"Anniversary of the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet" Topic

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Wow! What a sight that must've been.

I just saw this but man, this would be a great what if scenario! What if they went off and decided to go down in a blaze of glory! Right there. Wonder what the spacing was between ships. Germans get first two shots un-opposed to create a sense of shock to the situation – then the British retaliate and battle ensues….

Nice idea, but it'd never happen. In fact, the German Naval Command attempted to run one, last attack on the British in Oct 1918. A thoroughly hopeless and needless move that was squashed when the sailors revolted. Somehow the sailors didn't take kindly to the high command casually throwing their lives away on some "Gotterdammerung" move to save "honor"…

And one more thing. The Germans were ORDERED, in no uncertain terms, to sail with their turrets trained fore-and-aft. The Grand Fleet was in column on both sides of the High Seas Fleet column at Actions Stations with guns readied and fire control tracking every move of the German line. If a single German turret had even begun to swing out, that would've been the end of the High Seas Fleet. Yes, the British took all precautions to avoid any mischief…

And the numbers? High Seas Fleet: 9 battleships and 5 battlecruisers. Grand Fleet: 33 battleships and 9 battlecruisers.

Nevermind…