Q&A · 39:02-39:23

Were Gallipoli's naval commanders capable officers?

They were a mixture of strong and competent officers, but Carden was poorly suited to an operation that required accepting heavy losses.

Question

Were the naval commanders at Gallipoli the Royal Navy's A, B or C team?

Short answer

They were a mixture of strong and competent officers, but Carden was poorly suited to an operation that required accepting heavy losses.

Notes

Command quality and suitability for a particular operation were separate problems at Gallipoli. Sackville Carden was considered capable, yet forcing minefields and shore defenses demanded a temperament suited to deliberate attrition. John de Robeck was an aggressive, trusted officer, and Roger Keyes was among the brightest officers of his generation. Their ability could not remove the constraints imposed by orders against excessive casualties.