"Commander, we can't go on like this any longer! We've already lost five battleships. If this continues, we'll lose all our battleships, and then... this war will be over for us!" Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō's face was filled with anxiety.
At this stage of the naval battle, it was undeniable that the battleships of the Island Nation's Combined Fleet were no match for the German Expedition Fleet. They had been completely outclassed, unable to mount any effective counterattacks against the German onslaught. Throughout the battle, only the Island Nation's ships had been sunk, while the German fleet remained largely unscathed, their combat power virtually intact. This clearly demonstrated that the Island Navy was at an overwhelming disadvantage.
Admiral Ijūin Gorō nodded solemnly. "Our capabilities are simply no match for the Germans. Pre-dreadnoughts can never compete with dreadnoughts."
Admiral Ijūin's tone carried a sense of helplessness. While the Western powers had long abandoned pre-dreadnoughts in large-scale naval warfare, the Island Nation's navy still relied on them as its main force. The gap between the two sides was painfully evident. In such circumstances, defeating the German Expedition Fleet seemed an almost insurmountable challenge.
The root cause lay in the Island Nation's weak national power. They lacked the financial and material resources to support the development of a modern navy. Every dreadnought required an enormous investment of funds, and without money, there was simply no way to build such formidable battleships.
Initially, the Island Nation had hoped to capitalize on the world war to reap substantial profits. In another timeline, they had done exactly that—profiting immensely from the war, paying off all their debts, and significantly advancing their economy and military strength. However, in this timeline, things were different. Only a year had passed since the war began, and while Germany had not yet defeated Britain, it was clear to any observer that Britain's resistance was a futile last stand. The end of the war was in sight, leaving no opportunity for the Island Nation—or any other country—to profit from prolonged conflict.
Moreover, the Island Nation's greed and ambition had now drawn them directly into the war. The destruction wrought by the German Expedition Fleet on several coastal cities had already exacted a heavy toll. If the Island Nation failed to fully seize the Southeast Asian colonies, this war would leave them at a grave disadvantage, with losses far outweighing any potential gains.
"Yamashita, order the cruiser fleet to prepare for action!" Admiral Ijūin commanded.
"Understood, Commander," Rear Admiral Yamashita replied with a nod.
According to the Combined Fleet's battle plan, if the main battleships could not contend with the German Expedition Fleet, they would have to resort to more desperate measures. The strategy involved using the cruiser fleet to eliminate the smaller German ships, followed by deploying destroyers for torpedo attacks. These torpedoes would aim to inflict heavy damage—or even sink—the German battlecruisers, providing the Island Nation with a slim chance of victory.
However, whether such a risky tactic would succeed remained uncertain. While the Island Nation's cruisers and destroyers held a numerical advantage, their performance was severely lacking. The sole advantage they had was their possession of armored cruisers, which the German Expedition Fleet lacked.
Upon receiving the order, the Island Navy's cruiser fleet swiftly moved into action. Eight armored cruisers and thirteen protected cruisers maneuvered to the left flank of the German Expedition Fleet.
The Island Navy's movements immediately raised alarms within the German fleet.
"What are the Island Nation forces trying to do? A pincer attack?" Rear Admiral Mauve frowned.
"Unlikely. Even they must realize that their armored and protected cruisers' main guns cannot penetrate the armor of our capital ships," Vice Admiral von Spee remarked.
Indeed, even the main guns of the Island Navy's capital ships could not breach the armor of the German battlecruisers, let alone those on their armored and protected cruisers. Most of the Island Nation's armored cruisers were equipped with dual 203mm guns, except for *Kasuga*, which had one 254mm gun and one twin-mounted 203mm gun. Protected cruisers like the *Kasagi* class, armed with 203mm and 152mm guns, posed even less of a threat.
"Regardless of their intentions, if we sink them, the threat will be eliminated," von Spee declared.
"Order our cruisers to prepare for combat. The secondary guns on all capital ships are to provide covering fire for the cruisers. If necessary, a main gun turret may be redirected to support them," von Spee instructed.
"Yes, Admiral," Rear Admiral Mauve acknowledged.
The German Expedition Fleet had only ten light cruisers, two of which were tasked with escorting the transport ships, leaving just eight available for combat. Against the Island Nation's eight armored cruisers and thirteen protected cruisers, the Germans were at a significant numerical disadvantage. Their only edge was the support of their capital ships.
The main guns of the German battlecruisers could effortlessly devastate the Island Nation's armored and protected cruisers, while their numerous 150mm secondary guns and 120mm rapid-fire cannons posed a lethal threat. Under such conditions, the Island Nation's attempt to use cruisers to challenge the German battlecruisers seemed almost hopeless.
"Amaterasu, grant us your blessings! We must destroy the German cruisers and destroyers. Only then can we use torpedo attacks to defeat them!" Rear Admiral Yamashita prayed fervently to the Shinto deity, hoping for a stroke of luck.
With their capital ships outclassed, torpedo attacks by destroyers had become the Island Nation's last hope of turning the tide. Yet, the German fleet also had a considerable number of destroyers—fewer than the Island Nation, but sufficient to protect their battlecruisers. Thus, the Combined Fleet first needed to find a way to neutralize the German cruisers and destroyers to stand any chance of success.