HMS Audacious: The Sole British Dreadnought Lost to Enemy Action in WW1

Dive deep into the gripping history of HMS Audacious, a formidable King George V-class super dreadnought that played a crucial role in World War I. Commissioned in 1913, Audacious quickly became one of the Royal Navy's most powerful battleships, armed with ten 13.5-inch guns. The early months of the war saw Audacious facing the threats of German U-boats, surviving a near miss in August 1914. However, fate took a tragic turn on October 28, 1914, when Audacious struck a mine laid by the German merchant cruiser Berlin near Tory Island. This devastating encounter, part of Berlin's extensive mine-laying operation, marked the loss of Audacious, making it the only Royal Navy dreadnought sunk by enemy action during the Great War. Explore the broader context of the King George V-class battleships, their modifications from the preceding Orion class, and their strategic significance within the Royal Navy. Understand the challenges faced by the Grand Fleet, the impact of submarine threats, and the evolving tactics in response to the German naval strategy. As we unravel the events leading to Audacious' demise, we'll discuss the complexities of naval operations in the North Sea, the role of German mines, and the desperate measures taken by the Royal Navy to adapt to this new form of warfare. Learn about the subsequent secrecy surrounding Audacious' sinking, a strategic decision made by Admiral Jellicoe to maintain a delicate balance of power. Join us on this historical journey as we analyze the in-depth details of Audacious' tragic end, shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of naval history. From the technological challenges faced by the Royal Navy to the strategic decisions that shaped the course of World War I, this video offers a comprehensive exploration of the events surrounding HMS Audacious.
Sources/Other Reading:
www.amazon.com/Castles-Steel-...
www.amazon.com/British-Battle...
www.amazon.com/Jutland-1916-C...
www.amazon.com/Jutland-Unfini...
Video Information:
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[@ImportantHistory]

Thanks for watching everyone! As we come into the holiday season the channel is growing at a nice pace and I have done some thinking, if we manage to make it 10,000 subscribers by the end of the year, I will do a livestream Q&A and might start a KZbin membership program with some nice bonus features! So, make sure to put some questions on this pinned comment. As for this video, let me know what you all think of it and apologies if the audio sounds a bit different, I was recording at my home instead of up at school.

[@JasonMcCord-qk3yb]

I think the audio quality sounds just fine! I like the way you structured this one. It’s well thought out! Has the wreck ever been photographed? A nice follow up video might be an analysis video …. Just a thought.

[@ImportantHistory]

Yes I do believe the wreck has been filmed, there might be some KZbin videos out there of it

[@legiran9564]

Silent Jack. The only man that can either win or lose WW1 in one day. Can you imagine the amount of pressure he's in?

[@haveraygunwilltravel]

Come on people. Like and subscribe. It's ridiculous that he doesn't have more subscribers.

[@glynnwood3288]

Keep up the good work, very entertaining

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Good video. Be safe!

[@jessicalulila5709]

The fact that Britain trying to hide the sinking while it was front page on the US is a little funny

[@murrayscott9546]

Good work. One quibble, just me ? The maps. Never could spot whhere Swinney's s'posef to be. Only guesses ar Yorrey's location for knowing where Donegal is.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

WWI, before anti torpedo bulges. Very sad loss

[@bigsarge2085]

✌️

[@stephenrichards339]

Ok young man a few easy ones so we know where we set the stand. 1 your favourite ship and why. 2 which ship or ships should have been kepted for museum ships and why. By the way mine favourite ship is Fisher's baby Renown

[@michaelpielorz9283]

Fisher is the father of a long line of british one_hit_wonders (:-)

[@revertfpv2928]

Only lost? What about these two ships that were casually detonated by Germans in Jutland

[@ImportantHistory]

Three Battlecruisers were lost at Jutland. Those being Indefatigable, Queen Mary, and Invincible. Britain only lost two dreadnought battleships during the war those being Audacious and Vanguard.

[@DK-gy7ll]

I can see why Jellicoe was replaced by Admiral Beatty later in the war. He was so fearful of losing the fleet that he refused to take any risks, no matter how small.

[@mahbriggs]

In this he was quite correct! Although on paper, the Grand Fleet was much stronger than the High Seas Fleet, British shells were faulty and the German ships were much tougher than British ships, with heavier armor and better subdivision. While it is difficult to see how the German fleet could defeat the British, they could substancialy weaken it and cause horrific causalties! While many, on both sides, wished for an apocalyptic battle, it would have been a waste of lives!

[@philipdepalma4672]

Beatty screwed up big time at Jutland and probably should have been relieved instead of promoted.

[@philipdepalma4672]

Beatty screwed up big time at Jutland and probably should have been relieved instead of promoted.

[@nobbytang]

@@mahbriggs…the British had crap AP shells …something the Germans knew thanks to the Swedes telling them …if are shells would of been of German quality then Jutland would of been a massive British victory …the Germans evaluated damage caused by Royal Navy capital ship guns ( particularly 15 inch ) after the battle and concluded that they should of lost 6-8 of their Kreigmarine capital ships if …if we had effective AP shells….

[@mahbriggs]

@@nobbytang I didn't know the Germans knew it from the Swedes, but they could certainly have figured it out from the damage.

[@lemons_of_engineering]

first

[@613simcha]

... often a lemon 🍋 ;)

[@ewathoughts8476]

Sing song staccato narration spoils the data presented, and proper statement of facts need improving. Mines do not strike ships, the ships hit stationary mines. There are no floors in a ship, they are called decks.

[@ImportantHistory]

Appreciate the feedback, thanks for watching.

[@mahbriggs]

Battleships seem to have an unforunate habit of blowing up as they roll onto their side or capsize! Not just British, but also Japanese.