"Assign the attack targets: the 'Derfflinger' battlecruiser and the 'Lützow' will engage the 'Queen Elizabeth' battleship, while the 'Hindenburg' battlecruiser and the 'Moltke' battlecruiser will target the 'Barham' battleship. The 'Moltke' battlecruiser and the 'Seydlitz' battlecruiser will assault the 'Malaya' battleship," Vice Admiral Spee swiftly commanded.
The German Navy's 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron boasted six battlecruisers, allowing them to outnumber the British Navy's three battleships two to one. Consequently, the British 'Queen Elizabeth' class battleships found themselves besieged in this engagement.
"Return fire! Focus on the three German 'Derfflinger-class' battlecruisers. If we can sink them, the remaining three 'Moltke-class' vessels will pose little threat," Rear Admiral Benjamin asserted. He clearly perceived the 'Derfflinger-class' battlecruisers, equipped with 380 mm main guns, as the greater threat, directing his forces to concentrate their attacks on them while overlooking the three 'Moltke-class' ships. This decision would ultimately lead to significant losses for him in the ensuing battle.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The three British 'Queen Elizabeth' class battleships unleashed a fierce counterattack, their 381 mm main guns roaring to life. However, with only 24 of these powerful cannons against 27 380 mm and 27 343 mm guns, the British 2nd Battle Squadron was at a severe disadvantage from the outset.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!" Shells whistled through the air, creating a piercing cacophony as they struck the surface of the sea, sending towering columns of water skyward. This naval battle had swiftly escalated to a fever pitch.
Standing motionless on the bridge of the 'Derfflinger' battlecruiser, Vice Admiral Spee intently observed the unfolding conflict. "Hmm? Have the British abandoned their assault on our 'Moltke-class' battlecruisers, focusing their fire solely on our 'Derfflinger-class' vessels?" he noted with a hint of concern.
Yet soon, a smile crept across his face. With only three battleships at their disposal, the British were forced to selectively target German ships, rendering their choice to attack the 'Derfflinger-class' a grave miscalculation. After all, the 'Derfflinger-class' boasted superior defenses, capable of withstanding the British 381 mm main guns. This decision effectively allowed the German 'Moltke-class' battlecruisers to launch their assaults with minimal interference, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful strikes.
"Order the three 'Moltke-class' battlecruisers to engage. Since the British 'Queen Elizabeth' class battleships are preoccupied, let them unleash their full firepower and destroy the enemy!" Vice Admiral Spee commanded.
"Understood, sir," the communication officer promptly replied.
Indeed, the current battlefield provided an excellent opportunity for the three 'Moltke-class' battlecruisers to demonstrate their capabilities. While the 343 mm guns might struggle to penetrate the British 'Queen Elizabeth' class battleships' 330 mm armor, the 50-caliber main guns possessed considerable armor-piercing potential, especially when employing armor-piercing capped projectiles, making it feasible to breach even 330 mm of thickness.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The thunderous echoes of artillery filled the battlefield as all six German battlecruisers continued their relentless bombardment. The British battleships retaliated, with shells raining down, creating geysers of water as they struck the ocean.
In another theater of battle, the German Navy's 1st Battlecruiser Squadron continued to engage the British battlecruisers. Though only four German ships remained, the British were resolute in their defense.
Vice Admiral David Beatty and the Royal Navy sailors clung to their belief that the 2nd Battle Squadron would arrive in time to turn the tide.
"Sir, the 'New Zealand' has been hit again. The hull is severely damaged and may soon be lost," a staff officer reported to Vice Admiral Beatty.
"I understand. Tell them to hold on a little longer," Beatty replied grimly.
"Damn it, why hasn't the 2nd Battle Squadron arrived yet?" Beatty fretted. The situation was rapidly becoming untenable. If things continued this way, they would surely suffer further losses. Reversing the tide would become increasingly difficult.
"Sir, General Benjamin has sent a telegram; we have encountered six German battlecruisers. A major battle has erupted, and he is unable to provide reinforcements," a communication officer reported, panic evident in his expression.
"What? Six German battlecruisers? How can that be?" Vice Admiral Beatty's expression darkened.
This revelation dealt a severe blow to him; with the three 'Queen Elizabeth' class battleships engaged, they were now in an extremely precarious situation, potentially facing total annihilation at the hands of the German Navy. The condition of the 'Queen Elizabeth' class battleships was dire. Although they represented the pinnacle of British naval power, facing an enemy force twice their number made victory uncertain—especially with the presence of 'Derfflinger-class' battlecruisers, whose capabilities Beatty knew all too well.
Moreover, Beatty realized that had the 2nd Battle Squadron not encountered the six German battlecruisers, they would have had to contend with the full assault of twelve enemy ships. The consequences would have been catastrophic.
"Damn those Germans; they are merciless!" Beatty muttered, recognizing the dire nature of their predicament.
"Boom! Boom!" Suddenly, a series of violent explosions erupted. The 'New Zealand' was split in two by a tremendous blast, swiftly descending into the depths of the sea.