The scenery of Scapa Flow, once resplendent in its beauty, has been irrevocably disturbed by the arrival of numerous ships from the Royal Navy. Today, the bay is shrouded in a mournful atmosphere.
The previous night's surprise attack by German submarines inflicted severe losses upon the Royal Navy, with five battleships struck, including the formidable Warspite and the Vanguard. The Conqueror, Majestic, and Neptune also suffered grievous damage. The fact that a single German submarine could wreak such havoc was a bitter pill for the Royal Navy to swallow.
"Your Excellency, the damage assessment report has arrived," an aide announced as he entered Admiral John Jellicoe's office.
The office was thick with smoke, as though a fire had broken out. Admiral Jellicoe had not slept a wink that night; how could he find rest after such a devastating assault?
He scrutinized the report, noting the devastation. Among the five battleships hit by German torpedoes, Warspite and Vanguard bore the brunt of the attack. Their considerable size made them prime targets for the U-037 submarine. Two torpedoes struck, tearing through their underwater armor and causing catastrophic flooding. Despite the damage control team's efforts, both battleships have now succumbed to the depths of the harbor, with most of their hulls submerged. Although British engineering could salvage and repair these vessels, it would demand an inordinate amount of time—time they could scarcely afford.
The Conqueror, despite being hit by two torpedoes, sustained relatively lighter damage thanks to the swift action of the damage control team, who sealed the watertight compartments. Nonetheless, significant seawater ingress led to a precarious list, complicating future repairs that would also require substantial time.
The Majestic and Neptune, with their thinner armor, endured severe damage from the torpedoes, yet they did not sink outright. Restoring these battleships would similarly be a lengthy endeavor.
"Curse it! Five battleships attacked, two sunk, and the remaining three are out of commission for the foreseeable future. How are we to engage the enemy now?" Admiral Jellicoe lamented, his frustration palpable.
Initially, the Royal Navy had maintained a numerical advantage over the German fleet. However, with five battleships incapacitated, that advantage vanished.
"Admiral, how shall we report this to London?" Vice Admiral David Beatty, visibly fatigued from the night's ordeal, inquired.
After a moment's reflection, Jellicoe replied, "We must report the truth. Such a significant event cannot be concealed."
Beatty nodded, acutely aware that the previous night's attack had once again delivered a crippling blow to the Royal Navy, severely damaging its reputation. He could only imagine the outrage of First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill upon receiving the news. However, there was little they could do; the near-zero underwater defenses of Scapa Flow had allowed the German submarine to infiltrate effortlessly, launch its torpedoes, and depart unscathed. The British Navy had not even laid eyes on the enemy submarine, a disgraceful reality.
"Admiral, with so many battleships severely damaged, the upcoming engagement will prove arduous," Beatty noted, his confidence waning.
"I am well aware! But do we have any alternatives? The successful submarine attack will only embolden the Germans. I fear they will soon provoke a decisive confrontation!" Jellicoe sighed. If given the choice, he would prefer to postpone the inevitable clash for a year or two, allowing the Royal Navy to recover its strength. In such a scenario, they might not be entirely without hope against the formidable German fleet. Yet, Jellicoe sensed that the time for reckoning was fast approaching.
"Perhaps we can simply remain in port, refusing to engage," Beatty suggested.
"Is that a viable option?" Jellicoe shook his head.
Beatty fell silent, understanding the impossibility of that course of action. Even if they sought refuge in the harbor, the Germans would not relent. The coastal cities of Britain would undoubtedly become targets, with the capital itself at risk. If that were to occur, how could they possibly avoid battle?
If the German Navy were to destroy Britain's coastal shipyards, their construction of battleships would grind to a halt, leaving the Royal Navy without any chance to defeat their foe.
Moreover, Britain remained under the stranglehold of the German blockade. Overseas trade routes had been severed, leading to a gradual depletion of resources within the nation. It would not be long before societal collapse ensued. In such circumstances, how could they even consider waging war against Germany?
"Regardless, we must face the Germans in battle. Unless the government chooses to acknowledge defeat and surrender, we shall fight with all our might to secure victory for the British Empire," Admiral Jellicoe declared.
Beatty nodded in agreement, acknowledging the gravity of their situation. They truly had no path of retreat left.