The scenario makes Nassau look inadequate against a British ship with greater speed, heavier guns, and a much larger broadside. Tirpitz would then face a political conflict over funds with the German Army. Germany could seek more naval money, accept fewer ships to pay for qualitative improvements, pursue an alternative strategy, or reduce naval ambitions. The existing budget could not support both the proposed qualitative competition and the numerical race. An alternative strategy would not automatically mean an immediate turn to U-boats, since French and British submarine investment was ahead at this point. Such a funding dispute could remove Tirpitz and reshape German policy, although that is one possible outcome of the counterfactual.
Chapter · 2:21:39-2:28:09
Germany faces an earlier choice between army and navy
A much faster, better-armed British Dreadnought could make Germany choose between costly qualitative competition, an offset strategy, or reduced naval ambitions.