The Blockade thread
https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/ww1-blockade-of-germany.434644/ has got me thinking about RN dispositions in 1914, in particular the Channel Fleet.
The RN dispositions in August 1914 were:
COMBINED SOUTHERN FORCE
7TH Cruiser Squadron detached from Channel Fleet; 5 old Armoured Cruisers. This was disbanded after 3 ships were sunk in an hour by U9 on 22/9/14.
3rd Destroyer Flotilla; 1 scout cruiser, 16 L class destroyers.
1st Destroyer Flotilla; 1 scout cruiser, 20 A class destroyers.
8th Submarine Flotilla; 2 A class destroyers, 22 D & E class submarines.
DOVER PATROL
6th Destroyer Flotilla; 5 destroyer leaders, 12 Tribal class destroyers, 11 (obsolete) '30 knotter' TBDs
3rd Submarine Flotilla; 6 B & C class submarines
4th Submarine Flotilla; 8 C class submarines
CHANNEL FLEET
5th Battle Squadron; 10 Pre-dreadnought Battleships
12 Cruiser Squadrons; 4 Protected Cruisers
8th Battle Squadron; Pre-dreadnought Battleships, created on 8th August and disbanded 20th August, ships dispersed individually to reinforce trade protection cruiser patrols.
It was these forces that closed off the southern North Sea, escorted the BEF to France, escorted the RM Brigade to/from Ostend, shelled German Army forces on the seaward flank of their advance, landed/removed the RND and other forces in the siege of Antwerp etc while the land battle was in the movement stage. However once the war of movement on land ceased in November and it became clear German heavy ships wouldn't/couldn't enter the Channel the Channel Fleet's 10 pre-dreadnoughts and several Armoured Cruisers were sent to the Med for the Dardanelles Campaign.
Does this mean that if the Germans win the Race to the Sea and capture the Pas de Calais that the Channel Fleet's heavy ships have to remain in situ? And if so does the absence of 8 Pre-dreads and several ACs mean the Dardanelles Campaign can't happen?