"Damn it! The Germans have focused their attack on our 'Kongō-class' battlecruisers!" General Ijūin Gorō cursed in frustration.
"Retaliate! Commander, we must strike back!" Major General Yamashita Gentarō urged anxiously.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The flagship vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet immediately launched their counterattack. Yet, aside from the 356mm main guns of the three 'Kongō-class' battlecruisers, the 305mm main guns of the other capital ships were utterly incapable of posing any real threat to the German battlecruisers.
The fierce artillery duel resumed. However, as before, the German Imperial Navy, with fewer capital ships, retained its advantage. The Combined Fleet, with its greater number of ships, found itself on the defensive, suffering blows with little opportunity to retaliate.
"Boom!" A shell fired from the Prince Friedrich Wilhelm struck the Kongō battlecruiser, hitting its aft deck. The fragile armor was easily pierced by the heavy shell, which exploded within, devastating several compartments and severing a propeller shaft. This catastrophic damage caused the Kongō's speed to plummet.
"Commander, the Kongō is in serious trouble! Please, we must retreat immediately!" Yamashita Gentarō said, panic evident in his voice.
General Ijūin Gorō nodded gravely. With the Kongō's damage and its speed drastically reduced, it was clear that the flagship of the Combined Fleet could never return to Tokyo Bay. The unfortunate fate of this great ship was now sealed.
"Yamashita, you must go to the Birei; I will take command aboard the Kawachi. The Kongō is beyond saving, but the Birei and Kirishima can still make it back. Our losses have been heavy, and we cannot afford any further sacrifices. The Birei and Kirishima must return safely!" General Ijūin Gorō commanded with determination.
"But, General, I..." Major General Yamashita hesitated, his voice faltering. He feared that, should he return, his honor might demand the ultimate price.
"Sigh... I will send a telegram to Lord Yadate. All responsibility rests with me. Yamashita, you have witnessed the Germans' might firsthand. When you return, I hope you will take on a higher role, and one day, lead the Imperial Navy to defeat the Germans. That would be your revenge—our revenge—for the warriors we have lost in this battle!" General Ijūin Gorō said solemnly.
Having heard such words, Yamashita Gentarō could say no more.
"Commander, if I am fortunate enough to survive, I swear to dedicate my life to the defeat of the German Navy. In my remaining years, I will do everything in my power to bring about their downfall!" Yamashita Gentarō vowed.
General Ijūin Gorō nodded with satisfaction, "Yamashita, I believe you will succeed!"
Both men boarded their respective boats, leaving the Kongō. General Ijūin Gorō went to the Kawachi, hoisting the flagship flag to resume command, while Yamashita Gentarō headed for the Birei, intent on evacuating the Birei and Kirishima back to Tokyo Bay.
The Birei and Kirishima, as the latest additions to the Imperial Navy's battlecruiser fleet, could reach a top speed of 27 knots. This would allow them to escape back to Tokyo Bay and perhaps elude the German fleet's pursuit. The older dreadnoughts might be lost, but saving these two battlecruisers would be a stroke of luck.
The Birei and Kirishima accelerated, but misfortune soon struck.
A 380mm shell from the Lützow hit the Birei's stern, destroying the rudder and knocking out one of the propellers. This caused the Birei's speed to sharply drop and left it unable to steer. Such damage in the heat of battle spelled certain doom.
The Kirishima was also ill-fated. Two 343mm shells from the Seydlitz found their mark. One shell severed the Kirishima's funnel, choking off the exhaust, leading to toxic fumes poisoning many sailors in the boiler rooms. Meanwhile, the ship's speed was severely compromised. The other shell pierced the armored conning tower, killing the captain and officers, plunging the Kirishima into chaos.
Upon reaching their respective ships, General Ijūin Gorō and Major General Yamashita Gentarō were stunned.
Their hopes of evacuating the Birei and Kirishima now lay in tatters. Both battlecruisers had suffered grievous damage, just as the Kongō had. Their plan was now entirely unfeasible.
"Dammit! How could this happen? Why are we so cursed?" General Ijūin Gorō raged, utterly unable to accept their misfortune.
"Commander, Major General Yamashita requests instructions. What shall we do now?" a communications officer inquired.
After a brief pause, General Ijūin Gorō replied, "Have Yamashita take a destroyer and retreat to Tokyo Bay!"
With the Birei and Kirishima beyond saving, the priority now was to preserve life. Ships could be rebuilt, but a loss of life was irreplaceable.
"Understood, Commander." The communications officer quickly sent the telegram.
Upon receiving the order, Yamashita Gentarō wasted no time. He boarded a destroyer, knowing that his survival was far more valuable than dying in the battle. He would follow General Ijūin Gorō's orders and live to fight another day!