THE NORTH SEA BATTLE.
ere TER EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR:1
your " News of the Week " (Spectator, June 10th) you offer the opinion that the object of the German Fleet was either to " disperse as commerce raiders in the Atlantic," or " to swoop on Archangel and wetter ruin among our munition ships and grain carriers." This view has been set forth by many other newspapers besides the Spectator ; yet I venture to think that you are all of you mistaken. The Germans are not fools, and either of these " enterprises " would have meant absolute and certain destruction, as they have no naval base outside their own very limited coastline. As an old sailor who has given some study to naval strategy, I venture to offer the opinion that the German " enterprise " was a trap to catch our battle-cruisers. Just that and nothing more. Look at the map, and then remember that the choice of time and place is with our enemies ; that they know the strength of our various squadrons ; that their numerous spies—still at large— keep them accurately informed of the movements of our ships ; that they know the distances from our several bases to their selected spot ; that they know the speed of our various squadrons and can calculate to a nicety when each may be expected to arrive at the said spot ; that they had all the advantages—and they are many—of fighting near their own base ; and finally, they calculated that in consequence of their former evasive tactics, our fast squadrons would close with them and endeavour to cut off their retreat, and that they would be able to annihilate these before our main fleet could arrive upon the scene of action ; and that they could then employ " skunk " tactics—which they actually did—by fleeing into harbour covered by their own smoke. I think, Sir, that if you take the above points into consideration, you will agree with me that it is not necessary to imagine any attempt at Atlantic or Archangel raids ; and you may possibly also agree that the only reason why the trap was not far more successful than it turned out to be was due to the more skilful handling of our ships and the superiority of our gunnery. In all probability the Germans—in their desperation— will repeat this, or some similar trick ; for they are very slim. But I do not doubt that my old friends Jellicoe and Beatty will be ready for them, and that they will give von Scheer another opportunity of winning a holiday for German schoolchildren.—I am, Sir, &c.,
C. C. PeernosE FITZGERALD, Admiral (retired).
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