Onboard the *Tiger* battlecruiser, Rear Admiral David Beatty's focus was wholly directed toward the German High Seas Fleet. At that moment, he harbored a singular conviction: to pursue the German fleet and annihilate them in vengeance for the Royal Navy's capital ships sunk in previous naval engagements.
"Admiral, should we accelerate further? If we do, the boilers might not withstand the strain much longer," the Chief Engineer reported anxiously to Beatty.
"Why should the Germans' vessels endure where ours cannot?" Beatty replied, his brow furrowing with concern.
The Chief Engineer opened his mouth to speak but ultimately refrained.
Despite Britain's earlier adoption of steam turbines in naval vessels, Germany had swiftly advanced in both fuel boilers and steam turbine technology, now eclipsing British capabilities. Consequently, while the Royal Navy was compelled to sacrifice defensive measures for speed, the German Navy managed to enhance speed while maintaining robust defense. In terms of performance, the German battlecruisers were comparable, if not superior, in speed to their British counterparts, thus validating Germany's successful advancements in this domain.
"Admiral, the Germans are slowing down and beginning to turn," an officer reported.
"What? Are the Germans not retreating but instead preparing to engage us?" Beatty exclaimed, immediately seizing his binoculars.
At that moment, the German raiding fleet was indeed maneuvering, with turrets rotating, evidently preparing for battle.
"Could this be part of a cunning ploy?" Beatty mused, though he was not inherently suspicious. However, after suffering significant losses at the hands of the German Navy, caution was now his constant companion.
"Order the fleet to turn and prepare for combat!" The urgency of the situation left no room for hesitation; if they did not adjust their course, the Germans would secure the advantageous T position, and the Royal Navy would face devastating consequences once again.
The British fleet commenced its maneuver, with two battle lines aligning parallel to each other, the distance between them steadily diminishing.
"Admiral, General Robertson reports they have encountered a formidable German fleet. They are facing three extremely powerful vessels, likely equipped with 380mm main guns," another officer informed Beatty.
"What? Three ships armed with 380mm guns?" Beatty's expression darkened.
"Those damned Germans! The Royal Navy has only just succeeded in developing the 381mm gun, and yet the Germans already have ships equipped with 380mm artillery in service. They have once again surpassed us! The intelligence department should be held accountable for this; don't they realize the peril they have put us in?" Beatty erupted in fury.
Indeed, the British intelligence apparatus had failed to procure substantial information regarding the German Navy. This was largely attributable to the effectiveness of German counterintelligence, which had maintained stringent secrecy, allowing their powerful warships to remain concealed until now. Otherwise, such overwhelming successes on the battlefield would have been improbable.
"Admiral, General Robertson requests guidance on the next course of action."
Beatty's brow was furrowed in deep thought. He had anticipated that this operation would not unfold smoothly. Admiral Carroll's fleet had suffered grave losses, and it was evident that the Germans were not caught off guard. Although the British still enjoyed a numerical advantage, with nine battlecruisers and four battleships compared to the German fleet's nine battlecruisers, the combat effectiveness of the German ships was clearly superior, especially with the inclusion of those equipped with 380mm guns.
Beatty found himself at an impasse. Rationality urged an immediate retreat to minimize potential losses to the Royal Navy. Admittedly, the four *Iron Duke*-class battleships would likely be unable to escape due to their speed. However, this course of action seemed preferable to total annihilation. Yet, Beatty understood that retreat was not an option; he could not face Churchill and the Cabinet with such a failure.
The British Cabinet was eagerly awaiting a victorious outcome from this operation to eliminate the threat posed by the German raiding fleet to their maritime supply lines. A retreat would unequivocally signify a comprehensive failure, especially with three *King George V*-class battleships already sunk and one heavily damaged, with the possibility of further losses. Such a scenario was intolerable for the Royal Navy, for Churchill, and certainly for the Cabinet. Thus, for Beatty, ordering a withdrawal was out of the question.
"Relay orders to General Robertson, instructing him to delay the three powerful German vessels and buy us time. Command the battlecruiser squadron to close the distance with the Germans and aim to defeat them swiftly before reinforcing General Robertson. The Germans rely on the strength of their ships to overpower us; let us demonstrate the true might of the Royal Navy. Naval warfare cannot be won solely by the superiority of firepower!" Beatty commanded.
Centuries prior, when the Spanish Armada sought to invade England, the Royal Navy was at a distinct disadvantage, yet they triumphed against the odds. Beatty was resolute that once the valor of the Royal Navy's warriors was fully unleashed, they could compensate for any shortcomings in ship performance and defeat the German Navy. Moreover, they still held a numerical advantage.
"Yes, Admiral," the officer promptly acknowledged, departing to convey the orders.
"Royal Navy warriors, we now face a tremendous crisis. Should we fail to vanquish the German fleet before us, the Royal Navy of the British Empire will suffer a severe blow. We will be unable to neutralize the Germans' threat to our maritime supply routes, slowly choking our nation and leaving the Royal Navy without a chance in the ultimate confrontation to come. Thus, we must fight to the last. Only by defeating the Germans can we secure our victory!" Beatty addressed the officers and sailors of the Royal Navy, hoping to ignite their fighting spirit.