Most people know Winston Churchill’s quotes and speeches have to do with victory and never giving up, but few are aware that he led a massive attack during World War I that failed tremendously. In 1911, he became First Lord of the Admiralty, the U.S. equivalent of Secretary of the Navy. During this time, he organized a massive amphibious assault against the Ottoman Empire with the intention of grouping with his Russian allies. He was able to weaken Germany’s eastern front but when his battleships entered the Dardanelles strait heading to the capital of Istanbul, The Ottomans fought back sinking 3 ships, severely damaging 3 others and sending the rest in retreat costing him his job and his reputation. He eventually overcame the criticism and was able to save his reputation. The rest, as they say, is history.