Boom! Boom!
The battlecruisers of the German expeditionary fleet unleashed a ferocious barrage, their shells howling as they rained destruction upon the protected cruisers of the island nation's navy. At this moment, these cruisers seemed like terrified birds, scattering in disarray with no courage to stand against the might of Germany's battlecruisers. They fled in every direction, leaving the German battle line in disarray as well.
The German warships were forced to break formation and pursue the scattered cruisers. Weighing a mere three to four thousand tons—mere fragments compared to the colossal battlecruisers—how could these fragile vessels hope to challenge their foes? Their only option, it seemed, was to flee. Yet, even in retreat, they were hopelessly outpaced by the superior speed of their pursuers.
A thunderous roar erupted as a 380-mm shell from the SMS Derfflinger detonated less than ten meters from the Tsushima. Though the shell missed direct impact, the underwater explosion tore open a gaping wound in the cruiser's hull, flooding its compartments with seawater. For a vessel of just over three thousand tons, lacking the resilience of larger warships, this single near-miss was enough to send it to the depths.
Elsewhere, the remaining light cruisers of the island nation's navy struggled desperately under relentless bombardment. Outgunned and outrun, their only recourse was to pray that German shells might miraculously miss their marks.
Another deafening explosion tore through the Kasagi. A 343-mm shell struck the cruiser, obliterating its stern in a fiery blast. The ship slowed to a crawl, its steering disabled, while seawater surged into its hull, dragging it steadily downward.
Against the overwhelming firepower of German battlecruisers, the protected cruisers were utterly powerless. Their modest 152-mm guns could, at best, inflict minor damage to superstructures, while the devastating 380-mm and 343-mm shells from their adversaries could cripple or annihilate them in a single strike.
The Akashi met the grimmest fate. A direct hit to its ammunition magazine triggered a cataclysmic explosion, tearing the ship apart and killing all three hundred sailors aboard. The Otowa was similarly devastated, as a shell pierced its conning tower, obliterating the captain and all officers present, while another strike opened a fatal wound in its engine room.
The Chikuma fared no better. A hit to its boiler room unleashed scalding steam, killing its crew instantly. Two more shells tore through its hull, leaving the captain no choice but to order abandonment. Soon after, its sister ships, the Yahagi and Hirado, were likewise sunk under the unrelenting fire of the Goeben and Hindenburg.
In mere moments, more than half of the island nation's protected cruisers had been annihilated, a stark testament to their hopeless plight against the German onslaught.
Aboard the Kongō, Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō reported the catastrophic losses to Admiral Ijūin Gorō with gritted teeth. The remaining three Kongō-class battlecruisers continued their futile chase, unable to catch the faster German vessels.
"Commander, we cannot allow this slaughter to continue! If this persists, all of our cruisers will be lost!" Yamashita's voice was hoarse with desperation.
Ijūin nodded grimly. But with their forces engaged in pursuit, offering aid seemed nearly impossible. At last, he issued an order: "Command the remaining cruisers to converge on our position. We'll draw the Germans to us and launch a torpedo strike!"
Ijūin pinned his hopes on the destroyers' torpedoes to turn the tide of battle, praying that a decisive blow could cripple the German expeditionary fleet.
The surviving six cruisers reluctantly turned back toward the flagship, only to endure further punishment from the German battlecruisers. The Sōya and Suma were both sent to the bottom, raising the total losses to nine. Only four remained afloat, a loss so grievous that Ijūin felt as though his heart was bleeding. He knew that recovering from such devastation would take years—if it was even possible. And the battle was far from over.
"Launch the torpedoes! Order all destroyers to attack immediately! Sink the German battlecruisers, and victory will be ours!" Ijūin's face twisted with determination as he gave the order.
With no other recourse, the thirty remaining destroyers surged forward, speeding toward the German line. Despite their foe's overwhelming power, these sailors showed no fear. Their only thought was to strike back at the enemy—no matter the cost, even if it meant sacrificing their lives for their homeland.