History of the United Kingdom during the First World War and the German Imperial Navy did come into contact, notably in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, and at the Battle of Jutland. In view of their inferior numbers and firepower, the Germans devised a plan to draw part of the British fleet into a trap and put it into effect at Jutland in , but the result was inconclusive. In , the High Seas Fleet tried a similar enticement operation and was "lucky to escape annihilation". The lessons learned by the Royal Navy at Jutland made it a more effective force in the future. In 1914, the navy had also
Order of battle for the Battle of the Somme Chief of the German General Staff: General der Infanterie Erich Falkenhayn (until 28 August 1916), Generalfeldmarschall Paul von Hindenburg At this time, German divisions were in the process of being converted from square to triangular, hence some had four infantry regiments, others had three. Order of battle for the Battle of the Somme This is the order of battle for the Battle of the Somme. The Battle of the Somme was an offensive fought on the Western Front during World War I from 1 July to 18 November 1916 as one of the greatest engagements of the war. It was