Evan-Thomas

Since the battle began, Evan-Thomas had been pressing to catch up with Beatty, signaling his battleships that he wanted them to steam at 24½ knots.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Normally, such a conversation would take place with any new subordinate; here, it was especially important because Evan-Thomas was a battleship man, devoted to Jellicoe and the Grand Fleet, where all tactical maneuvers were controlled by explicit signals from the flagship.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Evan-Thomas had never served under Beatty, and his squadron had never operated at sea with the battle cruisers.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Not once did Beatty summon Rear Admiral Evan-Thomas on board his flagship so that the two men could sit down and Beatty could explain his tactics.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Evan-Thomas had acknowledged the signal and Barham and her three sisters had just executed the turn.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Unfortunately, he did not explain his tactics to men new to his command, especially the two rear admirals, Moore and Evan-Thomas, who played critical roles in his two most famous battles, the Dogger Bank and Jutland.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

At 2: 35 p.m., as Beatty was turning his battle cruisers toward Hipper and leaving Evan-Thomas behind, Jellicoe signaled the battle fleet to raise steam for full speed.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Moreover, should Evan-Thomas have decided at that point not to abandon the victim but instead to turn his squadron back to help, then perhaps all four of his ships would have been lost — although a German dreadnought or two might have been taken to the bottom with them.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

Anticipating his scheduled rendezvous with Jellicoe, he had just signaled Evan-Thomas, “When we turn north look out for advanced cruisers of the Grand Fleet.”

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003

But this tactic was standard in all navies and Hipper, Beatty, Hood, Evan-Thomas, and Sturdee all used it at Jutland.

Castles of Steel Massie, Robert K., 1929- 2003