The German fleet needed a qualitative leap to counter British battlecruisers effectively. The new ship was equipped with four turrets that housed 280 mm guns, turbines were employed in place of steam engines, and the armor protection was significantly superior to that of British warships. With the outbreak of World War I, SMS Von der Tann took part in raids to lure the Grand Fleet ships out of their bases. During the Battle of Jutland, the ship sank HMS Indefatigable, but she also took several hits from the British ships, disabling all of her artillery.