Chapter 0231: The Rehearsal Before the Great Battle

On the night of September 1, 1914, three colossal warships slowly emerged from the Wilhelmshaven naval base. Accompanied by several light cruisers and destroyers, they departed the military port and ventured into the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. These magnificent vessels were none other than the German Navy's *Derfflinger*-class battlecruisers, powerful capital ships that had long been kept under wraps.

In order to conceal their strength, they had not been deployed even during operations to disrupt enemy shipping. Now, however, in a bid to dismantle the trap laid by the British and to deliver them a crushing blow, Qin Tian finally resolved to send them forth.

Admiral Reinhardt Scheer, the commander of the High Seas Fleet, personally directed this operation. He took the *Derfflinger* as his flagship and commanded the battlecruisers to engage in the impending naval conflict.

Though it was night, the *Derfflinger*-class battlecruisers stood tall and imposing beneath the bright moonlight, exuding a powerful aura of intimidation. The formidable 380mm main guns, shrouded in thick gun mantlets, radiated a menacing presence.

Standing on the bridge, Admiral Scheer gazed down at the immense vessel, his heart swelling with emotion. As the commander of the High Seas Fleet, he bore an immense burden, tasked with realizing the dream of defeating the British Navy and establishing German naval supremacy. Those of weaker resolve might have crumbled under such weight, yet Scheer remained steadfast, buoyed by the formidable strength of the High Seas Fleet.

"Come forth, British. This time, let us show you the true might of the Imperial German Navy. We are no longer the feeble coastal navy of yore. We possess the strength to vanquish you, to make you acutely aware of the cost of provoking the German Empire," Scheer silently vowed.

For every officer and sailor of the German Navy, witnessing the British flaunting their might across the ocean while relentlessly pressing down on Germany was a profound humiliation. At last, they had the opportunity and capability to exact revenge. This was an exhilarating prospect.

"Send a telegram to Generals Hipper and Spee, instructing them to proceed as planned. The task of defeating the British's four *King George V*-class battlecruisers now rests with them. We shall strike when the Germans' ambush presents itself," Admiral Scheer commanded.

"Yes, Commander," the communications officer promptly replied, dispatching the telegram.

Soon, the fleet instituted blackout procedures. Under the cover of night, they sailed stealthily, aiming to breach the British blockade and reach the vast Atlantic.

In the Atlantic, the 1st and 2nd Battlecruiser Squadrons of the High Seas Fleet were prowling the vast ocean, seeking targets for attack.

Aboard the *Blücher* battlecruiser, Vice Admiral Hipper, who had already retired for the night, was awakened.

"Admiral, this is a telegram from the Commander," the communications officer handed the message to Vice Admiral Hipper.

"Ha! I knew we would not let this opportunity slip by us. Order the fleet to turn immediately and establish contact with the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron to rendezvous with them as soon as possible," Vice Admiral Hipper exclaimed, laughing heartily upon reading the telegram. He had already been informed about the British gathering a massive fleet from Canada. However, he had refrained from taking action without explicit orders. Now that the High Seas Fleet had formally resolved to eliminate this large British convoy, and with the deployment of the *Derfflinger*-class battlecruisers, it was evident that the German Navy was determined.

Aboard the *Moltke* battlecruiser, Vice Admiral Spee also received the telegram from Admiral Reinhardt Scheer. After reading it, he ordered the fleet to turn and prepare to execute the predetermined plan.

Having sunk the battlecruiser *Lion*, Vice Admiral Spee had become a celebrated figure within the German Navy, earning accolades from Emperor Wilhelm II himself, who had decided to personally bestow a medal upon him. This recognition filled Spee with excitement, further igniting his enthusiasm for sinking enemy capital ships.

Now, the British intended to dispatch a fleet returning from Canada to the homeland. Although this was a trap, it nonetheless thrilled Vice Admiral Spee. If he could seize this opportunity, the fleet he commanded could add another victory to its record, or perhaps even more. After all, the performance of the *Moltke*-class battlecruisers was beyond question, granting them a considerable advantage even against British ships of the same class, let alone their battlecruisers.

Naturally, should they encounter the British *Invincible*-class or *Indefatigable*-class battlecruisers, it would be the best-case scenario. These classes of battlecruisers were undoubtedly the weakest; if they were to come across them, their fate would be sealed.

As the German Navy resolved to consume the bait deliberately set by the British, the latter remained oblivious. They continued to execute their plan meticulously.

The British Navy's *Invincible*-class, *Indefatigable*-class, and the remaining *Lion*-class battlecruisers, along with the *Tiger* battlecruiser, were all en route to the battlefield. This operation was still under the command of Vice Admiral David Beatty, who had chosen the *Tiger* as his flagship.

In addition, four *Iron Duke*-class battleships of the British Navy had secretly departed Scapa Flow, entering the Atlantic and heading towards the battlefield.

In this impending naval battle, both the British and German navies had deployed their main forces. Although not their entire fleets, the strength they brought to bear was formidable. This, perhaps, was a rehearsal before the final showdown between their navies.

Both sides were filled with ambition, seeking to deliver a devastating blow to the other in this engagement. The German Navy aimed to inflict a crippling defeat upon the British, seeking to gain further advantage, while the British Navy sought to eradicate the German Navy's disruptive fleet, safeguarding their crucial maritime supply lines.