This is the Jutland 1916 exhibition, which was definitely something I wanted to see after everything I've read about the battle. As seems to be common these days, the core of it is an audio-visual presentation using witness testimony from the battle spread across a series of large screens. It's very well done and is supported by artefacts and models of key ships involved.
The Jutland Battle Honour plaque.
There was a really good collection of models, all handmade and nice & big.
I will happily admit to geeking out over them.
The cruiser HMS Caroline, the only British ship from the battle still in existence.
I find it a little sad that we couldn't find time, money and space to preserve at least one battleship.
Back to HMS Caroline and she had one very unusual feature.
Most of her guns were 4" but there were a brace of 6" guns.
And for some bizarre reason they were mounted on the back.
Ships' bells from the battlecruisers HMS Tiger and HMS Inflexible.
British battlecruisers took a beating at Jutland. 3 were lost with almost their entire crews,
most of whom were dead before they knew what hit them.
I was impressed by Jutland 1916.
It gives a good overview of the battle and fascinating bits and pieces to look at
but at the same time, it's made clear that there was a heavy price to pay.
Or to put it another way, you should always come out of an exhibition like this feeling a little sad.
And that I did.
