Clarke challenges the claim that Royal Navy planning revolved around one decisive fleet battle. Trafalgar formed part of a continuing war, and command of the sea remained contingent while an enemy could rebuild ships and use its ports. Corbett's influence on naval thought also complicates the claim of a single-minded pursuit of decisive battle. Interwar convoy exercises and the construction of sloops and corvettes demonstrate preparation for commerce defence. British forces dispersed across several theatres had to fight a global war with multiple fleets.
Notable Point · 2:10:41-2:14:21
Royal Navy planning extended beyond one decisive battle
Global deployments, convoy exercises, sloops, and corvettes complicate the claim that British naval thought was fixated on replaying Jutland.