Torpedoes were meant to finish Germany's fleet ambush

The High Seas Fleet was supposed to isolate part of the Grand Fleet and destroy it before British reinforcements arrived. Torpedo boats would deliver the rapid killing attack because a prolonged battleship duel could cost German capital ships and give the rest of the British fleet time to intervene. The smaller craft were considered more expendable and, at least theoretically, quicker to replace. Japan's later World War II attrition plan similarly aimed to reduce an approaching enemy fleet to parity or inferiority before winning a decisive battle and dictating peace. Germany could use its own improvement in the balance of forces either to negotiate from strength or to seek another victorious battle. The vulnerable assumption was that Britain would allow a detached force to be isolated and destroyed.