The French analysis is correct that British strength was unusually constrained, but its snapshot sits just before a large reinforcement wave. Queen Elizabeth-class, R-class, and Renown-class ships entered service from late 1914 through 1917. Their launch and completion dates show delays after the outbreak of war, especially for hulls still early in construction. Pausing capital ships during a naval war temporarily deepened the very shortage that later completions would solve.
Notable Point · 2:55:45-2:59:57
A wartime construction pause delayed Britain's new capital ships
The Grand Fleet's temporary weakness was compounded by British pauses that slowed Queen Elizabeth- and R-class completion after war began.