Chapter 0736: The Curtain Falls

The four "Kongō-class" battlecruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet, after this battle, were all sunk beneath the waves. This was a devastating blow to the Combined Fleet. With the loss of these four advanced warships, only eleven battleships remained, and among them, only two could be considered semi-dreadnoughts; the rest were all pre-dreadnoughts.

The previous battle had undoubtedly proven that pre-dreadnoughts were utterly helpless in the face of super-dreadnoughts. Even though the Combined Fleet still possessed eleven pre-dreadnoughts, they stood no chance against the eight formidable battlecruisers of the German Expeditionary Fleet. The outcome of this war had already been decided; the coming hours would only witness the slaughter of the Japanese fleet by the superior German warships.

"Prepare for battle! It is time for us to carry out the massacre!" Vice Admiral Spee said, gazing at the Japanese fleet from afar, a brief glimmer of pity in his eyes. But soon, that pity was replaced with resolve. If they were enemies, they must be destroyed without mercy. Having chosen to stand against the German Empire, they must now pay the price. Thus, it was no fault of theirs, but the consequence of their own choices.

"Yes, Admiral. The boys have been ready for this moment!" Rear Admiral Möhl said with a smile.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The triple turrets of the "Mackensen" battlecruiser roared again, their 380mm main guns targeting the flagship of the Japanese fleet, the "Kawachi."

The other seven battlecruisers also opened fire on their respective targets. It was now afternoon, and in two or three hours, night would fall. The sailors were hungry, eager to finish the battle and get some rest.

"Return fire! Fight to the death!" Admiral Ijuin Gorō shouted from the bridge of the "Kawachi," his voice filled with valor. But sadly, their ship was no match for the enemy.

The "Kawachi-class" battleships, though classified as semi-dreadnoughts, were armed with six twin 305mm turrets. One turret was positioned at the bow and stern, with the remaining four mounted along the sides of the ship. This configuration allowed for a concentrated broadside of four turrets when firing to the side. In some ways, the "Kawachi" could be considered a dreadnought, but it was categorized as a semi-dreadnought due to the differing caliber ratios of its guns. The two turrets at the bow and stern were 45-caliber, while the four side turrets were 40-caliber, causing the ship's broadside to be less coordinated. Against the advanced German battlecruisers, however, whether semi-dreadnought or pre-dreadnought, they were destined to be torn apart.

The fierce naval battle erupted once more. Despite their dire straits, the Japanese sailors fought with unyielding courage, driven by their national pride and the deeply ingrained Bushido spirit.

"Boom!" A 305mm shell struck the "Mackensen," leaving only a small hole in the deck. Such a wound meant little to the battlecruiser.

Another 305mm shell hit the "Mackensen," striking the number two turret on the forward deck, but it failed to penetrate the turret's armor, let alone cause any significant damage.

After withstanding two hits, the "Mackensen" finally retaliated. A 380mm shell tore through the side armor of the "Kawachi," devastating several compartments.

Another 380mm shell pierced the "Kawachi's" boiler room, causing a catastrophic explosion. On a battleship, this was second only to the destruction of the magazine in terms of severity.

Admiral Ijuin, accompanied by his staff, evacuated the "Kawachi" and moved to another ship to continue coordinating the battle.

With its power plant severely damaged, the "Kawachi" became a sitting duck, quickly succumbing to the "Mackensen" and sinking.

After sinking the "Kawachi," the "Mackensen" turned its attention to the "Settsu." Although it fought bravely, the "Settsu," a sister ship of the "Kawachi," met the same fate, sinking in short order.

As the "Mackensen" sank the "Kawachi" and "Settsu," the "Prince Friedrich Wilhelm" took down the "Satsuma" and "Aki" battleships. The "Friedrich Karl" destroyed the "Katori" and set the "Kashima" ablaze, leaving it to float like a dead fish on the sea.

The "Derfflinger" sank the "Iwami," the "Lützow" claimed the "Hizen," and the "Hindenburg" sunk the "Fusō."

The remaining ships of the Combined Fleet, the "Asahi" and "Mikasa," were also sunk by the "Göben" and "Seydlitz."

With the core of the Japanese fleet obliterated, the German Expeditionary Fleet began to chase down the surviving Japanese protected cruisers and destroyers. However, those ships, sensing defeat, had already fled. Although the German fleet's ships were faster, they only managed to catch the protected cruisers and sink them. The destroyers, most of which managed to return to Tokyo Bay, posed little threat now that the Imperial Navy's main force had been destroyed.

Admiral Ijuin, having fulfilled his promise, sent a telegram to the Navy Ministry and, in the captain's cabin of the "Katori," took his own life in accordance with his honor.