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[Page 142]
1916.
probable that the Zeppelins, by means of signals, regulated the submarine attacks on our ships. It would seem that the only hope of getting into actual touch with the enemy, would be to allow him to come well out before attacking, & overtaking him before he could reach his harbours, or to surprise him in thick weather, or at night, when he could gain no assistance from his Zeppelins. It transpired on the day of our return to base, that "Falmouth" was actually torpedoed four times before sinking. Reports shortly followed that one of our own submarines, E.23. had torpedoed the German battleship "Nassau", as she was returning to harbour, & that she had sunk. We were pleased to hear this, as it served to level matters up a bit. It is uncertain what was the object of the German Fleet. Probably they intended bombarding east coast towns on a large scale, and that they had a screen of submarines to the north to protect them from the British Fleet, & to give them warning should the British Fleet come out to attack them. Whatever the object was, it was frustrated. There now followed comparative quiet for about a fortnight, when "Australia", "Inflexible", "Indomitable". were detailed to carry out a sweeping movement round the Skagerack. Accompanied also by