The range decreased during the course of the action to 9,000 yards. The First Battle Squadron received more of the enemy's return fire than the remainder of the battle-fleet, with the exception of the Fifth Battle Squadron. _Colossus_ was hit, but was not seriously damaged, and other ships were straddled with fair frequency.
In the Fourth Battle Squadron--in which squadron my flagship _Iron Duke_ was placed--Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee leading one of the divisions--the enemy engaged was the squadron consisting of the _Koenig_ and _Kaiser_ class and some of the battle-cruisers, as well as disabled cruisers and light-cruisers. The mist rendered range-taking a difficult matter, but the fire of the squadron was effective. _Iron Duke_, having previously fired at a light-cruiser between the lines, opened fire at 6.30 p.m. on a battleship of the _Koenig_ class at a range of 12,000 yards. The latter was very quickly straddled, and hitting commenced at the second salvo and only ceased when the target ship turned away.
[Sidenote: Firing at enemy battle cruisers.] The fire of other ships of the squadron was principally directed at enemy battle-cruisers and cruisers as they appeared out of the mist. Hits were observed to take effect on several ships.
The ships of the Second Battle Squadron, under Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Jerram, were in action with vessels of the _Kaiser_ or _Koenig_ classes between 6.30 and 7.20 p.m., and fired also at an enemy battle-cruiser which had dropped back apparently severely damaged.
During the action between the battle fleets the Second Cruiser Squadron, ably commanded by Rear-Admiral Herbert L. Heath, M.V.O., with the addition of _Duke of Edinburgh_ of the First Cruiser Squadron, occupied a position at the van, and acted as a connecting link between the battle fleet and the battle-cruiser fleet. This squadron, although it carried out useful work, did not have an opportunity of coming into action.
The attached cruisers _Boadicea_, _Active_, _Blanche_ and _Bellona_ carried out their duties as repeating-ships with remarkable rapidity and accuracy under difficult conditions.
[Sidenote: Light cruisers attack with torpedoes.]
The Fourth Light-cruiser Squadron, under Commodore Charles E. Le Mesurier, occupied a position in the van until ordered to attack enemy destroyers at 7.20 p.m., and again at 8.18 p.m., when they supported the Eleventh Flotilla, which had moved out under Commodore James R. P. Hawksley, M.V.O., to attack. On each occasion the Fourth Light-cruiser Squadron was very well handled by Commodore Le Mesurier, his captains giving him excellent support, and their object was attained, although with some loss in the second attack, when the ships came under the heavy fire of the enemy battle fleet at between 6,500 and 8,000 yards. The _Calliope_ was hit several times, but did not sustain serious damage, although I regret to say she had several casualties. The light-cruisers attacked the enemy's battleships with torpedoes at this time, and an explosion on board a ship of the _Kaiser_ class was seen at 8.40 p.m.