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Campaign 1914
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Campaign 1914
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Royal Navy |
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J. Lynch - LT |
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London Times #6 |
His Majesty Declares August 30 a National Holiday |
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London Times #5 |
The First Sea Lord Confirms
High Seas Fleet Surrender |
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London Times #4 |
High Seas Fleet Surrenders |
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London Times #3 |
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London Times #2 |
(From Wire Reports) |
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London Times #1 |
(From Wire Reports) |
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His Majesty Declares August 30 a National Holiday |
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Buckingham Palace has announced that henceforth August 30 shall be a national
holiday known as Terschelling Day. His Majesty has announced that Commander
James McConnell, OBE will be Knighted as a Knight Commander in the Most
Excellent Order of the British Empire and shall be known as Sir James McConnell,
KBE and that Sir Carl Selbo, KBE, DSO is to be made a Companion in the Most
Honourable Order of the Bath Press Liason, Lieutenant Commander J. E. Lynch released the following text of a message to the First Sea Lord: "Today all voices in the realm salute you and your gallant men. The empire owes to you and the men of your fleet a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. I must admit that when the First Lord briefed me on the boldness of Captain Sablock's plan, I was very concerned, and I nearly cancelled the operation. You have shown me that I should never have doubted the abilities of the Royal Navy. I commend you for your humility in allowing the German commander to retain his sword and I am humbled by the generous outpouring of assistance to men who only moments before were your foes, please do your best to make certain that all men on both sides are accounted for to the best of your ability." Earlier today, at the request of His Majesty Sir Carl summoned the battlecruiser HMS New Zealand under the command of Cdr. McConnell to put into Sheerness so that he and Sir Carl could attend an audience with His Majesty tomorrow. New Zealand shall dock within the hour. |
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| The First Sea Lord Confirms High Seas Fleet Surrender | |
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Captain Sir Carl Selbo has confirmed that the High Seas Fleet has surrendered in
a battle off of Terschelling. Captain Selbo would not speak of specific losses,
sources say that loss of life on both sides was great, however, he did state
that he had ordered all of His Majesty's ships to immediately render aid and
assistance to all High Seas Fleet vessels in need. Sir Carl also spoke of the "magnificent skill and daring of the men of the Kaiserlich Marine" that they had fought valiantly under extreme conditions and he praised Kapitan zur See, Ritter von Walter, Kaptian zur See McClellan, Korvettankapitan Driscoll, and Korvettankapitan O'Day specifically. Sir Carl said that he appreciated the offer of Ritter von Walter's sword, but he respectfully declined and that Ritter von Walter should keep his sword and wear it with the honor of a foe that fought gallantly against overwhelming odds. Independent sources are telling the Times that apparantly the battle was a very near thing that could easily have gone against the Royal Navy, these sources said that radio intercepts seem to indicate that for a time the Royal Navy was on the run. One specific intercept had said" CF to all CF units---break contact immediately." This would appear to be an obvious indication that things were not going well for the RN. It is obvious to this reporter that a great many lives were lost today, The Times would like to offer their condolences to the families of all the men on both sides who lost loved ones. The Times would like to correct a mistake made in an earlier report, Capt. Selbo was reportedly doing cartwheels in the halls of the Admiralty, Press Laison for Admiralty Lieutenant Commander J.E. Lynch corrected the Times reporting that Sir Carl had tripped running to the Operations Room. He said that he would like to personally apologize to the men of the High Seas Fleet, for that callous, and inapropriate report. |
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| High Seas Fleet Surrenders | |
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Details are sketchy, but rumors of a huge battle off the coast of Holland are
rampant at the Admiralty. The First Sea Lord was seen doing cartwheels down the
hall! |
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German Ships Flee at the
Sight |
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The Admiralty announced that on two different occasions over the past few days
Royal Navy ships have made contact with German Naval forces in the North Sea. On
both August 23rd and August 24th German ships were sighted by ships of the Royal
Navy, which for security reasons cannot be named, and in both instances the
German ships fled the area at high speed before they could be brought to battle. First Lord of the Admiralty, Captain Sir Carl Selbo, made the announcement to reporters early this morning, shortly after meeting with First Sea Lord, Winston Churchill. Mr. Churchill later told Parliment that the actions of the Royal Navy over the past few days are further proof that "Britania Still Rules the Waves". Mr. Churchill also reported that there are unconfirmed reports that "our allies in the Imperial Russian Navy" have had success disrupting German activity in the Baltic Sea, possibly destroying a German light cruiser. In response to a story in yesterday's Stockholm Naval Sentinel, quoting "Admiralty Sources," Captain Selbo had this to say: "While I regret to report the loss HMs/m E-9 due to a mechanical failure, I am pleased to report that Lieutenant Commander Horton and all but three of his crew have been rescued. The search for the three men reported as missing continues and their names are being witheld pending notification of the next of kin. Lt. Commander Horton ordered his command to be destroyed to prevent possible capture, after ordering the crew to abandon ship, they were later picked up by a passing ship. It is reported that the crew of E-9 is in good spirits although saddened by posible loss of their shipmates." "The Admiralty would also like to dispell any rumors regarding the loss of, or damage to any Royal Navy battleship. The Grand Fleet is at full strength and stands ready to meet any provocation with swift and decisive force." When questioned about the "Admiralty Sources" that had given the Sentinel the story, Captain Selbo replied "Did I meet with any of you fine members of the press and make any announcement yesterday.....then why would I make such an announcement to a member of the foriegn press?" Captain Selbo went on to caution that operations at sea are covered by the recently passed Defence of the Realm Act (August 12, 1914) and that improper speculation would result in arrests and imprisonment for those involved. |
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| (From Wire Reports) | |
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The Admiralty this day declined to comment on
what are no doubt German inspired rumors regarding a famous and well-regarded
naval officer. |
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| (From Wire Reports) | |
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In the House of Commons question time today, First
Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill was asked to reassure the House
that measures are being taken in response to the commerce raiding now
being undertaken on North Sea by naval forces of the German Empire. Mr. Churchill responded by quoting First Sea Lord Sir Carl Selbo, KBE, DSO, "Not unexpectedly, the Imperial German Navy has shown a great reluctance to engage vessels which are capable of shooting back. This should prove no surprise to those familiar with the inadequate training and questionable doctrine of this new and untested force. After all, these chaps have never fought a war at sea, have they? The German Naval High Command fears our guns - as well they should." Mr. Churchill then assured the House that the Royal Navy has been almost constantly at sea since the outbreak of war -- silly posturing in the German press not withstanding, the Germans have, for the most part, remained secure at home. He reminded the House of the successful transport of the British Expeditionary Force and all of its equipment across the English Channel during the past week. "Britannia continues to rule the waves" [great cheering and huzzahs]. Calling the commerce raiding "a minor annoyance inflicted by a naval power unable to bring itself to face actual combat," Mr. Churchill remind the House that while operational details cannot be made public, the Royal Navy has dealt with the commerce raiders. |
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