“The maneuver of the crossing of the T,” writes Troetsch, “consists in endeavoring to bring one’s own line at right angles across the head, or also across the tail, of the hostile line—of enfilading it, as the expression goes, so that the opposing lines come into the relative positions of the two bars of the Latin T…. Such a movement renders it possible to concentrate the entire fire of one’s own broadsides on the ship that is at the head of the enemy’s fleet. In this way one increases the effectiveness of one’s own fire to the very highest degree, inasmuch as all the shots which go too far to one side will strike the hinder ships of the long hostile line. The ships at its head must gradually succumb to the concentrated fire, while one’s own line is exposed only to the guns in the opponent’s bow and to the fire of the few guns which can be pointed from the sides at such an angle as still to reach the enfilading ships. This position signifies for the fleet that succeeds in shoving itself across the head of the enemy’s line the most effective application of the principle of the concentration of power, which is based on the endeavor always to bring into play when attacking the enemy a greater number of guns than he in his momentary position has at his disposal. If one can open fire in this position it may prove of the greatest significance for the whole battle. … There are cases where the advantage of this position is gained by mere chance, as when the two fleets come upon each other in that formation in thick or foggy weather. … It is difficult to assume the position of crossing the T when the fighting is already in progress. … The fleet against which the crossing of the T is attempted can seek to lessen its effect by various counter maneuvers. It can turn in the same direction and take a parallel course with the enveloping fleet, whereby if it be swift enough it has the advantage of being on the inner or shorter line: the battle then becomes a simple running fight, or it can simply turn and follow the tail of the hostile line or engage with the head of the line in a passing fight.” We can even imagine the line of ships, the bow of which has been crossed, executing a sort of dance with its opponent in order to bring its broadsides into play—the first ship turning to the right, the second to the left, the third to the right again and so on until all are opposite and parallel to the enemy. And so the war is on which brings Germany’s fleet and army into play—to the last man and to the last gun. We have suddenly found ourselves in the midst of a struggle which makes even the wars of Napoleon seem trifling.