Antwerp and the prewar amphibious strategy debate

Edmond Slade's Naval War Course reconsidered British strategy after the first Moroccan crisis and Russia's defeat in East Asia. Working with Julian Corbett and George Ballard, Slade identified Antwerp as the point where a limited British amphibious force could have disproportionate effect. Securing the city would deny Germany the Belgian coast and threaten the right flank of an advance into France. That prospect could compel Germany to divert a much larger force even if British troops did not seek a decisive continental battle. The proposal eventually grew to 100,000 troops, but the War Office still objected to the maritime concept.