Lord Fisher’s Notes of his own Special Interventions at War Council Meetings
Notes.—The first two meetings of the War Committee took place on August 5th and August 6th, 1914.
Lord Fisher was appointed First Sea Lord on October 30th, 1914.
The third meeting of the War Council (being the first after Lord Fisher’s appointment) took place on November 25th, 1914.
3rd Meeting of the War Council, November 25th, 1914.
Lord Fisher asked whether Greece might not attack Gallipoli in conjunction with Bulgaria.
It was pointed out Bulgaria blocked the way.
(Note.—From his experience of three years as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, Lord Fisher had formed the conviction that Bulgaria was the key of the situation, and this he had pointed out to Lord Kitchener personally at the War Office.)
4th Meeting of War Council, December 1st, 1914.
Lord Fisher pressed for the adoption of the Offensive.
The Defensive attitude of the Fleet was bad for its morale, and was no real protection from enemy submarines.
The suggestion of seizing an island off the German coast was adjourned.
7th Meeting of War Council, January 8th, 1915.
Zeebrugge.
Asked whether the bombardment of Zeebrugge would materially lessen the risks to transports and other ships in the English Channel, Lord Fisher replied that he thought not. In his opinion the danger involved in the operation (in loss of ships) would outweigh the results.
8th Meeting of War Council, January 13th, 1915.
Zeebrugge.
Lord Fisher said that the Navy had not unlimited battleships to lose, and there would probably be losses in any attack on Zeebrugge. He objected to any attack on Zeebrugge without the co-operation of the Army along the coast.
The Dardanelles was mentioned, Mr. Churchill stating that he had exchanged telegrams with Admiral Carden as to the possibilities of a naval attack on the Dardanelles. He had taken this step because Lord Kitchener, in a letter to him, dated January 3rd, had urged instant naval action at the Dardanelles to relieve the pressure on the Grand Duke Nicholas in the Caucasus.
9th Meeting of War Council, January 28th, 1915, 11.30 a.m.
(Note.—Before this meeting the Prime Minister discussed with Mr. Churchill and Lord Fisher the proposed Dardanelles operations and decided in favour of considering the project in opposition to Lord Fisher’s opinion.)