Reinhard Scheer's account presents Pohl's policy as preserving the fleet while making frequent advances under favorable conditions close to German bases. A shortage of cruisers, dependence on aerial scouting, mines, submarines, weather, speed, and the availability of every important unit all constrained execution. Together, these conditions made offensive action rare and allowed the larger Royal Navy to gain operating experience while absorbing incidental losses more easily than Germany. Pohl's plan became almost impossible to execute because every reasonable precaution added another condition that had to be satisfied before sailing.
Chapter · 29:57-34:04
Pohl's tightly constrained High Seas Fleet advances
Pohl planned short, heavily screened fleet advances near German waters, hoping to impose losses on the Grand Fleet without risking a decisive distant battle.