Defence of the Dardanelles: From Bombards to Battleships - Hardcover

Michael Forrest

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1781590524 ISBN 13: 9781781590522

Publisher: Pen & Sword Maritime, 2012

Synopsis

The Straits of Dardanelles that separates Europe and Asia Anatolia, were fortified in the 15th century with massive bronze bombards and history has proved that unwelcome ships have to run a formidable gauntlet.On 18 March 1915 a powerful fleet of British and French warships attempted to overwhelm the shore defences of the Dardanelles to allow minesweepers to clear the Straits. The attack failed at huge cost; three ships sunk and three more seriously damaged.By bringing together many threads of information, including extracts from British intelligence sources that had previously determined that a naval attack alone would not succeed, this definitive work examines the flaws of Winston Churchill's strategy and identifies the inadequacies of pitting warships against shore fortifications. The Allied inability to control the Straits necessitated the disastrous Allied invasion of Gallipoli that cost the lives of some 250,000 men.From the 19th century the Ottoman army and Turkey's coastal defences relied entirely on the German firm of Krupp for guns. The author describes how this choice was a crucial element to the successful defence of the Dardanelles.Many of the fortifications on the Gallipoli peninsula and the Asian shore are still accessible. The Defence of the Dardanelles identifies those that can be visited, many of which still have wrecked guns emplaced.

About this title

Review:

Well researched and informative 8/10 The Great War

About the Author:

Michael Forrest is an expert on 19th and 20th Century fortifications. Semi-retired from the aviation industry, he lives at Emsworth, Hampshire.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Maritime
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1781590524
• ISBN 13: 9781781590522
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 270