Reinhard Scheer
Admiral Reinhard Scheer (30 September, 1863 – 26 November, 1928) was a prominent officer of the Imperial German Navy during the First World War, rising to command of the High Sea Fleet and then Chief of the Naval Staff.
Early Life & Career
High Sea Fleet
When Hugo von Pohl became ill, Scheer was appointed as Commander in Chief of the High Sea Fleet on 18 January, 1916.
Scheer commanded the High Sea Fleet at the Battle of Jutland, personally commanding the German Battle Fleet, as did his British counterpart, Vice-Admiral Jellicoe. Vizeadmiral Franz Hipper screened Scheer's advance with the battle cruisers of I Scouting Group.
After a protracted chase between the opposing battle cruiser screens, Scheer closed in line ahead, unaware, upon the deployed British Battle Fleet. Unable to quickly discern the nature and degree of opposition suddenly facing his lead ships, he ordered his ships to perform a simultaneous 16-point turn away. This accomplished, he escaped immediate calamity from a situation in which he was at a severe tactical disadvantage. However, Scheer repeated this manoeuvre to turn his fleet back into the maelstrom for reasons that remain unknown to all. Scheer offered various, unconvincing explanations for his decision.
As the British barrage was renewed upon the German van, Scheer seemed to realise that he'd made a very poor choice, and settled upon the simplest remedy: to repeat his quick turn for a third time to effect his escape.
Retirement
In June, 1928 Scheer visited the Minoan ruins at Knossos, Crete, in company with the German archæologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld.[1]
See Also
Bibliography
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Hugo von Pohl |
Commander-in-Chief, High Sea Fleet 23 Jan, 1916 – Aug, 1918 |
Succeeded by Franz von Hipper |
Footnotes
- ↑ "Admiral Scheer" (Letters to the Editor). The Times. Wednesday, 28 November, 1928. Issue 45062, col F, p. 17.
