The Dardanelles discussion separates strategic logic from operational execution. Opening the straits could supply Russia through its warmer ports, keep German forces divided, and relieve pressure on the Western Front. The operation depended on surprise, rapid timing, and simultaneous land-sea action, all of which suffered when the navy moved before the army was ready. The French commander expected a preliminary four-ship bombardment to intimidate the Ottomans. Instead it exposed weaknesses they could repair, and the number of mines in the straits quintupled before the March 18 forcing attempt.
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Dardanelles coordination failure
The Dardanelles section explains why a strategically attractive idea failed when surprise, timing, and army-navy coordination broke down.