BlondieBC
Banned
Restoration of Order
August 10, 1914: British PM is informed of the major naval defeat. Initial estimates are 6 Dreadnoughts, 2 Pre-dreadnoughts, 1 Armored Cruiser, and 16 support ships have been lost. Total dead and missing is near 10,000. No German losses are reported. The Grand Fleet and all cruisers have been withdrawn to various fortified ports in the Irish Sea and English Channel. All ports located in Scotland and the East Coast of England are unsafe to use as bases until further notice, except for smaller craft like submarines and torpedo boats. The official assessment is that the Navy can still prevent an invasion, but that the London cannot be defended from sea bombardment without extremely grave risks to the surface fleet. The PM faints. He later reads the written portion of the report that states the blockade of the North Sea has been cancelled, that there is a German cruiser base in one of the fjords of Norway, and that the channel is being mined at Dover.
A few hours later an emergency meeting of the war cabinet is held without the presence of the First Lord of the Admiralty. Initially, everyone agrees fire him and to consider trying him for treason. Later in the meeting, it is decided that this naval defeat must be hidden at all costs, and that the Churchill will be allowed to remain in power for the time being under close supervision. The main body of the Grand Fleet can only leave port with the authorization of the Prime Minister. A panel of admirals not associated with this disaster will review the battle and recommend changes to the naval doctrine and construction plans by the end of the month.
August 11: The Schultze issues a recall order for all U-boats.
August 14: The German Naval assessment of the battle is one U-boat presumed lost. The British Navy is estimated to have lost between 5-8 Dreadnoughts, 1-2 Pre-Dreadnoughts, and 15-25 other ships. The logs from the submarines don't match up, and it is unclear if some subs are sinking previously hit ships or different ships.
August 15: The Kaiser receives the report of the decisive victory. The report of the battle causes almost as many issues for the German Admiralty as the British Admiralty. Positions range from surface ships are obsolete to large surface fleets cannot operate with 100 miles of enemy ports to surface ships can only operate in open waters at full speed to the battle was a fluke. The Kaiser issues an order that the High Seas Fleet cannot leave port without his authorization.
August 10, 1914: British PM is informed of the major naval defeat. Initial estimates are 6 Dreadnoughts, 2 Pre-dreadnoughts, 1 Armored Cruiser, and 16 support ships have been lost. Total dead and missing is near 10,000. No German losses are reported. The Grand Fleet and all cruisers have been withdrawn to various fortified ports in the Irish Sea and English Channel. All ports located in Scotland and the East Coast of England are unsafe to use as bases until further notice, except for smaller craft like submarines and torpedo boats. The official assessment is that the Navy can still prevent an invasion, but that the London cannot be defended from sea bombardment without extremely grave risks to the surface fleet. The PM faints. He later reads the written portion of the report that states the blockade of the North Sea has been cancelled, that there is a German cruiser base in one of the fjords of Norway, and that the channel is being mined at Dover.
A few hours later an emergency meeting of the war cabinet is held without the presence of the First Lord of the Admiralty. Initially, everyone agrees fire him and to consider trying him for treason. Later in the meeting, it is decided that this naval defeat must be hidden at all costs, and that the Churchill will be allowed to remain in power for the time being under close supervision. The main body of the Grand Fleet can only leave port with the authorization of the Prime Minister. A panel of admirals not associated with this disaster will review the battle and recommend changes to the naval doctrine and construction plans by the end of the month.
August 11: The Schultze issues a recall order for all U-boats.
August 14: The German Naval assessment of the battle is one U-boat presumed lost. The British Navy is estimated to have lost between 5-8 Dreadnoughts, 1-2 Pre-Dreadnoughts, and 15-25 other ships. The logs from the submarines don't match up, and it is unclear if some subs are sinking previously hit ships or different ships.
August 15: The Kaiser receives the report of the decisive victory. The report of the battle causes almost as many issues for the German Admiralty as the British Admiralty. Positions range from surface ships are obsolete to large surface fleets cannot operate with 100 miles of enemy ports to surface ships can only operate in open waters at full speed to the battle was a fluke. The Kaiser issues an order that the High Seas Fleet cannot leave port without his authorization.
