Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-09

! eaE11iS DIX OooSAAs Tba41
tvs first and third light cruiser
squadrons, without obtaining orders,
spread eastward, forming screen in
advance of the battle cruiser squad
ron, under Admiral Evan-Thomas,
consisting of four battleships Of the
Queen Elizabeth class. The light
Ecruisers engaged the enemy and the
cruiser squadron came up at high
speed, taking station ahead II the
battle cruisers At $50 O'clock Vice
Admiral Beatty increased the speed
to twenty-five knots an hour and
formed the line of battle, the second
battle cruiser squadron forming
astern of the first, with two destroy
err flotillas ahead.
Vice Admiral Beatty then turned
east-southeast, slightly converging
on the enemy, now at a range of 49,
! 900 yards. The fifth battle cruiser
squadron was then bearing north
northeast, 10000 yards distant. The
visibility was good.
Sun Behind British.
Continuing his rport, Vice Admiral
Beatty said:
1.-THE sun was behind Us. The
wind was southeast, Being between
the enemy and his base our situation
was both tactically and strategically
good.
Both forces opened fire simultane-
ously at 1888 at range of 1880
yards. The course was altered south
ward, the enemy steering parallel,
distant $4,000 to 14,500 yards. The
! fifth battle squadron opened fire at
range of 10000 yards at 4:08. Al
though the presence of destroyers
caused inconvenience on account of
smoke, they preserved the battleships
from submarine attacks. ,
Two submarines being sighted,
and flotilla of ten destroyers being
ordered to attack the enemy with
torpedoes, they moved out at AIS
o'clock simultaneously with the ap-
proach of the German destroyers.
The attack was carried out CALAMITY
with great determination. Before arr
!, irving at favorable position to fire
torpedoes they intercepted an enemy
force, consisting of one light cruiser
and fifteen .destroyers. A fierce en-
, gagement at close quarters ensued
and the enemy was forced to retire,
having two destfoyers sunk and their
( torpedo attack frustrated. Our de-
: stroyers sustained no loss. g..
Fires Two Torpedoes.
1.-THE Nestor, Nomad and Mineator,
under Commander Edward Bingham.
pressed the attack on the battle
cruisers and fired two torpedoes. Be
ing subjected to a heavy fire at 5000
! yards, the Nomad was badly hit and
remained between the lines. The
Nestor also was badly hit, but was
afloat when last seen. The Petard,
Nerissa, Turbulent and ,Ternagant
) also are praised.
!, From Ais to 4:43 o'clock the con-
=, flct between the battle cruiser squad
rons was fierce and the British fire
. began to tell. The rapidity and &C
I curacy OF the German fire deprecia,
ted. The third German ship was seer
to be afire. The German battle fleet
, was reported ahead and the destroy
!; ers were recalled"
4 Vice Admiral Beatty altered his
{ course to the northward to lead the
Germans toward the British battle
:, fleet. The second light cruiser squad.
{ ron closed to 10000 yards of the Ger
5 man battle fleet and came under
e heavy, but ineffective fire. The fifth
l. battle squadron engaged the German
y battle cruisers and about O'Clock
= came under the fire of the leading
: ships of the German battle fleet
The weather became unfavorable
u Vice Admiral Beatty's ships being
u silhouetted against clear horizon.
t Receive Severe Punishment.
: Between S and 6 o'clock the actor
;, continued at $4,000 yards on a north
q erly course, the German ships receiv
ing severe punishment, one battl,
cruiser quitting the line considerably
+ damaged. At 5:35 o'clock the Ger
j. mans were gradually hauling east
ward, probably acting on Information
v from their light cruisers, which wer'
$ engaged with the third battle cruiser
l. squadron, or from Zeppelins
e At $50 o'clock the leading ship,
d of the battle fleet were sighted, bear
n ing north, distant five miles. Vic
h Admiral Beatty thereon proceeded
d east at greatest speed, bringing tn
l. range to 10000 yards. Only thre'
1t German battle cruisers were then Wis
n ible, followed by battleships of tn
Koenig type,
t. Vice Admiral Jellicoe then takes u
lie the story Of the battle fleet. Inform
9 ed that the Germans were sighted
N the fleet proceeded at full speed Of
If southeast by south course durinl
l. two hours before arriving on tn
lie scene of battle.
It Forms Line Of Battle.
- Vice Admiral Beatty reported tn
e position OF the German battle fleet a
:. OILS o'clock. Vice Admiral Jellico
,e then formed the line of battle, Vic
q Admiral Beatty, meantime havinI
u formed the battle cruisers ahead o
the battle fleet and the fleets be
came engaged. During the depioy
81 ment, the Defense and Warrior wer
We seen passing between the British an
t. German fleets under heavy fire. Til