When the Armored Cruiser number 'Yagumo' was torn into pieces, all eight Armored Cruisers of Island Nation Navy were sunk in the battle, and none of them remained. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet.
Although Armored Cruiser is the same as Pre-dreadnought, it is an obsolete ship type among the navies of West powers and is no longer used as Capital Ships. However, in Island Nation Navy, where battleships are scarce, Armored Cruiser is also an indispensable and important combat force. At least, it is still very powerful when dealing with countries that have few decent navies nearby.
"General, we have killed all the Armored Cruiser of the Island Nation people. Who will deal with their Capital Ships or Protected Cruiser next?" Rear Admiral Mauff asked excitedly.
After eating Armored Cruiser from Island Nation Navy, our cruisers and destroyers can be considered safe. In this case, there is no need to worry about Island Nation Navy launching a lightning strike.
Vice Admiral Spee thought for a moment, and then said, "Go ahead and kill those cruisers of Island Nation Navy. Even if you can't kill them all, you must kill most of them. Only in this way will we be truly safe!"
"Yes, General!" Rear Admiral Mauff nodded.
German Expeditionary Fleet's battle line continues to advance at high speed. They made a big circle on the sea, targeting Island Nation Navy's Protected Cruiser.
Although, when German Expeditionary Fleet's battle line massacred Island Nation Navy's Armored Cruiser, these Protected Cruiser began to retreat. But unfortunately, the speed of these Protected Cruiser from Island Nation Navy is not very good either.
Except for the 'Chikuma-class' Protected Cruiser, which has a speed of 26 knots, the speeds of the other Protected Cruisers are all below 25 knots, generally only 20 knots, 21 knots or 23 knots. This speed is indeed faster than the ordinary Battleship. However, compared with Battlecruiser, it is quite different. Especially German Navy and Battlecruiser, the speed has never been slow.
In order to pursue these defensive cruisers Island Nation Navy, German Expeditionary Fleet's Battlecruiser Squadron's speed further surged to 25 knots. Such speed is nothing to these Battlecruiser. You know, even the slowest 'Moltke-class' Battlecruiser has a maximum speed of 27 knots, and 'Derfflinger class' Battlecruiser has a maximum speed of 27.5 knots. The maximum speed of 'Mackensen-class' Battlecruiser has further increased, to 28 knots. At such a speed, except for the destroyer Island Nation Navy, the other warships can only despair.
On Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet's flagship 'Kongo' number Battlecruiser, Admiral Ijūin Gorō and Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō were already pale. It can be said that they watched those Armored Cruiser sink one after another in front of them! However, there was nothing they could do about it except watch them being sunk.
"Your Excellency Commander, all Armored Cruiser have been sunk!" Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō closed his eyes in pain.
Admiral Ijūin Gorō knows that at this point in the battle, Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet has actually suffered a disastrous defeat after losing five Capital Shipss and all eight Armored Cruisers. It is almost impossible to defeat German Navy. Even if a lightning strike is launched, there is not much chance of success. After all, those cruisers and destroyers of German Navy had almost no losses. They can completely stand in front of Battlecruiser and block the path for Island Nation Navy's destroyer to launch a lightning strike.
Reason tells Admiral Ijūin Gorō that we should retreat now. Otherwise, their losses will become greater and greater. They may even all be sunk by German Expeditionary Fleet. By that time, Island Nation Navy will be completely finished.
However, Admiral Ijūin Gorō knew that he could not give the order to retreat. The order Cabinet gave him was to fight to the end and defeat German Expeditionary Fleet. Since there is no way to defeat German Expeditionary Fleet, then he has no choice but to fight to the end.
What's more, if they can't defeat German Expeditionary Fleet, then even if they escape back to Tokyo Bay. German Expeditionary Fleet can also continue to attack their coastal cities, forcing them to go to sea to fight, or force the Island Nation government to accept their conditions. In this case, Island Nation not only did not gain any benefit from this war, but also suffered heavy losses. I didn't get the typical mutton, but got a lot of commotion.
"Your Excellency Commander, the Germany people's battle line has accelerated again. Their target is our cruisers!" Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō Panic said.
If those Protected Cruiser are also eliminated by German Expeditionary Fleet, then it may be their turn next.
"Damn, the speed of their battle line has increased to 25 knots. At this speed, even our 'Kongo-class' Battlecruiser can barely keep up!" Admiral Ijūin Gorō said.
Although, when 'Kongo-class' Battlecruiser was first built, its speed was as high as 27.5 knots. However, after returning from Britain to Island Nation and serving for so many days, the battleship's speed will inevitably drop a little.
"Sir Commander, what should we do now?" Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō asked. He was completely helpless and didn't know what to do.
Admiral Ijūin Gorō gritted his teeth and made a choice. "Order the remaining three 'Kongo-class' Battlecruiser to speed up and catch up. In addition, the destroyer formation will also follow up. Find an opportunity to launch a lightning strike! This is our only chance. If we cannot take this opportunity to severely damage the Germany people and drive them away, we will lose!"
Rear Admiral Yamashita Gentarō nodded. He knew what Admiral Ijūin Gorō meant. If they did not defeat German Expeditionary Fleet this time, the consequences would be unbearable for Island Nation Navy and even the Island Nation government. Island Nation Navy In this battle, the entire army may be wiped out. After losing the navy, Island Nation will become a sea defense. German Expeditionary Fleet will further launch attacks on Island Nation coastal cities. In this case, Island Nation will pay an even heavier price.
After Admiral Ijūin Gorō's order was issued, Island Nation Navy's remaining three ships, 'Kongo-class' and Battlecruiser, began to accelerate and pursue German Expeditionary Fleet. At the same time, the destroyers of Island Nation Navy followed the three 'Kongo-class' and Battlecruiser and began to pursue them. Although these destroyers are only a few hundred tons, they are less than a fraction of German Navy's Battlecruiser. However, the Torpedo it carries can also cause fatal damage to these Battlecruiser.