According to the conventional rules of the British fleet, each destroyer squadron includes a squadron and 5-6 destroyers. The ones serving as the squadron can be either a destroyer with a large tonnage or a light cruiser with high speed.

Before the first generation of Linxian-class light cruisers, the British Navy's light cruisers of all levels had always used the traditional firepower configuration of single-mounted main guns on the side of the side. Their main competitor, the German Navy, began to use dual-mounted main guns since the Dresden-class built in 1905. Although the German new cruisers had long been in the public eye, the British Navy did not completely ignore them. They asked the arms companies to start developing a dual-mounted naval gun system suitable for the use of their own light ships several years ago, for design and other considerations, the British Navy has not yet adopted this kind of naval gun configuration method that can significantly improve attack efficiency on the recently built Bristol-class, Weymouth-class and Birmingham-class cruisers.

The Linxian class, which was determined to design in 1912, planned to build a total of 8 ships, with a standard displacement of 4,200 tons, a full load displacement of 4,800 tons, and a maximum speed of 28.5 knots. It can be used as destroyers and can meet the needs of providing escort for the new Queen Elizabeth-class super-dreadnoughts. When the war broke out, they were all in a state of under construction, and the three fastest-progressed ships, "Linxian", "Bold" and "Goddess of Dawn", were close to completion. Stimulated by the successive defeats of the Battle of Jutland and the First Flanders Naval Battle, many British ships were in service in advance. Although thousands of professional soldiers were lost on the battlefield, the British Navy did not lack qualified officers and sailors. Therefore, the combat effectiveness of these ships on the front line should not be underestimated, but the chance of temporary mechanical failures due to insufficient running-in is slightly higher.

If this light fleet came directly to the "Glaudendz", the German advance fleet commanded by Colonel August would probably have to retreat with all their might, but he had every reason to believe that the British Navy, which was seriously injured, would not send these outstanding light ships to use them alone, but would let them closely cooperate with the main fleet to fight. After receiving the report from the reconnaissance aircraft, he immediately ordered the generation of power to the flagship "King" of the high seas fleet, and informed the real-time enemy situation.

The whistling artillery fire brought Colonel August's attention back to his eyes. In a second thought, the German advance fleet led by the "Glaudentz" and the British naval formation headed by the two escort cruisers were closer to 8,000 meters. Ten ships from both sides were involved in the artillery battle. In comparison, the "Glaudentz" equipped with new sighting instruments and a simple unified shooting command device had the strongest firepower and the highest accurate head. The targets it attacked were trapped in the raging waves caused by artillery shells again and again. In a few minutes, the British protective cruiser that was leading was hit four times. The fire was rushing on the ship, and thick smoke was everywhere. Half of the starboard artillery guns had been silent.

As the target of the British fleet's concentrated attack, the situation of the "Glaudendz" gradually became increasingly steep. Its front and rear decks had long been soaked with water waves, and the port gun positions and deck buildings were constantly baptized by shrapnel. After the casualties broke through zero, it quietly climbed, and blood was seen everywhere in the open air sub-iuto battle positions.

At this time, the masts of British armored cruisers could be seen on the sea west.

On this battlefield where wars were raging, Colonel August still maintained his cold and arrogant attitude. Seeing the enemy's leading ships being shot again, black smoke was lingering on the deck, and the flags and light communications with the ships of his subordinates were greatly affected. He decisively ordered the four large torpedo boats that accompanied him to launch a torpedo assault on the British fleet.

The 4,000-ton protective cruiser of the enemy's leading ship had been riddled with holes by the German light patrol. The weak armor could not resist the direct shooting of artillery shells. The upper coal cabin ignited a large fire that was difficult to extinguish, and the lower cabin was seriously infiltrated. In such a fierce battle, the disadvantages of the semi-enclosed turret were undoubtedly highlighted. Experienced gunners suffered heavy losses, and many people had to hold their battle positions with injuries. The non-combat compartment personnel were busy extinguishing fire and damaged the pipes and could not draw out any man to reinforce the artillery positions. In this way, the real battle had just begun, and its combat power was almost gone.

Since the front main gun had just exploded, the bridge of the British cruiser was filled with scorching and choking smoke, and it was difficult for people to breathe, so it would be even more difficult to command the battle here. On the floor were two bloody and unrecognizable officers, which seemed to be in danger. The remaining officers also hung up the lottery without exception, but they did not evacuate the bridge. The telephone line was broken, and they continued to command the battle by means of a verbal relay.

In the gap between artillery fire, a non-commissioned officer came to the air and reported that his 4th cruiser team sent a signal asking them to hold the enemy as much as possible. In just ten minutes, they were able to enter the combat range.

"Okay, we have to fight for these ten minutes no matter what! Even if we make a living, we will hold this guy tightly!"

The officer who spoke was as bright as a torch, and his voice was as loud as a bell. The wound on his cheek was still bleeding, and his arm was broken, but it was like a mountain pine in the wind and snow. He won people's sincere respect with his tenacious and unyielding spirit.

Suddenly, a series of roars came from the sea, and another officer shouted: "Look! It turned the artillery fire to the 'Saph'... It's really damn, it's a cross-fire!"

Looking towards the stern of the ship, the 3,000-ton protective cruiser following behind was covered in a white water curtain. Judging from the distribution of the bounce points, the enemy's artillery fire had already formed a cross-fire at it. If it continues, it will soon be shot and damaged, and unfortunately, it may even be directly sunk.

In order to get rid of this very unfavorable situation, the officer with a wounded cheek shouted: "Quick, turn the rudder right and send a signal to 'Crimea' and let it follow us!"

The officers and non-commissioned officers present hurriedly sent orders, but they didn't know whether there was a problem with the steering device or the large amount of water in the bottom cabin. Their warship's right turn speed was very slow, and the delay in communication also made the ships behind failed to keep up in time.

In less than two minutes, the old Saver protective cruiser was shot. Although the explosion on the ship was not fierce, its firepower suddenly weakened a lot. What's worse, British officials suddenly discovered that four German torpedo boats were rushing towards them under the cover of the cruiser. At this time, their warships became excellent prey with slow reaction.

Five British ships had to turn their guns and try their best to block these German torpedo boats.

As a result, the new German cruiser in the distance was able to perform artillery without being disturbed.

The gunners of the Glaudendz were once again in a state of madness.

Explosive shooting consumes a lot of ammunition reserves and gunners' physical strength, but the battle has shown a rainbow momentum, and the German crew members don't care about these things at all. The results of their hard training on weekdays are also vividly displayed on this occasion.

The second British protective cruiser quickly tasted the pain. Due to the successive shots, its starboard artillery was either directly destroyed or stopped due to the death of the gunner. Several ruptures at the waterline position caused a large amount of seawater to be poured in, and the pumping speed could no longer keep up with the incoming water speed.

Without considering other factors, Colonel August's fleet has a great chance to annihilate the opponent and not lose a ship.

In the overall situation, such temptation is not enough to make Colonel August lose his way. After all, the three British armored cruisers are desperately rushing here. Their 9.2-inch caliber gun range is not inferior to the 6-inch main gun of the "Gloudens", and its damage power is several levels higher.

Two British protective cruisers were seriously injured, and the "Gloudens" turned the muzzle to the British destroyer behind the front four main guns in the front, four main guns in the rear, and one 88mm secondary gun on the side.

Since the outbreak of the war, no warship has been able to exert its power so vividly.

The firepower was spread out to deal with three targets, and the shooting accuracy of the USS Gloudenz was still commendable, but for the limited time it caused no serious damage to any of the three British destroyers.

When Colonel August was slightly disappointed to see his four large torpedo boats rushing to a position seven or eight hundred meters away from the enemy fleet, the torpedo boat commanders did not fully understand their tactical ideas and did not show enough determination. If they rushed closer and then cast the torpedo, they could almost end the battle with a decisive moment, even if the risks they took would increase in a geometric multiple.

Before the torpedo attack showed results, Colonel August ordered a turn without hesitation, allowing the "Gloudens" to evacuate at full speed away from the British coast, and four large torpedo boats directly retreated from the position where the attack ended.

A moment later, the first British cruiser was hit by a torpedo when his steering was not effective. After a violent explosion, it began to sink at a speed that was identifiable to the naked eye.

The three British destroyers were like hornets poked in a nest. After avoiding the torpedo, they first chased and attacked four German torpedo boats. Realizing that their speed was far less than their opponents, they rushed towards the "Gloudenz".

The "Gloudens" at the extreme speed was so fast that the British were so tight that they felt chest tightness.

Three British armored cruisers in the distance roared angryly and were also mocking their opponents' cowardice.

The British originally thought that these five German ships would slip away, but unexpected situations occurred. They sailed eastward for more than ten miles and were about to leave their sight and turned 180 degrees.

During this process, a detail appeared on the battlefield that was ignored by many people and noticed by many people: the white seaplane of the British Navy was shot down by the grey German plane.

The number of gray aircraft quietly appeared in the nearby airspace increased to four, half of which were carrier-based aircraft without floats.

Not long after, a new ship shadow appeared on the sea east, but the high similarity of the warship outline made the British realize that there were at least two of them, and the atmosphere on the battlefield suddenly changed.
Chapter completed!