When most people think of the First World War, their mind is flooded with images of static trench warfare and wholesale slaughter of men's lives in exchange for strategic military real estate objectives. However, several daring raids were planned and executed throughout the conflict that is often referred to as the Great War. One such operation was the audacious raid on Zeebrugge by the British that took place on the 23rd of April, 1918.
Terry Bailey explains.
The Zeebrugge Raid in World War 1. From Popular Science Magazine in July 1918.
Zeebrugge is located in Belgium on the north coast of Europe. The port provided quick access to the North Sea for the Imperial German Navy throughout the First World War for their U-boats and light shipping, which the German navy was trying to threaten the Allied-controlled English Channel and the North Sea with.
As the First World War entered its final year, with both sides just as determined, the British Royal Navy conceived a daring plan to block the strategically vital German-controlled ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend. The objective was to disrupt German naval operations and prevent their submarines from freely entering the North Sea. What ensued was a daring and meticulously planned assault that tested the mettle of British sailors and Royal Marines against formidable defenses and odds.
To fully understand the significance of the Zeebrugge Raid, it is essential to grasp the strategic importance of the ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend. Located at such an advantageous position on the Belgian coast, Zeebrugge and Ostend, enabled the German Navy, to launch devastating attacks on Allied merchant shipping in the North Sea. German submarines, often referred to as U-boats, operated with impunity from these bases, wreaking havoc on Allied merchant vessels and military transports.
The Allies recognized the urgent need to neutralize these ports to stem the German U-boat threat, by blocking access to Zeebrugge and Ostend and severely hampering German naval operations. Additionally, the Allies could disrupt German supply lines, thus providing a respite for Allied merchant shipping in the North Sea. Needless to say, the stage was set for a daring amphibious assault that would come to be known as the Zeebrugge Raid.
The birth of a daring scheme
The genesis of the Zeebrugge Raid can be traced back to early 1918 when Vice Admiral Roger Keyes, commander of the Dover Patrol, proposed a bold plan to block the entrance to Zeebrugge harbor and overcome the formidable defenses of the German-held ports, Keyes devised a multi-faceted strategy that combined naval bombardment, diversionary tactics, and direct assaults on key targets.
The plan involved three main objectives:
1. Block the entrance to Zeebrugge harbor using obsolete ships, effectively creating a barrier to prevent German submarines from leaving port.
2. Launch a diversionary attack on the nearby port of Ostend to draw enemy forces away from Zeebrugge.
3. Land Royal Marines and Navy assault parties to destroy key infrastructure within the ports, including the Mole, lock gates, and shore batteries.
Keyes assembled a team of naval officers and engineers to meticulously plan every aspect of the operation. They studied tidal patterns, navigational challenges, and enemy defenses to ensure the success of the mission. The element of surprise was deemed critical, and every effort was made to maintain operational security and deceive the enemy about the true nature of the impending assault.
Courage among chaos
On the night of April 22, 1918, under the cover of darkness, the British forces set sail for Zeebrugge and Ostend. A flotilla of warships, accompanied by a decoy force, approached Ostend, engaging German coastal batteries and drawing enemy fire away from Zeebrugge. Meanwhile, the main assault force, led by HMS Vindictive under the command of Captain Alfred Carpenter RN, and two Mersey ferries, Daffodil and Iris II that the navy had requisitioned due to their shallow draught and were planned to carry demolition parties.
These were furthered supported by HMS Thetis, HMS Intrepid and HMS Iphigenia, the redundant ships that were full of concrete and were to be scuttled in the narrow part of the channel. Additionally, C1 and C3 two old submarines were under tow and were packed with explosives to ram the Mole viaduct.
As they approached their objective, the British encountered fierce resistance from German coastal defenses. Searchlights illuminated the night sky and sea as enemy artillery and machine guns unleashed a hail of fire upon the advancing ships. Despite the intensity of the bombardment, the Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines pressed on with steely determination. At Zeebrugge, the most perilous phase of the operation commenced as the assault parties prepared to storm the heavily fortified Mole.
Royal Marines and sailors, armed with rifles, grenades, and other hand-to-hand weapons, braved a barrage of enemy fire as they scrambled ashore. The fighting was brutal and chaotic, with British forces engaged in fierce close-quarters combat against determined German defenders.
The heroism of HMS Vindictive, sacrifice and valor
Amidst the chaos of the assault, HMS Vindictive, its crew and landing parties emerged as a symbol of courage and sacrifice. Commanded by Captain Alfred Carpenter, the ship played a pivotal role in the operation, tasked with landing assault parties directly onto the Mole at Zeebrugge. However, as Vindictive approached the Mole, it came under heavy fire from German coastal batteries and machine guns. Undeterred by the onslaught, Captain Carpenter maneuvered Vindictive into position, bringing her alongside the Mole under a withering barrage of enemy fire. Despite sustaining heavy casualties and significant damage to the ship, the Royal Marines and sailors aboard Vindictive courageously leaped onto the Mole, engaging the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand combat.
The bravery displayed by the crew of HMS Vindictive and the shore party was nothing short of extraordinary. Amidst the chaos and carnage of battle, they fought with unwavering resolve, determined to accomplish their mission at any cost. Despite sustaining heavy losses, they succeeded in securing a foothold on the mole, paving the way for subsequent assault waves to advance and destroy key enemy positions.
The block ships, a desperate gamble
Simultaneously with the assault on the mole, a daring operation was underway to block the entrance to Zeebrugge harbor using the obsolete ships laden with explosives. Dubbed "Operation Vindictive," the plan involved scuttling three vessels, HMS Thetis, HMS Intrepid, and HMS Iphigenia, in the narrow part of the channel leading to the harbor mouth. The task was fraught with peril, as the ships had to navigate through a maze of enemy defenses while under heavy fire from German coastal batteries. Despite the immense risks involved, the crews of the block ships pressed forward with unwavering determination, fully aware of the sacrifice that lay ahead.
As the ships approached the harbor entrance, they came under concentrated fire from German artillery and machine guns. The block ships HMS Thetis, HMS Intrepid and HMS Iphigenia maneuvered towards their respective target areas. However, HMS Thetis collided with a submerged wire net, which disabled both engines, thus unable to achieve its goal of ramming the lock gates at the end of the channel. However, the crew did manage to position it in a dredged part of the outer channel and scuttled the ship.
The other two ships were maneuvered into the narrow part of the channel and successfully scuttled effectively blocking access to the harbor. The crews of the block ships displayed remarkable courage and resolve in the face of overwhelming odds. Their selfless actions helped to achieve a key objective of the operation, further complicating German efforts to maintain control of the port.
Whereas, submarines C1 commanded by Lieutenant A. C. Newbold RN and C3, commanded by Lieutenant Richard Sandford RN, were manned by volunteer crews with one other officer and four naval ratings. These submarines had five tons of amatol packed into their bows and were to be driven into the viaduct and detonated to prevent reinforcement of the German garrison on the Mole.
Unfortunately during the passage from Dover, C1 parted with its tow and arrived too late to take part in the operation. However, Lieutenant Richard Sandford, RN on arriving at Zeebrugge decided to steer C3 into the viaduct manually instead of abandoning the vessel and depending on the automatic steering system. The viaduct was destroyed when the demolition charge exploded.
The aftermath and assessing the impact
The Zeebrugge Raid, while not achieving its primary objective of permanently blocking the ports of Zeebrugge, nevertheless had a significant impact on the course of the war. The audacity and bravery displayed by British sailors and Royal Marines boosted morale on the home front and dealt a psychological blow to the German Navy.
Although the ports remained operational, the damage inflicted by the raid disrupted German naval operations and forced them to expend considerable resources on repairs and reinforcement of coastal defenses. Furthermore, the blocking of the Zeebrugge harbor entrance for a limited time impeded the free movement of German U-boats, providing a temporary respite to the merchant fleet.
Victoria Crosses awarded for the Zeebrugge raid
The Zeebrugge raid saw so many acts of unwavering bravery and courage that 8 Victoria Crosses were awarded.
Under Rule 13 of the Victoria Cross warrant, a ballot was stipulated to select some of the recipients, the reason for this was simply because the acts of valor observed were so numerous and spread across all participants of the operation that it was impossible to award everyone such a high award.
Lieutenant Commander Arthur Harrison - Royal Navy ( posthumous )
Able Seaman Albert McKenzie - Royal Navy ( elected by ballot )
Captain Alfred Carpenter - Royal Navy ( Command HMS Vindictive ) ( elected by ballot )
Lieutenant Commander George Bradford - Royal Navy ( posthumous )
Lieutenant Percy Dean - Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Lieutenant Richard Sandford - Royal Navy ( Command HM Submarine C-3 )
Captain Edward Bamford - Royal Marine Light Infantry ( elected by ballot )
Sergeant Norman Finch - Royal Marine Artillery ( elected by ballot )
This was the last time that Victoria Crosses were awarded by ballot, although the rule remained within the Victoria Cross warrant.
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