Castex's account identifies late October and November 1914 as a moment when the usual British numerical advantage had narrowed. Audacious was lost, other capital ships were under repair or not battle-ready, and battlecruisers were detached after Coronel. British fear of invasion then spread ships among Scapa Flow, Cromarty, Rosyth, Harwich, and Sheerness. The resulting concentration problem could have supported a German attempt to meet isolated forces in detail, even though the opportunity was temporary.
Notable Point · 2:53:45-2:55:45
British fleet dispersal briefly offered Germany an opening
Losses, repairs, overseas detachments, and invasion fears briefly distributed British strength across too many bases for comfortable concentration.