Not really an after action report, more like a log book of a battle..this was written down on paper by hand as it happened.
8 Jan. 1916. 5th Light Cruiser squadron sortied to patrol off of Helgoland and the Elbe to bait German destroyers out into action.
At 1600 hours Light Cruiser Arethusa spotted a formation of 7 German destroyers some 15,000 yards distant. The cruiser squadron went to battle stations and altered course to intercept. The following is a log of the battle.
1610: CL Conquest engages German DD with long range gunfire.
1620: Action continues with CL squadron closing to within 7,000 yards of German DD formation.
1640: Three German DD's sinking and two heavily damaged. Second DD formation observed approaching bearing 040, 12,000 yards.
1650: CL Cleopatra hit by torpedo, slowed to 14 knots.
1710: German Battlecruisers spotted approaching from bearing 180 @ 20 knots.
1715: German BC's identified as Seydiltz and Derfflinger. German DD's fall back and reform.
1717: Light Cruiser Conquest severely damaged by large caliber shell strike aft.
1720: BC's Von Der Tann and Moltke spotted in support of Seydlitz and Derfflinger.
1724: Overwhelming German force, have elected to disengage to the north.
1727: Suspect CL Conquest lost, ship unmanuverable and listing 5 degrees port.
1730: CL squadron under fire from German BC's.
1732: 4 German DD's observed sinking.
1737: CL Arethusa struck by multiple heavy caliber shells-sinking.
1741: German force gaining speed and closing distance, outlook grim.
1744: CL Penelope explodes
1748: CL Conquest succumbs to 15cm shell fire, sinking.
1750: CL Cleopatra continues fire against DD's
1753: CL Cleopatra sinking.
1755: CL Squadron lost.
Battle results:
British Losses: 4 CL.
German Losses: 21 Destroyers lost, 10 damaged.
5th CL Squadron attacked by a force of 49 ships and was engaged in battle for 1 hour, 55 minutes.
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