The High Seas Fleet sorties in 1914

Inspired by the Operation Michael thread.

What happens if the High Seas Fleet is sent out in force to support the offensives in ether or both the Western and Eastern fronts?

How much could it have done to slow or interdict the movement of the BEF to France?

Could it have any effect in the East?
 
https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/is-two-weeks-worth-a-fleet.424697/

As mentioned in the Operation Michael thread here is one I did earlier.

In the East there will be no effect. In the West you will be selling the HSF to delay the bef by between one and two weeks. Maybe it changes something in the race to the sea but it probably doesn't.

Just as importantly it frees the Royal Navy to go all in on something since the HSF will be crippled. Perhaps sinking a dozen predreadnoughts as block ships in Belgium ports to deny those ports as Uboat bases or as bases for lighter German ships. Or freeing up a dozen dreadnoughts to try Galipolli. Here is another one I did earlier on this part of the topic.

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...ctory-what-does-the-royal-navy-do-now.421509/
 
To interdict the Channel you want to use destroyers and cruisers with the capital ships of the HSF as a covering force in Western North Sea. German destroyers were very short legged and couldn’t loiter for long even with no British response. British would respond in force and you would have fleet action. In practical terms the Germans are out numbered unless they can get a night action or the British engage piecemeal holding the channel is VERY unlikely for the Germans. If the Germans get a night battle they could in theory actually win the battle.

Biggest German problem is they lack bases near enough by for their light ships to disrupt use of the channel. While British have lots of such bases close at hand. Size of Fleets and Locations of bases really dictates the outcome here. Germans would need a near pefect result to shutdown the channel for any length of time.

Michael
 
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