Chapter 0240: Retreat
"General, what should we do now?" an officer inquired.
The other officers gazed at David Beatty, their eyes filled with trepidation. The confidence they once harbored had seemingly evaporated.
Before executing this plan, nearly everyone was brimming with assurance, convinced of their inevitable victory. After all, they had assembled nine battlecruisers and eight battleships for this operation. Yet now, the unexpectedly formidable performance of the German raiding fleet had left them profoundly shaken.
Three of the four *King George V*-class battleships had already succumbed to the relentless assault of the German raiding fleet within such a brief span of time. The remaining ship was desperately holding on, its fate dependent on divine intervention. With the Germans proving so fierce, could they truly defeat them? Moreover, even if they were victorious, the losses incurred would be considerable. Thus, a triumph would be little more than a Pyrrhic victory, rather than a resounding one.
David Beatty, too, fell silent for a few moments, acutely aware of the officers' unspoken sentiments. He had not anticipated such staggering losses; soon, they would be left with nearly no *King George V*-class battleships. Such a toll would make it nearly impossible to justify their actions to the Admiralty.
However, with the battle reached this critical juncture, was there any room for retreat? To withdraw now would render their prior losses entirely futile. Therefore, regardless of the cost, Beatty knew he had no choice but to press onward, determined to confront the German raiding fleet. Only by achieving this could they justify their previous sacrifices to the Cabinet and the Admiralty.
"Order the fleet to advance at full speed. This time, we must eliminate the German battlecruisers," Beatty commanded. If they were to fail again, the consequences would be dire, potentially implicating him as well.
"Yes, sir," the officer replied, promptly relaying Beatty's orders to the respective fleets.
The remaining nine British battlecruisers and four battleships were now primed for battle.
On the battlefield, the six German battlecruisers continued their relentless assault on the *King George V* battleship. With a formidable array of 27 343-mm and 27 305-mm guns, the besieged *King George V* found itself in a perilous situation.
"Hurry! We don't have much time left. We must finish off this last British battleship!" Vice Admiral von Scheer gritted his teeth as he spoke.
"May God bless us as we vanquish the British," Vice Admiral Hipple murmured fervently.
"Boom!"
A 305-mm shell struck the *King George V*, exploding on its stern deck and creating a gaping hole, while shrapnel swept across the rear deck, claiming the lives of numerous British sailors.
Moments later, a 343-mm shell impacted the *King George V*, successfully striking its port side near the waterline and tearing a breach in its hull. Despite the British sailors' desperate attempts at damage control, they could not seal the breach and had to close the adjacent watertight compartments. While this measure prevented the battleship from sinking, it nevertheless caused it to list precariously due to excessive water intake.
In the subsequent five minutes, the *King George V* was struck by several more shells, each leaving significant scars on its hull. Yet, perhaps through a stroke of good fortune, despite the severe damage, it remained afloat.
At that moment, the British reinforcements finally arrived on the battlefield. Nine battlecruisers commenced shelling the German raiding fleet from a distance. Although hitting their targets from such range was challenging, they successfully disrupted the German fleet's fire on the *King George V*.
To avoid encirclement by the British fleet, Vice Admirals von Scheer and Hipple conferred and ordered their forces to turn away, sparing the *King George V* from further attacks.
Though it was regrettable not to have sunk the *King George V*, they had nonetheless inflicted significant damage upon it. It would require several months in dry dock to regain its combat readiness. Achieving the sinking of three ships and severely damaging one in this engagement was already a commendable outcome.
Onboard the *King George V*, everyone was enveloped in exuberant joy. As they watched the six German battlecruisers retreat, the anxiety that had plagued them dissipated.
"Sir, the Germans are withdrawing, and our reinforcements have arrived!" the aide exclaimed with excitement.
Beatty did not respond; he understood that while they had narrowly escaped disaster this time, the Royal Navy's substantial losses would inevitably necessitate accountability. If things went awry, he could very well become the scapegoat.
"General, Admiral Beatty has transmitted orders for us to disengage and return to port for repairs. The subsequent battles will be entrusted to them; they will avenge our fallen comrades by sinking the German ships," a communications officer informed.
Beatty nodded, "Order the fleet to turn towards Portsmouth."
The *King George V*, with its battered hull, staggered away from the battlefield. Yet, the fight was far from over; it was merely escalating.
The German raiding fleet regrouped, while the nine British battlecruisers formed a battle line, signaling the resumption of their fierce confrontation.
To the north, four *Iron Duke*-class battleships were swiftly advancing south, drawing near to the battlefield. However, their presence had not gone unnoticed by the reconnaissance seaplanes flying overhead, which immediately reported their location.
"Damn it! I knew the British wouldn't send only a few battlecruisers. Indeed, they have four formidable battleships as well," Vice Admiral Hipple cursed.
"Shall we engage or retreat?" Vice Admiral von Scheer inquired.
After a moment's contemplation, Hipple replied, "Let us retreat for now and regroup with Admiral Scheer before we confront them in a decisive battle."
Von Scheer nodded and promptly ordered the fleet to withdraw.