Reinhard Scheer
In February 1916, Admiral Reinhard Scheer became commander-in-chief of the German High Seas Fleet and commenced a new campaign against the Royal Navy. A principal part of his strategy was to make raids into British waters to lure British forces into battle, in conditions advantageous to the Germans. A proposal was made to bombard towns on the east coast of England at daybreak on 25 April, which along with air raids by Zeppelins the night before, would provoke British ships to respond. The raid was timed to coincide with the expected Easter Rebellion by Irish Nationalists, who had requested German assistance.