Part 6: 16:35 - 16:50
Ordersquote:
I Scouting
Heading 225 (let's keep crossing this T), speed 25 kts, fire distribution as follows:
Lutzow against Lion
Derfflinger against Princess Royal
Seydlitzagainst Princess Royal
Moltkeagainst Queen Mary
Von der Tann against Tiger
If due to the T being crossed any of my ships can't see their target, they can join in shooting at the head of the trio of battle cruisers or the QEs if they come within range.
IX.18 Half-Flotilla: Ships turn line of heading bearing 245, return to screening positions on I Scouting Group. Torpedo crews prepare for possible attack on Lion.
II Scouting Group :Turn immediately to heading 340, speed 27 kts. Maintain/re-establish contact with enemy destroyers heading northwards but do not engage unless fired upon, or range closes to 10km or less, in which case engage with 15cm guns.
12.VI Half-Flotilla: All ships turn to bearing 0, match speed with enemy destroyers.
17. IX Half Flotilla: Turn bearing to 190
II Flotilla : Wiesbaden (I have no idea where it is, btw) to move to rendezvous with II Scouting Group. Maximum speed. Fall into line behind II Scouting.
B98 is to pull out of line, conduct damage control efforts, and make
best possible speed at course 095.
2nd Leader of destroyers: Fire all guns, increase speed if possible and launch torpedoes at battle cruisers. Regensburg will probably sink
Main Fleet
Finish forming up the battle line (or something resembling one), stay on heading 005 and speed 18.
Destroyer Screen also stays on heading 005 and Speed 18.
16:36
The torpedo boat S50 is hit by a 6 inch shell to the engine room, she loses control and rapidly starts to slip beneath the waves.
While the battlecruisers continue to attempt to cross the T of the enemy capital ships.
The damage to the lion is great, and its seems that all of her main turrets have been taken out of action - there are visible holes in two of them.
16:38
The Lutzlow's suffers a hit from one of the battle cruisers, and has one of her 30cm guns destroyed.
This is a blow, and is a reduction in heavy firepower for the ship. The crews report that this gun will not be able to be repaired, and will need replacing at a shipyard.
The Battleships continue to pound the S50, but have altered their course to a westerly direction.
The S50 itself has a 14 degree list and is steaming in circles. It is absorbing the enemies 16 inch fire, allowing the other destroyers to move northwards to follow the fleeing enemy ships.
16:41
The British battle cruisers have maneuvered themselves to try and reform, the crossing of the T is not looking hopeful now, but the scales of damage are really on our side.
17.IX and 18.IX half flotillas do some fancy course changes and slip through each others formations.
Our Battlecrusiers continue to fire on the enemy, but the Lutzlow it hit by another 13 inch shell.
The Barham seems to have taken some damage, even though its only being fired upon by our smaller ships. For some reason her speed has dropped to only 8 kts. Although all her guns are still firing. Have we got a lucky hit in on her engine room?
16:43
The 11.VI Half Flotillas orders have now taken them dangerously close to the British battle cruisers, and they are getting hit by fire.
The smaller guns of the battle cruisers soon start to inflict crippling damage on the torpedo boats.
Soon the G41 is sinking.
16:44
G37 reports sighting the Armored cruiser Duke of Edinburgh - this ship is heading south, while all the others in the region are heading north.
Finally, the main fleet is in sight!
16:46
The Lutzlow is hit once more by a 13.5 inch shell, this time he fore turret is destroyed, leaving her with only two main turrets still firing!
The Seydilyz has also taken several hits, one of her turrets is also out of action, and she is burning.
The damage has not been entirely one way however, as all of the enemy battle cruisers are damaged, and the Lion has developed a noticeable list.
16:48
The Lutzlow is hit and promtly explodes!
The crew have a scant sixty seconds to abandon ship as the burning wreck sinks.
16:49 and 25 seconds, the Lutzlow sinks, taking Hipper with it.
Well fuck me, I couldn't have written a better cliffhanger if I'd tried. While Ilanin may continue to control I scouting group, he now is reduced to 1 message a turn.
Here is your battle map, there are now a number of cruisers moving southwards.
16:39
The cruiser Munchen is the first ship of the main fleet to begin firing on an enemy ship. As it adds to the fire being laid into the Lion
16:41
This is not pretty, but its working, slowly I pull the pigs back into some semblance of a battle line.
The scouting units are now in firm view of the battle cruiser fleet, but there is no sign of the enemy beyond the battle cruisers
16:44
That's better, I need to continue to manage their speeds a bit more, but this is workable now.
Finally the battle cruisers of Hipper are in sight of the main fleet, although there is no sign of the enemy.
16:47
The battleships finally get into line and resume their speed of 18 knts.
16:48
An almighty explosion is heard on the horizon. Spotters report that the lead ship in Hippers formation seems to have been the source.
Here is your map, I'm now going to say that the scouting groups are under their own command, and that next turn all ships will go under their own command - although they will still be expected to listen to Admiral Scheer.
For the scouts
Messages
Scheer to 1st Leader of the Destoyers:
SAVE YOUR TORPEDOES UNTIL WE ENGAGE ENEMY MAIN BODY OR WARSPITE SIGHTED
Scheer to Fleet
CONTACT IMMINENT GERMANY EXPECTS NO SCREW UPS TODAY
II Flottilla to Hipper: Torpedoes apparently retarded, captains faulty. Or vice versa. Attempting to reassemble to E of you. Several Dds heavily damaged, one sunk.
Hipper to All Scouts
UNENGAGED FORCES TURN TO 015 AND INCREASE SPEED. FORM SCREEN TO LOOK FOR GRAND FLEET
Hipper to Scheer
YOUR CRUISERSHAVE BEEN SEEN BY ENEMY BCs. CANNOTAVOID SUPERIOR FORCES AND SCREEN BATTLEFLEET DUE TO PRESENCE OF QE CLASS. RECOMMEND YOU SINK THEM.
Lost Messages
Scheer to 5.III Squadron
DO NOT FOLLOW LION WE HUNT BIGGER PREY
12.VI HALF-FLOTILLA FOR HIPPER: ACKNOWLEDGED. WILL SHADOW ENEMY DESTROYER FORMATION AND ATTEMPT TO FIND MAIN ENEMY FORCE. GOOD HUNTING.
As you may guess, things have just gone a little pear shaped. While British ships are more likely to blow up, ammunition explosions can happen to anyone. and the Lutzlow had already been hit several times, and two of her turrets had been knocked out.
It may have been another shell hit a turret and the damage allowed it to penetrate the ammunition stores.
Hopefully that overview is a little clearer.