Milne's disposition guarded against Goeben escaping through Gibraltar and returning toward the German fleet. That was a sensible route to cover, but it left another destination to consider. Control of the Suez Canal did not prevent Goeben heading for the Black Sea. Additional battlecruisers on the other side of the Mediterranean would therefore cover a route the existing concentration missed. The proposed improvement concerns both the number of ships allocated and their positions.
Notable Point · 58:31-59:31
Covering both of Goeben's Mediterranean escape routes
Containing Goeben required enough battlecruisers to cover the Atlantic route and the possible escape toward the Black Sea.