"Victory is ours! We have triumphed over the British! God save the German Empire!" Emperor Wilhelm II exclaimed, his voice resonating with exhilaration, as if this proclamation could somehow release the fervor and excitement that surged within him.
"Your Majesty, from this moment forth, we have supplanted the British Empire and emerged as the new maritime hegemon!" Marshal von Tirpitz echoed, equally elated. The German Navy was his brainchild, and defeating the British to claim their title had long been his ambition. Now, that ambition had finally been realized.
The other ministers shared in the joy, their faces illuminated with delight. The German Navy's victory over the British heralded immense benefits for the entire German Empire. At the very least, this naval success brought them one step closer to ultimate victory in the war.
"Your Majesty, with our triumph over the British, we shall continue our blockade. The Imperial Army will launch an offensive on the Western Front within a week to decisively crush the Anglo-French forces!" General von Falkenhayn added.
The Navy's victory was undoubtedly a boon for the morale of the Army. After six months of preparation on the Western Front, with eight army groups and over one hundred eighty thousand elite troops ready for action—including eight armored divisions and more than two thousand tanks—their capacity to breach the Anglo-French defenses appeared promising.
Wilhelm II nodded, filled with renewed confidence from the Navy's success. "Excellent. I believe our Imperial Army will also achieve victory on the Western Front."
"Marshal, what were the losses sustained by the Imperial Navy in this engagement? What were the specific outcomes?" QinTian inquired.
While the celebration of victory enveloped the room, QinTian, although equally thrilled, sought clarity on the specifics. After all, a hollow victory could pose significant challenges for Germany. Nonetheless, he believed that given their overwhelming advantage, especially with aircraft carriers involved, the Imperial Navy's victory would not come at a heavy cost.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Navy sank twenty-two British battleships and five battlecruisers, while three battleships and one battlecruiser were heavily damaged. Had darkness not fallen, we would have surely sunk all of the British vessels. Additionally, the Imperial Navy also claimed over twenty light cruisers and more than sixty destroyers. In essence, the Royal Navy's most elite operational forces have been annihilated," Marshal von Pohl declared with pride.
QinTian and the others exhaled in relief; the grim prospect of a hollow victory had not materialized.
"In this battle, the Imperial Navy lost one battleship, while three battleships and one battlecruiser were severely damaged. Although other major vessels sustained some hits, the overall damage was minimal. The sunken battleship was the *Thuringia*, and the damaged ones were the *Saxony*, the *Nassau*, and the *Grand Elector*. The battlecruiser *Hindenburg* also suffered heavy damage. Furthermore, we lost seven light cruisers and fifteen destroyers. Overall, the Imperial Navy's losses in this engagement were not significant, especially in light of our substantial gains," Marshal von Pohl continued.
A smile crept across QinTian's face as the tension he had carried began to dissipate. The Imperial Navy had indeed secured victory with minimal costs, preserving their formidable strength and ensuring their ability to maintain a blockade against Britain and conduct future landings on British soil.
The others shared his excitement; the Imperial Navy's victory, coupled with the fact that it had been achieved at such a small price, was a cause for great celebration.
"Excellent, truly splendid! The Imperial Navy has performed remarkably," Wilhelm II expressed with great joy.
"Your Majesty, from this moment onward, we have truly become the maritime hegemon. The navies of other nations can no longer contend with the Imperial Navy," Marshal von Tirpitz added.
Wilhelm II nodded, pride swelling within him as he recognized that it was under his leadership that the German Navy had flourished. Now, with the defeat of the British, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment.
The future of the Imperial Navy and the Empire itself appeared bright. The British had maintained maritime supremacy for centuries, amassing vast colonies and wealth. If Germany could wrest this dominance from them, a bright future would surely await.
"Though the Imperial Navy has triumphed over the British, we must not underestimate their remaining strength. While their major vessels have been significantly damaged, they could be repaired within two months, posing a renewed threat," QinTian cautioned.
"Your Highness, General Scheer has ordered the High Seas Fleet to resume the blockade against Britain. We will closely monitor British naval activity. Should the British dare to engage, the Imperial Navy possesses the strength to decisively eliminate them," Marshal von Pohl assured.
QinTian nodded, confident that the current strength of the Imperial Navy would easily handle the remnants of the British fleet. Given the extent of their defeat, the British faced near impossibility in mounting a comeback.
Regardless of the circumstances, the reality remained unchanged: the German Navy had triumphed in this decisive battle, dethroning the British from their maritime supremacy. Germany would rise to take their place as the new maritime hegemon. With a powerful navy ensuring overwhelming advantage in the war, Germany would also secure greater overseas interests.