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Overview
This work is a depiction by a participant of an incident early in the Battle of Jutland, when British and German battle-cruisers encounter each other about 4pm on 31 May 1916. The British ships have formed a line led by Admiral Beatty's flagship, H.M.S. Lion, followed in order by 'Princess Royal', 'Queen Mary', 'Tiger', 'New Zealand' and 'Indefatigable'. British and German ships have opened fire on each other at a range of about 15,000 yards; the artist vividly depicts the accurate fire of the German gunners, who have hit 'Tiger' and 'Indefatigable' which is seen exploding in the far distance.
The artist, J. ('Jack') Glendinning, served aboard H.M.S. Lion with the Royal Marine Artillery. He was probably a crew member of one of the gun turrets.