The naval battle east of Flores Island had already reached its climax. As the American Navy's 1st Capital Ship Formation drew ever closer to the battlefield, the German Home Fleet's capital ship formation and the Mediterranean Fleet's capital ship formation fought all the more desperately.
After the battleship Illinois was sunk, the battleship Wisconsin immediately came under the encirclement offensive of six German Capital Ships. Shells fell around her like raindrops, and within barely two minutes, the battleship was hit.
One shell struck the Wisconsin's starboard side, blowing away a 127mm secondary gun. At the same time, it ignited a raging fire.
The blaze illuminated the Wisconsin's silhouette. This further improved the firing accuracy of the German Navy's six Capital Ships.
Nearly every salvo scored hits. Sometimes, more than one shell struck home. This steadily worsened the Wisconsin's damage.
As for the battleship Kentucky, stationed at the very end of the battle line, her situation had become even worse. The German Navy's three Moltke-class battlecruisers were firing at her like mad, leaving the battleship scarred all over.
Although the Kentucky's counterattack had also struck the battlecruiser Moltke, the damage was not severe.
It could be said that the sinking of the Kentucky was merely a matter of time. Before long, this battleship would follow in the footsteps of the Illinois and be sent to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
Likewise, the battleship Catherine, under encirclement by the American fleet, was also in extreme danger. The American fleet had assembled four battleships to besiege her. After suffering repeated hits, the Catherine had become like a torch.
"Damn it! Put your backs into it and sink that German battleship!" Lieutenant General Ingersoll said viciously.
The sinking of the Illinois, coupled with the Kentucky and Wisconsin teetering on the brink of disaster,