The capital ships hold course until they can form line ahead, then turn together instead of scattering sideways. Opposing destroyers act as a screen and buy time for their cruisers while the British battleships drive toward them. The battleships carry fewer 6-inch secondary guns than the situation demands, which makes the close approach less comfortable. Their 16.5-inch main guns have strong fields of fire, so formation and firing arcs partly compensate for an imperfect weapons fit.
Notable Point · 1:29:23-1:33:09
Forming line ahead for concentrated fire
Before charging lighter ships, the battleships form line ahead and rely on strong main-battery arcs despite a shortage of secondary guns.