughts and the pre dreadnoughts to sortie and intercept the Russians. On 12 November, the Germans were retreating from Riga and the city was liberated again, albeit temporary. The submarines E8, E18 and E19 were ordered to intervene if the opportunity rose and the same applied to the Russian submarines. When the German task force arrived on 13 November to find the empty Riga gulf, they bombarded the port and sank the crippled cruisers. However, the British submarine E19 placed a torpedo into the cruiser Prinz Adalbert, which exploded after hitting the magazines [3 weeks later than otl due to butterflies] and sank the pre dreadnought Deutschland. The news was received by the coaling Baltic Fleet, which prepared to sortie the next day.

 

[ghappy1000]

The destruction of the Baltic Fleet [PART 2]

On the night of 15-16 November, the Germans sortied out with 3 Kaiser Friedrich iii class pre dreadnoughts, 4 Braunschweig class battleships, 5 Wittelsbach class battleships, 3 Deutschland class battleships and 4 Nassau class dreadnoughts. The Russians had bombarded the ports of Parnu and Riga and were preparing to retreat. A submarine had detected the Russian force and torpedoed the cruiser flagship Rurik, attempting to diminish the Russian cruiser strength, but one torpedo struck the Andrei Prevoyzanny with crippling damage inflicted and another damaged the rudder. It would be scuttled after an attempt to save it was deemed impossible.
The pre dreadnought Zahringen would alert the Germans to the presence of the Russian Fleet, although it was crippled and left to sink after dreadnought gunfire. The Germans lost a few pre dreadnoughts in the first few hours, but the Russians lost the Imperator Pavel I and the Tsesarvich. Two Braunschweig class battleships and the cruiser Roon pounced the armoured cruisers Bayan, Admiral Makarov and the Rurik and managed to delete the Bayan class cruisers from the order of battle. The cruiser Rurik, the flagship of the Russian Fleet, was pounced by a Nassau class dreadnought and exploded while one protected cruiser was torpedoed and sunk by German torpedo boats.
On the other side, the Russians attempted to torpedo Roon, which was damaged by one and retreated. The British submarine E19 would locate the cruiser and try to sink it the next day, but was chased away by gunfire. After the arrival of the Gangut class battleships, the Nassaus opened fire with their 11 inch broadsides and within the next 2 hours, 3 of the Ganguts were sunk, one by torpedoes and 2 by the Nassau and Deutschland classes, although losing 1 of their number respectively. Another was damaged and would sink two days later. The last battleship retreated in humiliation, only to suffer an explosion, probably caused by a mine and the escorting protected cruiser was sunk by a torpedo.
In total, the losses for the Germans were 9 pre dreadnoughts [included one severely damaged and another mined], a dreadnought battleship, 2 cruisers , a u boat and 10 destroyers. The Russians lost their battleships, 5 armoured cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 10 destroyers plus a submarine.
Now, do you think this course of battle is possible?

 

[ghappy1000]

Preparations for Jutland [weapons]

In the aftermath of the battle, the Germans took note of certain matters in the battle. Although they won the battle, it was not as decisive as expected and several issues were discussed.
While the quality of shells used was good, it was still mediocre considering the Russian performance in the battle. The report commented that better shells would have destroyed the Russians faster and with less casualties. However, the shell modification would only apply for 12 inch shells despite the ships involved. The same was also said for torpedoes. As a result, only the Derrflingers, Konigs and Kaisers would receive the new projectiles. Bayern would obtain 15 inch shells of a better quality if available. However, a lack of evidence resulted in 11 inch shells being improved, with 12 and 15 inches modified if possible, despite the doubts of the navy.
Another issue that was rose was about u boat and minelaying in coordination of the attack. Had it been successful, the Russians would have lost the battle earlier. However, there was a possibility of friendly fire, but appropriate measures would be undertaken during a naval battle with Britain.
There was a clamour for decisive action against the British and an air of crisis motivated the convening of an inquiry.An investigation into shell performance did the German Navy a great service, despite being debated and provisions for better shells and torpedoes were made top weapon priorities for the navy was to defeat Britain at sea along with coordination with smaller weapons. In the end, only several 11 inch shells received some improvement in quality, but they would make the difference at Jutland.

 

[ghappy1000]

Jutland: The Beginning Introduction

The successes of the German Navy against the Russian Baltic Fleet was mediocre, but the threat of the Royal Navy was still in their minds. After Admiral Von Pohl was replaced with Scheer due to medical reasons, the Kaiserliche Marine's order to destroy the Grand Fleet after decimation and probably in piecemeal manners was rescinded.
According to Scheer, the German naval strategy should be:
To damage the English fleet by offensive raids against the naval forces engaged in watching and blockading the German Bight, as well as by mine-laying on the British coast and submarine attack, whenever possible. After an equality of strength had been realised as a result of these operations, and all our forces had been made ready and concentrated, an attempt was to be made with our fleet to seek battle under circumstances unfavourable to the enemy.
After a decision was made to halt unrestricted submarine warfare following protests, submarine attacks would be doe with adherence to prize regulations. This would reduce the tally of Entente merchant ships sunk and negate the advantage of surprise. However, submarine attacks could reduce the number of British warships and force the British to devote destroyers and submarines to attack u boats, giving the Germans an advantage. The Germans were supposed to intercept the Royal Navy in reduced numbers at expected locations and destroy the units, helping Germany to redress the naval disparity by destroying them in separate ambushes.
By the time, several of the less than expected 11 inch shells were replaced, however, no replacements were designated for 12 and 15 inch shells due to their power. The time needed for replacing powerful and potentially destructive shells was not worth the risk without evidence.

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

I think the battle of Riga is somehow realistic.

 

[ghappy1000]

Order of Battle for this Jutland [initial part 1]

British Forces:
Legend:
(d) RN battleships and battlecruisers fitted with fitted with main armament directors (source: Marder, v.3, p.260)
(o) RN battleships and battlecruisers not fitted with fitted with main armament directors (source: Marder, v.3, p.260)
No battleships or battlecruisers had been fitted with fitted with secondary armament or searchlight directors in 1916 (source: Marder, v.3, p.260)
+ = ships and personnel lost * = Ships badly damaged

1. Battle Cruiser Force, Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty, Rosyth
1BCS, Rosyth
HMS Lion [d], flag +, Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty+, VABCS, Captain A.E.M. Chatfield+, Gunnery Officer Commander G.F. Longhurst+, Chief Gunner Mr. (later Captain) A. Grant+
HMS Princess Royal (d), flag +, Rear Admiral O.de Brock+, RA1BCS, Captain W.H. Cowan, Gunnery Officer Commander C.B. Prickett+; (sunk by U 32)
HMS Queen Mary (d) +, Captain C.I. Prowse, Gunnery Officer Commander R.H. Llewellyn+
HMS Tiger (d) +, Captain H.B. Pelly+
2BCS, Rosyth
HMS New Zealand (d), flag, Rear Admiral W.C. Packenham+, RA2BCS, Captain JFE. Green
HMS Indefatigable + (d), Captain C.A. Selby +
1LCS, Rosyth
HMS Galatea+, flag, Commodore E.S. Alexander-Sinclair, Cmdre 1LCS
HMS Phaeton+, Commander JE Cameron
HMS Inconstant, Capt. BS Thesiger
HMS Cordelia+, Capt. TPH Beamish
2LCS, Rosyth
HMS Southampton +, flag, Commodore W.E. Goodenough, Cmdre, 2LCS
HMS Birmingham+, Captain A.A.M. Duff
HMS Nottingham, Captain C.B. Miller
HMS Dublin *, Captain A.C. Scott
3LCS, Rosyth
HMS Falmouth+, flag, Rear Admiral TDW. Napier, RA3LCS, Captain J.D. Edwards
HMS Yarmouth, Captain T.D. Pratt, (linking ship between light cruiser screen and VABCF)
HMS Birkenhead+, Capt. E Reeves
HMS Gloucester, Capt. WF Blunt
Seaplane carrier (Rosyth):
HMS Engadine+, Lt.Commander C.G. Robinson (4 Short Type 184 seaplanes)
Planned to be ready to attack Zeppelins off the Horns Reef on 1st June 1916, where the ships would be escorted by light cruisers and destroyers. Sunk by U 67 on 2 June.
HMS Onslow and HMS Moresby detached from 1DF to escort HMS Engadine while sending up floatplanes at 1447, 31st May.
Launched 1 a/c at 1508, Ft.Lt. F.J. Rutland and Assistant Paymaster G.S.Trewin, observer; forced to fly very low because of low clouds, fired at by SMS Frankfurt, Pillau and Elbing , and reported light cruisers’ change of course to VABCS. Burst a petrol pipe at 1547, and recovered at 1600.
Cloud base at 1000’ to 1200’, patches below 900’
The sea became too rough to launch other a/c after 1530.
13 DF, (Rosyth) screening 1BCS:
HMS Champion, Captain J.U. Farie (D.13)
9 Admiralty M class destroyers:
HMS Nestor +, Commander the Hon. E.B.S. Bingham
HMS Nomad +, Lt. Commander P.Whitfield
HMS Narborough+, Lt. Commander G. Corlett
HMS Obdurate, Lt. Commander C.H.H. Sams
HMS Petard, Lt. Commander E.C.O. Thompson
HMS Pelican, Lt. Commander K.L. Beattie
HMS Onslow +, Lt. Commander J.C. Tovey
HMS Moresby, Lt. Commander R.V. Allison
HMS Nicator, Lt. Commander J.E.A. Mocatta
1 Yarrow M class destroyer:
HMS Nerissa, Lt. commander M.C.B. Legge
10DF (part, detached from Harwich Force), screening 1BCS
2 Talisman class destroyers
HMS Turbulent +, Lt. Commander D. Stuart
TMS Termagant, Lt. Commander C.P. Blake
9DF (part, detached from Harwich Force), screening 2BCS
4 L class destroyers
HMS Lydiard, Commander M.L. Goldsmith
HMS Liberty+, LtCdr. PWS King
HMS Landrail, Lt. Commander F.E.G.H Hobart
HMS Laurel+, Lt. HDC Stanistreet
10DF (part, detached from Harwich Force), screening 2BCS
2 Admiralty M class destroyers
HMS Moorsom, Commander J.C. Hodgson
HMS Morris, Lt. Commander E.S. Grantham
Temporarily attached Battle Cruiser Force:
5BS, Rosyth, from Scapa Flow
13th Subdivision:
HMS Barham (d) +, flag, Rear Admiral Hugh Evans-Thomas, RA5BS, Captain A.W.C. Waller
HMS Valiant (d)+, Captain M. Woollcombe
14th Subdivision:
HMS Warspite(d) +, Captain E. Phillpotts (repairs completed at Rosyth, 20th July)
HMS Malaya (d) +, Captain the Hon. A.D.E.H. Boyle+ (repairs completed at Invergordon, 10th July)
1DF (Rosyth) (part), screening 5BS
HMS Fearless+, Captain C.D. Roper, Captain (D.1)
I class destroyers:
HMS Acheron, Cdr. CG Ramsey
HMS Ariel, LtCdr. Tippet
HMS Attack+, LtCdr. CHN James
HMS Hydra+, Lt. FG Glossop
HMS Badger+, Lt. Commander C.A. Fremantle
HMS Goshawk, Cdr. DF Moir
HMS Defender+, Lt. Commander LR. Palmer
HMS Lizard, LtCdr. E Brooke
HMS Lapwing, LtCdr. AH Gye
from:http://www.navweaps.com/index_oob/OOB_WWI/OOB_WWI_Jutland.htm

 

[ghappy1000]

Order of Battle for this Jutland [initial part 2]

2. Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, Scapa Flow
2BS, 1st Division, Cromarty
HMS King George V (d)+, flag, Sir Martyn Jerram, VA2BS +
HMS Ajax (d), Capt. GH Baird
HMS Centurion (d), Capt. M Culme-Seymour
HMS Erin (o)+, Capt. VA Stanley
2BS, 2nd Division, Cromarty
HMS Monarch (d)+, flag Rear Admiral Arthur Leveson, RA2BS
HMS Conqueror (d), Capt. HHD Tothill
HMS Orion (d), Capt. O Backhouse
HMS Thunderer (d)+, Captain J.A. Ferguson
Attached 2BS
HMS Boadicea, Captain L.C.S. Woollcombe
4BS, 3rd Division, Scapa Flow
HMS Iron Duke (d)+, flag, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, CinCGF +, Captain F.W. Dreyer +
HMS Royal Oak (d)+, Capt. C. MacLachlan
HMS Suberb (d)+, flag Rear Admiral Duff, RA4BS, Capt. E Hyde-Parker
HMS Canada (d)+, Capt. WCM Nicholson
Attached Fleet Flagship:
HMS Active, Captain P.Withers
Tender to HMS Iron Duke:
HMS Oak+, LtCdr. D Faviell (Destroyer Tender to the Flagship)
Marksman class destroyer-minelayer:
HMS Abdiel, Commander Curtis
Planned to lay a minefield to the SW of the Vyl lightship on the night of 31st May / 1st June.
Detached at 2315, 31st May to lay 30 mines 15 miles SW by W of the Vyl lightship, to the west of a similar line laid on 4th May. Mines laid 0224-0300.
SMS Ostfriesland struck a mine in the 4th May line at 0620, 1st June.
4BS, 4th Division, Scapa Flow
HMS Benbow (d)+, flag, Vice Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee, VA4BS; Capt. HW Parker
HMS Bellerophon (d)+, Capt. EF Bruen
HMS Temeraire (d)+, Capt. EV Underhill +
HMS Vanguard (d)+, Capt. JD Dick
Attached 4BS
HMS Blanche, Captain J.M. Casement
1BS, 5th Division, Scapa Flow
HMS Colossus (d)+, flag, Rear Admiral E.F.A. Gaunt +, RA1BS, Captain A.D.P.R. Pound
HMS Collingwood (d)+, Capt. JC Ley +
HMS Neptune (d),+ Capt. VHG Bernard
HMS St. Vincent (d)+, Captain W.W. Fisher +
1BS, 6th Division,
HMS Marlborough (d) +, flag Vice Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, VA1BS, Captain G.P. Ross
HMS Revenge (d)+, Capt. ES Kiddle
HMS Hercules (d)+, Captain Clinton-Baker
HMS Agincourt (o)+, Capt. HM Doughty
Attached 1BS
HMS Bellona, Captain A.B.S. Dutton
1CS, Cromarty
HMS Defence +, flag Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot +, Bt., RA1CS, Captain S.V. Ellis +
HMS Warrior +, Captain V.B. Molteno
HMS Duke of Edinburgh+, Captain H. Blackett +
HMS Black Prince +, Captain T.P. Bonham +
2CS, Scapa Flow
HMS Minotaur+, flag, Rear Admiral H.L. Heath+, RA2CS, Captain C.S.H. D’Aeth +
HMS Hampshire+, Capt. HJ Savill +
HMS Cochrane+, Capt. E la T Leatham +
HMS Shannon+, Capt. JS Dumaresq+
4LCS, Scapa Flow
HMS Calliope +, flag, Commodore C.E. le Mesurier, Cmdre, 4LCS +
HMS Constance, Capt. CS Townsend
HMS Comus +, Capt. AG Hotham +
HMS Caroline, Captain HR Crooke
HMS Royalist +, Capt. H Meade
4DF, Scapa Flow
Destroyer leaders:
HMS Tipperary +, flag, Captain C.J. Wintour + (D.4)
HMS Broke +, Commander AL Wilson
1 Admiralty M class
HMS Ophelia, Commander LGE Crabbe (escorting 3BCS)
16 K class destroyers
HMS Achates, Commander Hutchinson
HMS Porpoise, Cdr. HD Colville
HMS Spitfire +, Lt. Commander C.W.E. Trelawny
HMS Unity, Lt. Commander AM Lecky
HMS Garland, Lt. Commander R.S. Goff
HMS Ambuscade +, Lt. Commander G.A. Coles +
HMS Ardent +, Lt. Commander A. Marsden +
HMS Fortune +, Lt. Commander F.G,. Terry +
HMS Sparrowhawk +, Lt. Commander S. Hopkins
HMS Contest, Lt. Commander EGH Master
HMS Shark +, Lt. Commander L.W. Jones + (escorting 3BCS)
HMS Acasta +, Lt. Commander J.O. Barron (escorting 3BCS)
HMS Christopher, Lt. Commander F.M. Kerr + (escorting 3BCS)
HMS Owl +, Cdr. RG Hamond
HMS Hardy +, Cdr. RAA Plowden
HMS Midge, LtCdr. JRC Cavendish
11DF, Scapa Flow
HMS Castor +, Commodore J.R.P. Hawksley, Commodore (F)
Destroyer leader:
HMS Kempenfelt, Commander HE Sullivan
11 Admiralty M class destroyers
HMS Ossory, Cdr. HV Dundas
HMS Mystic, Cdr. CF Allsup
HMS Magic +, LtCdr. GC Wynter
HMS Mandate +, LtCdr. E McCW Lawrie
HMS Minion, LtCdr. HC Rawlings
HMS Martial, LtCdr. J Harrison
HMS Milbrook, Lt. CG Naylor
HMS Marne +, LtCdr. GB Hartford
HMS Manners, LtCdr. GC Harrison
HMS Michael, LtCdr. CL Bate
HMS Mons +, LtCdr. R Makin
HMS 3 Yarrow M class destroyers
HMS Morning Star +, LtCdr. HU Fletcher
HMS Mounsey +, LtCdr RV Eyre
HMS Moon +, Cdr. WD Irvin
12DF, Scapa Flow
Destroyer leaders:
HMS Faulknor +, Captain A.J.B. Stirling, D.12
HMS Marksman +, Cdr. NA Sullivan (Flag, 2nd Half Flotilla)
14 Admiralty M class destroyers
HMS Obedient +, Cdr GW McO Campbell
HMS Maenad +, Cdr. JP Champion
HMS Opal, Cdr. GC Sumner
HMS Mary Rose +, LtCdr. EA Homan
HMS Marvel, LtCdr. TW Grubb
HMS Menace, LtCdr CA Poignand
HMS Nessus, LtCdr. EQ Carter
HMS Narwhal +, LtCdr. HV Hudson
HMS Mindful, Lt Cdr JJC Ridley
HMS Onslaught +, Lt. Commander A.G. Onslow, DSC•
HMS Munster, LtCdr. SF Russell
HMS Nonsuch, LtCdr HIN Lyon
HMS Nobel, LtCdr. HP Boxer
HMS Mischief, LtCdr. CA Ward
Seaplane carrier (Scapa Flow):
HMS Campania, Captain O. Schwann, missed the signal to sail, weighed anchor 2 hours late at 2345, but ordered back to Scapa at 0437. HMS Campania could have caught up with the Grand Fleet at about 1330 on 31st May. [Not present in this timeline's Jutland].
10 aircraft, type unknown
Temporarily attached Grand Fleet for gunnery practice at Scapa Flow:
3BCS,
HMS Invincible + (d), flag, Rear Admiral the Hon. H.A. Hood +, RA3BCS, Captain A.L. Cay +, Gunnery Officer Commander H. Dannreither +
HMS Inflexible + (d), Captain EHF Heaton-Ellis +
HMS Indomitable + (d), Captain F.W. Kennedy +
Attached 3BCS:
HMS Chester *, Captain R.N. Lawson, from 3LCS
HMS Canterbury, Captain P.M.R. Royds, from 5LCS, Harwich
Extra reinforcements:
3CS
HMS Antrim +
HMS Devonshire +
HMS Roxburgh +
Taken 10th DF
HMS Aurora +
1 destroyer leader
HMS Nimrod +
10 Admiralty M class destroyers
HMS Manly +
HMS Mansfield
HMS Matchless +
HMS Mentor
HMS Meteor +
HMS Milne +
HMS Minos
HMS Miranda +
HMS Murray
HMS Myngs +
1BS: Royal Sovereign +: Capt. A.T. Hunt
5BS: HMS Queen Elizabeth + Capt. G.P.W. Hope +
4BS: HMS Emperor of India Capt. C.W.R. Royds
2CS: HMS Achilles + (Capt. F.M. Leake)
2CS: HMS Donegal (Capt. W.H. D'Oyly)
4BS: HMS Blonde +,
1DF: HMS Botha +, Jackal +, Archer, Tigress, Phoenix +
4DF: Cockatrice +, Paragon, Victor
11DF: Marmion +, Musketeer

 

[ghappy1000]

If you think that losses on this scale are unbelievable, this is just a planning for the ships that would be sunk in this timeline's battle.

 

[ghappy1000]

Order of Battle for this Jutland [initial part 3]

German Forces

1. Battlecruiser force, Vice Admiral Franz von Hipper

Departed Schillig Roads at 0100, 31st May

I Scouting Group
Vizeadmiral Franz von Hipper, 1. Admiralstabsoffizier Korvettenkapitän Erich Raeder
SMS Lützow +, flag, Vizeadmiral Franz von Hipper, Kapitän zur See Harder, 1. Artillerieoffizier Korvettenkapitän Paschen;
SMS Derflinger +, Kapitän zur See Hartog, 1. Artillerieoffizier Korvettenkapitän G. von Hase;
SMS Seydlitz + Kapitän zur See von Egidy, 1. Artillerieoffizier Kapitänleutnant Forster; ( declared total loss after battle, completion of repairs scheduled for 1917. )
SMS Moltke * Kapitän zur See Harpf, 1. Artillerieoffizier Kapitänleutnant Scharmacher; (returned to service 30th October 1916)
SMS von der Tann + Kapitän zur See Zenker; 1. Artillerieoffizier Korvettenkapitän Marholz;
IXth Flotilla
V 28 +, Kapitänleutnant Lenßen hoisting Korvettenkapitän Goehle (Flottila-Leader) - screening 1SG
IXth Flotilla, 17th Half Flotilla
V27 +, Oberleutnant zur See Buddecke
V26, Kapitänleutnant Hans Köhler
S36, Kapitänleutnant Franz Fischer
S51, Kapitänleutnant Dette
S52 +, Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Ehrentraut
IXth Flotilla, 18th Half Flotilla
V30, Oberleutnant zur See Ernst Wolf hoisting Korvettenkapitän Werner Tillessen (flag),
S34, Kapitänleutnant Andersen
S33 +, Kapitänleutnant von Münch
V29 +, Kapitänleutnant Erich Steinbrinck
S35 +, Kapitänleutnant Fredrich Ihn
IInd Scouting Group
Konteradmiral F. Boedicker
SMS Frankfurt +, Kapitän zur See Thilo von Trotha hoisting Konteradmiral F. Boedicker (flag)
SMS Pillau +, Fregattenkapitän Konrad Mommsen +
SMS Elbing +, Fregattenkapitän Madlung
SMS Wiesbaden +, Fregattenkapitän Reiß +

IInd Flotilla
B98, Kapitänleutnant Theodor Hengstenberg hoisting Fregattenkapitän Schuur (flag)
IInd Flotilla, 3rd Half Flotilla
Korvettenkapitän Boest (flag) on B 98
G101 +, Kapitänleutnant Rudolf Schulte
G102, Kapitänleutnant von Barendorff
B112 +, Kapitänleutnant August Claussen
B97, Kapitänleutnant Leo Riedel
IInd Flotilla, 4th Half Flotilla
Korvettenkapitän Dithmar (flag) on B 109
B109 +, Kapitänleutnant Victor Hahndorff
B110, Kapitänleutnant Bollheim
B111, Kapitänleutnant Schickhardt
G103+, Kapitänleutnant Fritz Spiess
G104 , Kapitänleutnant von Bartenwerffer
VIth Flotilla
G41 Kapitänleutnant Hermann Boehm hoisting Korvettenkapitän Max Schultz (flag)
VIth Flotilla, 11th Half Flotilla, Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Rümann on G 41
V44 +, Kapitänleutnant Holleuffer
G87, Kapitänleutnant Karstens
G86 +, Kapitänleutnant Grimm

VIth Flotilla, 12th Half Flotilla
V69 +, Kapitänleutnant Stecher hoisting Kapitänleutnant Lahs (flag),
V45 +, Kapitänleutnant Lassmann
V46, Kapitänleutnant Krumhaar
S50 , Kapitänleutnant Recke
G37 +, Kapitänleutnant Wolf von Trotha

 

[ghappy1000]

Order of Battle for this Jutland [initial part 4]

2. High Seas Fleet, Main Body
Chef der Hochseestreitkräfte:Vizeadmiral Reinhard Scheer
Chef des Stabes: Kapitän zur See Adolf von Trotha
Chef der Operationsabteilung: Kapitän zur See von Levezow
All onboard SMS Friedrich der Große
IIIrd Squadron, 5th Division
Konteradmiral Paul Behncke, 1. Admiralstabsoffizier Korvettenkapitän Freiherr von Sagern
SMS König + flag, Kapitän zur See Brüninghaus,
SMS Grosser Kurfürst + Kapitän zur See Goette [abandoned after flooding on 3rd June]
SMS Markgraf + Kapitän zur See Seiferling
SMS Kronprinz + Kapitän zur See Konstanz Feldt
IIIrd Squadron, 6th Division
Konteradmiral H. Nordmann (2nd Admiral of IIIrd Squadron)
SMS Kaiser +, flag, Konteradmiral H. Nordmann, Kapitän zur See Freiherr von Keyserlingk
SMS Prinzregent Luitpold, Kapitän zur See Heuser
SMS Kaiserin + , Kapitän zur See Sievers
SMS Friedrich der Große +, Kapitän zur See Theodor Fuchs
Ist Squadron, 1st Division
Vizeadmiral E. Schmidt, 1. Admiralstabsoffizier Korvettenkapitän Wolfgang Wegener
SMS Ostfriesland flag, Vizeadmiral Schmidt, Kapitän zur See von Natzmer
SMS Thüringen, Kapitän zur See Hans Küsel
SMS Helgoland +, Kapitän zur See von Kamecke
SMS Oldenburg +, Kapitän zur See Höpfner
Ist Squadron, 2nd Division
Konteradmiral W. Engelhart (2nd Admiral of Ist Squadron)
SMS Posen, flag, Konteradmiral Engelhart, Kapitän zur See Richard Lange
SMS Rheinland +, Kapitän zur See Rohardt (declared total loss on 10th June)
SMS Westfalen + Kapitän zur See Redlich [scuttled]
IInd Squadron
Konteradmiral F. Mauve
Added to Scheer's plan "at the last moment"; left the Elbe at 0145, 31st May, joined astern of the German dreadnoughts at 0445 31st May
IInd Squadron, 3rd Division
Konteradmiral Mauve, 1. Admiralstabsoffizier Korvettenkapitän Kahlert
SMS Pommern +, flag, Konteradmiral Mauve, Kapitän zur See Meurer
SMS Schlesien, Kapitän zur See Fr. Behncke
SMS Hessen +, Kapitän zur See Bartels
IVth Scouting Group
Kommodore L. von Reuter, Admiralstabsoffizier Korvettenkapitän Heinrich Weber
SMS Stettin +, Fregattenkapitän Friedrich Rebensburg
SMS München, Korvettenkapitän Oscar Böcker
SMS Frauenlob +, Fregattenkapitän Georg Hoffman
SMS Stuttgart +, Fregattenkapitän Hagedorn

Attached IVth Scouting Group
SMS Hamburg, Kapitän zur SeeBauer, Leader of Submarines

1st Leader of Destroyers
Kommodore A. Michelsen, Admiralstabsoffizier Korvettenkapitän Junkermann
SMS Rostock +, Kommodore A. Michelsen, Fregattenkapitän Otto Feldmann

2nd Leader of Destroyers
Kommodore P. Heinrich, Admiralstabsoffizier Kapitänleutnant Meier
SMS Regensburg +, Kommodore P. Heinrich, Fregattenkapitän Heuberer

Ist Flotilla, 1st Half Flotilla
Kapitänleutnant Conrad Albrecht (flag)
G38 +, Kapitänleutnant Metger
G39 +, flag, Oberleutnant zur See Loefen
G40 +, Kapitänleutnant Richard Beitzen
S32, Kapitänleutnant Fröhlich

IIIrd Flotilla
S53 +, Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Götting hoisting Korvettenkapitän Hollman (flag)
IIIrd Flotilla, 5th Half Flotilla
Kapitänleutnant Gautier
V71 +, Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich Ulrich hoistingKapitänleutnant Gautier
V73, Kapitänleutnant Delbrück
G88 +, Kapitänleutnant Scabell

IIIrd Flotilla, 6th Half Flotilla
Kapitänleutnant Karlowa
S54, Kapitänleutnant Karlowa
V48 +, Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Eckoldt
G42 +, Kapitänleutnant Bernd von Arnim

Vth Flotilla
G11, Kapitänleutnant Adolf Müller hosting Korvettenkapitän Heinecke (flag)
Vth Flotilla, 9th Half Flotilla
Kapitänleutnant Hoefer:
V2, Kapitänleutnant Hoefer
V4 +, Kapitänleutnant Barop
V6, Oberleutnant zur See Hans Behrendt
V1 +, Oberleutnant zur See Nöthig +
V3 + Kapitänleutnant Manfred von Killinger +

Vth Flotilla, 10th Half Flotilla
Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Klein
G8 +, Oberleutnant zur See Rodenberg hosting KapitänleutnantFriedrich Klein
G7 +, Kapitänleutnant Meinecke +
V5 +, Oberleutnant zur See Tils
G9, Kapitänleutnant Anschütz
G10 +, Oberleutnant zur See Haumann +


VIIth Flotilla
S24 + Kapitänleutnant Fink hoisting Korvettenkapitän von Koch (flag) +
VIIth Flotilla, 13th Half Flotilla
Kapitänleutnant G. von Zitzewitz on S15
S15, Oberleutnant zur See Christian Schmidt
S17 +, Kapitänleutnant von Puttkammer
S20, Kapitänleutnant Benecke
S16 +, Kapitänleutnant Walter Loeffler
S18, Kapitänleutnant Haushalter

VIIth Flotilla, 14th Half Flotilla
Korvettenkapitän Hermann Cordes
S19 +, Oberleutnant zur See Reimer hoisting Korvettenkapitän Hermann Cordes +
S23, Kapitänleutnant Arthur von Killinger
V189 +, Oberleutnant zur See Keil
V186, Kapitänleutnant W. von Keyserlingk sent back to Helgoland with a leaky condenser, at 0715, 31st May and later mined while assisting damaged Rheinland.
6. Extra Ships :
IIIrd Squadron: SMS Koenig Albert, turbine (Marder) or condenser (Tarrant) trouble, dockyard
SMS Bayern +, commissioned 18th February 1916, sank after progressive flooding 1 June.
SMS Roon,
SMS Prinz Heinrich,
SMS Straslund +,
SMS Strasburg,
SMS Kolberg +,
SMS Augsburg +,
SMS Brummer +, ready for service
IVth Scouting Group: SMS Berlin,
Ist Flotilla: 7 vessels forming the balance of the flotilla
IIIrd Flotilla: V74 +, G85 +, V70, S55
VIth Flotilla: S49 +, V43
VIIth Flotilla: one older vessel [+]

 

[ghappy1000]

submarines and Zeppelin attacks before Jutland

To lure unsuspecting British ships into the path of submarines and zeppelins [with better coordination than reality], the Germans stationed the u boats U 24, U 32, U 43, U 44, UC 47, U 51, U 52, U 63, U 66 and U 70. The submarines were ordered to take up positions by 20 May 1916 and prepare to torpedo departing British ships. To avoid detection, but intercept the ships at the same time, the submarines were scattered over separate possible points for interception.During the initial North Sea patrol,boats on patrol were instructed to sail only from north to south so that any enemy who chanced to encounter one would believe it was departing or returning from operations on the west coast (which required them to pass around the north of Britain). Once at their final positions, the boats were under strict orders to avoid premature notice that might reveal the operation. It was hoped that a coded signal would be transmitted to alert the submarines exactly when the operation commenced.

"Take into account the enemy's forces may be putting to sea".

The UB submarines with the pennant numbers of 27 and 73 [with the sinking of the latter delayed by a few days in this timeline] were ordered to lay mines if possible and cross the Firth of Forth. U 47 replaced U 46 as a submarine reinforcement. U 72, 74 and 75 were to mine the anchorages of the Orkney Islands and delay the fleet's departure. Submarines U 22, U 46 and U 67 were ordered to patrol against Harwich forces reinforcing the Grand Fleet and intercept battle cruisers. UB 21 and 22 were to patrol over the Humber and if no warships could be found, were to join the other submarines.
On 22 May 1916, it was discovered that Seydlitz was still not watertight after repairs and would not now be ready until the 29th. The ambush submarines were now on patrol and experiencing difficulties of their own: visibility near the coast was frequently poor due to fog, and sea conditions were either so calm the slightest ripple, as from the periscope, could indicate their position, or so rough as to make it very hard to keep the vessel submerged without revealing its presence. The British had become aware of unusual submarine activity, and had begun counter patrols that forced the submarines out of position. UB-27 passed Bell Rock on the night of 23 May on its way into the Firth of Forth as planned, but was halted by engine trouble. After repairs it continued to approach, following behind merchant vessels, and reached Largo Bay on 25 May. There the boat became entangled in nets that fouled one of the propellers, forcing it to abandon the operation and return home. U-74 was detected by four armed trawlers on 27 May and sunk 25 mi (22 nmi; 40 km) south-east of Peterhead. U-75 and 73 laid mines off the Orkney Islands, which, although they played no part in the battle, were responsible later for sinking the cruiser Achilles carrying Lord Kitchener (head of the army) on a mission to Russia on 5 July. U-72 was forced to abort its mission without laying any mines when an oil leak meant it was leaving a visible surface trail astern.
The Germans also readied the fleet of naval Zeppelins available for combat against the Royal Navy. Aerial spotting and attack were the roles of the airships. To detect the presence of the Royal Navy, Zeppelins were used to cover Scapa Flow, Rosyth and Sunderland. By 28 May, strong north-easterly winds meant that it would not be possible to send out the Zeppelins, so the raid again had to be postponed. The submarines could only stay on station until 1 June before their supplies would be exhausted and they had to return, so a decision had to be made quickly about the raid.
It was decided to use an alternative plan, abandoning the attack on Sunderland but instead sending a patrol of battlecruisers to the Skagerrak, where it was likely they would encounter merchant ships carrying British cargo and British cruiser patrols. It was felt this could be done without air support, because the action would now be much closer to Germany, relying instead on cruiser and torpedo boat patrols for reconnaissance. Although better weather was expected to permit the original plan to proceed, by 30 May, it was clearly apparent that the weather wasn't improving and the alternative plan was used. The German Fleet was ordered to depart on 29 May and the coded signal "31 May G.G.2490" was transmitted to the ships of the fleet to inform them the Skagerrak attack would start on 31 May. The pre-arranged signal to the waiting submarines was transmitted throughout the day from the E-Dienst radio station at Brugge, and the U-boat tender Arcona anchored at Emden. Only two of the waiting submarines, U-66 and U-32, received the order. [Most of the information was taken from the Wikipedia Battle of Jutland article due to constraints.]