Launching a torpedo attack with destroyers was the final recourse for the combined fleet of the island nation's navy. If this failed, the prospect of defeating the German expeditionary fleet and securing victory would be utterly impossible.
At this moment, Admiral Ijuin Gorō was particularly despondent, for he saw the inevitable outcome.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The German expeditionary fleet's battlecruisers, light cruisers, and destroyers were relentlessly firing upon the island nation's torpedo boats. In order to ensure the safety of their main forces, it was imperative to sink these destroyers, akin to assassins lurking in the shadows. Otherwise, the crisis would not be averted.
Under the concentrated fire from the German expeditionary fleet, the island nation's destroyers, which were withdrawing to reload their torpedoes, suffered grievous losses. A great number were hit, igniting fierce fires or were torn apart and sank to the depths of the sea.
Soon, very few of the island nation's destroyers remained.
When the combined fleet set sail from Tokyo Bay, there were 39 destroyers in total. In the confrontation with the German expeditionary fleet's own destroyers, one was sunk, and another severely damaged. Of the remaining 37, all were dispatched for this torpedo assault. However, after launching their first salvo and withdrawing safely, only 12 ships remained. The other 25 were sunk in the ensuing battle by the German fleet.
The remaining 12 destroyers, though seemingly numerous, could no longer pose a significant threat to the German expeditionary fleet. Even the destroyers guarding the German fleet outnumbered those of the island nation. Coupled with seven remaining light cruisers, they provided an impenetrable shield for the eight German battlecruisers. If the island nation's destroyers were to continue their attack, the only result would be certain death.
However, even knowing this, the commanders of the destroyers did not hesitate to launch another strike before the order to cease fire was given. For a soldier, obedience to orders is the highest duty—a law of iron in the strictly hierarchical navy of the island nation.
Fortunately, Admiral Ijuin Gorō was no fool. He knew that continuing the attack would only lead to further disastrous losses, making it an unwise course of action.
"Yamashita-kun, order the destroyer fleet to cease the torpedo assault!" Admiral Ijuin Gorō commanded.
"Sir, are we giving up?" Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō asked, his face clouded with reluctance.
"We have no choice but to give up! If we don't, the costs will be even greater. In that case, the Imperial Navy will be finished," Admiral Ijuin Gorō declared with determination.
Since defeat was unavoidable, it was better to halt now, minimizing further losses and preserving the Imperial Navy's strength for a future resurgence. Continuing the fight would only lead to irreparable damage. If all the elite forces were lost here, the consequences would be far graver.
"Order the fleet to retreat immediately!" Admiral Ijuin Gorō issued the retreat command.
"Yes, Sir!" Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō nodded.
With the retreat order given, the various warships of the combined fleet began to turn and withdraw. In order to escape swiftly, Admiral Ijuin Gorō ordered the ships to increase their speed as much as possible. As long as they could make it back to Tokyo Bay, they would be safe.
"Sir, how are we to explain this retreat to the homeland?" Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō voiced his concerns. After all, the government had pinned all hopes on them to defeat the Germans. Now, not only had they failed to defeat the Germans, but they had also suffered grievously and were now forced to retreat to Tokyo Bay. The cabinet would surely be furious, and the navy would be under immense pressure.
A trace of helplessness flashed across Admiral Ijuin Gorō's face.
"Rest assured, as the commander of the combined fleet, I will answer to the cabinet," he replied.
Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō fell silent, fully understanding the implication. In the island nation's military, the common method for generals to bear responsibility was seppuku.
"Yamashita-kun! This battle is lost. The Germans are too powerful. Our defeat is inevitable, but losing now does not mean we will always lose. I believe the Empire will rise again. Next time, we will defeat the Germans!" Admiral Ijuin Gorō declared with confidence. Unfortunately, even if the Imperial Navy might rise again in the future, he knew he would not live to see it.
"Yes, Sir!" Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō nodded gravely, understanding that the admiral was likely preparing his final words. When they returned to Tokyo Bay, it was probable that Admiral Ijuin Gorō would commit seppuku to take responsibility for the failure.
Admiral Ijuin Gorō nodded, his expression one of quiet satisfaction. He believed the defeat of the Imperial Navy was solely due to the overwhelming strength of the enemy. While the navy had made rapid advancements in recent years, the gap with the Western powers remained vast. This was why they were overwhelmed by a mere expeditionary fleet from Germany.
More broadly, Germany was simply too strong, and the island nation far too weak. Ironically, the island nation had sought to challenge German interests—an endeavor that led directly to their destruction. The cabinet had believed Germany would submit, allowing the island's actions to go unchallenged. But they had gravely misjudged the situation. As the world's greatest power, Germany could not allow its authority to be undermined. Hence, they sent their expeditionary fleet, and the island nation paid a heavy price.
"It's those damn army men! They took Southeast Asia, and now they want the navy to help them fight the Germans! It's utterly shameless!" Admiral Ijuin Gorō cursed.