The Royal Navy's war plan continued its Napoleonic practice: blockade the principal enemy fleet and use global bases to seize vulnerable commerce, cruisers, and colonies. Keeping the main German fleet contained in the North Sea formed one part of that strategy. Forces overseas would deal with exposed German possessions and ships. Naval operations required flexibility because weather, maintenance, and the condition of distant squadrons prevented the precision possible with an army's rail timetable.
Chapter · 14:44-17:09
The Royal Navy's blockade-and-seizure strategy
The British plan combined containing Germany in the North Sea with seizing exposed ships and colonies overseas.