Instructions for the Conduct of a Fleet in Action
These Instructions for the Conduct of a Fleet in Action were promulgated by the Board of Admiralty in October, 1913. This copy is taken from the papers of Admiral of the Fleet Lord Jellicoe.[1] The contents differ slightly to those reproduced in Naval Tactical Notes, Volume I. The latter also omits the instructions on "Peace Training."[2] Hough mistakenly confuses these orders with those issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleets, Admiral Sir George A. Callaghan.[3]
Instructions
Confidential.
[Copy] No. 282.
DISCRETION ALLOWED.
In carrying out the intentions of the Admiral, commanders of squadrons, divisions or subdivisions should be given a wide discretion as to the conduct of the ships under their immediate orders.
MUTUAL SUPPORT.
Commander of squadrons, divisions, subdivisions, or any columns detached from the main body of the fleet, and ordered to attack the enemy independently, should be careful not to expose their commands to the fire of a superior force by closing him prematurely, and should endeavour to bring their ships into action at a time and in a manner which will enable all portions of the fleet to give the most effective support to one another.
The above does not imply that all portions of the fleet necessarily come into action at the same time, but if it is the intention of the Admiral that this should be so, every effort should be made to bring it about, as its importance may be very great.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.
(1) Guide.
The leading ship of a column will always become the guide of the column without signal; if the leading ship is so damaged as to be obliged to quit the line her next astern automatically becomes guide. (See Article X.)
(2) Manœuvring and Gunfire.
Commanders of squadrons, divisions or subdivisions and captains of ships should exercise discretion as to manœuvring their squadrons, divisions, subdivisions or ships to develop the maximum fire on the enemy and to avoid interfering with the fire of, or firing into, other columns or ships. It is of greater importance to manœuvre squadrons, divisions, subdivisions or ships so that alterations of course are small, and sudden and large changes of range or bearing are avoided, than to follow strictly in the wake of the guide of the column.
(3) Rear Ships.
When the line of battle has been formed, the rear ships, if out of range, are to be brought into action as soon as possible under the senior officer of their division (or subdivision) without further orders, by increasing speed and forming them on a line of bearing, if necessary.
SHIPS TO REFORM WITHOUT SIGNAL IF NECESSARY.
If, during an engagement, a column should be thrown into disorder, the line is to be reformed as expeditiously as possible, ships taking station in the sequence in which they find themselves, without waiting for the signal to do so.
SIGNAL TO OPEN FIRE.
Although the signal to “Open fire” may have been made, it should not be obeyed by ships which are out of effective range of the enemy or by those which from their position are liable by their fire to damage friendly ships. Firing over another ship during battle is not justifiable, owing to the possibility of guns being pointed on the wrong target, but fire may be continued over torpedo craft which are proceeding to attack the enemy.
SHIPS NOT TO SEPARATE.
No ships are to quit the line (or any position in which they have been specially stationed for a definite purpose) to pursue any enemy's ship or ships which may be disabled or are attempting to escape, until ordered to do so by the Admiral or the commander of their squadron or division, or by the commander of their column if detached.
DISABLED SHIPS TO MAINTAIN STATION AS LONG AS PRACTICABLE.
Though a ship be partially disabled and hard pressed by the enemy in action, the captain is to use his utmost endeavour to maintain the position of the ship in the line, but if, in consequence of a loss of speed or control, temporarily or otherwise, he is unable to do so, he should haul of the line, when possible on the disengaged side, at the same time making a signal to show he is doing so. The ship is to take station in rear of the line and resume action as quickly as possible.
DISABLEMENT OF THE ADMIRAL, OR THE COMMANDER OF A SQUADRON OR DIVISION.
If the Admiral, or the commander of a squadron or division, be disabled or killed during an action, the officer next in seniority in the fleet, squadron, or division, is to be informed at once, and is to assume command of the fleet, squadron, or division.
If any flag officer be disabled or killed, his flag is to be kept flying until the battle is ended, or the enemy be no longer in sight.
FLAGSHIP DISABLED.
If the flagship of the Admiral be disabled in action he will take such steps as he may consider desirable to enable him to continue to exercise his command.
If the flagship of any other flag officer be disabled in action, he is not to call a ship out of the line during the action in order to embark in her, but, if a suitable opportunity offers, he may transfer his flag to another vessel (not already carrying a flag), one of his own command for preference.
SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY AT NIGHT OR IN A FOG.
Should the fleet fall in suddenly with the enemy, it may happen that part of the fleet may come into action without the Admiral being able to make signals for the order of the attack; the officer in command of that portion of the fleet will then act according to his own discretion and as the circumstances of the case may require.
Notes.
(i) The term “the Admiral” signifies the senior officer present, whether he be the Commander-in-Chief or not.
(ii) The word “signal” means any form of communication available, whether made by visual, Wireless Telegraphy or other method.
The Instructions for the Conduct of a Fleet in Action contained in the Signal Manual (pages 74 to 77) and in the Flotilla Signal Book (pages 250 to 252) are hereby cancelled.
Admiralty,
October 1913.
(M 0426 13/A)
Footnotes
Bibliography
- Hough, Richard (1987). The Great War at Sea, 1914-1918. London: Oxford University Press.
- Naval Staff, Tactical Division (May, 1929). Naval Tactical Notes, Volume I. O.U. 6183. Copy at The National Archives. 186/80.
