MartinWills Posted 4 May , 2007 Share Posted 4 May , 2007 The Fighting At Jutland - The personal experiences of sixty officers and men of the British Fleet H W Fawcett & G W W Hooper Introduction by John Roberts 448pp Naval Institute Press 2001 ISBN 1-55750-293-5 Published at £25 but available currently as a remainder at £7.99 If you read through the threads about people's favourite books you will always find that accounts by those who participated are to the fore. Some of these are single account volumes; others assemble accounts by many people of particular phases or battles. They all convey something of the experience but many are based on recollections or interviews that may date from 60 years or more after the events described. Accounts assembled so long after the events often cloud the detail whilst still providing a powerful sense of experience. Many such collections are not as comprehensive as you might wish. 60 and more years on there are often gaps in the narrative because the veterans are no longer there to be interviewed. Suppose the accounts were collected in the immediate wake of events. Assembled from notes taken at the time or experiences written out not long afterwards. Imagine that the full extent of an action could be gathered together so you could read a detailed account of events in the words of the participants. In short, you would have an absolute winner. It amazes me, therefore, that this fine and engrossing volume republished in 2001 is now to be found languishing of the "remainder" shelves. Short of it being a far too well kept secret I can only think that it is because the subject is "Jutland". It was originally published privately in 1920, much of it's content being treated as too sensitive by mainstream publishers. A second condensed (expurgated) commercial edition followed which was edited down to the experiences of 45 officers and men leaving about half of the original volume. A copy of the original first edition has long been a treasured and cherished possession. This complete new edition preserves all the sketches, maps, plans and diagrams that complemented the original. The photographs are also reproduced in their entirety, but in a smaller form and loosing some of the quality of the originals. Most were taken during the action; others show the damage as it appeared immediately afterwards. Lieutenants Fawcett and Hooper both fought at Jutland. They knew what it was like and were determined to tell the story "as it was" and in the words of men who knew and understood. In the years after Jutland accounts were often defensive and far from even handed. Fawcett and Hooper presented a refreshingly straight account. It is even more valuable today than it was then. The recent re-assessment of Jutland by Peter Hart and Nigel Steel cites this volume as invaluable and it truly is. For a long time I had struggled with narratives and analysis of Jutland. It is a complex action to understand, even when broken down into a series of phases and there are certain key manoeuvres that define the battle. One night I settled down with an original first edition. I was riveted. It must have been around 2.30 am before I felt the overwhelming need to sleep. Suddenly Jutland was exciting. These men understood what it was about; how momentous the experience was; they were recounting the experience to me. The first wireless transmission "Enemy in sight" conveys the excitement felt on HMS Galatea. As the tale progresses we share the excitement as other ships come into play; as shots are fired and the cold hard reality that shells hit home, and men are wounded and killed. Even reading today of the loss of HMS Queen Mary cannot fail to shock. One minute a majestic vessel; the next a dramatic mushroom cloud of smoke as ragged steel rains all around and finally the next ship in line sails through the spot where over 1200 died. We are left in no doubt that the German gunnery was second to none. These sixty officers and men take us through every aspect of Jutland and share the final tinge of disappointment that the battle failed to reach a cataclysmic climax. Who won? Fawcett and Hooper let you make your own mind up. At Jutland there was no clear victor; but although the German fleet was able to slink away it never again had the confidence to sail to war. For anyone with even a passing interest or curiosity in Jutland this volume is essential. For those who relish the accounts of men who went to war this is a compelling account. I would not want to be without it and nor will you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 4 May , 2007 Share Posted 4 May , 2007 Martin - as a matter of interest does it have an index and if so, any accounts that speak of HMS VANGUARD or HMS SHARK? Many thanks, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 5 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 5 May , 2007 Yes, yes and yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 5 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 5 May , 2007 I couldn't resist that last post Not a huge amount about Vanguard - the index is just to a map, but I think there are other references, plenty about Shark. However, don't just read it for a couple of bits - its a fine volume which will open many eyes to Jutland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMHart Posted 6 May , 2007 Share Posted 6 May , 2007 I entirely agree with Martin. This is a fantastic book, probably the most exciting ever published on that great naval battle which has been ill-served by historians diverted into endlessly arguing as to how many angels were dancing on Jellicoe and Beatty's compass rather than on the incredible scale of the fighting! Everyone should read it. The only slight disadvantage is that the contributions are made anonymously - although as their role and ship is given one can often work out who they are! If it has been remaindered then do yourself a favour and grab a copy! Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 6 May , 2007 Share Posted 6 May , 2007 Martin, many thanks. Your right I wouldnt buy it just for those references but it does push it into the "must have" field. I will arrange a purchase soon. Regards, Jon S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 6 May , 2007 Share Posted 6 May , 2007 Thanks to Martin and Pete for their strong recommendations of this book, which I've just ordered, even though I already have Jellicoe's 'The Grand Fleet 1914-1916', Peter Hart and Nigel Steel's 'Jutland 1916', Tarrant's 'Jutland, the German perspective', Admiral Bacon's 'The Jutland Scandal', and Andrew Gordon's 'The Rules of the Game'. I'm hoping that 'The Fighting at Jutland' will add yet another layer to my (slowly increasing) understanding of the battle. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShirlD Posted 6 May , 2007 Share Posted 6 May , 2007 Does it have much about the Queen Mary? In a way I hope not, as I have in a wish list: Diary of an Old Comtemptible No Insignificant Part East Lancashire Regiment Book and they are not cheap and there will be more! Am only just coming to grips with the Somme, so have left the sea for the moment . Cheers Shirley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 6 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 6 May , 2007 Shirley, There are a good few pages about the Queen Mary and it's loss - mainly as seen from other ships, but there is (I think) a short bit by a survivor. As it is remaindered I would get a copy fairly quickly if you can. Once they are gone I don't suppose there will be any more and it is cheap at the moment. I don't think you will regret it and you won't find anywhere else where you can read first hand accounts of the loss of Queen Mary or, indeed the entirety of the Battle. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 6 May , 2007 Share Posted 6 May , 2007 Ordered? From where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 6 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 6 May , 2007 If I'm looking for a book like this I would usually try a specialist military dealer such as Tom Morgan, I'd take a look at Amazon and I'd also try something like Naval and Military One of them ought to have it for no more than £8 plus postage. I recently spotted it in a remainder shop near Waterloo in London at £7.99 Of course if you can find a first edition ..... You should, however, avoid anything that refers to 45 men and not sixty - that would be the heavily abridged version. I hope you find and enjoy a copy. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 6 May , 2007 Share Posted 6 May , 2007 Many thanks Martin. I tried all 3 - one had it. It has now been ordered and I am looking forward to reading it. I may take it with me to a room which I have booked overlooking Scapa Flow. Thanks again for a compelling review. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 6 May , 2007 Share Posted 6 May , 2007 As many pals won't have a remainder bookshop locally, and given that only one of the three already-named online booksellers has actually got this book, I hope I won't get shot for saying that it's in the N & M clearance sale at £7.95 + postage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 6 May , 2007 Share Posted 6 May , 2007 You old rogue, you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 9 November , 2007 Share Posted 9 November , 2007 Pete Hart earlier describes this read as "exciting" - and it is. For those of us interested in military (or naval) history this is "edge of the seat" stuff. First hand accounts written not long after the event. No punches pulled in using the full force of the language of the day. Bodies are "mangled". Men "completely break down". The accounts bounce along in broadly chronological order, moving from ship to ship, to tell the story. So, for instance, there will be account of a ship becoming disabled and needing to be taken in tow by another. The next account will be from someone aboard the second ship also describing the tow. It does mean, however, there is some repetition of major events, for example, the sinking of the Queen Mary as it was witnessed by many people - but this is a minor quibble and probably actually adds to the story if you have an interest in that ship. As someone who knows nowt about nautical matters, I found it fascinating to see how ships "went about their business" in the days when, say, communication equipment was still rudimentary and much signalling still went on by the use of flags. Go get it, Pals. One for the festive pressie list. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 9 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 9 November , 2007 Glad you enjoyed it, John. It's a wonderful volume. I always feel uneasy when I recommend a book, especially when I do so in glowing terms. It was a releif , firstly, that Peter Hart was quick to agree but it's also a pleasure to find others who have purchased and there is a great measure of satisfaction in knowing others have equally enjoyed the volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 10 November , 2007 Share Posted 10 November , 2007 Six months on, I am about to read this book for the second time. Yes, it does have the shortcomings others have described, but it's still an invaluable companion to more analytical histories of Jutland. Not a 'first read' for a newcomer to the subject, but an excellent inside view for someone who already knows the headlines of the battle. Thanks, Martin, for your recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 18 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 18 November , 2007 Imight just disagree that it is not a book for the "newcomer" to Jutland. Amongst the volumes that have introduced many to the great war are those by Lynn Macdonald and the like - texts which introduce people to the experience of the war. From a naval / Jutland perspective this volume effectively does that. I think you need to have a modern survey to hand as follow up, but it is a good read. From my own perspective I had struggled to get to grips with Jutland beyond a brief outline of the battle. It was this volume that triggered my engagement with events in the North Sea. It is not, however, a substitute for one of the modern accounts of the battle. I'm glad that so many people seem to be enjoying my recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 18 November , 2007 Share Posted 18 November , 2007 I might just disagree that it is not a book for the "newcomer" to Jutland. Re-reading the book, and reconsidering that question, I think I might just agree with you, Martin ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Seymour Posted 18 November , 2007 Share Posted 18 November , 2007 Martin, Thanks indeed for drawing this wonderful book to our attention. Best wishes, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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