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Image Not Available for The Dardanelles Torpedo Exploit: Submarine B11's Fine Feat
The Dardanelles Torpedo Exploit: Submarine B11's Fine Feat
Image Not Available for The Dardanelles Torpedo Exploit: Submarine B11's Fine Feat

The Dardanelles Torpedo Exploit: Submarine B11's Fine Feat

Date19 December 1914
Object number00053309
NameNewspaper page
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 310 x 281 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionInteresting photo-essay from The Illustrated London News 1914 with diagrams and photographs of B11's exploits in the Dardanelles and an inset photograph of the submarine's young Lieutenant Commander Norman Holbrook. B11 was one of the most intrepid and canny stories to emerge from the Allied campaign in Gallipoli having pentrated Ottoman defences in the Dardanelles and successfully torpedoing the Turkish ship MESSUDIYEH. Holbrook was awarded the Victoria Cross for his successful actions.HistoryOn 13 December 1914, Lieutenant Commander Norman Holbrook of the Royal Naval submarine B11, entered the Dardanelles and dived his vessel under five rows of mines. B11 torpedoed the Turkish battleship MESSUDIYEH, which was guarding the minefield. Holbrook, aged 26, succeeded in bringing B11 safely back to Allied territory despite gun-fire and being pursued by torpedo boats, at one point remaining submerged for nine hours. Holbrook's links with Australia continue the story - the NSW town of Germanton renamed itself Holbrook after the gallant submariner and is now home to the Holbrook Submarine Museum.SignificanceB11 was one of the most intrepid and canny stories to emerge from the Allied campaign in Gallipoli having pentrated Ottoman defences in the Dardanelles and successfully torpedoing the Turkish ship MESSUDIYEH.