"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Heavy shells, propelled by immense kinetic energy, soared toward their targets over ten kilometers away. The projectiles generated a sharp whistle as they collided violently with the air.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The shells crashed into the ocean, detonating upon impact and sending towering columns of water soaring to heights of several meters.
From the command tower of the HMS George V, Rear Admiral Carroll observed the German battlecruisers initiate their bombardment with a cool demeanor, utterly unmoved by the display.
Due to the considerable distance, the accuracy of the German fire was poor; the nearest impact point fell three to four hundred meters away. Witnessing this, a faint smile of derision crept across Admiral Carroll's face.
"Foolish Germans, is this the extent of their capabilities? I truly wonder how the Lion-class battlecruiser was ever sunk by them. Perhaps the crew of the Lion simply had an unfortunate turn of fate. Mayhap this time, the Almighty will favor us," Carroll mused quietly.
In naval warfare, fortune indeed plays a significant role. With a stroke of luck, even the disadvantaged may find an opportunity to turn the tide.
Following their initial test firing, the German fleet did not immediately proceed to a second round of bombardment but instead began to recalibrate. The spotter aircraft overhead reported observed impact points back to the fleet. The artillery officers on their side adjusted their firing angles accordingly, aiming for improved accuracy in the next round.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
It was a full three minutes before the German fleet launched their second wave of shells. Although still lacking hits, the impact points had drawn closer.
The Germans continued to fire several more rounds, and while they had yet to achieve a direct hit, the nearest impact now lay within a hundred meters of the British vessels. This distance was perilously close; perhaps with a stroke of good fortune, a hit was imminent.
The smile on Admiral Carroll's face had vanished entirely, as a sense of foreboding began to wash over him.
"Damn it, are the Germans this proficient? After just a few test shots, they have already produced such results. The Royal Navy certainly cannot claim any advantage against them!" Carroll exclaimed inwardly.
"Admiral, there appears to be something above us. It looks like German aircraft," a naval officer shouted.
Carroll dashed from the command tower and peered through his binoculars. Indeed, two German planes were soaring high above, over a thousand meters from the sea surface. The British Navy had been so focused on the naval engagement that they had failed to notice them.
"Curse it! No wonder the Germans' bombardment is becoming more precise; they have two aircraft providing artillery guidance. Such despicable tactics! They can only resort to underhanded methods against the Royal Navy, lacking the courage to confront us directly," Carroll fumed, feeling increasingly agitated yet powerless. The British battleships were not equipped with anti-aircraft weaponry, leaving him with no recourse but to shake his fists and mutter curses.
"Admiral, what shall we do? If this continues, the Germans may soon achieve a hit," an officer expressed his concern.
Carroll furrowed his brow, realizing that the distance between the two fleets had narrowed to approximately twelve kilometers. Initially, he had hoped to close the gap to ten kilometers, where the Royal Navy's gunnery could prove more effective. However, time was running out. If they did not act soon, their battleships would likely be struck before they could reach that closer range. The German battlecruisers were faster, and the British battleships would find it nearly impossible to reduce the distance without incurring damage.
"Order all ships to prepare for fire! I am confident that the Royal Navy's caliber far surpasses that of the Germans; they cannot compensate for their inferior capabilities with mere toy-like aircraft," Admiral Carroll commanded.
"Understood, Admiral." The communications officer swiftly relayed Carroll's orders to the fleet.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The HMS George V opened fire first, its five twin-mounted 343 mm guns unleashing a thunderous roar. Heavy shells hurtled through the air, hurtling toward the German fleet.
Although the Royal Navy's battleship also failed to achieve a hit in this round, their impact points were now notably closer to the German vessels, underscoring the superior quality of the Royal Navy in this era.
The other three British battleships soon joined the fray, and the two lines exchanged a barrage of fire over the ten-kilometer stretch between them.
Despite both sides merely conducting test shots, the bombardment was fierce. The air thundered with cannon fire, akin to a storm raging across the sea. Explosions rocked the water, sending geysers skyward as if a tempest were sweeping through.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
At precisely 10:24 AM, the Blücher battlecruiser achieved the first hit during their test firing. A 305 mm shell struck the side of the British battleship, Bold, with tremendous force. Despite Bold's armor measuring 305 mm thick, it could not withstand the impact of the 50-caliber 305 mm shell.
The projectile breached Bold's side armor, creating a massive hole and destroying one of its secondary guns. Regrettably, the breach occurred above the waterline. Had it struck below the waterline, that single hit could have exacted a heavy toll on Bold, potentially crippling its combat capabilities.
Nonetheless, the sight sent cheers erupting among the German sailors.
The captain of the Blücher promptly ordered concentrated fire. The three triple-mounted 305 mm guns began to fire at maximum rate.