First World War August 1914 In August 1914, the 5th Battle Squadron was based at
Portland, and consisted of a number of
pre-dreadnought battleships. These were: • • • • • • • • Following the loss of HMS
Bulwark in 1914, and were transferred from the
6th Battle Squadron. With the commissioning of the five
fast battleships of the
Queen Elizabeth class, the remaining pre-dreadnoughts were sent to the Mediterranean. herself was delayed in joining the squadron, instead taking part in the
Dardanelles Campaign until May 1915.
Battle of Jutland In 1916, the 5th Battle Squadron—under the command of Rear Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas— was temporarily transferred to
David Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet. On 31 May, four ships of the Squadron served with distinction in the
battle of Jutland. These were: • Flagship of
Rear Admiral H. Evan-Thomas; Captain A. W. Craig; • Captain M. Woollcombe; • Captain E. M. Philpotts; • Captain the Honourable A. D. E. H. Boyle; In the clash with the German
I Scouting Group under Admiral
Franz von Hipper, the 5th Battle Squadron "fired with extraordinary rapidity and accuracy" (according to
Reinhard Scheer), damaging the
battlecruisers and and a number of other German warships. Three of the
Queen Elizabeths received hits from German warships during the engagement, yet they all returned home, though
Warspite—whose steering was jammed—was targeted by the German line, taking 15 hits. After the battle, HMS
Queen Elizabeth—which had missed the battle due to being in dock—rejoined the squadron. ==Vice and Rear-Admirals commanding==