Downing Street, the Prime Minister's residence; within the meeting room, the atmosphere was exceedingly tense.
Prime Minister Asquith sat in his seat, his countenance ashen and silent. The other cabinet officials bore equally grim expressions. Only the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, stood, addressing the assembly regarding the failure in the recent naval engagement.
"To date, we have lost the battlecruisers *Inflexible*, *Australia*, and *Indomitable*, as well as the battleships *Dreadnought*, *Courageous*, *Ajax*, *Iron Duke*, *Marlborough*, *Benbow*, and *Emperor of India*. Furthermore, the battlecruisers *Valiant* and *King George V* have sustained severe damage, and it is estimated that they will require three months of repairs before regaining combat readiness." Churchill delivered this information with a stone-cold expression. Each name he uttered felt like a dagger to his heart. These vessels represented the backbone of the Royal Navy; their loss placed its very future in jeopardy.
"How could we suffer such significant losses?" Prime Minister Asquith inquired, a question echoed by the other members of the cabinet. They all believed that the Royal Navy should not have incurred such catastrophic defeats. This was undoubtedly the most severe loss the Navy had faced in years.
"Prime Minister, this issue is quite complex and arises from two primary factors. Firstly, the Germans were well-prepared for our operation. They had deployed three battlecruisers armed with 380mm guns, which were chiefly responsible for the total destruction of our four *Iron Duke*-class battleships. Secondly, there has been a fundamental flaw in our shipbuilding philosophy. In the past, we prioritized firepower and speed while neglecting defense. However, in naval warfare, this oversight proved fatal. Our main guns were unable to penetrate the armor of the German ships, rendering us incapable of inflicting serious damage or sinking them. Conversely, the Germans were able to breach our ships' armor with ease, resulting in catastrophic losses for us. Hence, this dismal defeat." Churchill elucidated.
"How could this be the case? Why were we not aware of these issues beforehand? What purpose does the intelligence department serve? The Germans have commissioned ships armed with 380mm guns while we remained oblivious!" Asquith erupted in anger.
The head of the intelligence department hung his head in shame, acutely aware that their failures had exacted a grievous toll on the Royal Navy. It was evident that his position was now in jeopardy; he would likely be dismissed by Prime Minister Asquith.
"How could the design flaws of our ships only become apparent now? Were all previous assessments rendered futile?" Asquith fumed. The British Navy's vessels, whether battleships or battlecruisers, had been built under the misguided premise of favoring firepower and speed over defense. Did this not indicate that once these ships engaged in battle, they would be no match for the Germans? How could they continue to wage war under such circumstances? They might as well surrender to the Germans outright.
Churchill found himself at a loss for words. The British Navy's long-standing philosophy of prioritizing firepower and speed over defense had been in place for quite some time. It was nearly impossible to assign blame at this juncture.
"Mr. Churchill, given the extensive losses we have sustained, does this not imply that the Royal Navy is incapable of defeating the Germans? Are we to lose this decisive battle?" Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign Secretary, posed the question.
Other cabinet ministers turned to Churchill, all grappling with this troubling thought. As the dominant global power, the British Empire's ministers wielded significant authority. Yet, if the Royal Navy were to lose this critical engagement, the Empire might well be forced to relinquish its position of supremacy. At that point, retaining their power would be unthinkable; they would likely face the wrath of an enraged populace, which might well dismantle their authority.
"Prime Minister, esteemed ministers, I must regretfully inform you that the Royal Navy indeed faces grave troubles. Including the previous loss of the battlecruiser *Lion*, we have now lost eleven capital ships. The Royal Navy is severely crippled. If the Germans were to engage us in battle at this moment, we would likely face defeat." Churchill declared solemnly.
As soon as Churchill's words fell, the cabinet members began to murmur among themselves, their expressions reflecting the weight of despair and fear. The notion of such a catastrophic outcome was untenable for them. The prospect of the Royal Navy losing was simply unacceptable; such a defeat would be a devastating blow to the British Empire.
"Mr. Churchill, do we not have the *Queen Elizabeth*-class and *Revenge*-class battleships soon to be commissioned? Those vessels are armed with 381mm guns, capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Germans. Even so, are we still destined to lose?" inquired Chancellor Lloyd George.
"While the *Queen Elizabeth* and *Revenge* classes are formidable, they still suffer from insufficient armor. Furthermore, even if we field these ten ships equipped with 381mm guns, the Germans will undoubtedly possess an equal or greater number of vessels armed with 380mm guns. In terms of both quantity and combat capability, we have been completely outstripped by the Germans!" Churchill lamented.
"Oh God! How is this possible?"
"Are we truly destined to lose the forthcoming war? The Royal Navy is the preeminent naval force in the world and the pillar of the British Empire! We cannot afford to lose."
"If the Royal Navy were to lose the war, what would become of us? Can we still maintain our naval supremacy? Can our vast colonies be protected? Without naval power and overseas territories, can the British Empire still call itself the British Empire?"
The ministers of the British cabinet engaged in heated discussions, acutely aware of the dire consequences that would ensue if the Royal Navy were to lose the war. These outcomes were clearly unacceptable to them.
Prime Minister Asquith's complexion darkened, resembling that of a charred pot; he felt increasingly unfortunate to be facing a world war during his tenure. Was it possible that Britain could actually lose? Should that happen, he would be remembered as the Prime Minister who squandered the British Empire's hegemony, potentially becoming a pariah in history. If given the option, he would have gladly resigned on the spot.