Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-13740085-20160211150604

On August 26, 1914, the German light cruiser SMS Magdeburg ran aground off the then-Russian island of Osmussaar. She was then captured otherwise intact by two Russian cruisers, along with three German code books. One of these were passed to the British, who used it to counter German naval moves for the rest of the war, including the one that resulted in the Battle of Jutland.

My question is: what would happen if Magdeburg had avoided running aground and returned to port safe and sound? I don't expect the naval war to turn wildly into Germany's favor, but I'd imagine the lack of foreknowledge would lead to several victories, possibly in Jutland over a weaker British picket.

What do you think? 