Battle of Heligoland Bight
Heligoland Bight, North Sea, off north-west Germany
What happened
British ships under David Beatty, Reginald Tyrwhitt and Roger Keyes fought German cruisers and destroyers under Franz Hipper and Leberecht Maass. British light forces set an ambush for German patrol ships near the island of Heligoland. In the mist, German cruisers arrived a few at a time to help. When Beatty's battlecruisers joined, several German cruisers were sunk or disabled, and Britain lost no ships.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first naval battle between Britain and Germany in the First World War. Britain celebrated it as a major victory.
What came next
The Kaiser ordered his High Seas Fleet to avoid risky actions without his approval. Churchill later said the German navy was 'muzzled' for the next few months.
Did you know?
Among the German prisoners taken was the son of Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, the head of the German navy.
Timeline
- 1890Britain gives Heligoland to Germany.
- 28 August 1914Britain wins the Battle of Heligoland Bight.
- 18 April 1947The Royal Navy blows up the island's military buildings.
- 1 March 1952Heligoland is returned to West Germany.