The "Bellerophon-class" battleship was among the earliest dreadnoughts mass-produced by the Royal Navy. Following the commissioning of the "Dreadnought," the construction of the "Bellerophon-class" commenced, marking the onset of the dreadnought era for the Royal Navy with three vessels completed in this class.
However, as a standard dreadnought, the "Bellerophon-class" battleships were significantly inferior in performance compared to the subsequent super-dreadnoughts. With a displacement of less than 19,000 tons, they were equipped with five twin-mounted 305 mm main guns, but only four of these could fire simultaneously to the same side. In terms of armor, the main belt was 254 mm thick, while the turrets and conning tower were protected by 280 mm armor. While this defense was not considered weak among the Royal Navy's vessels, it paled in comparison to that of the German Navy. Additionally, their maximum speed was a mere 21 knots, and even after several years of service, achieving a speed of 18 or 19 knots was commendable.
The German Navy's carrier-based aircraft targeted the "Bellerophon-class" battleships as their primary objectives. Compared to other British battleships, these vessels were evidently weaker and more susceptible to sinking. The lightweight torpedoes carried by the aircraft were insufficiently powerful to effectively engage the heavily armored super-dreadnoughts.
Four torpedo bombers swooped toward the British battleship "Bellerophon," leaving the British sailors onboard in bewilderment, unsure of the Germans' intentions. As the aircraft approached within a thousand meters, they descended to just over a hundred meters above sea level.
One torpedo bomber released its payload, causing the torpedo to crash into the sea, sinking momentarily before resurfacing and rapidly speeding toward the "Bellerophon." The other three bombers also released their torpedoes at this range, forming a fan-like spread toward the battleship.
"What is that?" The British sailors aboard the "Bellerophon" observed the planes dropping something into the sea, but remained oblivious to its nature.
However, as they witnessed the four torpedoes racing toward them, realization struck.
"My God! Torpedoes! Those planes can drop torpedoes!" cried a terrified British officer.
"Quick, evade! Four torpedoes on the port side, immediate evasive maneuvers!" commanded the captain.
The "Bellerophon" swiftly initiated an emergency turn. Yet, maneuvering a massive battleship of nearly 19,000 tons and over 160 meters in length was no simple task—this was a dreadnought, not a small craft.
As the eyes of the Royal Navy personnel widened in terror, the torpedoes drew ever closer. Despite the battleship's attempts to turn, escape seemed nearly impossible.
"Boom!" The first torpedo struck the stern of the "Bellerophon," detonating violently. The immense force tore a gaping hole in the ship's underwater armor.
Immediately, another torpedo found its mark, inflicting further damage to the midsection of the "Bellerophon," while the other two torpedoes missed.
Being struck by two torpedoes, even if they were lightweight, was more than sufficient to inflict severe damage on the "Bellerophon."
"Quick, initiate damage control! We must seal the breaches!" the captain shouted hoarsely.
With two breaches below the waterline, failing to seal them would spell disaster, leading to the ship's inevitable sinking.
Simultaneously, the "Majestic" and "Repulse," sister ships of the "Bellerophon-class," were also assaulted by German carrier aircraft, each sustaining one and two torpedo hits, respectively.
And this was merely the initial assault from the German carrier air group; the twelve torpedo bombers returned to their aircraft carrier to reload with new torpedoes and prepare for another wave of attacks.
Another twelve torpedo bombers continued their assault on the "Bellerophon-class" battleships. According to the operational plan, their mission was to sink the British "Bellerophon" and "St. Vincent" classes, and once these six vessels were dealt with, they would turn their attention to other British battleships. Naturally, targeting those with thicker armor would prove exceedingly difficult with light torpedoes, but even minor damage would greatly benefit the forthcoming decisive engagements.
Onboard the flagship of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet, the "Revenge," Admirals John Jellicoe and David Beatty were left in utter shock.
In the distance, German carrier aircraft relentlessly attacked the three "Bellerophon-class" battleships, while they stood helpless, merely spectators to the unfolding carnage. This was a crushing blow to their morale.
"Damn it! How could the Germans' planes possibly drop torpedoes? How did they conceive such a tactic?" John Jellicoe nearly went mad with frustration.
The novel tactics employed by the German Navy were entirely unprecedented to him. The entire Royal Navy was caught completely unprepared, rendered utterly vulnerable to the whims of the German carrier aircraft.
"If only our ships had anti-aircraft armament," David Beatty sighed.
Yet, it was too late for such sentiments. They had never anticipated that the German Navy would adopt such a strategy, and thus had made no preparations.
The "Bellerophon" suffered two more torpedo hits in the subsequent attack, causing water to pour into the vessel. Despite the damage control crew's best efforts, they could not seal the breaches. In desperation, they resorted to closing the watertight compartments. However, the influx of water was too great, and the ship could no longer maintain balance, ultimately capsizing on the surface. The "Bellerophon" became the first warship in history to be sunk by carrier-based aircraft.