Although the Kii-class battleship is the best performing battleship currently in service with the island navy, it is also a fast battleship in essence. In other words, the whole design idea still follows the previous design concept of emphasizing firepower and speed, and despising defense.

This made the firepower of the 'Kii-class' battleships very strong, and the speed also soared to an astonishing 29.75 knots. But the armor defense is not very high. If four Kii-class battleships were to intercept the German fleet at high speed, the German fleet would be intercepted. However, there is no doubt that it will also be besieged by the eight capital ships of the German fleet. With the defensive power of the 'Kii-class' battleships, it is very difficult to say whether they can hold out, and if they do not, they will be severely damaged or even sunk.

Kii-class battleships were originally designed to accompany aircraft carriers in combat. A battleship that is too slow will simply not be able to follow the aircraft carrier. That's why the Kii-class battleships abandoned defense and pursued speed and firepower. It's just that such a design concept makes it impossible to take advantage of the battleship duel at all, and even at a disadvantage.

Vice Admiral Yoshida Zengo simply did not dare to risk these 'Kii-class' battleships. If there was another loss, he didn't know what he would have to do to win the naval battle. Once the naval battle is lost, then he will definitely not end well. I'm afraid there is only one way to apologize for his seppuku.

"What about the other way?" Lieutenant General Yoshida asked.

"General, the other way, we can only organize the destroyers to launch lightning strikes. Rely on lightning strikes to force the German fleet to turn, or even disband the formations. However, the German fleet also has a lot of small and medium-sized warships to protect it, and now it is sailing at high speed, and it is very difficult for lightning strikes to hit targets. Fukuru said.

Lieutenant General Yoshida nodded, although the night environment was more suitable for lightning strikes. However, when the enemy's warships are heavily protected, it is undoubtedly very difficult to succeed.

Whether to take the risk or not, Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo has not yet made a decision. After all, once you choose to take the risk, it's better to succeed. But if it fails, the consequences are very serious.

This naval battle is related to the national fortunes of the island country. This makes it imperative that Yoshida make his choice as much as possible to secure victory. Of course, he is not afraid of death, but if it causes the island country to lose the war, or even perish, then he will become a sinner for the entire country and nation of the island country.

"What should I do? The situation is very unfavorable for us. If this continues, we will not be able to win this war. Although Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo was expressionless, he was already very anxious in his heart.

"I still underestimate these old battleships of the Germans! Otherwise, we wouldn't be in such a disadvantageous position. "Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo has some regrets now. If he had known that these old warships of the German fleet were so difficult to deal with, he would not have come up with such a tactic. However, there is no regret medicine in the world. It's useless to talk about it now.

"Boom!"

A 380-mm shell hit the command tower of the battleship 'Kaga'. Although, the command tower of the battleship 'Kaga' was armored up to 356 mm thick. However, it still failed to withstand this armor-piercing projectile.

The shell, having torn through the armor of the conning tower, exploded inside. The violent explosion killed all the officers, including Captain Nishi Shinzo Daisa. For a time, the command of the battleship 'Kaga' fell into disarray.

"General, the commander tower of the battleship 'Kaga' was penetrated, and Onishi Shinzo Osa and others were all killed!" A staff officer reported.

Lieutenant General Yoshida's face suddenly became even more ugly. He knew that the situation of the battleship 'Kaga' was undoubtedly even more dangerous. If you don't get it right, I'm afraid it won't last long.

"Damn! Let the Kaga continue to persevere! Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo ordered.

This state of being passively beaten made him very aggrieved. However, he had no choice.

"Yes, General!" Fukuru Shigeru nodded.

Just two minutes later, the battleship Kaga was hit again.

A 380-mm shell hit the apostle of the battleship 'Kaga'. After the shell tore through the armor, it exploded inside. The violent explosion caused problems in the boiler compartment of the battleship "Kaga". High-temperature and high-pressure steam leaked from several boilers. The high-temperature steam instantly killed the island sailors in the boiler room. These sailors died miserably, and they were all steamed.

At the same time, the leakage of high-temperature steam directly led to the loss of power of the battleship, and the speed continued to decrease.

At the moment, the commander of the battleship 'Kaga' was a chief engineer. After the death of the construction of Onishi Shinzo Daisa, his military rank was already the highest on the battleship. Faced with such a situation, he had to order to contact the flagship and ask to withdraw from the battle.

After all, in such a fierce naval battle, the loss of power meant that the battleship could not keep up with the battle line. It is even possible to be besieged by the enemy and easily sunk. Therefore, it is undoubtedly the best choice to withdraw from the fighting and return to the country to recuperate. In addition, the battleship 'Kaga' was hit continuously in the previous battle, and now it is covered in wounds. If you continue to fight, there is a high chance that you will be sunk.

When Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo learned of the Kaga's situation, his face couldn't help but become even more ugly.

"Send a telegram to the Kaga and tell them to withdraw from the battle!" Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo ordered. He had no authority to let the battleship Kaga continue to fight under such circumstances, in that case, to send the Kaga to his death.

"Yes, General." Furushi nodded and immediately went to give orders.

The battleship 'Kaga' immediately turned around and broke away from the battle line. Their speed is getting slower and slower, and it will not be easy to escape back to the mainland of the island country.

The German fleet did not pursue the departure of the Kaga. Instead, send a telegram to the base, asking them to send submarines to see if they can pick up the leak. The task of the German fleet now is still the island fleet.

After the battleship "Kaga" left the battlefield, the situation on the battlefield became more and more unfavorable to the island fleet. It is very difficult for them to turn the situation around. Lieutenant General Yoshida knew that it would not be possible not to take risks at this time.