At 4:00 a.m., the sky had yet to brighten. However, the German Expeditionary Fleet had timed their arrival so that when they reached the Uraga Channel, it was nearly 5:00 a.m. By this time, the first hints of dawn had begun to appear, just enough to make out the waters ahead. Furthermore, it was at this very hour that the Japanese were most lax in their vigilance.
Leading the way was the German fleet's battlecruiser, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm. The sturdy Mackensen-class battlecruisers, with their tough armor and formidable resilience, could likely withstand a mine strike with minimal damage. Thus, they were well-suited to spearhead the charge. Closely following were the Friedrich Karl, Lützow, and Hindenburg battlecruisers, all tasked with suppressing the Japanese coastal defenses.
The Uraga Channel was less than ten kilometers wide, with coastal defenses on either side capable of launching fierce fire at any enemy ships attempting to force their way through, ensuring the safety of Tokyo Bay.
It was precisely this formidable defense that had kept the Japanese from retreating from Tokyo, even after the catastrophic defeat of their Combined Fleet. They trusted in the strength of Tokyo Bay's defenses, believing that an invasion of the bay by the German fleet was virtually impossible.
The German expeditionary fleet's two Mackensen-class battlecruisers and three Dreadnought-class battleships were tasked with using their powerful guns to suppress the Japanese coastal artillery as they passed through the Uraga Channel, ensuring safe passage for the fleet. While the German fleet's capital ships were impervious to Japanese fire, the light cruisers and destroyers were more vulnerable, as the coastal defenses could easily sink them.
Admiral Spee was determined not to incur further losses, especially with the need to remain wary of Japanese destroyers launching torpedo attacks once inside Tokyo Bay. Though only a handful of Japanese destroyers remained, they still posed a significant threat to the German fleet's flagship.
The fleet's flagship, the Mackensen, along with two Moltke-class battlecruisers, would bring up the rear. The light cruisers and destroyers, once the leading battlecruisers successfully navigated the channel, would speed through the narrow passage. With only a few kilometers of the channel to traverse, the destroyers would be through in mere minutes.
Upon entering Tokyo Bay, they would have to be prepared for Japanese destroyers launching torpedo strikes.
Onboard the flagship Mackensen, Admiral Spee and Rear Admiral Mauve stood, watching intently. As time passed, the night slowly gave way to the dim light of dawn in the east. These subtle signs indicated that the German fleet was about to enter the Uraga Channel.
"How much longer?" Admiral Spee asked.
Even with his vast combat experience, he still felt a degree of anxiety about the operation. After all, they were entering a mine-infested waterway, where a moment's carelessness could result in a disastrous strike.
"Less than twenty minutes, Sir. By the time Prince Friedrich Wilhelm reaches the channel, it will be time," replied Rear Admiral Mauve.
Admiral Spee nodded, saying nothing further.
As the minutes ticked by, at precisely 4:55 a.m., Prince Friedrich Wilhelm reached the entrance of the Uraga Channel.
Without hesitation, Admiral Spee issued the order to proceed.
Instantly, the Prince Friedrich Wilhelm led the charge into the channel, with Friedrich Karl close behind, followed by the rest of the fleet.
The visibility was still poor due to the lingering darkness, and the Japanese coastal defenders were clearly exhausted. They had no idea of the German fleet's movements.
For the German fleet, the greatest danger did not come from the coastal artillery but from the mines in the water. The reconnaissance map of the minefields was incomplete, meaning the safety of the route could not be guaranteed. A single misstep could lead to a mine strike. This uncertainty made every ship entering the channel tense.
"Order all ships to prepare! If the Japanese open fire, we will immediately return fire to suppress them!" Admiral Spee commanded.
While the Japanese coastal defenses might be formidable, the German fleet's 380mm main guns posed a significant threat to them.
As the vanguard, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm faced the greatest pressure. Not only did they have to clear the path, but they also had to avoid detection to prevent being targeted by Japanese coastal guns.
"God help us! We pray the channel map is safe!" the captain of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm muttered fervently.
"Left turn!" The navigation officer, consulting the chart, gave the command.
The massive warship began a slow turn.
None noticed that a mine, displaced by ocean currents, was drifting towards the channel.
A few minutes later, the bow of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm made a close encounter with the mine.
The mine's fuse was immediately triggered by the force of the impact, causing a violent explosion.
"Boom!"
A massive column of water shot up from the bow of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm.
"Damn it, we've hit a mine!" the captain cursed.
"Report the damage!"
"Sir, the underwater armor at the bow has been breached, but the hole is small. Damage control reports it will be sealed soon!"
Upon hearing this, the captain sighed in relief.
"Report immediately to the flagship!" the captain ordered.
Once Admiral Spee was informed of the situation with Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, he too breathed a sigh of relief. However, detonating a mine had made it clear that a secret passage through the Uraga Channel was no longer possible. The fleet would now have to face the full brunt of Japanese coastal fire.
"Prepare the fleet for battle!" Admiral Spee ordered.
In truth, the fleet's forward battlecruisers had already prepared for battle. Their main gun barrels were elevated, heavy shells were loaded into the breeches, and the propellant charges were in place. All that remained was the command to fire.