The campaign combined advance warning with attacks that stopped before achieving a decision. Each pause surrendered surprise and gave Ottoman defenders time to learn and harden positions that had initially been unprepared. Suggested alternatives include expendable explosive merchantmen and heavily bulged pre-dreadnoughts as deliberate mine-breaking measures. Forcing the straits required a coherent plan and acceptance of damage rather than repeated withdrawal.
Notable Point · 36:29-38:15
Warning and half-measures cripple the Dardanelles campaign
Repeated pauses surrender surprise and give Ottoman defenses time to learn, prepare, and harden the Dardanelles.