It's true that Scheer and Hipper did very well at Jutland - probably better than they had any right to, considering how close the Grand Fleet came to cutting them off during their escape. However, I wanted to see just how close we can get to Scheer's grand plan to destroy Beatty actually working.
I was wondering if having Scheer follow Hipper somewhat more closely could help this - perhaps by leaving II Battle Squadron behind, but then Scheer effectively did that IOTL anyway - while Jellicoe continues at his OTL course and speed.
However it happens, British losses are more severe, with the Battle Cruiser Fleet losing perhaps three or four BC's, including Lion, and maybe even one of Evan-Thomas' BB's if the High Seas Fleet is quick enough. Jellicoe arrives, but the Grand Fleet isn't able to strike much more than a glancing blow at the Germans, probably losing one or two BC's or BB's in total. In the aftermath of losing Beatty, I assume Horace Hood will take command of the battlecruisers.
With the British losing what amounts to a squadron of battlecruisers, is it possible they may be able to persuade Japan to send some ships to the North Sea? This is a stretch, as only the brand new Kongo-class would have the necessary speed, and they barely persuaded the IJN to send units to the Mediterranean.
I was wondering if having Scheer follow Hipper somewhat more closely could help this - perhaps by leaving II Battle Squadron behind, but then Scheer effectively did that IOTL anyway - while Jellicoe continues at his OTL course and speed.
However it happens, British losses are more severe, with the Battle Cruiser Fleet losing perhaps three or four BC's, including Lion, and maybe even one of Evan-Thomas' BB's if the High Seas Fleet is quick enough. Jellicoe arrives, but the Grand Fleet isn't able to strike much more than a glancing blow at the Germans, probably losing one or two BC's or BB's in total. In the aftermath of losing Beatty, I assume Horace Hood will take command of the battlecruisers.
With the British losing what amounts to a squadron of battlecruisers, is it possible they may be able to persuade Japan to send some ships to the North Sea? This is a stretch, as only the brand new Kongo-class would have the necessary speed, and they barely persuaded the IJN to send units to the Mediterranean.