The strategic role of the Royal British Navy in the First World War

IntroductionThe magnificent maritime forces blue blue blue of the joined Kingdom (UK) is the oldest separate of Britains combat forces and is often referred to as the precedential Service. The oceanic Service is comprised of the princely naval forces, purplish Marines, majestic buy the farm Auxiliary, Fleet Air Arm and reserve forces. From the 1eighth century up to the end of World War II, the navy was the worlds wind and most powerful navy. Therefore it played a very master(prenominal) military role during the period in keeping Britains position as the ultimate superpower. The empurpled naval forces utilise various strategies and tactical maneuver such(prenominal) as the Antwerp, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli and the Zeebruge run fors. The involvement of various sections of the Royal navy blue helped to make accredited of victories against serious enemies and opp atomic number 53nts of British interests (Benbow 2011). This paper discusses the role of the Royal B ritish naval forces during the First World War by analyzing the state of war tactics they workd in varying agitates both on land and on ocean.In the first place, the Royal Navy was crucial from a defensive suggest of view, a plosive speech sound made all the to a greater extent acute by the feature that Britain is an island tribe that is relatively isolated geographically. In call of the fanny comportment, on that pointfore, the navy was the first and more than imperative line of defence. It must be considered, as an adjunct to this, that the wealth and power of Britain relied in lifesize character reference on his expansive Empire, which could non have been protected by way of life other than oceanic power. It qualification be argued, of course, that Britain had established effective naval supremacy at the difference of opinion of Trafalgar in 1805 (Benbow 2011 Halpern 1994). However, despite the nations outdo efforts in run afouls such as the Seven geeze rhood War, among others, the state of affairs in 1805 had in actual fact been turn to a significant extent by the turn of the 20th century. By the time of WWI, Britains navy was fairly outdated and its competitors were on the origin (Benbow 2011).The changing status quo by WWI made the burden on the navy heavier than ever. It comfort remained its 19th-century reputation as the ultimate military power and it had massive capacity to move soldiers and vessels across large international spaces territories. It still, moreover, had the capability to proceed rivals from doing similar strategical moving of phalanx and equipment (Halpern 1994). The floating gun vessels in particular were a devastating tool in the arsenal that a great deal made it impossible for foreign leaders to act against Britain. The crucial fact was that the Royal Navy was able to stymie the efforts of foreign powers, making certain(a) that there was always a supply of tradecrafts and raw materials so that Brit ains factories could make and distri excepte their products overseas. The Laissez Faire economic model that Britain adopted as the basis of its trading would not have been possible without the authority of the Royal Navy (Friedman 2001 Halpern 1994). It is clear, therefore, that regardless of apparent historical supremacy, the navy as classical as ever in economic and defensive terms during WWI.Another view of the Royal Navys powerful role was secure of communications and supply lines, so that it was possible to link up the Empire and master activities across the globe. Throughout the whole period, the Royal Navys war preparation and entry into the First World War demonstrates its state-of-the-art operation. This ability, however, arose not just through the navy itself but also the vast and school underpinning of expertise and scheme. For example, the Royal Navy was backed by a all-around(prenominal) research programme into maritime history, careful studies of allied and de fensive maneuvers, and familiarity of politics and power in various arenas across Europe and beyond (Friedman 2001). An important part of this was that Navys role in reconnaissance mission and observation. It was able to procure in fermentation about the capabilities of rivals, for example, whether political, military, or economic.The strategic role of the navy is best discussed in the context of contemporary events. The Germans marched into France and Belgium in howling(a) 1914 and desperately needed a flying column. At this time, Britain had betwixt 20 000 to 30 000 navy reservists but could not make for certain that all these reservists played a full role. Those parties in charge of strategy concluded that there were enough reserve soldiers to create two groups that would form vital brigades. So, in Britain the Naval groups and the Royal Marines Brigade were set up. The brigades became in public recognized as the RND (Royal Naval Division) and soon after they were sent to Ostend, where they took part in a fierce competitiveness in Antwerp.This battle demonstrates a number of different things about the strategic important of the navy. On the one hand, it indicates a clear purpose the opposing of a German panic on the continent which, if unimpeded by the reservists, magnate have plump a serious threat. The Marines were among the only British forces participating at the battle of Antwerp, and they brought about Ger somes withdrawal of a large proportion of their troops from the French front in order to capture of Antwerp (Stephenson 2011). However, the extent to which these soldiers struggled in out-of-pocket to poor training and shortages of proper equipment suggests that at this stage the Royal Navy was of limited strategic honor. Thus, the Belgium army, which was comprised of mainly six divisions, was overcome by the Germans at Liege and the River Gate and had to retreat to the stronghold city of Antwerp (Halpern 1994). Had the Royal Navy been more adept in the first place this might never have occurred.However, the strategic role of the navy in this caseful was salvaged to an extent when Winston Churchill, astutely realizing the important of Antwerp, bolstered the city apply the Royal Navy Division. In this way, a key strategic position, in terms of affiliate shipping, was saved by virtue of the navy. This point is made all the more compelling by the fact that the Belgians were forced to withdraw their forces from the fray on 6t October 1914, opening the path to a German victory. The intervention of the Royal Navy therefore came at a critical moment, heightening its importance (Grove 1987).The tactics of the Royal Naval Division on this occasion also suggests strategic relevance. An innovative plan was devised by which the troops dug trenches so that they could position themselves strategically during the battle. The aftermath of the battle is also worth mentioning. On 11 October 1914, the residual divisions of the R oyal Navy Division arrived back home in England and immediately commenced their training camp in Blanford in Dorset (Jolly 2000). Crucially, they brought with them Belgian picture and the innovation of British arm forces. Changes were made to the training to better form the Naval Division as well as the Marine substitutes, that in the future would be selected and serve in Royal Marine battalions. Thus, through the navys combat experience and later role in Britain, the capability of the arm forces was enhanced.The French believed the Germans were on maneuvers in Belgium and sent round ships to trouble the German cavalry which were by now in nitrogen of Dunkirk. This maneuver was successful, which managed to give the impression that it was the central army. The British forces began to move ahead towards Brasa and captured Fort Zain. They also stopped efforts by the Turks to obstruct the river so the Turkish forces retreated from Brasa. Then, General Sir Arthur Barrett, the comman der of the British army, deployed regiments to the city and the British forces established a strong occupation on 23 November 1914 (Knight 2006). The triumphant campaign allowed the majority of the British troops to return home, leaving only a small garrison. This episode is more than mere narrative. It reveals that for certain periods the Royal Navy was rendered almost redundant in a military sense due to a lack of engagement at sea. This is suggested by the fact that on 28 August, marines were located on ships during the battle of Heligoland, with no lives lost. Later, however, at the dispute of Coronel in November, the British forces experience a loss of 196 soldiers. angiotensin converting enzyme of the last(a) encounters at sea was in 1914 during the scrap of the Falkland Islands in December. The importance of the navy was brought back into focus when, towards the end of 1914, the deadlock between the occidental and eastern Fronts ceased (Friedman 2011). This allowe d the British Navy to establish and consolidate maritime control and superiority, but it was not practical to have the opening of a similar type as Trafalgar. The British administration therefore needed to begin look for for an alternative that would conclude the war.During December 1914, the strategic importance of the navy on the Western Front became apparent. The British government had responded to a request for avail from Russia, which was struggling to fight the Turks in the Caucuses. On 2 January 1915, the Secretary of dry land for War, Field Marshal maestro Kitchener agreed to demonstrate British specialisation to support Russia (McMillan 2013). Kitchener could not take any troops from the Western Front, so he turned to naval capacities for active involvement. As a gist, the best location for action would be the tapered strip of water from the Mediterranean into the Sea of Marmara. The purpose and plan, masterminded by Winston Churchill, was to avoid the Turkish capita l, First Lord of the Admiralty. Churchill created a complicated structure of a third everyied front which gave tremendous assistance to Russia. The Royal Naval Division, moreover, went on to form an important part of the Mediterranean expeditionary force (MEF), was which also include the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), the 29th Division (British Army) and the Royal Naval Division (RND) (Dupuy 1967). Responsibility for the division was given to General Sir Ian Hamilton, The marines first conflict was in March 1915, where they targeted Turkish citadels and 22 individuals lost their lives while several(prenominal) others were injured. On 25 April the Plymouth people with a group of second mho Wales Borderers landed on Y beach where a number of soldiers lost their lives (Churchill 1940). However, these successes were not without setbacks, and it should not be concluded that the Royal Navy was unambiguously of strategic value in these cases. There had been an early pro blem when the navy initially landed on 25 April and this had given Turkey incident of help to organize their defenses from Germany especially on top of cliffs that gave a beam view of the neighboring beaches and into the interior of the land (Dupuy 1967).On 28th April, the Chatham Battalion landed on the Anzac shoreline in order to safeguard a beach, and they stayed there until 12th May despite many deaths and casualties. On the 29th April, the Admiralty gave control of the Royal Navy Division to the British War office and it became the 6third Royal Naval Division. The 63rd also had control of the RM training division located at Blanford (Herwig 1987). During May and June, Royal Marines participated in warfare at the 2nd and 3rd Battles of Krithnia. Additionally, there was action at Achi Baba on the 12th June. The MEF held their initial position at Gallipoli to try and find a conclusion to the struggle (Herwig 1987).One point of important to note about this episode is that the Me diterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF), along with the Royal Navy, experienced various levels of difficulties and higher levels of casualties. This prompted MEFs withdrawal from Gallipoli, moreover. Winston Churchills administration has received severe criticism for the large number of lives lost over this period, and it can reasonably be questioned whether such as campaign can be deemed of strategic value. One might even say it was a strategic folly in kind-hearted terms and as Osbourne (2004) points out, the fact that Churchill stepped down from the Admiralty as a result is damning.Following the activities of this period, more action then took place in the sea rather than on land. The Battle of Jutland was the largest wartime conflict that occurred at sea during World War I. The battle commenced on 3 initiative May 1916 when Germany fired against the British Battle Cruiser regiments. Royal Marines proved their strategic value here, as they were involved in 10% of the most importa nt naval attack on crafts (Osbourne 2004). This proportion comprised mainly RMA whose job during this time was to live guns. As it got bigger, the battle looked like it was getting out of control. The next day, British demolisher vessels attacked and sunk the Pommern. However in total, the Germans lost 11 ships while the British lost 14 ships, which suggests strategic folly in numerical terms (Osbourne 2004).In May the same year, RMLI brigades arrived from Gallipoli and were repatriated to France where new resources and weapons were organised. In addition, they were given more manpower and upgraded weapons to machine guns. In July, the RM Company was joined by companies called Howe and Anson the 188th Brigade of the re-titled 63rd RND (Herwig 1987). This group moved to a fairly quiet region of the Western Front. At this point, because of new weapons technology it was necessary to safeguard the line using three trench positions. Common Trench warfare was intended for use in heavy i nfantry but that was not commonly experienced through the commando tactics of RMLI (Friedman 2011). These battalions became a vital element to the Battle of Ancre Heights near Beaumont Hill. There were financial implications for this battle, as well as many casualties. On 17th April 1917 the 1st and 2nd regiments participated in armed combat at Miraumant and also during the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe later that month. During this armed effort, troops from the 63rd Division took over captured Gavrelle, led by General C. Lawrie. now afterward, the 63rd Division also participated in the Battle of Arleux (Friedman 2011). The RND marched to various regions including Arras and third battle of Ypres during the winter weather, carrying heavy army equipment. In Ypres, the battalions trained very aphonic to prepare for a key offensive on the German border, compass north of Ypres. When it happened, the attack would take the forces to the strategic location of the Paddebrek stream, in the nor th region of the canal (Randier 2006).Because of significant losses earlier that year the 1st and 2nd RMLI contingents joined together to increase their masses numbers. However, at this point, there were approximately signs that the war was moving towards an end and the Germans begun realizing that their momentum begun to slow down. Finally, on 8th August the British put into place their counter plan to usurpation on German troops, disturbing all levels of hierarchy in the army, including the German High Command. This appeared to be a possible chance for victory, although it is vital to point out that victory was not guaranteed. On 2nd to 3rd phratry 1918, the 1st and 3rd Armies fought at the Battle of Drocourt-Queant, alongside the 63rd (RN) division in the Third army (Morison 1942). On 27th September to 1st October 1918, the 1st and 3rd Armies also engaged in combat at the Battle of the Canal du Nord. During this time, the 63rd RN group was once again a constituent of the thir d Army (Stephenson 2011 Osbourne 2004).As has emerged through this essay, the strategic value of the Royal Navy was mixed. Many historians viewed Gallipoli as a catastrophic tragedy, facilitated by mistake tactics and problems that allowed the enemy to prepare for the attack (Stephenson 2011). However, despite awful circumstances, the Marines still managed several successes demonstrating that they were a significant force on the ground in the capacity of infantry. Many of the experiences acquired by soldiers in World War I were valuable resources that were applied again in the experiences they would go through in WWII (Stephenson 2011).This essay has detailed the many triumphs of the Royal Navy however, of them all the Zeebruge campaign was arguably the most important in strategic terms (Koerver 2010). afterward dealing with frightful conditions and dreadful weather, the Marines still managed to carry out their responsibilities and step down the canal (Stephenson 2011). Their a ccomplishments led to an unintentional benefit of giving a trustfulness boost and momentum for all British soldiers involved in the conflict in other places (Knight 2006).As a final, but by no means insignificant point, the importance of the Royal Navy as a blockading force deserves a mention. The efforts of the marines and the navy kept Germany surrounded, creating barrier to many trade routes and ports, causing starvation and eventually defeat. This contributed to higher levels of bankruptcy, as Germany dim its finances trying to keep up with Britain (Stephenson 2011 Osbourne 2004).In conclusion, is clear that the Royal Navy was an indispensible strategic tool during WWI. It had the capacity to fight effectively in different environments and landscapes, as has been outlined in the narrative sections of this essay. It was also utile in observing and introducing a wide range of tactics, strategies, and military equipment to Britain, which helped to prepare many modern aspects of warfare that are still with us now (Knight 2006). Its versatility on land and sea, moreover, which has been outlined throughout this essay in description of campaigns, was enormously useful. In concrete terms, the most essential raids that consolidated included Antwerp, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, and Zeebruge, all of which involved the Royal Navy. Of course, it certainly had its shortcomings, and some of its failures and blunders have been discussed. However, this is an fatal part of the operations of any force. In the end, while the Germans lost the war for a wide range of reasons, the impact of the British Royal Navy was certainly one of them it was undoubtedly of great strategic value.Reference dip Benbow, T Naval Warfare 1914-1918 From Coronel to the Atlantic and Zeebrugge. (Newbury Amber Books Ltd, 2011)Churchill, W The abet World War. Vol. 2, Their Finest Hour ( Houghton Mifflin Company, 1949)Dupuy, T. N. The Military History of World War I naval and overseas war, 1916-1 918. (New York Franklin Watts, 1967)Friedman, N., Naval Weapons of World War One Guns, Torpedoes, Mines, and ASW Weapons of All Nations An Illustrated Directory (UK Naval Institute constrict 2011).Grove, E. Vanguard to Trident, (London Naval Institute Press/The Bodley Head, 1987)Halpern, P. A Naval History of World War I. The Standard critical Survey. (Annapolis Naval Institute Press, 1994)Koerver, H. J. 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