100 years on naval experts continue to argue who won the Battle of Jutland

A week of commemorations started in Britain Saturday to mark the centenary of the biggest naval clash of World War One, the Battle of Jutland.

In the battle between the world's two most powerful navies at that time, more than 6,000 British sailors and 2,500 Germans were killed in the North Sea, 145 km off the coast of Denmark.

Involved were 151 British warships and around 100 from Germany, with 1-in-10 sunk.

With the British navy losing more warships, Germany's Kaiser claimed victory. But as the German fleet returned to port, Britain claimed it ruled the waves.

A century on, military historians continue to argue about who really won the Battle of Jutland.

The main day marking the battle's centenary will be on May 31, with the Scottish Island of Orkney heading the national commemorations.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "Events across the land and sea, and beneath the waves, will mark the 100th anniversary of the greatest naval battle fought in World War I."

"On May 31, 1916 the British and German Navies met for the only full scale clash of the Great War. At stake was control of the North Sea and Britain's place in the war," said the spokesman.

"The clash between the world's two most powerful navies was the climax of more than a decade of antagonism between Britain and Germany," added the spokesman.

"When it was over, the British controlled the sea, the Germans returned to their bases, but claimed victory having sunk more ships. It prompted arguments over 'who won' at Jutland, or Skagerrak as it is known in Germany, which continue to this day," said the spokesman.

Three days of events started Saturday in Queensferry, off the western coast of Scotland, base of the British battle force in 1916. The Princess Royal and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon are attending the commemorations.

The national service of remembrance on May 31 is in St Magnus' Cathedral, Orkney, followed by a ceremony in the Royal Navy cemetery, overlooking Scapa Flow, gateway to the North Sea.

At Jutland Bank, close to the battle scene a combined Anglo-German service of remembrance and wreath laying by ships from both countries will take place.

There will also be events at naval memorials in Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth.

In Germany commemorations will take place in Wilhelmshaven, home to the German High Seas fleet and at the Laboe Naval memorial in Kiel.

At London's Jubilee Park in Leyton a wreath was laid earlier this week to honor Jack Cornwell, youngest victim of the battle.

The 16-year-old boy sailor remained at his gun awaiting orders despite being mortally wounded. He was awarded Britain's highest award for bravery, the Victoria Cross, becoming a national hero. Endit