Q&A · 1:27:52-1:28:33

Fisher's Baltic strategy might work, but not cheaply

A strategy question asks whether Fisher's Baltic operations could have ended the First World War by 1916.

Question

Could Fisher's Baltic plan have won the war by 1916?

Short answer

Possibly, but the operation would be costly and politically difficult because losses were unavoidable.

Notes

The concept might have shortened the war, but only at significant cost. British political expectations for victories without losses made such a risky maritime and amphibious campaign difficult to sustain.