Once Pohl gained direct access to the Kaiser, his former patrons could no longer assume control over his advancement or advice. The account treats the relationship as a dangerous pairing: Wilhelm believed his will could reshape reality, while Pohl advanced by validating the most powerful person in the room. The result was a senior naval adviser poorly placed to challenge the Kaiser's assumptions before the July Crisis. This episode shows how a patronage system can reward access and compliance at the expense of independent strategic judgment.
Chapter · 15:25-18:18
The Kaiser's accommodating chief of Admiralty Staff
Elevation to chief of the Admiralty Staff put Pohl close to Kaiser Wilhelm II and rewarded his habit of telling senior patrons what they wanted to hear.