Engadine—Lieutenant-Commander Charles G. Robinson.
4. In the early afternoon of Wednesday, 31 May, the 1st and 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadrons, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Light Cruiser Squadrons and destroyers from the 1st, 9th, and 13th Flotillas, supported by the 5th Battle Squadron, were, in accordance with my directions, scouting to the southward of the Battle Fleet, which was accompanied by the 3rd Battle Cruiser Squadron, 1st and 2nd Cruiser Squadrons, 4th Light Cruiser Squadron, 4th, 11th, and 12th Flotillas.
5. The junction of the Battle Fleet with the scouting force after the enemy had been sighted was delayed owing to the southerly course steered by the latter during the first hour of their action with the enemy battle cruisers. This was, of course, unavoidable, as had our battle cruisers not followed the enemy to the southward the main fleets would never have been in contact.
The Battle Cruiser Fleet, gallantly led by Sir David Beatty, and admirably supported by the ships of the Fifth Battle Squadron under Rear-Admiral Evan-Thomas, fought an action under, at times, disadvantageous conditions, in a manner that was in keeping with the best traditions of the service. Our vessels had a considerable advantage in gun-power and in numbers prior to the arrival of the German Battle Fleet, but the great disparity between British and German battle cruisers in the matter of protection must not be forgotten. The German vessels are in this respect equal to powerful battleships, whereas our battle cruisers, particularly those of the 2nd and 3rd Battle Cruiser Squadrons, are very lightly protected. The main difficulty with which our ships had to contend was the bad light. All reports mention the difficulty experienced in seeing the enemy vessels to the eastward, whilst remarking on the clearness of the western horizon. A photograph taken from Malaya during the action indicates this fact very clearly.
During the period that the Fifth Battle Squadron was engaged with the enemy leading battleships as well as battle cruisers, all the advantages of light and numbers were on the side of the enemy, and the punishment inflicted by our ships is testimony to the fighting qualities of the personnel.
6. The following extracts from the report of Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty give the course of events before the Battle Fleet came upon the scene:
“At 2.20 P.M. reports were received from Galatea indicating the presence of enemy vessels. The direction of advance was immediately altered to S.S.E., the course for Horn Reef, so as to place my force between the enemy and his base.
“At 2.35 P.M. a considerable amount of smoke was sighted to the eastward. This made it clear that the enemy was to the northward and eastward, and that it would be impossible for him to round the Horn Reef without being brought to action. Course was accordingly altered the eastward and north-eastward, the enemy being sighted at 3.31 P.M. They appeared to be five battle cruisers.
“After the first report of the enemy the 1st and 3rd Light Cruiser Squadrons changed their direction and without waiting for orders spread to the east, thereby forming a screen in advance of the battle cruiser squadrons and 5th Battle Squadron by the time we had hauled up to the course of approach. They engaged enemy light cruisers at long range. In the meantime the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron had come in at high speed and was able to take station ahead of the battle cruisers by the time we turned E.S.E., the course on which we first engaged the enemy. In this respect the work of the light cruiser squadrons was excellent and of great value.
“From a report from Galatea at 2.25 P.M. it was evident that the enemy force was considerable and not merely an isolated unit of light cruisers, so at 2.45 P.M. I ordered Engadine to send up a seaplane and scout to N.N.E. This order was carried out very quickly, and by 3.8 P.M. a seaplane, with Flight-Lieutenant F. J. Rutland, R.N., as Pilot, and Asst.-Paymaster G. S. Trewin, R.N., as Observer, was well under way; her first reports of the enemy were received in Engadine about 3.30 P.M. Owing to clouds it was necessary to fly very low, and in order to identify four enemy light cruisers the seaplane had to fly at a height of 900 feet within 3,000 yards of them, the light cruisers opening fire on her with every gun that would bear. This in no way interfered with the clarity of their reports, and both Flight-Lieutenant Rutland and Assistant-Paymaster Trewin are to be congratulated on their achievement, which indicates that seaplanes under such circumstances are of distinct value.