Battles & Campaigns · 1918
Zeebrugge Raid
Zeebrugge, Belgium
What happened
German submarines used the canal from Zeebrugge to Bruges as a base. The Royal Navy tried to block it by sinking old ships in the canal entrance, while the old cruiser Vindictive attacked the harbour wall as a distraction. Three blockships were sunk, but not in the right places, and within days the Germans had dug a way around them.
Why it matters
The raid did not stop German submarines, but it was presented in Britain as a great success and lifted morale.
What came next
A second raid on Ostend followed on 9 May 1918, and the lessons were used again in the Second World War.
Did you know?
Some of the eight Victoria Crosses for the raid were chosen by ballot among the men, the last time this was done.
Timeline
- 23 Apr 1918Zeebrugge Raid.
- 9 May 1918Second raid on Ostend.
- 9 Jun 1918Zeebrugge is bombarded.
- 11 Nov 1918Armistice.