The fourth phase was introduced by the arrival of Sir
John jellicoe, who deployed his ships, by a perfect piece of manoeuvring, between Admiral Beatty's battle-cruisers and the Queen Elizabeths. The whole British Fleet was now concentrated and in a splendid position. Only a decent light was necessary for the destruction of the German Navy. For a few minutes the light improved, and during this brief time the first three of the German ships were smashed up. But then " visibility " suddenly failed. It was as though the gods had intervened to draw a desperately pressed Trojan out of the power of the besetting Greeks. Accurate firing became impossible. The battered German Fleet was able to slip away in the white shroud. We should be unjust, we think, if wo did not add that, in spite of the assistance Nature lent them, the Germans extricated themselves with skill. They were of source quite right to abandon the fight.
Previous page
