The nine battlecruisers of the German Navy's expeditionary fleet were undoubtedly the most powerful in the world. Particularly the three *Mackensen-class* and three *Derfflinger-class* battlecruisers, each armed with 380mm main guns with a 50-caliber length, possessed firepower so formidable that not a single ship in our fleet could stand against them. In fact, even our battleships' main guns could not penetrate the armor of these German battlecruisers. Given such circumstances, how can we hope to engage them? It is not that the Imperial Navy fears battle, but rather that the disparity in strength is so vast. A direct confrontation with the German expeditionary fleet would be akin to seeking our own demise. We cannot afford to throw away the lives of our sailors recklessly," said Admiral Hachidai Rokuro.
"Hmph! Cowards are cowards; what good is their prevarication?" muttered Admiral Okamoto Zosuke under his breath.
Though Okamoto spoke quietly, there were few enough present for Admiral Hachidai to hear his every word clearly. Okamoto's baseless criticism ignited a fierce rage in Hachidai.
"If the death of our sailors could guarantee victory for the Empire in this war, we would not hesitate to give our lives. I, for one, would be the first to sacrifice myself. However, the unfortunate truth is that even if we all perish, we would not stand a chance against the German fleet. Therefore, we must preserve what is useful in order to one day defeat the Germans," said Admiral Hachidai, his face marked by sorrow and fury.
Okamoto Zosuke opened his mouth to retort, but was silenced by a sharp interjection from Okuma Shigenobu.
The war was imminent, and Okuma Shigenobu did not wish to see further discord between the army and the navy. If such division took root, how could they hope to fight the war? They might implode before the battle even began.
"Admiral Hachidai, what is the Navy's strategy?" Okuma Shigenobu asked.
"Prime Minister, given the overwhelming strength of the German expeditionary fleet, the Imperial Navy plans to avoid direct engagement upon their arrival. We will rely on coastal fortifications to counter their forces. Should an opportunity arise, we will target their supply ships. The German fleet has traveled great distances to assault our islands, and their logistical support depends on just a handful of supply vessels. If we succeed in sinking them, the German Navy will soon find itself without fuel, food, ammunition, or even fresh water. At that point, the Imperial Navy can seize the opportunity to capture their ships. In doing so, not only will we secure a victory, but we will also increase our own strength," explained Admiral Hachidai.
The senior officials of the island nation were taken aback, their eyes wide with astonishment. They had not expected such a cunning strategy from the Navy. If it succeeded, victory would be within their grasp, and the Navy would even gain additional powerful warships—a double victory!
"Hmph! Do the Germans think we're fools? If their supply ships are attacked, they will certainly retreat. Furthermore, they would never be foolish enough to fail to send warships to protect their supply vessels," grunted Okamoto Zosuke dismissively.
"Indeed, executing this plan will be exceedingly difficult. But it is the best strategy we can devise," Admiral Hachidai responded calmly, undeterred by Okamoto's skepticism.
"This plan is indeed commendable. Although I am not a military man, I recognize that, if successful, it would bring great benefits to the Empire," said Foreign Minister Kato Takaaki.
Okuma Shigenobu nodded thoughtfully. "Since the Navy has a plan, we shall proceed with it. The Germans have not sent their army, which is advantageous for us. We will have more time to prepare. From this moment, the Army will strengthen its defenses in Southeast Asia and continue to seize as many resources as possible. The Navy will dispatch transport ships to aid the Army in bringing more supplies to Southeast Asia and bringing back the resources they find to the homeland. The Empire must make the most of every moment, using the resources from Southeast Asia to grow stronger!"
"Understood, Prime Minister," replied both Admiral Hachidai and Admiral Okamoto in unison.
"Everyone, the Empire stands on the brink of catastrophe. This battle will determine our fate. We have wagered the Empire's destiny on this conflict, so we have no other options. Should we win, the Empire will soar to new heights, becoming a true world power. But should we fail... We all know what the consequences will be. Therefore, we must do everything in our power to achieve victory," said Okuma Shigenobu gravely.
"Yes! The Empire shall prevail!" cried the island's ministers, their faces filled with fervor. They were all convinced that victory in the coming battle was still within their grasp.
As the Army and Navy of the island nation prepared for battle, the German expeditionary fleet crossed the Indian Ocean.
The long journey was an immense test for the officers and sailors of the German Navy. Fortunately, the Imperial Navy's preparations for resupply had been thorough, and the fleet had encountered few issues during the voyage.
The fleet's pace was not fast, and they maintained a cruising speed, periodically stopping to perform basic maintenance on the ships.
If they could find a port for repairs before the battle, it would be ideal. Such a stop would allow the fleet's full strength to be realized. Unfortunately, Germany had no military ports in the Indian Ocean or the Far East, meaning the fleet's combat potential could not be fully unleashed—a significant disadvantage, as the Russians had discovered the hard way.
Despite this, Rear Admiral Spee, commanding the expeditionary fleet, remained confident in his ability to defeat the island's navy. Even though the Imperial Navy's ships could not perform at their peak, their combat capabilities were still unquestionably superior to those of the island's fleet.
On July 27, the German fleet entered the South China Sea. However, they encountered neither a single military vessel nor merchant ship from the island nation.
Rear Admiral Spee immediately issued orders for the fleet to head north. If no island vessels were found, they would strike directly at the shores of the homeland, where the islanders would have nowhere left to flee.