A blockade was a slow method of economic pressure that let maritime Britain continue trading while Germany weakened. British planners wanted the High Seas Fleet to cross the North Sea and expose itself away from mines and coastal torpedo forces; German planners wanted the Grand Fleet to approach Germany. Both therefore expected the opponent to enter their preferred corner. German ships lacked the fuel radius to challenge Britain's chosen blockade line in strength, so a closer comparison of logistics and operating range would have shown that the British plan could not produce its intended decisive battle either.
Chapter · 26:43-30:23
The opposing fleet strategies could not meet
Britain planned to wait behind a distant blockade while Germany built to fight near home, leaving neither fleet positioned to trigger the battle it wanted.