Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/267/1 - 1914 - 1915 - Part 5

- 23 -
p.m.
3. 53 Plan as laid down in part 2. was modified and
"Cornwallis" ordered to close Fort No.1 on present
line of bearing and open fire when certain of position.
4.00"Bouvet"was ordered to carry out duties of ship "B" in
part 2.
4.10 There being still no reply from the forts, "Vengeance"
and "Cornwallis" were ordered to close and destroy forts
Forts Nos. 3 and 6 were heavily bombarded by "Vengeance
engaged fort No.4. with her secondary armament while
"Cornwallis" did the same to fort No.1.
4. 40 "Suffren who was in position laid down for ship "A” in
phase 1 part 2 was directed to close the forts.
At the same time "Cease fire" "examine forts" was
signalled at "Vengeance."
4.45 Fort No. 1 opened fire on "Vengeance" and "Cornwallis"
and shortly after Fort No.4. also opened fire.
"Vengeance" and "Cornwallis" assisted by “Bouvet"
engaged and silenced Fort No. 1. Fort No.4. being left
unfired at, both inshore ships were unaware that she had
opened fire.
5.00 "Inflexible" opened fire on Fort No.4. withthe immediate
effect of causing her fire to suffer in accuracy.
5.08."Gaulois" also opened fire on this fort. "Agamemnon" was
ordered to support "Vengeance".
5.09 The "General recall" was made - "Vengeance" requested
permission to continue the action; this was not approved
as the light looking towards the land, was becoming bad,
while ships shewed up well against western sky.
5.30 "Cease firing" was ordered and the squadron withdrew.
7.00 "Albion" reportedd" No mines or guns encountered.
Area has been swept."
The result of the days action shewed apparently that the
effect of long range bombardment by direct fire on modern earthwork
forts is slight; Forts Nos.1 and 4 appeared to be hit, on many
occasions, by 12 common shell well placed, but when the ships closed in,
all four guns in these forts opened fire.
 

FROM 20th to 24th FEBRUARY.
From 20th to 24th February inclusive, the weather was too
rough to continue operations and no reconnaissance by seaplane was
possible.
On 25th Feb, the weather being favourable, operations were
resumed in accordance with the plan laid down in operation order No. 1.
with the exception that no seaplane took part - the sea being too
rough for them to rise off the water.
The following ships took part:-

"Inflexible," "Vengeance", "Agamemnon", "Queen
Elizabeth",  "Albion","Cornwallis", "Irresistible"
"Triumph", "Suffren", "Gaulois", "Bouvet."
"Charlemagne" and "Dublin" with eight destroyers and two
submarines.
Ships were in position to commence the long range Bombardment
by 10.00 a.m. - the destroyers forming a screen to seaward bf the
battleships.
a.m.
10.07 "Agamemnon" reported range obtained of fort No.1.
10. 14 "Queen,Elizabeth" opened fire on Fort No.3.
10. 16 Fort No.1 opened fire on "Agamemnon" range 10,000 yards.
10.18 "Gaulois" opened fire on fort No.6.
10.22 "Agamemnon"opened fire on Fort No.1.
10.27 "Irresistible" opened fire on Fort No.4.
 

- 24 -
a. m.
19.33 Fort No.1 appeared to be getting the range of the
"Agamemnon" who was ordered to weigh and proceed
further out - "Queen Elizabeth" being ordered to
fire on Fort No.1.
Between 10.34 and 10.43 "Agamemnon" was hit seven
(7) times, but as the shells did not detonate direct-
ly "Agamemnon" had good weight on fort No. 1. lost
the range.
10.44 Fort No.1 opened on accurate ^[*way?*] fire on "Gaulois" who
immediately replied to it with a heavy fire from all
her guns, this probably accounted for the fact that
she was able to weigh and proceed further out, with-
out the fort scoring a single hit.
10.45 Queen Elizabeth" opened fire on Fort No. 1. and "Dubin"
was observed firing at a gun near Yeni Shehr.
10.55 "Irresistible" reported she obtained range of Fort
No.4. She was ordered to continue slow firing. She
opened a deliborate, accurate fire on the fort which
kept it silent practically all day.
11.30. "Gaulois" was making excellent practice on Fort No.6.
11.47 Fort?No. 1 was still firing at "Agamemnon" and "Gaulois
but shots were going short - its extreme range appear¬
ed to be about 1,000 yards.
[*?11 000*] Noon. "Queen Elizabeth" whose shooting had been extremely
accurate, appeared to drop a shell right into Fort No.1
and at 0.02.p.m. she reported eastern gun dismounted.
p.m.
0.15 "Irresistible" reported she thought her tenth round
had damaged northern gun of Fort No.4. "Vengeance" and
"Cornwallis" were ordered to prepare for Run and which
was commenced at 12.45 p.m. with allcovering ships
firing deliberately on their allotted forts.
0.50 "Vengeance" and "Cornwallis" opened fire concentrating
chiefly on forts 1 and 4. Forts 3 and 6 both opened
fire but their practice was poor and few rounds were
fired. Forts 1 and 4 did not fire during the run.
by 1.22 "Vengeance" and "Cornwallis" had completed run 1, and
all ships checked fire.
1.50 Rear Adml "Vengeance" reported "No. 1. battery west gun
pointing in the air, right gun not visible, battery
not manned. No.3. fired at "Vengeance" - apparently
uses Black powder - three guns are visible on south
west face. No.4. both guns laid horizontal, battery
not manned, one round was fired from western gun."
2.05 Contre Adml. "SUFFREN" was directed to commence Run
2, given following directions:-
"Battery No.1 out of action, battery No.4. not manned,
concentrate your fire on No.3, 4, and 6 especially.4."
Run 2 was carried but most deliberately. "Suffren"
being about 3000 yards ahead of "Charlemagne" - both
ships made excellent practice - the only round fired
at them was one from fort No.6.
The run was completed at 3.00 p.m. Covering ships
fired very few rounds during this run, it was evident
that forts were silenced.
3.05 Mine Sweepers were ordered to close the entrance and
carry out sweeping operations laid down. "Albion"
and Triumph" were ordered to prepare to close forts
to 2,000 yards of Southers and Northern shore respect-
ively, keeping way on and carrying out destruction of
guns still intact. Rear Adml. in "Vengeance" being
directed to follow them to direct operations.
 

- 25  -
While "Albion" and "Triumph" were attempting to destroy
the guns of forts 1 and 6 at close range, fort No.4. apparently fired
one round from her northern most gun - the fort was immediately engaged
by "Albion” and "Irresistible” - forts 1 and 6 also appeared to fire one
round each - these were the last rounds fired at the ships.
Concealed guns of apparently 6" calibre fired from
positions one mile north east of Cape Tekeh and from behind Northern
end of Yeni Shehr village - these guns did no damage though "Gaulois"
was struck three times on the armour.
"Albion" when off Kum Kale reported two explosions
probably light ground mines, these occurred about 100 yards ahead of the
ships, and did no damage.
By 4.00 p.m. the forts were reduced and the mine sweepers
were ordered to enter and commence sweeping. "Vengeance', "Albion" and
"Triumph" with six destroyers covered these operations.
The remainder of the fleet returning to Tenedos - during
the night of 25th - 26th, mine sweepers swept the entrance; they found
no mines. The enemy were reported as burning the villages at entrance.

On 26th Feby 1915 "Albion," "Triumph" and "Majestic
entered straits between 8,00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. and shelled forts 3 and
6 from inside entrance, also firing station below De Totts battery.
"Albion" preceded by sweepers proceeded to a position
12,000 yards from fort No.8 from which position fire was opened on that
fort. "Majestic" supported "Albion" these two ships being under fire
from field guns and howitzers from Asiatic shore, ships remained under
weigh, enemy scored one hit on "Majestic"
"Jed and "Chalmer" reconnoitred northern and southern
shores during forenoon as far up as the true white cliffs - Saundere,
both ships being engaged with the enemy's light batteries - they sunk
some large range buoys - and located several batteries.
"Vengeance", from outside straits was engaged bombarding
position on Asiatic shore near Achilles Tomb.
At 2.30.p.m. the enemy apparently having abandoned Kum
Kale and Seddul Bahr, the opportunity was seized to land demolition partieson

both sides - from "Vengeance" at Kum Kale and "Irresistible" at
Seddul Bahr.
Parties being covered by the guns of "Vengeance",  

"Irresistible", "Cornwallis", "Dublin", and "Racoon", forts 3, 4 and 6
were entered and demolitions carried out and the two new 4” guns concealed 

near Achilles Tomb were destroyed, but owing to Clateness of the
landing it was impossible to verify results. Both parties encountered
slight opposition, the enemy being in some force in Seddul Bahr prevent-
ing fort 1 being entered.
On night of 26 - 27 mine sweepers entered straits to
continue sweeping in Lower Area - being covered by "Colne" "Jed" and
"Kennet" who engaged enemy's Batteries and sank more range buoys.
Seaplanes carried out reconnaissance inside straits in
order to locate batteries etc - amongst other details they reported,
battery 8 now contains eight guns. Many positions for guns, have been
prepared on both shores.
 

- 26 -
27th Feb. 19153;-
Weather broke, north easterly gale, much rain with low
visibility - operations inside the strait much impeded, small progress
made.
28th Feb. 1915:-
Heavy north easterly gale - operations confined to
watching the straits.
1st March 1915:-
Gale having moderated,operations inside straits were
resumed.
The following battleships entered straits to engage
howitzers and field Batteries - "Vengeance", "Ocean", "Albion", "Triumph',
"Irresistible" and "Majestic".
Fort 8 and Battery at White Cliffs were engaged by "Albion"
and "Triumph', "Ocean"and "Majestic" meanwhile engaging guns near Aren
Kioi village and on European shore. These proved extremely hard to locate
and when seen, great difficulty was experienced in obtaining points of
aim - the guns being well concealed.
The action was discontinued at 5.00 p.m. - "Ocean",
"Albion" and "Triumph" were each hit on several occasions by projectiles
of 6" calibre and below without suffering any serious damage.
Demolition parties from "Irrestible" landed at Seddul
Bahr and completed destruction of fort 6.
The party was attacked during the operations the fire
from covering ships and destroyers in Morto Bay, however, was sufficient
to disperse the enemy.
During the night of 1st - 2nd March, mine sweepers entered
and swept to within 3,000 yards of Kephez Point. They were covered by
destroyers when abreast of Sundere River, batteries opened fire, and
sweepers retired, destroyers covering withdrawal. No vessels were hit.

2nd March.
"Canopus", "Swiftsure" and "Cornwallis" entered the
straits, and engaged Forts Nos. 8 & 7, also field guns.
Garrison of fort No. 8 were forced to withdraw, but material
damage to fort could not be determined.
Howitzers and concealed field guns opened a heavy fire,
which could not be silenced. All ships were hit on several occasions,
suffering some material damage.
On observation mine exploded ineffectively ahead of
"Canopus".
On the 1st - 2nd March the French Squadron reconnoitred
the gulf of Xeros, bombarding the Forts and earthworks of the Bulair lines
and the Bridge over Kavak. French minesweepers swept along the coast.
They discovered no mines.
The landing places in the Gulf of Xeros were also reported
on.
Destroyers and minesweepers continued the attack on the
Kephez mine field, but made no progress in the face of heavy fire.
3rd March.
Weather in the morning unfavorable - foggy. In the afternoon

"Albion", "Prince George", "Triumph" continued the attack on Forts
7 & 8, and field Batteries. These latter were not so active as on former

- 27 -
March 3rd (Contd).
days. Sweeping operations continued at night covered by destroyers
- slight progress was/made.
Seaplanes carried out useful reconnaissance
without however being able to locate batteries firing at the ships.
4th March:-
It being uncertain whether Forts Nos. 1 and 4 were
absolutely destroyed, demolition parties were ordered to land and
complete the destruction, being covered y a landing party of the
Royal Marine Brigade one company of 250 men each side.
This landing had been postponed for several days
on account of the weather.
Seaplanes reconnoetred the vicinity of Forts, and
villages near them in the morning and reported no movements of Troops.
At 10.a.m. parties landed at Seddul Bahr and Kum
Kale. Both parties met with opposition at Seddul Bahr. No progress
could be made and the party withdrew at 3.00 p.m.
At Kum Kale an attempt was made to reach Fort
No.4., but without success, the enemy being in some force in well
concealed trenches.
Great difficulty was experienced in withdrawing
the advanced party, the enemy gaining possession of a cemetary near
MENDERE Bridge, commanding the ground over which the party had to
fall back, and which could not be shelled by the ships as our troops
were between the cemetary and the ships.
Seaplanes attempted to locate the enemys trenches
without success, descending to 2,000 feet in their efforts to
distinguish the positions - one seaplane was hit 28 times and another
8 times.
It was not until the destroyers were sent close
in to shell the trenches that the retirement could be carried out.
After sunset "Scorpion” and "Wolverine" ran in
and landed parties under fire to search the Beach from Kum Kale to
the cliffs below Fort No.4. The former brought off two officers and
five men who had been unable to reach the boats.
5th March:-
The attack on the Forts at the Narrows commenced
by indirect bombardment by "Queen Elizabeth" as laid down in operation
orderNo.2. copy of whichis attached; a report of this firing is
also attached.
Three seaplanes were sent up to spot for fall
of shot. One met with an accident and the second was forced to
return on account of her pilot being wounded by a rifle bullet,
in consequence they were not of assistance in the firing.
"Queen Elizabeth" was under fire from field
guns, being struck on many occasions without, however, suffering
any great material damage.
6th March:-
Indirect attack by "Queen Elizabeth" continued
of which a report is attached.
"Vengeance" inside the straits spotted for 

"Queen Elizabeth", "Albion,” "Majestic", "Prince George", and
"Suffren" engaged Forts Nos. 7,8, and 13, with what result
could not be discovered.
 

- 28 -
At night "Amethyst" with destroyers and mine-
sweepers in company proceeded inside Dardanelles to attack the
Kephez minefield. Some progress was made,but, as on former occasions,
gunfire drove the minesweepers out of the mined area.
Between the 3rd and 6th March "Sapphire" was
engaged in the neighbourhood of Mitylene in destroying telegraph
stations etc.
7th March :-
French squadron consisting of "Suffren" "Gaulois"
"Charlemagne" and "Bouvet" entered the straits and engaged Forts
Nos. 7 & 8.
Later "Agamemnon" and "Lord Nelson" attacked the
forts at the Narrows by direct fire from range between 14,000 and
12,000 yards. After a severe engagement during which both ships were
hit by heavy projectiles, forts 13 and 19 were silenced. During this
attack the French Battleships kept down the fire from howitzers and
field guns.
^at Balard
"Dublin" and 'Bulair" was engaged with a shore
battery.
During the night of 7th 8th March, destroyers
attacked the searchlights at Kephez, but without result, the lights
being extinguished temporarily but invariably reappearing.
8th March:-
"Queen Elizabeth" entered the straits to continue
the attack on the Narrows by direct fire.
Conditions became unfavourable for spotting and
little was accomplished.
Weather was too misty for seaplanes to do any
spotting. Attack on minefields was continued at night with mine-
sweepers, and picket boats.
Batteries opened fire.
9th March:-
"Prince George" and "Irresistible" entered the
straits and made a thorough search for boats etc and shelled look out
stations. The wealther was misty throughout the day.
At night picket boats covered by destroyers attack-
ed the Kephez minefield with explosive creeps.
"Suffren" "Gaulois"
"Irresistible", "Dublin", and "Ark Royal" off
Bulair. The former bombarded the enemys' positions when guns had
been located. The seaplanes were unable to fly owing to the rough
weather.
"Ocean" and "Albion” bombarded light gun battery
in Morto Bay, also villages and positions near entrance.
After night fall 7 sweepers attended by picket
boats fitted with explosive creeps, supported by Destroyers, "Amethyst"
and "Canopus" entered the straits. The latter opened fire on the
Batteries and searchlights protecting the minefield off Kephez Point,
but was unable to extinguish the lights. The vessels were subjected
to a heavy fire from guns of a below 6" calibre.
Sweepers and picket boats succeeded in getting
above the mine field with the object toof sweeping down with the current.
 

- 29 - 
10th March(contd).
Picket boats destroyed several cables, but
only one pair of sweepers got out their sweeps and little was effected.
Two trawlers were hit by 6' projectiles.
Trawler No. 339. was sunk by a mine.
11th March:-
Seaplanes carried out reconnaissance for the
ships operating off Bulair.
Ships inside the straits engaged in watching
both shores.
Operations against the narrows delayed by
failure to clear the mine field.
Attack on the mine field at night failed owing
to the sweepers refusing to face the heavy fire opened by batteries on
them and the covering destroyers.
12th March:-
Daylight operations at a standstill. Weather
misty. French minesweepera attacked the mine field at night with no
success, being driven off by heavy fire.
Aerial reconnaissance reported a line of
mines near the surface extending from Taundere Bay in an E.S.E.
direction. These were examined by a sweeper and picket boats which
attacked the line with creeps and explosive sweeps. The line
subsequently turned out to be an obstruction consisting of emply
observation mines moored by chain cables and connected by a wire hawser.
The latter apparently had a hemp netting suspended from it. It was
evidently an auti-submarine obstruction.
13th March:-
A determined attack on the minefield was made
on the night of 13th March. Volunteer Officers and men being in each
trawler.
The plan of attack was similar to that on the
10th, it being very essential for the sweepers to get above the mine
field before getting out their sweeps as they can make no progress
against the current.
"Amethyst" and destroyers covered the operations
which commenced with a bombardment of lights and batteries by"Cornwallis
The defence of the minefield was well
organised and sweepers and picket boats had to pass through an area
lit by 6 powerful search lights, under fire from Fort No. 13 and
Batteries Nos. 7 and 8, besides numerous light guns estimated at 20 to
30 on either shore.
The passage was accomplished, but on reaching
the turning point only one pair of trawlers was able to get out the
sweep owing to damage to winches and gear, and loss of personnel.
Picket boats did excellent service in blowing
up cables with explosive sweeps.
"Amethyst" drew the fire of the batteries at
^ououtical period, and suffered severely."
 

- 30 -
14th 15th 16th March.
Minesweepers engaged in clearing up area
inside the straits in which ships would have to manoeuvre in their
combined attacks against the forts at the narrows and the mine-
fields at Kephez.
Finis of report.
From the printed "Orders for the forcing
the Dardanelles by the allied squadron" issued on 14th Feby 1915
by T/A S.H.Carden from H.M.S. "Queen Elizabeth" the following
information is extracted.
"Operations will be considered under seven
man phases.
Phase (1) Reduction of defences at entrance of straits in Bashika
Bay and on the North Coast of Gallipoli.
" (2) Sweeping minefield at entrance and reducing defences up
to (but not including) the forts at the narrows.
" (3) Reduction of forts at the narrows.
" (4) Sweeping of principal minefield.
" (5) Silencing forts above the narrows.
(" 6) Passage of fleet through the Dardanelles into the Sea
of Marmora.
" (7) Operations in Sea of Marmora and establishing efficient
patrol in Dardanelles.
Phase 1. consists of two parts.
Part 1. Longrange bombardment.
" 2. Bombardment at closer range overwhelming of
forts at close range and sweeping a channel towards
entrance of straits.
PART 1.
Ships and tasks.
Ship "A" "Suffren"
"Ship" A will bombard Fort No. 6.......range
from 9.900 to 9.000 yards. Ship is not to go west of the line
Kum Kale bearing N.E.
When ship E reports. Fort No.1. silenced,
ship A can approach nearer and bombard Fort No. 6 direct, but Kum
Kale should not be opened from beyond bearing N. 600.E.
Ship "B" "Bouvet.
Ship B will act as spotting ship for ship A
from a position N. 65° w of Kum Kale 13,000 yards.
Ship "C" "Triumph".
Ship C will bombard Fort No.1 from a position
steaming between bearings N 29° Wand N 11° W 8,000 yards from
Fort.
If battery No.50 opens fire she is to silence
it first.

- 31 -
Ship"D. "Cornwallis" (Relieved by "Vengeance")
Ship D will bombard fort No.4 steaming between
bearings S68° W and S 85 W 11,000 yards from the fort ship D will
use direct fire and own spotting.
Ship "E" "Inflexible."
Ship E will spot for ship C from a position
between bearings S 68° W and W 13,000 yards from Seddul Bahf.
From this same position she will bombard fortNo. 3.
Ship "F" "Albion"
Ship F assistedby Cruiser ("Amethyst") will destroy
any defences in the neighbourhood of Gaba Tepe and cover the operations
of the minesweepers.
Second Cruiser "Gaulois"
The second cruiser will patrol off Bashika Bay to
prevent any field guns etc. interfering with Ship "A".
Minesweepers. (7 in Number)
Minesweepers under the orders of ship F will sweep
from one mile North to three miles South of Gaba Tepe clearing an area
for ships bombarding over Gallipoli Peninsula.
PART 2.
The various steps in Part 2 will be carried out by
order of the Senior Officer.
It is necessary to reduce the forts on the Asiatic
shore before attacking those on the European shore.
Asiatic Shore.
Ship "A"
Ship A, when ordered, will shape course N 20° W
from southern and of Yeni Kioi village to open Fort No 6 at a range of
7,000 yards,opening fire with her secondary armament. She must not
pass north of the line S 84° W from Fort No.4. till she has silenced
Fort No.6 by repeated short runs at decreasing ranges.
Fort No. 6 being silenced, ship A will open direct
fire on Fort No.4 at 5,000 yards.
Supporting Ships.
Ships D and E will remain in their original positions
ready to open fire without orders, should the forts commence firing.
Ship D to fire on Fort No. 4.
" E to fire on Forts Nos. 1 and 3.
Ship C from her original position will stand by
to assist ship E if ordered.
European Shore.
Ship C
Forts Nos. 4 and 6 being silenced, ship C when
ordered, will alter course to southward so as to open Battery No. 50 at
 

- 32 - 
a range of 5,000 yards opening fire with her secondary armament.
This run to be repeated at decreasing ranges to ensure
complete destruction of the Battery, after which ship C is to resume her
original position.
Throughout this operation ship C is not to cross a line
drawn West from Cape Helles.
Ship "B"
Ship B when Battery No.50 is silenced will be ordered
to close Fort No.3 along a line Seddul Bahr bearing S 78° she will make
repeated runs in a southerly direction at gradually decreasing ranges,
opening fire with secondary armament.
Throughout this operation Ship B is not to go south
of a line Fort No.1 bearingN. 50° E.
When Fort No. 3 is silenced Ship B will operate in
similar manner against Fort No. 1.
Two ships will then be ordered to complete destruction 

of forts at close range.
Supporting Ships.
Ships A D & E will take up positions from which they
can open direct long range fire upon Forts 6, 4 & 3, respectively,
without interfering with other ships.
Mine Sweepers.
Mine Sweepers will, when ordered, sweep a passage one
mile wide in towards the entrance to the straits, this passage to commence
1,500 yards from the line seddul Bahr - Kum Kale. 

A ship will be detailed to place two buoys to mark
the starting line for this sweep, in positions
Latitude 40° 1° N. Long 25° 9½° E.
and 40° 2° N. " " " "
One trawler will be detailed,S.O trawlers to grapple
for the old Tenedos - Chanak telegraph cable, she will precede the
sweepers, under-running the cable with a view to damaging electric
cables of observation mines, telephones etc. placed across the straits;
the trawler must be prepared to slip and buoy the cable at any moment.
Torpedo Tubes.
Two destroyers detailed by Captain (D) will search
for and destroy the two fixed Torpedo tubes at Seddul Bahr and Kum Kale.
Phases 2 to 7 indicated by general plan of operations,
include clearing straits; Bombarding forts at the narrows; sweeping a
passage through mine field along Asiatic shore; sweeping passage through
narrows when guns commanding it are silenced; Passage of straits;

operations in Sea of Marmora.

Extracts from Telegrams sent during period covered
by Bombardment, viz. 19.2.15 - 17.3.15.
Purchase of Tugs and lighters.