The King's Ships Were at Sea

The first six months of naval operations during World War I are significant for what they reveal of initial British and German reactions to the challenge of war. Furthermore, those months represent the beginning of modern naval warfare. Until this study by James Goldrick, however, no book has offered a thoroughly detailed and balanced examination of the period. Unlike official histories that often present a stilted, biased viewpoint, The Kings Ships Were at Sea provides an engrossing and objective account of the action from both sides. Unlike popular histories that focus merely on the major battles, this book takes a close look at the day-to-day events that brought about the principal encounters. Such an approach is doubly beneficial. First, it allows us to see the major battles in their context and forces us to realize that they were not chance encounters with inevitable results, as some would lead us to believe. Second, it exposes the defects on both sides. In an intelligent and ingenious way, Goldrick points out the deficiencies in each navy-not only in material, strategy, and tactics, but in communications and personnel. Above all, he demonstrates the degree to which each organization was able to recognize its own shortcomings and mistakes and to remedy them. At the same time, the author does not neglect those "maneuvers well executed." He points to officers on both sides who displayed great skill and strength. We learn, for example, about the captain of the HMS Indomitable at Dogger Bank, who ignored his admiral's orders when they did not fit the tactical picture, and the German admiral, who, during the same action, kept his nerve in the face of disaster and refused to let the remainder of his scouting group go the way of the SMS Blucher. In addition, we gain new insights into leading personalities such as First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill and Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg, whose strengths and weaknesses are clarified. An important feature of the book is its analysis of the impact of new technology on the conduct of operations. In 1914, submarines came into their own as weapons systems, aircraft began to play an effective role, and surface action, conducted at high speed and in poor weather, was largely under the control of the wireless. In January 1915, the first truly long range, big-gun engagement took place. And the question explored here of how well both the British and German commanders operated in such a vastly new environment has significant contemporary relevance. This book provides a case study in the adjustment of naval forces to new technological developments and clearly offers lessons we need to learn today.