South of the North Sea, the sun slowly rises from the east, obscured by thick fog into a blurry fireball that should have been glowing gold.

A fleet moves stealthily through the fog, its hulls swaying rhythmically, colliding with the waves and emitting heavy sounds, resembling moans or a heartbeat, echoing continually.

Leading the way is a battlecruiser with eight 305mm main guns ready, crew members at their stations anxiously scanning the surroundings, awaiting orders, and adjusting towering barrels pointed skyward as if ready to roar at any moment.

This is the German High Seas Fleet's "Lützow" battlecruiser, flagship of the First Fast Squadron, acknowledged as the fastest, newest, and most advanced battlecruiser.

(Above: "Lützow" battlecruiser, commissioned August 8, 1915, second of the "Deflanger" class battlecruiser)

In the captain's cabin, Major General Von Kavis finishes his breakfast, retrieves his diary from the drawer, turns to a blank page, and casually scribbles:

February 25.

I am clueless about this weather; it seems like fog yet also appears to be drizzling.

That's the North Sea, 270 out of 365 days are cloudy, and half of the time covered in thick fog.

I assume this favors us, as the British reconnaissance planes can't spot us, at least not until the fog lifts.

Also the French.

They are the target for this operation. We have detected a convoy passing nearby, escorted by fifteen destroyers and two cruisers of the French Fleet.

Hopefully, they won't uncover us too early and choose to flee.

Especially those destroyers, which can discover our submarines…

Suddenly, a staff officer rushes in reporting, "General, the fog has lifted."

Kavis responds with a "hm", closes the book, puts away the pen, and murmurs, "From now on, let the battle reports write the story!"

Without hesitation, he rises and leads the staff officer out, quickly ascending the gangway to the command tower.

On the unsteady ship, Major General Kavis remains steadfast, scanning the surroundings as the fog begins to clear, visibility improves, and rays of sunlight pierce through the mist like swords, shimmering on the sea surface.

"Full speed ahead!" Kavis commands.

Kavis always ensures the fleet reaches maximum speed before engagement.

"Full speed ahead!"

"Full speed ahead!"

...

The orders are relayed.

Speed increases, smoke billows from the ship's chimney with occasional sparks.

Signalmen constantly inform the following ships to keep pace using signal lamps.

This fleet consists of twenty warships, including the Lützow battlecruiser, Moltke, and Seydlitz.

The latter two are of the Moltke class battlecruisers.

Because their speeds closely match that of the Lützow, they're classified as the "First Fast Squadron" for executing rapid attack and retreat on targets.

Additionally, there are two cruisers and fifteen destroyers.

Major General Kavis firmly believes this formation can swiftly overwhelm the French Fleet.

Given enough time, Kavis hopes to capture some merchant ships and haul them back to Germany.

Germany desperately needs these supplies—living goods and gasoline—unused munitions are to be destroyed or sunk on-site.

"Launch the seaplanes," Major General Kavis orders sternly.

"Launch the seaplanes!"

"Launch the seaplanes!"

...

Seaplanes will expand the reconnaissance area, aiding the fleet in pinpointing target positions.

However, soon Major General Kavis realizes that's unnecessary.

Ten minutes later, the lookout atop the mast shouts, "Target sighted!"

Kavis picks up his binoculars and looks in the indicated direction, indeed spotting a blurry shadow in the dispersing fog.

"Prepare for battle!" Kavis promptly commands, "Adopt column formation to engage!"

(Note: Fleet movement in a long snake "1" formation is more convenient; for engagement, extended firepower in an "I" formation is optimal.)

The fleet swiftly reconfigures—faster destroyers and cruisers catch up by speed and spread out on both sides, forming a column centered on the three battlecruisers, surging towards the enemy.

As the target closes in, Major General Kavis sees the ship through his binoculars, artillery already loaded and aimed, awaiting his command to unleash fire.

Just then, a communication officer reports, "General, enemy fleet spotted on the flank."

Kavis instantly grasps the situation.

The French Fleet uses merchant ships as bait, leveraging the fog to outflank to the side.

"Change formation!" Kavis yells.

But it's already too late; as Kavis gave the order, cannon fire erupts.

Shells whistle closer, creating soaring water columns around the fleet, ships rocking violently on the turbulent sea, with several shells hitting the vessels, causing bursts of flames and smoke.

The Lützow is struck, but the shell fails to penetrate its thick 300mm side-armored plates, merely inducing a faint, almost imperceptible shudder.

Kavis glances at the flames from the shell impact on the hull, a snicker curling his lips—this is the strength difference.

Despite his battle experience, Major General Kavis fell into this trap; he never expected a convoy of cruisers and destroyers to dare a direct challenge.

Fools, they should've chosen to flee, or wait for the main fleet and reinvest into the battle.

Attacking now will only lead to annihilation!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

"Boom! Boom!"

...

The Lützow's main guns fire.

Amidst violent shaking, Kavis raises his binoculars, observing, the first salvo forms a surrounding barrage near the enemy's cruiser, a promising start.

(Note: Envelopment fire indicates observing synchronized water columns caused by salvo shells distributed before and behind the target warship, signifying highly accurate firing data, which, when maintained, can likely strike the target.)

Suddenly, a dark shadow sweeps overhead.

Kavis initially dismisses it.

It's Shire's Caproni bomber; Kavis muses, just let it observe how we systematically sink the targets!

But within the fleeting moment the Caproni flies out of sight, something stung Kavis sharply.

He couldn't discern it, yet instinct informed him—something dangerous lies ahead!