Concentrating a battle fleet against Austria-Hungary

The fleet is reorganized so faster ships can operate separately from slower formations, while the battleships remain the decisive striking element. Torpedo boats screen the fleet and are expected to take severe losses; when the screen buys time to disengage, those losses also expose the need for forward replacement capacity. Enemy cruisers that chase the screen are drawn toward the returning American battle line. The main force then turns back, bringing five battleships against the pursuers and converting a retreat into a concentrated engagement.