The '''Battle of Jutland''' was the biggest naval battle of [[World War I]], so named because it took place in the North Sea near the [[Danish]] peninsula of Jutland. On the 31st of May 1916, the [[German]] High Seas Fleet sortied in force to challenge the [[Royal Navy]], which sent a superior force out to meet them. The British battle cruiser squadron, consisting of six battle cruisers and four battleships, by chance encountered a scouting squadron of five German battle cruisers. They engaged each other in a running battle. Unknown to each side, each squadron was closely followed by their main battle fleet, and soon the entire main fleets of both sides were in view. The British fleet was stronger and the Germans decided to retreat instead of fight; they narrowly escaped. | The '''Battle of Jutland''' was the biggest naval battle of [[World War I]], so named because it took place in the North Sea near the [[Danish]] peninsula of Jutland. On the 31st of May 1916, the [[German]] High Seas Fleet sortied in force to challenge the [[Royal Navy]], which sent a superior force out to meet them. The British battle cruiser squadron, consisting of six battle cruisers and four battleships, by chance encountered a scouting squadron of five German battle cruisers. They engaged each other in a running battle. Unknown to each side, each squadron was closely followed by their main battle fleet, and soon the entire main fleets of both sides were in view. The British fleet was stronger and the Germans decided to retreat instead of fight; they narrowly escaped. |