Beatty approached from Hipper's stern and starboard quarter so the prevailing wind carried British funnel smoke clear while blowing German smoke across the enemy view. This was a sound tactical choice and used the superior speed of the leading British battlecruisers. Lion opened fire at about 20,000 yards, a range and closing speed neither side had practiced realistically. Accurate shooting was therefore difficult despite the favorable British geometry. The slower rear ship Blücher attracted fire from multiple British vessels while the leading ships struggled to distribute targets correctly. The scene shows good positioning undermined by formation, training, and command errors.
Chapter · 2:58:06-3:02:14
The 1915 chase begins at extreme range
Beatty uses wind and superior speed to close Hipper's line, but both sides struggle with unfamiliar high-speed fire at 20,000 yards.