Zeebrugge Raid Remembered On 90th Anniversary

The 90th anniversary of the Zeebrugge Raid has been marked in Dover and Belgium by a series of ceremonies.

Dover Mayor Cllr Bob Markham travelled to Zeebrugge for a commemoration there, before dignitaries came to Dover today (Wednesday) - the actual anniversary of the raid - for a service at St James' Cemetery, and the ringing of the Zeebrugge Bell at Dover Town Hall.

The Zeebrugge Raid took place on St George's Day, 23 April, 1918.

Zeebrugge was a base for German U-boats and destroyers and the British plan, which involved the Dover Patrol, was to sink three old cruisers, which, it was hoped, would block the waterway.

The Dover Patrol was formed to protect supply lines and had bases in Dover and Dunkirk.

The cruisers had to negotiate the heavily guarded harbour mole, before they could be scuttled and HMS Vindictive, which had been sent to storm the mole, suffered heavy damage when the Germans opened fire on her.

Eventually two cruisers were scuttled and submarines blew up the viaduct part of the port.

The Royal Marines and 'Bluejackets' stormed The Mole at Zeebrugge.

Facing fierce fire at point blank range from a well fortified enemy, they fought their way ashore, showing great courage, extreme bravery and a true British spirit.

Those brave men continued to engage the enemy whilst their colleagues rammed ships into the entrance of the canals, effectively blocking them for the remainder of the War.

Against all odds, their action was a success but at the cost of many lives. It covered the Royal Navy with a renewed glory and eight Victoria Crosses were awarded in an action which lasted little over one hour.

That night, the British showed to the world how they could fight and die for the freedom of Belgium and of Europe.

Winston Churchill called the raid the finest feat of arms in the Great War, and certainly an episode unsurpassed in the history of the Royal Navy.

The Belgians were so grateful that the King of Belgians presented the people of Dover with a bell from the Zeebrugge Mole. The bell hangs on Dover Town Hall and is rung by the Mayor eight times on 23 April each year.

Wreaths were laid at St James' Cemetery where 66 members of the Dover Patrol, and their commander, Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, are buried.

A book by Paul Kendall, called The Zeebrugge Raid 1918 The Finest Feat of Arms, has also been published by History Press price £25. Phone 01453 883300 or log on to www.thehistorypress.co.uk