In Great Britain, Room 40, the secret British Intelligence Unit working to decipher Imperial German morse code, picks up more Morse Code chatter among with Radio chatter sent in the clear.
at 40 O.B.
" Commander Hope, sir, We have increase Morse code and radio chatter from that German Task Force possibly from Admiral Hipper's group, sir, but we don't understand what they are stating! "
" Indeed, repeat the Radio intercept you have received, please. "
" Yes, Commander.
' From Admiral Hipper to High Seas Fleet Command. Have sighted enemy formation North of our scouts. Enemy Dreadnaught plus escorts. They fly the Imperial Flag of Japan. We shall engage the enemy. ' That is all for now, Sir."
" What?! What Imperial Japanese ships are the Germans referring towards?! There are only some Imperial Japanese Destroyers doing escort duty in the Med at this time, are they mad or trying to deceive us? "
" Unknown sir. Further intercepts states that Admiral Hipper has raised their Battle Flag Ensigns and are going at Flank speed to intercept the incoming enemy Taskforce, sir..."
" Impossible... regardless... inform the Admiralty of the new Intercepts and see whether Admiral Jellicoe can send Admiral Beatty's destroyer & cruiser scouts to confirm or deny this incredulous report, Leftenant! "
" Yes, sir! "
--00--
Imperial Japanese Battleship Yamato
" Admiral, Sir! We have intercepted radio chatter from that ... Imperial German Taskforce heading towards us , sir! "
" Indeed? Has the message been translated and what did they transmit to their German Headquarters, Lieutenant? "
" The message states "
' From Admiral Hipper to High Seas Fleet Command. Have sighted enemy formation North of our scouts. Enemy Dreadnaught plus escorts. They fly the Imperial Flag of Japan. We shall engage the enemy. ' That is all for now, Admiral, sir. "
" Soo, it does not matter what we have stated beforehand, gentlemen. The Germans have declared us an enemy taskforce and that they are readying to engage us for Combat! Gentlemen...
Order the Taskforce for Combat at Flank speed.
Have the Yahagi ahead of us to maintain our course and to report our fall of shells reaches the target and give us corrections...
Also have our observers ready likewise..
Since there will be no German Aerial threats other than their Zeppelin scouts available during the Battle of Jutland, I believe...
Captain... please order the Asahimo, the Hamakaze and Isokaze to form up and head towards the enemy taskforce formation at flank speed and launch their Long Lances at twenty thousand meters at that Taskforce's escorts and then engage their Battleships also at twenty thousand meters once they are within range."
" Yes, Admiral... This will shock the Imperial Germans to their core like we did with the American Navy at Guadalcanal & the Solomons, sir. "
" Indeed. To your Battlestations, Gentlemen. May we Honour our Country and Emperor and do our Duty. "
--ooo--
Imperial High Seas Fleet Command at Kiel
" Admiral, sir! We have picked up a radio message in the clear from Admiral Hipper's Taskforce but this message does not make any sense, sir!"
" What is the message from Admiral Hipper?"
" The message reads "
' From Admiral Hipper to High Seas Fleet Command. Have sighted enemy formation North of our scouts. Enemy Dreadnaught plus escorts. They fly the Imperial Flag of Japan. We shall engage the enemy. ' That is all for now, Admiral, sir. "
" What... what do they mean an Imperial Japanese formation heading their way?
Radio Admiral Scheer to ask clarification from Admiral Hipper on what type of enemy formation and what ship, now! "
" Yes, Admiral! "
TBC