ABSTRACT
Operational Orders were the final stage of war preparation. O-Plans were frequently revised and immediately before 1914 they envisaged the main body of the Cruiser Squadron commencing cruiser warfare in the South China Sea. Depending on the overall military situation, the second month of war would see the Cruiser Squadron conducting warfare either in the Indian Ocean or around Australia. Given the huge distances involved in East Asian, Pacific and Australian waters, coal demand was one big obstacle that had to be overcome for successful implementation of warfare. The need for fast warships with low fuel consumption was one problem that had to be overcome if Germany were to wage war against such distant countries as Australia and New Zealand.
