5th Battle Squadron

Created in 1915, the 5th Battle Squadron was a part of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet in World War I and was comprised of Queen Elizabeth class battleships.

In 1916 the 5th Battle Squadron was temporarily transferred to David Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet. On 31 May that year, it served with distinction in the battle of Jutland, sinking the Lützow and severely damaging the Seydlitz and other German ships. After the battle Rear-Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, who was commander of the 5th Battle Squadron, flew his flag in Barham.

On 21 November 1918 5th Battle Squadron, with the rest of the Grand Fleet, set sail to confront the defeated and demoralised German High Seas Fleet. This "Operation ZZ" was an astonishing spectacle, with over two hundred Allied warships, the majority being of the Grand Fleet, present to meet the High Seas Fleet at the Firth of Forth and escort them to internment at Scapa Flow.