Chapter 114: Taking the Initiative to Engage

By February, Feng Chengqian’s luck in the Atlantic had run out.

Throughout January, the fast cruiser *Berlin*, commanded by Feng, had rampaged across the North Atlantic. Although it had sunk only a dozen merchant ships, it had caused British shipping volume to plummet by sixty percent. By the final days of January, however, the situation began to shift.

On January 29th, the battlecruisers *Australia* and *New Zealand* returned to the North Atlantic. According to the Royal Navy’s deployment, these two ships, along with four light cruisers, formed a task force specifically to hunt down the *Berlin*. They scoured the North Atlantic for nearly ten days, coming close to locating the *Berlin* several times but failing to catch her.

It was not until February 12th that the task force finally sighted the *Berlin*. At the time, the *Berlin* was operating approximately 300 kilometers west of Portugal, searching for and intercepting vessels heading toward the British mainland via the Strait of Gibraltar. Since most ships arriving from the Indian Ocean and the Far East traversed the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean before heading to Britain, this was one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, typically teeming with hundreds of vessels.

Yet, things were different now. The *Berlin* had patrolled the area for five days, intercepting only one small vessel of less than a thousand tons, from which she captured a few dozen tons of coal and some fresh water. Staying any longer would be extremely dangerous.

Following Feng’s plan, the *Berlin* had eight designated task zones in the North Atlantic, with a limit of no more than three days spent in each. This strategy served two purposes: avoiding the pursuing British ships and ensuring they did not miss opportunities in other sectors. Clearly, the *Berlin* had lingered too long.

Upon sighting the *Australia* and *New Zealand*, the *Berlin* immediately turned to retreat. Seaplane reconnaissance confirmed that the approaching vessels were indeed two battlecruisers. Feng Chengqian had no intention of fighting a losing battle or throwing his life away, so he immediately ordered a retreat at full speed. Although the *Berlin* could only reach thirty knots at this point, she was still significantly faster than the twenty-five-knot battlecruisers. Four hours later, the *Berlin* had shaken off her British pursuers.

During this encounter, the first aerial combat between carrier-based aircraft in naval history occurred—a duel between the seaplanes conducting reconnaissance for both sides. In this dogfight, fought with pistols and rifles, the Imperial pilot drew first blood, killing the British pilot. It was precisely this action that allowed the *Berlin* to escape.

By this point, Feng realized that the risks of operating in the North Atlantic had increased significantly and that the Royal Navy would soon launch a new, more aggressive sweep. Even with the High Seas Fleet prepared for battle, there was no guarantee of victory. On February 13th, Feng decided to head home. In a month and a half, he had accomplished his mission: tying down the Royal Navy and severely damaging British morale by raiding their merchant fleet. While staying longer might yield further results, the risks far outweighed the potential gains.

However, the journey home would not be simple.

On February 17th, Feng received a telegram from Hipper: the High Seas Fleet was ready and could depart within four hours of receiving the order. More importantly, intelligence indicated that the Grand Fleet was also preparing to sail.

Feng reasoned that if he could use the *Berlin*’s return journey to lure the Grand Fleet out, engaging them under relatively favorable conditions would be far better than waiting for the Grand Fleet to come knocking. Furthermore, a decisive naval battle could further shatter the Royal Navy’s morale. The return of the *Australia* and *New Zealand* had clearly bolstered British spirits.

The question was: how should the battle be fought?

On February 19th, the *Berlin* reached the vicinity of the Faroe Islands and intercepted a freighter bound for Canada that afternoon. During this interception, Feng did not rush to control the ship, instead giving the crew some time. Consequently, before the *Berlin* could secure the vessel, the captain had already sent a telegraph reporting their interception. Now, the *Berlin*’s position was no longer a secret.

That evening, Feng received word from Hipper that the *Australia* and *New Zealand* had not returned to Scapa Flow on schedule. This meant the two battlecruisers were likely steaming toward the Faroe Islands. The following morning, Hipper sent another telegram: the battlecruiser *Invincible* and several light cruisers had departed Scapa Flow on the night of the 19th.

As per Feng’s arrangement, Hipper would lead the High Seas Fleet out of port that afternoon. If things went as expected, Jellicoe would certainly lead the Grand Fleet out as well. Upon receiving this, Feng ordered the *Berlin* to bypass the Faroe Islands and head toward the Norwegian coastline. This was the optimal route back to the Empire, and also the one most likely to encounter British ships. Feng’s goal was simple: lure the British into the High Seas Fleet’s ambush.

With the plan set, Feng had Stran personally inspect the engines and power equipment. Although the *Berlin*’s speed surpassed all capital ships, she had been at sea for nearly two months, and the boilers and engines required maintenance after the prolonged use of coal. Even without a full overhaul in port, necessary repairs at sea were better than nothing.

On the night of February 20th, the *Berlin* bypassed the Faroe Islands. After dinner, Feng returned to the bridge, where Stran and Wolf were hunched over the chart table calculating the return course.

"Captain..." Feng gestured for them to remain at ease.

"At this speed, we will be back in Wilhelmshaven in three days."

"We are not returning to Wilhelmshaven just yet," Feng said, sitting down. "Hipper has led the High Seas Fleet out, and Jellicoe should have departed last night. Our mission is to find those three battlecruisers and lead them into Hipper’s ambush zone." Both men were momentarily stunned, then realized his intent.

"Judging by the timing, the *Australia* and *New Zealand* should be close to us. However, the situation may change; once Jellicoe learns the High Seas Fleet has sortied, he will likely order those two ships to rendezvous with the *Invincible*, which departed later." Feng studied the chart. "In that case, we will encounter the British ships tomorrow afternoon or night."

"What should we do?"

"First, we must find those three battlecruisers."

Stran nodded. "We will dispatch reconnaissance planes at dawn. We might have news by tomorrow morning."

"Once we find them, we must not run too fast."

"That goes without saying; we only need to maintain a sufficient distance," Feng said with a smile. "If it plays out that way, do you think the British will take the bait?"

"This..." Stran hesitated.

"After the Battle of the Shetland Islands and the Battle of Dogger Bank, the British have surely learned their lesson. Besides, Jellicoe only has three battlecruisers in total; he will never risk Beatty. As long as we lead the way, Beatty will suspect the High Seas Fleet is nearby."

"You mean..."

"If we push it too hard, we might suffer more than we gain. Don't forget, Jellicoe will surely lead the Grand Fleet out, and he could easily use this opportunity to ambush Hipper."

Stran nodded, understanding Feng’s concern.

"My meaning is that we should engage the British if necessary."

"But," Wolf interrupted, "they have three battlecruisers, and we have only one—and it’s not even a capital ship. If we really fight..."

"That depends on how we fight."

Stran nudged Wolf, signaling him not to interrupt the Captain.

"Although the *Berlin* is not a battlecruiser, she possesses firepower not inferior to one and maintains a higher speed. Through this month of combat, the crew has mastered their skills. As long as we maintain a reasonable engagement distance, we should be able to hold our own. Of course, this assumes we only engage one battlecruiser at a time. Engaging all three simultaneously would be suicide."

"The key is, how do we engage only one?"

"Keep our eyes on Beatty." Stran and Wolf looked puzzled, seemingly not quite catching Feng’s drift.

"Beatty departed later, and the *Invincible* is slower than the *Australia* and *New Zealand*. Before the High Seas Fleet sortied, Beatty was unlikely to chase the other two. We raided merchant ships near the Faroe Islands, but there is no direct evidence that we are returning to the Empire. If my judgment is correct, the *Australia* and *New Zealand* will head directly for the Faroe Islands to stop our raiding. Beatty departed later, and by the time he left, the Royal Navy should have received more intelligence—such as the fact that the High Seas Fleet is ready to sortie. Consequently, the *Invincible* is likely heading toward Norway to block our retreat. Once they confirm we are returning home, the *Australia* and *New Zealand* will move to intercept us from the rear."

"You mean we should accelerate and take on the *Invincible* first?"

Feng nodded. "As soon as we engage the *Invincible*, the *Australia* and *New Zealand* will rush to support. While engaging the *Invincible*, we won’t rush to retreat. We wait until the other two arrive, then accelerate to break away. This will convince Beatty that the High Seas Fleet is not nearby and that we have been severely damaged."

"And if he thinks that, he will pursue us."

Feng smiled. Since Stran and Wolf now understood his plan, there was nothing more to say.