The sinking of the German battlecruiser SMS Lützow during the Battle of Jutland is often attributed primarily to HMS Invincible because of a key role it played during a concentrated and dramatic engagement. However, this simplified narrative overlooks the broader contributions from other Royal Navy ships. Here's why HMS Invincible often gets sole credit and the reality behind the situation:
1. HMS Invincible's Fatal Broadside
During the "Run to the North" phase of the battle, HMS Invincible, the lead ship of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron, engaged SMS Lützow in a fierce exchange of fire. Invincible's 12-inch guns found their mark, scoring multiple critical hits on Lützow.
Critical Damage from Invincible: These hits penetrated Lützow's forward sections, flooding the bow and causing catastrophic structural damage. One of the most notable hits flooded the forward torpedo compartment, significantly impairing Lützow's ability to continue fighting effectively.
Dramatic Timing: Invincible’s direct hits occurred during a high-intensity phase of the battle, making them memorable and impactful in the narrative of the engagement.
2. Narrative Focus on a Singular Event
The sinking of SMS Lützow is often distilled into a narrative focusing on the duel between Invincible and Lützow because it adds drama to the story of the battle. The fact that Invincible was destroyed shortly after engaging Lützow reinforces this idea. The ship's destruction is often juxtaposed with its significant contribution to the German battlecruiser's demise, creating a compelling narrative of sacrifice and heroism.
"David and Goliath" Aspect: Invincible, being an older battlecruiser, played an outsized role against Lützow, one of Germany's most modern and formidable battlecruisers.
3. The Contribution of Other Capital Ships
While Invincible’s hits were significant, Lützow had already sustained extensive damage from other ships earlier in the battle. These include:
Queen Elizabeth-class Battleships: Ships like HMS Barham and HMS Valiant, part of Admiral Evan-Thomas's 5th Battle Squadron, scored multiple long-range hits on Lützow during the earlier stages of the battle.
Other Battlecruisers: During the main battlecruiser action, HMS Lion and HMS Princess Royal also inflicted damage on Lützow.
The cumulative effect of 32 heavy-caliber shell hits from various British capital ships overwhelmed Lützow’s damage control systems, leading to progressive flooding and eventual scuttling.
4. Focus on Scuttling, Not Sinking
SMS Lützow wasn’t sunk by British gunfire directly. After taking on catastrophic amounts of water, rendering the ship unmanageable and unable to return to port, her crew scuttled her in the early hours of June 1, 1916. Invincible’s hits were critical in rendering Lützow immobile, but the scuttling was ultimately a result of the combined damage inflicted throughout the battle.
Conclusion