A more destructive encounter with the enlarged British battlecruiser force could sink Seydlitz and kill Hipper, with other German ships and officers also at risk. Such losses would remove command experience as well as hulls, limiting later operations. Britain would have ships building, refitting, or working up that could replace units lost or damaged in action. It could also recall older 12-inch battlecruisers from the wider imperial network. Germany would have much less capacity to replace a badly damaged First Scouting Group, even if British ships also needed repairs.
Notable Point · 2:11:12-2:13:31
Why German battlecruiser losses could have lasting effects
Losing experienced commanders as well as battlecruisers could reduce Germany's operational options while Britain draws replacements from its wider fleet.