A prepared naval and land assault through the Dardanelles

The strategic aim of opening the Dardanelles was sound, while the timetable, resources, and expectation of an Ottoman political collapse were deeply flawed. The counterfactual alternative begins with delaying the attack six to eight weeks so selected pre-dreadnoughts could receive bulges and sealed forward compartments for better mine resistance. Troops would accompany the naval advance and seize forts and batteries as the ships moved, preventing defenders from repairing and strengthening positions between bombardments. Suitable amphibious experience and craft existed, so organized preparation was the missing ingredient. More capable minesweepers were also necessary to work effectively against the current and clear the approach. The proposal identifies concrete relationships among surprise, mine protection, shore seizure, and joint timing.