Two relatively modern Ottoman protected cruisers were away conducting commerce raids instead of reinforcing the battle fleet at Elli. Their raiding attracted warnings from Britain and France. A useful independent operation therefore weakened local concentration and risked drawing great powers into the conflict. In that scenario, the Ottomans could not count on German help or large supplies of assistance. The raiding threatened to create a larger war than the Ottoman fleet could manage.
Notable Point · 1:46:34-1:47:20
Commerce raiding leaves Ottoman cruisers away from Elli
Two useful Ottoman protected cruisers were absent on commerce-raiding duties, an operation that also risked provoking Britain and France.