January 24, 1915 saw the largest naval clash of the war up to that date: four German battle-cruisers pitted against five British ones. The conflict was confused, and poor British signalling was mainly responsible for the major elements of the German squadron slipping away, leaving only the hybrid battle-cruiser Blucher to be finally crushed by the storm of British fire. In the battle, however, points of enormous importance for future naval operations had become apparent. Signalling had to be improved, gunnery, in the British vessels particularly, needed drastic attention, armour protection for the ships' vitals needed strengthening and a way of stopping flash travelling down to the magazines needed devising. These lessons were apparent to both admiralties, but whether or not the lessons had been learnt fully would have to wait till the next clash.

This article is located in the History of the First World War Volume 2 (REF D522 .H58 1969 V.2).