Windows on the Zeebrugge Raid 1918: With Rare Photographs of the Mole

Windows on the Zeebrugge Raid 1918

With Rare Photographs of the Mole

Written, Produced & researched by Rachel Shirley

Photos Collected and Researched by Raymond Shirley

Acquisitions by Christine Rowley

All rights reserved. The Right of Rachel Shirley to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 Section 77 and 78. Smashwords Edition License Note: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN: 9781310458750

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Zeebrugge Raid Story

Chapter 2 Admiral Keyes’ Challenge

Chapter 3 The Storming Strategy

Chapter 4 The Zeebrugge Mole Fortress

Chapter 5 The Flotilla Menace

Chapter 6 Blocking the Bruges Canal

Chapter7 Preparations for the Raid

Chapter 8 When the Raid was Aborted

Chapter 9 The Zeebrugge Raid Resurrection

Chapter 10 Breaching the Mole Viaduct

Chapter 11 The Blockships Sneak In

Chapter 12 The Siren Sounds at Almost One

Chapter 13 The Journey back to Dover

Chapter 14 Legacy of the Surviving Raiders

Chapter 15 The Photographic Collection in Detail

Chapter 16 Public Domain Photo Credits

Afternote

Reference Material

Introduction

LEARN THE STORY of what happened during the Zeebrugge Raid that occurred on St George’s Day, 23 April 1918, inspired by rare photographs salvaged from flea markets and craft fairs.

Twelve of these photographs would appear to have been taken by German naval officers on Zeebrugge and its mole in and around 1918. Had these photographs not been retrieved, they would unlikely have been published or find themselves within the reaches of the public.

Collectively, these rare photographs comprise mostly of battery guns on the Mole, scuttled ships in the Bruges canal and views of the Mole after the raid.

Due to these acquisitions, I have conducted research on the Zeebrugge Raid in order to create some context for the pictures. The aim is an easy read of a difficult situation endured by the naval men selected for the mission.

The remainder of the photographs within this book have been sourced from the public domain in order to illustrate the bigger story. Credits and further details for all photographs can be found at the back of this book.

The works within are my responsibility and will put right omissions or errors if notified.

Rachel Shirley

Chapter 1: The Zeebrugge Raid Story

ON 23 April 1918, ST GEORGE’S DAY, the British forces went on a suicidal mission to raid the German occupied ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend to the north of Bruges. The images within this book relate chiefly to those of the Zeebrugge Raid.

By the closing of 1917, the menace of the German flotilla had taken a stranglehold over Britain as they patrolled the English Channel and the North Sea, sinking Allied vessels by torpedoes or mines. Deprived of vital supplies that supported the war effort, Britain was under siege and on the verge of capitulation.

The crews of the German U-boats and destroyers that comprised the flotilla demonstrated disturbing efficiency, sinking over 2,500 Allied vessels in total during the war. But those responsible were seen as little more than pirates for torpedoing passing vessels indiscriminately from the concealment of the deep. Public condemnation loomed after the sinking of the Cunard liner, Lusitania on the