"Your Excellency, the German battlecruisers have caught up to us. With our current speed, it is impossible to escape them," Vice Admiral David Beatty declared solemnly.
Indeed, battlecruisers are inherently swifter than battleships, making any comparison between the two virtually moot.
"Then let us engage them once more! Inform every ship of the successes achieved by our torpedo squadron to rally their spirits," Admiral John Jellicoe commanded.
The news of the torpedo squadron sinking a German capital ship and severely damaging four others had reached them. Admiral Jellicoe naturally hoped to use this information to invigorate the morale of his fleet, which might empower them to fight more fiercely in the impending confrontation.
However, he felt deep regret over the losses suffered by the torpedo squadron, nearly half of their light vessels had been lost.
In truth, the Royal Navy had not gained any advantage during the recent torpedo operation. Yet, to maintain morale and combat efficacy, Admiral Jellicoe and his officers would not disclose the full reality to the ordinary sailors. They still hoped these sailors would fight valiantly in the battles ahead.
"Your Excellency, there is only one hour until darkness falls. If we can hold out, we will successfully retreat," Vice Admiral Beatty remarked.
An hour may not seem long, but for the Royal Navy, boasting eight capital ships, it was a manageable timeframe. Most officers believed they could withstand such a duration.
"We must not only endure for an hour but also sink more German capital ships during that time. The enemy's battleships have yet to close in; this is our last chance," Admiral Jellicoe asserted. Even at this critical juncture, he remained focused on sinking as many German vessels as possible. Yet, the question lingered—how many could they truly hope to destroy? The prospect of significantly crippling the German Navy now seemed all but unattainable.
"Indeed, Your Excellency, we still have an opportunity!" Vice Admiral Beatty nodded in agreement.
Onboard the battlecruiser *Mackensen*, Vice Admiral Hipper issued combat orders. Although the *Hindenburg* had been forced to withdraw after being struck by a torpedo, they still maintained overwhelming numerical superiority. The German fleet consisted of eleven battlecruisers against the Royal Navy's eight. Additionally, twenty more battleships were rapidly closing in. The German Navy held a distinct advantage.
With only four *Revenge*-class battleships remaining, Vice Admiral Hipper allocated targets strategically: three *Mackensen*-class battlecruisers and the *Derfflinger* would engage the four *Revenge*-class battleships, while the *Lützow* targeted the *King George V*. Three *Moltke*-class and three *Blücher*-class battlecruisers would concentrate their fire on the three *Orion*-class battleships. Once those were dealt with, they could turn their attention to the remaining British battleships, ensuring a swift victory for the German Navy.
Hipper was acutely aware that dusk was fast approaching. If they wasted too much time, the chance for a perfect victory would slip away.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The *Revenge* opened fire first, its target being the flagship of the German battlecruiser squadron, the *Mackensen*.
However, the British maintained a speed of only eighteen knots while firing, severely compromising their accuracy.
Following the British salvos, the German fleet retaliated. Eleven capital ships faced off against eight British vessels, and it was evident that the German Navy held a significant advantage.
After two hours, the main fleets re-engaged in fierce combat. Heavy shells, propelled by immense kinetic energy, rained down on each other's ships, intent on sinking them.
The British sought to inflict heavy losses on the Germans before retreating, while the Germans aimed to annihilate the British capital ships to prevent their escape.
Both sides understood the urgency of time. If their objectives were not achieved before nightfall, the likelihood of success diminished significantly. Neither the British nor the Germans were willing to accept such an outcome, thus they were determined to exert every effort in this final hour, hopeful for a miracle.
The engagement distance was kept within twelve thousand meters. Although a longer range might have favored the Germans, Vice Admiral Hipper acquiesced to the British, shortening the distance for the sake of improved accuracy.
"These presumptuous Brits will soon realize just how gravely mistaken they are. Even at this reduced range, they will gain no advantage!" Hipper scoffed.
In less than ten minutes, several German battlecruisers successfully transitioned to concentrated fire, intensifying the pressure on Admirals Jellicoe and Beatty. The German Navy's formidable performance made the Royal Navy's objectives seem increasingly elusive.
At 6:12 PM, the German *Blücher* successfully struck the British *Monarch*. Although the *Orion*-class battleship boasted a full-load displacement of over twenty-five thousand tons and was equipped with five twin-mounted 343mm main guns, its defenses were lacking—305mm thick on the main armor belt, while the turrets and command tower offered only 280mm of protection.
Despite the *Blücher* being armed with 305mm guns, the rounds fired from its 50-caliber main armament possessed remarkable armor-piercing capabilities.