The sun slowly sank beneath the horizon, its fiery glow reflecting upon the ocean, painting the sky with hues of crimson. It was a sight of exquisite beauty. Yet, the wreckage of warships drifting on the sea, and the lifeless bodies of Japanese sailors, utterly shattered the tranquility and marred the magnificence of the scene.
The acrid scent of smoke and blood still lingered in the air, undisturbed even at this very moment.
"We have won, General! We have triumphed. The Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy no longer exists!" exclaimed Rear Admiral Mao, his face beaming with pride.
Though some destroyers of the Japanese fleet managed to retreat, they were of little consequence. The remaining fighting forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy had been thoroughly wiped out in this battle. If Japan were to rise again, it would require a tremendous effort and time to rebuild its naval power.
"Indeed, we have won! Half of our mission is complete. The next step is to force the Japanese government to admit their defeat!" said Vice Admiral Spee.
"At this point, their navy has already been vanquished. What strength do they have left to resist us?" Rear Admiral Mao asked optimistically. He believed that at this stage, Japan would have no choice but to acknowledge its defeat. They had no power left to continue the fight.
"No, I believe they may still persist," replied Vice Admiral Spee. "You have no experience in the Far East, and you do not fully understand the Japanese psyche. They are a peculiar people, stubborn and unyielding. Once they set their mind to something, they will never retreat unless the cost is beyond their comprehension. Otherwise, they will fight on."
"General, do you mean we must continue to attack their coastal cities?" Rear Admiral Mao asked. Such an option seemed undesirable to any commander.
"Yes, we must be prepared for the worst," Vice Admiral Spee answered solemnly.
"General, if the Japanese persist in their folly, we can hardly be blamed. We have given them every chance, and it is they who have chosen not to seize it. We can only blame them for their own decisions. If they value their lives so little, why should we concern ourselves with their fate? Let them be!" Rear Admiral Mao said.
Vice Admiral Spee reflected on this and nodded in agreement.
"By the way, what of the Japanese sailors who fell into the water? Have they still refused our rescue efforts?" Vice Admiral Spee inquired.
Many sailors from the Combined Fleet had fallen into the water after their warships were sunk. Despite this, they displayed remarkable resolve, rejecting the German fleet's attempts to rescue them. They preferred to perish in the sea rather than board the ships of their enemies.
"Yes, General. They are indeed stubborn. The battle is over. Though they were defeated, it was not by their own inadequacy, but because we were too powerful. Yet, they wish to atone for their defeat by ending their own lives. It is truly horrifying!" Rear Admiral Mao remarked.
"Indeed, the Japanese are a terrifying people," Vice Admiral Spee agreed. "But even so, those who dare oppose the Empire will find their end a tragic one."
"Yes, General. I have no doubt about that!" Rear Admiral Mao replied, nodding fervently.
"General, a telegram from the transport fleet!" an officer suddenly reported.
"What has happened?" Vice Admiral Spee asked.
"The transport fleet has been attacked by the Japanese!" the officer replied.
"What?"
Both Vice Admiral Spee and Rear Admiral Mao were stunned. As the expeditionary fleet, they had no supply points in the East and relied entirely on their transport fleet. If the transports were sunk, they would have no choice but to retreat immediately, while also requesting reinforcements from the homeland. Without fuel, food, and fresh water, their fate would be dire.
This was why Vice Admiral Spee had decided not to have the transport fleet operate alongside the main fleet. While being with the main fleet would provide protection, the intense fighting would leave the transports vulnerable, as even a single shell could cripple them. Their survival capabilities were the weakest on the battlefield. Thus, he had ordered the transport fleet to remain hidden to avoid detection by the Japanese Navy.
However, it seemed they had still been found.
"General, our transport fleet was attacked by the Japanese Navy. However, the fleet assigned to protect the transports has already defeated the Japanese. The transport fleet is safe!" the officer continued.
"Damn it! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Rear Admiral Mao shouted angrily.
Vice Admiral Spee shared the same frustration, as the moment had been terrifying. If the transport fleet had been compromised, their entire operation against Japan would have been halted. This would have been disastrous for Germany. The Empire was too far from Japan to send reinforcements quickly, and the situation in Southeast Asia could have spiraled out of control.
"General, you did not ask the full details!" the officer said, somewhat sheepishly.
"Alright, what exactly happened?" Vice Admiral Spee asked.
"Two hours ago, a Japanese naval formation of six destroyers located the transport fleet and immediately launched an attack. However, we had two light cruisers and six destroyers escorting the fleet. The Japanese destroyers were badly outmatched. In the ensuing battle, two of their ships were sunk and one was heavily damaged. The remaining three were all severely damaged and were forced to retreat," the officer explained.
"Fortunately, the main Japanese fleet is still with the Combined Fleet. Had they discovered more cruisers or even armored cruisers in our transport formation, we would have been doomed!" Rear Admiral Mao said.
Vice Admiral Spee nodded, his relief palpable. The situation had been perilously close.
"God bless the German Empire! Still, for safety's sake, we must reinforce the protection of the transport fleet. Let the 'Moltke' and its escorts accompany the transport fleet. The 'Moltke' is still in good condition, and with its strength, the Japanese will no longer be able to threaten our transports," Vice Admiral Spee ordered.
"Yes, General. I will make the arrangements immediately," Rear Admiral Mao replied with a nod.