France violates Belgium Neutrality 1914- What does Britain do

Interesting naval situation with a neutral Britain. Germany has the more powerful fleet but it has a very short range. Unless it can get a base in Belgium it would have no chance of affecting things in the Channel, except by subs. France has longer range cruisers because of its colonial empire and some useful bases but can't effectively blockage the northern entrance to the North Sea. Also both powers much be cautious about disrupting neutral shipping now that their operating in the back yard of the neutral with the largest navy and that they most want to win over.
Germans also has a colonial empire and without the Royal Navy to shut it down, their cruisers can hit French ships going to/from any colony except those in North Africa.
 
Germans also has a colonial empire and without the Royal Navy to shut it down, their cruisers can hit French ships going to/from any colony except those in North Africa.

Michael B

They have a colonial empire but does any of it have sufficient bases to maintain forces, other than cruisers living off raiding like the Emden did? Would be possible with linking up with merchant ships to supply items when needed and possibly also sneaking round via the North Sea but is likely to be costly to the Germans. Unless the Italians join the central powers in which case the French have too many commitments in too many places.

Steve
 
Interesting naval situation with a neutral Britain. Germany has the more powerful fleet but it has a very short range. Unless it can get a base in Belgium it would have no chance of affecting things in the Channel, except by subs.


Stevep,

Insterstingly, Grey's speech to the Commons mentions just that; a German fleet in the Channel, and mentions it several times.

It was an issue in both the government's and Admiralty's thinking. As to whether it was possible or not, I'll go with the opinions of the men who were actually there.


Bill
 
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