Gallipoli needed a combined naval and land plan

Clarke disputes Corrigan's description of helping Russia as primarily a political concern. Keeping Russia in the war had a strategic purpose, and the northern supply route through Archangel lacked the shipping access and inland transport needed for reliable support. Reaching Russia from the south required passage through the Dardanelles. A naval-only assault is judged possible if older battleships received improvised protection against mines and the fleet accepted further losses. The preferred counterfactual combines modified ships with troops landing at the same time. Ships would draw attention and bombard the forts while soldiers advanced against them, potentially reducing the troop strength required.