The existence of Anglo-American war plans is weak evidence that conflict was imminent. Dense diplomatic, legislative, executive, naval, and royal contacts made an uncontrolled crisis highly unlikely under the existing governments. Armed forces still had a duty to plan against the strongest plausible opponent, however friendly that opponent might be. Such planning tested their ability to fight a peer and made lesser contingencies easier to understand. Staff preparedness should therefore be separated from political intent.
Notable Point · 13:26-17:06
Why Anglo-American war plans did not make war likely
Contingency plans for an Anglo-American war were professional planning exercises, not proof that either government expected the close relationship to collapse into conflict.