Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 46:06-47:51

Hunting Moltke with the East Asia Squadron

A German battlecruiser in the East Asia Squadron would draw multiple British battlecruisers, and possibly Japanese Kongos, into a much larger hunt.

Battle Of CoronelBattlecruisersEast Asia SquadronRoyal NavySMS Moltke
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Question

How would Britain hunt SMS Moltke if she deployed with the German East Asia Squadron?

Short answer

Britain would probably send several battlecruisers and might also seek Japanese Kongo-class support.

Notes

Britain would seek numerical superiority over Moltke. Invincible- and Indefatigable-class ships could join the hunt, potentially putting battlecruisers with the force at Coronel. Japanese Kongo-class ships might also participate. More powerful British ships such as Lion could be sent as additional insurance, so one German reinforcement could draw a much larger response.