Iron Blood main fleet
Prinz Eugen and Admiral Hipper start engaging against King George V. Bismarck watches the map and thinks about the events that have been happening.
At the beginning, both sides fought in about even outcomes where one side advanced one step but got quickly knocked back to square one.
Everything changed when King George V used her speaker to order the charge, as if they were an army of cavalry. From this point forward, the Royal Navy held the initiative and they made great uses of it.
Since they marched as they announced, the Iron Blood must gather vanguards to stop them.
Gathering vanguards left Gneisenau and Scharnhorst with weak frontline defense so the Royal Navy's air carriers can safely send their aircraft to bomb the battleships. Those attacks prevented the battleships from supporting the vanguards in the middle.
Now the King George V's fleet has reached the last defense line. Prinz Eugen and Admiral Hipper have reinforced armor and veteran experiences so they should not go down easily. Furthermore, Graf Zeppelin and Bismarck herself provide firepower and air support for the heavy cruisers.
King George V's fleet cannot push any further.
Is it the end of the Royal Navy's tactics? Sure, it is more than impressive that they managed to push this far. What else does the enemy commander have in mind?
No, this attack won't be the end. Bismack believes there must be more hidden movement that she has not noticed.
Besides the current situation, Bismarck also thinks about her objective: the combat data for FDG. Well, at least that is what the Bundestag ordered.
All of those actions, movements, and tactics have been fully recorded. These videos should greatly contribute to FDG's construction. The battle is not over yet so there will be more data to collect but she considers this objective as completed.
As the leader of Iron Blood, Bismarck has the authority to add more primary and secondary objectives, assuming they do not conflict with the Bundestag's orders and do benefit Iron Blood in some ways.
She added objectives to U-47: Rescue Roon if she is still alive and find out who is the Royal Navy's current commander. While Bismarck does not personally know Roon, she and previous leaders spent years collecting the resources for Roon's construction. They even applied some Siren technology they obtained to design the most ideal vanguard.
Suddenly Bismarck's radio receiver buzzed, "Lord Bismarck… this is Wolf."
"U-47? I am listening," said Bismarck.
"My apologies, I could not rescue Roon. I found her being imprisoned in a guest room. However, she did not show any response at all even when I was in front of her. She had bandages all over her body and I could see some bruises. I tried to carry her but my strength alone could not carry her body."
So Roon is still alive, not being executed by the Royal Navy. Bismarck mildly smiled. There should be plenty of opportunities to take her back in the future.
"I saw the commander, but he was not Joseph. I never heard about this man before. Unlike Joseph, the Royal Navy's Kansen around him seemed to willingly obey him without him using NEO."
As Bismarck vaguely predicted, the Royal Navy recently changed their commander. This new commander is perhaps the entire reason how the battlefield shifted to the Royal Navy's favor.
"Bismarck, be careful," Graf Zeppelin suddenly called over the radio. "I spotted some Royal Navy's ships coming from behind us. Hood seems to be leading the fleet."
So the Royal Navy still has another tactic in their hands. A separate fleet ambushes the leader while nearly all of the other Kansens are facing King George V.
King George V's marching has entirely been a distraction.
Tactically speaking, Bismarck should order all Kansens to retreat since they earned more than enough results. Any further battle only provides a diminishing return with increasing casualties.
However, she feels humiliated and ashamed as the leader of the Iron Blood with the Royal Navy taking initiatives. If she orders retreat now, the Iron Blood will lose their reputation as a superior military. On the other hand, if staying to fight involves a high-possibility risk that she may fall in the battle. Her death or even just wounds will certainly hinder Iron Blood's future operations.
Bismarck makes up her mind. Hesitations cause defeat.
She picks up her radio receiver, "All forces cease engaging and fall back to point D-2. Eugen, you too with Admiral Hipper but watch your back. Don't worry about me, the wolves will cover me."
"Sounds like you have a plan," said Prinz Eugen.
"Not really, it is only one of the basic decisions," replied Bismarck.
All Iron Blood Kansens start pulling back.
Hood watches Bismarck steadily retreat along with nearby Kansen. She wanted to take a swift strike to Bismarck's life to shock all of the Iron Blood Kansen. In fact, facing backward to move the fastest makes her attack even easier since they lack the abilities to shoot from their backs. This may be the only one opportunity in her lifetime to score the greatest glory in the Royal Navy's history.
Should she move at full-speed to finish Bismarck?
Hood shakes her head to resist the temptation. An elegant lady does not easily succumb into her desire. However, the temptation still mildly and slowly consumes her mind.
She needs to take a different action.
"Commander, the enemies are retreating. My apologies for not being able to complete my mission," said Hood to Arthur over the radio.
"I see, you have tried your part so no need to worry. Regroup with King George V. Ark Royal and Illustrious are moving to her position as well. My ship moves too so I will see you there," ordered Arthur.
The Royal Navy Kansens regroup as instructed.
"Everyone, you must be tired today. Take a rest and eat your meal in the command ship. Ark Royal, Illustrious, can you two send aircrafts that constantly patrol in case Iron Blood decides to attack us while we rest. Make sure you get your portion of meals and rest."
"Understood, commander," complied both air carriers
"Tell the Manjuu chef to double the meal portions today. Everyone, we have not won the battle yet, but you deserve a reward for your bravery in today's battle. We could not come this far without your effort. Thank you and cheers."
The Royal Navy Kansens' eyes shine brightly when they hear more food today. They do have sufficient food each day, but today's actions and strategies consumed more stamina than usual. It has been a while since a commander was this considerate to them.
If only Arthur can be their official commander…
Some Kansen like King George V enjoy the food with massive bites and some like Hood take things slowly like drinking tea while slicing baked, fresh-caught salmon.
Tonight will be a noisy night for the Royal Navy, in the positive meaning.
Iron Blood regrouped fleet
"They seemed to be celebrating their victory?" asked Bismarck.
"Yes, Big sis– I mean lord Bismarck," replied U-556, who scouted the Royal Navy from underwater.
Bismarck called a retreat but it was for regrouping. Once the scattered vanguard and battleships gather in one place they have significant firepower to fight against the Royal Navy.
Her plan would work well if the Royal Navy rushed for their glory (Hood almost did it). However, Iron Blood had been waiting for the attack for several hours but no Royal Navy Kansen was sighted.
She did not expect with all those reckless charges, the Royal Navy would abandon their momentum. Now while Iron Blood Kansens have been staying in focused attention, the Royal Navy Kansens are having a good time. They wasted time and energy for nothing.
Once again she has been tricked by the Royal Navy's commander.
"Bismarck…" Prinz Eugen senses Bismarck's anger and frustration. Certainly, no one likes being tricked, especially by their enemies. She worries Bismarck might do something rash out of her frustration.
Bismarck sighed deeply.
"Tell all units, we have completed our objectives. Move back to our port," ordered Bismarck
"Understood," replied Eugen
The Iron Blood Fleet retreats overnight to their base.