As the evening descended, the last rays of the setting sun cast a golden glow over the sea, painting a breathtaking scene. Yet, the beauty was marred by the smell of smoke lingering in the air, the bodies floating on the water, and the warships sinking in flames.
Onboard the battleship Bavaria, Admiral Reinhard Scheer, Commander of the German High Seas Fleet, stood with Vice Admiral Hipper, Chief of Staff of the High Seas Fleet, and Vice Admiral Spee, Commander of the Commerce-Raiding Fleet. A trace of satisfaction graced each of their faces. The day's fierce battle had exhausted them all, but the joy of securing a decisive victory at sea eclipsed their fatigue. From this moment on, no navy in the world could pose a threat to Germany's.
"Admiral, it's confirmed—all British capital ships have been sunk. The battlecruiser Tiger was downed by our carrier-based planes. Some smaller vessels escaped, but we prioritized the main fleet and didn't pursue the rest," Hipper remarked with a smile.
Admiral Scheer nodded approvingly. "To have neutralized the British main fleet is already an excellent outcome. The smaller ships are insignificant; let them flee—they don't alter the larger picture."
"We also captured four French battleships and two Italian battleships, though they're vastly inferior to the Empire's ships. The recent battle proved their lack of competitive performance," Spee reported.
The French and Italian battleships, with their typical multi-turret configurations, each boasted over twelve main guns. But their thin armor and smaller caliber couldn't compete with the large-caliber guns of the German Navy.
"Bring the French and Italian ships home for now. Repair them, keep them in reserve, and once the war is over, we can find buyers for them," Scheer suggested.
"Sell them? While the French and Italian ships are lackluster, they're still serviceable. Wouldn't selling them be a waste?" Spee asked.
"Not just those captured ships; we'll sell quite a few of our own as well. Before this battle, His Excellency the Marshal and I discussed this. It's likely that, apart from the König-class battleships, Bayern-class battleships, Mackensen-class battlecruisers, and Derfflinger-class battlecruisers, the rest of our fleet will be sold," Scheer explained.
"What?" Hipper and Spee were stunned. Such a reduction would leave Germany with only ten battleships and six battlecruisers—a strikingly small fleet.
"Admiral, will that be enough? We have vast overseas colonies to protect, and across the ocean, the Americans are watching us closely. Without a powerful navy, we can hardly defend our overseas interests or keep our enemies at bay!" Hipper said.
"Reducing the number of capital ships doesn't necessarily weaken our strength. Don't forget the impressive performance of our aircraft carriers in this battle. And this is with only two carriers currently in service. Soon, the next four carriers will join the fleet, with another class set to begin construction. Carriers will replace battleships and battlecruisers as the true might of the Imperial Navy. As the number of our carriers grows, so will our power," Scheer assured.
Hipper and Spee nodded in agreement. They now recognized the potent capabilities of aircraft carriers. With more carriers, the German Navy would remain dominant, though carriers lacked the imposing majesty of battleships and battlecruisers. Yet, the thought of parting with so many capital ships left them feeling somewhat uneasy.
"According to our intelligence, the British are building several powerful new battleships and battlecruisers, having learned from their previous defeat. Their new designs emphasize stronger defenses and formidable firepower. However, with Britain under blockade, these ships are unlikely to be completed. Once we defeat Britain, we may even capture these unfinished ships, which, with minor investment, could significantly bolster our fleet," Scheer said.
Hipper and Spee's eyes gleamed with excitement. Britain was investing heavily in new battleships, but if Germany seized them, it would be an exhilarating outcome indeed.
"Admiral, that is an excellent plan. The Imperial Navy will remain unrivaled!" Spee said enthusiastically.
"Good. Once the battle results are compiled, report them to the homeland. His Majesty the Emperor will be awaiting news of our victory," Scheer ordered.
"Yes, Admiral. The results are nearly complete. I am certain His Majesty will be overjoyed to hear of our triumph," Hipper responded.
Scheer and Spee both nodded. Indeed, the Imperial Navy had once again achieved a resounding victory, solidifying Germany's naval supremacy. The Emperor would undoubtedly be pleased with such splendid news.
When the victorious report reached QinTian, he was overjoyed. At last, his long-held anxiety dissolved, and he knew that with the Imperial Navy's grand victory, Germany's ultimate success in this war was now beyond doubt.