John Michael de Robeck Biography

De Robeck assumes command of the Allied naval force on the eve of the major Dardanelles attack.

De Robeck confirms the plan for battleships to silence the forts while minesweepers clear a passage.

De Robeck withdraws after mines and Ottoman fire sink three Allied battleships and damage several others.

HMS Inflexible is badly damaged by a mine while withdrawing from the Narrows.

De Robeck's fleet loses HMS Irresistible after the battleship strikes a mine during the assault.

De Robeck orders the principal British and French battleship attack against the Ottoman straits defences.

HMS Ocean is lost after striking a mine while attempting to assist damaged ships.

De Robeck suspends another immediate battleship assault after the heavy losses of 18 March.

De Robeck tells Allied commanders that troops are required to capture shore batteries before another naval advance.

De Robeck provides naval escort, bombardment and landing craft support for the invasion.

De Robeck withdraws major warships from close offshore support after submarine attacks sink Triumph and Majestic.