3rd Battlecruiser Squadron (United Kingdom)
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The 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron was a Royal Navy squadron of battlecruisers that saw service as part of the Grand Fleet during World War 1.
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[edit] Creation
The 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron (BCS) was created in 1915, with the return to home waters of the Invincible class battlecruisers HMS Invincible and HMS Inflexible following the Battle of the Falkland Islands and the Dardanelles operation. They were joined by their sister, HMS Indomitable, and, under command of Rear Admiral Sir Horace Hood, the squadron was based at Rosyth Scotland.
[edit] Battle of Jutland
- HMS Invincible Flagship of Rear Admiral the Honourable H. L. A. Hood ; Captain A. L. Cay
- HMS Inflexible Captain E. H. F. Heaton-Ellis
- HMS Indomitable Captain F. W. Kennedy
On 31 May 1916, the squadron, attached to the Grand Fleet rather than David Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet, participated in the Battle of Jutland. During the battle, HMS Invincible was hit in her "Q" turret by a salvo from SMS Lützow, causing a massive explosion. The ship broke in two and sank with the loss of all but six of her crew of 1,021, including Admiral Hood[1].
[edit] After Jutland
With the loss of Invincible and several other battlecruisers at Jutland, the 3rd BCS was no longer required. HMS Indomitable and HMS Inflexible were transferred to the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron in June 1916.[2].
[edit] References
- ^ Macintyre, Donald. Jutland Evans Brothers Ltd. 1957; ISBN: 0-330-20142-5
- ^ Dittmar, F.J & Colledge J.J., British Warships 1914-1919 Ian Allan, London. 1972; ISBN 0-7110-0380-7
