The main strength of the German Navy's Commerce Raiding Fleet still consisted of twelve Battlecruisers across four classes: three Blücher-class Battlecruisers, three Moltke-class Battlecruisers, three Derfflinger class Battlecruisers, and three Mackensen-class Battlecruisers. Of these, the Mackensen-class Battlecruisers had only just joined the Commerce Raiding Fleet.
Although Battlecruisers were inherently somewhat inferior to Battleships in terms of defense, the German Navy had always emphasized warship protection and survivability in its shipbuilding philosophy. As a result, German Navy Battlecruisers were also exceptionally well protected. At the very least, they were far stronger than British Battleships, which prioritized speed and firepower. That was why, in the previous naval battles, German Navy Battlecruisers had been able to batter British Navy Battleships so mercilessly.
American Navy Battleships, however, emphasized defense and firepower while neglecting speed. This made American Battleships incredibly well protected, like turtles.
Wilhelm II's concerns were therefore not without reason. However, Oscar was full of confidence in the German Navy's Battlecruisers.
"Your Majesty, if the Americans truly dare to force their way into our Prohibited Navigation Zone, our Commerce Raiding Fleet will certainly be able to deal with them. Even if the main force of our Commerce Raiding Fleet consists of Battlecruisers, among the American Navy's twelve Battleships, aside from four equipped with 356mm Main Guns, the other eight are all equipped with 305mm Main Guns. Our Commerce Raiding Fleet, meanwhile, has six Battleships equipped with 380mm Main Guns, with three more equipped with 343mm Main Guns and 305mm Main Guns. Furthermore, the American Navy's main guns are all 45-caliber, while ours are all 50-caliber. Taking into account the inherent gap in main gun performance as well, our firepower holds an absolute advantage. As for defense, according to the intelligence we have obtained, American Navy Battleships are no better protected than ours. If