On the flagship of the German High Seas Fleet, the battleship *Bavaria*, Admirals Reinhard Scheer, Franz von Hipper, and Maximilian von Spee exchanged glances over a report with bemused, wry smiles.
"Thirty-six vessels! The British have somehow amassed thirty-six capital ships. But where did those additional sixteen come from?" Admiral Scheer mused. Based on their estimates, even with twelve battleships obtained from the Americans, the British should have no more than twenty.
For the High Seas Fleet, a force of twenty enemy capital ships was a formidable, but manageable, foe. However, thirty-six complicated matters; even the entire German fleet could only field thirty-four capital ships, two fewer than the British fleet.
Although the German fleet's vessels boasted superior performance, the outcome of a naval engagement often hinged on unpredictable factors. A stroke of bad luck could easily turn the tide, and even a victory would likely come at a tremendous cost.
In their newfound role as masters of the sea, the German navy had become more cautious. The fierce determination that once drove them to oust the British Royal Navy from its dominant position had softened. Perhaps, Admiral Scheer acknowledged, this was inevitable.
"Could it be a miscalculation by the scouts? Perhaps they mistook armored or pre-dreadnought ships for capital ships," suggested Admiral Hipper.
Such an error wasn't impossible; after all, reconnaissance planes flew at heights that didn't always allow precise identification of ship classes.
"That's unlikely. Our reconnaissance teams are thoroughly trained, able to distinguish pre-dreadnoughts and armored cruisers from true capital ships. It seems the British have managed to bolster their numbers with ships from unknown sources, making this battle an even tougher fight. To win with minimal losses, we'll need to proceed with extreme caution," Admiral Scheer remarked.
"Indeed. Our mission now is not merely to defeat the British but to retain a powerful fleet capable of securing the Empire's interests worldwide after victory," added Admiral von Spee.
Should Germany prevail in this war, the colonies of Britain, France, and others would fall into German and Austro-Hungarian hands. As Germany's ally, Austria-Hungary might claim a portion of these territories, but Germany would acquire the majority. Without a strong navy, holding these vast, global possessions would be impossible.
As the admirals deliberated on securing a decisive yet cost-effective victory, a second intelligence report arrived.
"Admirals, reconnaissance reports indicate that close-range scouting of the British fleet has revealed the presence of both French and Italian flags. Ten capital ships fly the French colors, while six bear the Italian banner," the officer reported.
"Those reconnaissance pilots are truly exemplary!" Admiral Hipper commended sincerely.
Admirals Scheer and von Spee nodded in agreement. The courage and dedication of these pilots had provided the navy with crucial intelligence, reducing the chances of a strategic miscalculation.
"So, the French and Italians have joined the fray. No wonder the British were able to gather such a large fleet," Admiral Scheer observed.
"Indeed. France and Italy share Britain's fate; defeat would be devastating for all three nations," said Admiral Hipper.
"The French and Italian battleships may look impressive on paper, but they lack real combat experience. They may crumble under pressure," suggested Admiral von Spee.
"While it's true that neither France nor Italy has produced outstanding warships, we must not underestimate them. Although we now understand the composition of their thirty-six capital ships, the ultimate task remains defeating them," replied Admiral Scheer.
Admirals Hipper and von Spee both nodded in agreement. Winning the battle was the foremost concern. All other issues paled in comparison; victory would resolve everything.
"Admiral, perhaps we should deploy the carriers to strike first. The *Vanguard* and *Glory* carriers proved their worth in the last battle. Now, with upgraded aircraft capable of dropping bombs and launching medium torpedoes, they could potentially sink any British warship. Striking before our main fleet engages could weaken their forces and dampen their morale," proposed Admiral Hipper.
Admiral Scheer's eyes brightened at the suggestion. Following the last engagement, the carriers' effectiveness had convinced the navy's command of their value. Support for replacing traditional battleships and battlecruisers with carriers had grown considerably.
While some lamented the rapid decline of battleships from their position of dominance, they understood that progress was inevitable. To solidify its naval supremacy, Germany had to lead this evolution.
"With their 450mm torpedoes, these aircraft are already capable of threatening most capital ships. A direct hit on a British vessel might not sink it outright, but it would certainly inflict severe damage," Admiral von Spee noted.
"How far behind are the carriers?" asked Admiral Scheer.
"One hundred kilometers, Admiral."
"Good. Continue advancing southward. Once we close within fifty kilometers of the British, order the carriers to strike," Admiral Scheer commanded, finalizing the plan.