A commander who had missed a chance at Goeben might seek a decisive recovery by pushing toward Constantinople with ships including Queen Elizabeth. Beatty's ego and willingness to take losses could make him more prepared than Sackville Carden to press a naval attack after the initial reverses. That would be an extreme gamble: ships might be sacrificed to shield Queen Elizabeth as she forced the straits. A personnel decision could turn the same operational problem into either a disaster or a politically decisive breakthrough.
Notable Point · 42:50-45:24
A more aggressive Beatty at the Dardanelles
If Goeben still reached Constantinople, a frustrated Beatty might be given an eastern Mediterranean command with dangerous incentives to force the Dardanelles.