"Admiral, let us deploy one squadron of light cruisers and five squadrons of destroyers to launch a torpedo attack on the German battleship lines. Such a concentrated assault will surely pierce through even the most formidable German defenses. Once their formations are disrupted, their line will naturally collapse. We can seize this opportunity to break free from the German encirclement. If fortune favors us, we might even sink some of their capital ships," proposed Rear Admiral Beatty.
Though the main guns of these smaller vessels posed no significant threat to the powerful German battleships, the heavy torpedoes they carried were lethal. The impact of a 533mm heavy torpedo was astonishing; a direct hit would incapacitate even the most heavily armored German ships.
In its quest to safeguard its far-flung colonies, Britain constructed numerous long-range, high-speed cruisers. As the specter of war loomed, the Royal Navy hastily built a plethora of destroyers, prepared for the eventuality of a desperate counterstrike. Relying solely on torpedo attacks to best an already dominant German fleet was nearly impossible, yet under dire circumstances, even a small chance for a turning point was worth pursuing. With survival at stake, all measures must be taken.
Admiral Jellicoe nodded in agreement, accepting Beatty's proposal. The fleet boasted four squadrons of light cruisers and fourteen of destroyers, totaling twenty-four light cruisers and eighty-four destroyers. Despite suffering considerable losses at the hands of the German battlecruisers, their numbers still allowed for a significant impact.
"Send telegrams to all light cruisers and destroyers, instructing them to launch their torpedo attacks in ten minutes. If we can sink some German battleships or battlecruisers, it would be a tremendous victory," commanded Admiral Jellicoe.
To breach the German encirclement and secure their escape, Admiral Jellicoe was prepared to sacrifice these smaller vessels. After all, in comparison to the costly capital ships, the light cruisers and destroyers were relatively inexpensive, and their rapid construction meant they could be replaced swiftly, causing little regret over their loss.
"Understood, Admiral!" replied Beatty, echoing the sentiment that sacrificing these smaller ships to protect the capital ships was a prudent strategy. Ultimately, the survival of the capital ships was paramount; everything else could be relinquished.
Once Admiral Jellicoe's telegram reached the light cruisers and destroyers, the Royal Navy crews were filled with trepidation. Though sacrificing themselves for the Royal Navy was their honor and duty, no one faces death with ease. Yet, the professionalism of the Royal Navy personnel was unparalleled. They understood their responsibilities as soldiers, and no one hesitated to carry out their orders.
Ten minutes later, the British Navy initiated its maneuver. The remaining eight capital ships increased their speed, forcing the boilers to maximum ventilation to enhance power and velocity. While this reckless action could not be sustained for long, it represented their only opportunity for a swift escape, warranting careful consideration.
Simultaneously, the British light cruisers and destroyers charged towards the German battleship lines. Most of these vessels could achieve speeds exceeding thirty knots. Although the German lines were a full fifteen kilometers from the British capital fleet, this distance was manageable for the smaller ships, requiring merely a little over ten minutes to close in.
The Germans quickly detected the British movements. They understood the intentions of the British forces.
"Are the British light vessels finally launching their attack? Order all ships to cease fire on the British capital fleet and focus all fire on those light vessels. Light cruisers and destroyers, assist our capital ships in repelling their torpedo assault!" Admiral Reinhard Scheer decisively commanded. Though this decision to forgo bombardment of the British capital ships afforded them a brief respite, the immediate threat posed by the advancing British light vessels made the choice undeniably correct.
"Yes, Commander!" the communications officer promptly relayed Admiral Scheer's orders to every German warship.
Battleships and battlecruisers began to pivot their main guns towards the swiftly approaching light cruisers and destroyers, disregarding the British capital ships. German light cruisers and destroyers swiftly maneuvered through the gaps in the battleship line, acting as guardians against the British small vessels. Their main guns opened fire with ferocity. While the calibers of the German light cruisers and destroyers were relatively smaller, they still posed a significant threat to the British light cruisers and destroyers.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The large-caliber guns of the German capital ships thundered, each shell detonating upon impact, sending towering geysers into the air.
The British light cruisers and destroyers navigated through the hail of German fire. They needed to close the distance to within two kilometers before launching their torpedoes, ensuring that the torpedoes would pose a threat to the German capital ships. Of course, the closer they could get, the better, though such proximity naturally increased the peril. The closer they drew, the higher the German accuracy would rise.
As they wove through the dense German gunfire, many British naval personnel appeared pale. For these smaller vessels, a hit—especially from a large-caliber shell—could prove fatal!