Zeebrugge Raid 1918: HMS Vindictive Bow Memorial, Ostend
HMS Vindictive Bow Memorial, Ostend. After the Zeebrugge Raid on 23rd April 1918 and the failure of the blockships HMS Sirius and Brilliant to block Ostend, Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Keyes ordered an another attempt to block Ostend. The British press championed the cause to maintain HMS Vindictive as a museum to remember the fallen at Zeebrugge. Keyes had other ideas. He wanted Vindictive to block the Bruges - Ostend Canal. On the night of the 9th/10th May 1918 Vindictive attempted to achieve this objective, but failed as she was left alongside the eastern pier at Ostend. Vindictive was salvaged and the bow is all that remains. Here it stands on Ostend Beach close to the site of the Eastern pier. As featured in my books 'The Zeebrugge Raid 1918: Voices from the Past' and 'The Zeebrugge Raod 1918: The Finest Feat of Arms'.
The story of HMS Vindictive at Ostend {sic}
Some of the ships and personnel involved in attacks upon the German submarine bases at Zeebrugge and Ostende in April and May 1918. HMS Vindictive was severely damaged in the Zeebrugge raid and was then used as a block ship to close the port of Ostende - this action being only partially successful. Identified personnel are Vice Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, Commodore Hubert Lynes CMG, Lieutenant Commander F H Sandford, RN, Commander G H Clark, RN and Commander Hamilton Benn, RNVR DSO, MP.
Ostend in World War I - occupations - British Royal navy strikes and liberation
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Ostend in Belgium surrendered in World War I and was occupied by the Germans with minor incidents.
The Germans used the triangle of ports Ostend-Bruges-Zeebrugge’s as a base to launch submarine attacks on British ships. During 1917 submarines from these harbours sank almost a third of all ships that were destroyed.
The British bombarded the coastline of Flanders several times to end this treat. The Germans response was to add so many canons on the coast that the British gave up.
Subsequently the Royal Navy tried to block the canals that linked Ostend and Zeebrugge’s by sinking old cruisers in the canals. The first strike on Ostend and Zeebrugge’s happened om 22 April 1918. The attack on Zeebrugge’s was successful the one on Ostend not. 2 more strikes followed a few weeks later.
On 17 October the British and allies militaries freed Ostend from land. The Germans had already left so the damage was minor. The movie shows image from the German occupation, the strikes and the liberation of the city that was made so beautiful by King Leopold II.
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Zeebrugge Raid 1918: Entrance to the Ostend - Bruges Canal
This is the entrance to the Ostend - Bruges Canal which was another access point for German submarines from the Flanders Flotilla to access the North Sea from their base at Bruges. A simultaneous attack upon Ostend and Zeebrugge on 23 April 1918. The blockships HMS Brilliant and Sirius ran aground before reaching the scuttling position on 23 April 1918. HMS Vindictive took part in the attempt to block the Ostend entrance on the night of the 9th/10th May 1918. Vindictive was scuttled along the eastern pier, but failed to block the entrance. It was here that the bow of Vindictive was positioned as a memorial before it was relocated close to the site of the eastern pier.
Kaiser Wilhelm II and officers inspect naval infantry in Ostend, Belgium during W...HD Stock Footage
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Kaiser Wilhelm II and officers inspect naval infantry in Ostend, Belgium during World War I.
Kaiser Wilhelm II reviews naval infantry in Ostend, Belgium during World War I. The Kaiser, Prince Adalbert Von Preussen of Prussia, Admiral Ludwig Von Schroeder and other officers inspect the naval infantry. The infantrymen stand at attention and salute the Kaiser. Mountains in background. Location: Ostend Belgium. Date: 1918.
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[Wikipedia] Second Ostend Raid
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The Second Ostend Raid (officially known as Operation VS) was the later of two failed attempts made during the spring of 1918 by the United Kingdom's Royal Navy to block the channels leading to the Belgian port of Ostend as a part of its conflict with the German Empire during World War I. Due to the significant strategic advantages conferred by the Belgian ports, the Imperial German Navy had used Ostend as a base for their U-boat activities during the Battle of the Atlantic since 1915.A successful blockade of these bases would force German submarines to operate out of more distant ports, such as Wilhelmshaven, on the German coast. This would expose them for longer to Allied countermeasures and reduce the time they could spend raiding. The ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge (partially blocked in the Zeebrugge Raid three weeks previously) provided sea access via canals for the major inland port of Bruges. Bruges was used as a base for small warships and submarines. As it was 6 mi (5.2 nmi; 9.7 km) inland, it was immune to most naval artillery fire and coastal raids, providing a safe harbour for training and repair.The First Ostend Raid on 23 April 1918 was largely a failure, the blockships grounded too far from the channels to obstruct them. The second attempt also failed, due to heavy German resistance and British navigational difficulties in poor weather. In anticipation of a raid, the Germans had removed the navigation buoys and without them the British had difficulty finding the narrow channel into the harbour in poor weather. When they did discover the entrance, German resistance proved too strong for the operation to be completed as originally planned: the obsolete cruiser HMS Vindictive was sunk, but only partially blocked the channel.Despite its failure, the raid was presented in Britain as a courageous and daring gamble that came very close to success. Three Victoria Crosses and numerous other gallantry medals were awarded to sailors who participated in the operation. British forces had moderate casualties in the raid, compared to minimal German losses.
Zeebrugge Raid - Admiralty Pier - Berthing position of HMS Vindictive. 23 April 1918
During the morning of 23 April 1918, HMS Vindictive arrived at Admiralty Pier, Dover. The wounded disembarked first. 16 urgent cases were taken to the military hospital on the Western Heights, Dover (where this footage was filmed). 171 wounded casualties were boarded onto ambulance trains that transported them to the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham. After 25 casualties with minor wounds were taken by motor ambulances to Deal Infirmary. Iris and Daffodil after later that morning. The 156 dead were taken from Admiralty pier and transferred to the Market Place in Dover which was used a temporary morgue. The role that Dover played during the Zeebrugge Raid is featured in ‘Voices from the Past: The Zeebrugge Raid’ by Paul Kendall published by Frontline Books, Pen & Sword Books)
Zeebrugge (1918)
Re-enactment of Zeebrugge Naval Raid (a BIF production) in Belgium. More parts of this story in ON 374 A and ON 374 C.
Intertitle reads: The old cruiser Vindictive was taken to Chatham and fitted up to carry a large number of men to storm the mole.
Chatham, Kent.
LS cruiser HMS Vindictive in harbour. She is being fitted with many guns and packed full of marines for an attack on German forces in Zeebrugge.
Intertitle reads: Her upper works were heavily padded as a protection against machine gun fire.
Cataloguers' note: military re-enactment from World war one. Royal Navy's raid on Zeebrugge was attempt to seal up the Bruges Canal to prevent its use by the German Navy. They brought in old cruisers filled with cement and sunk them in the harbour while at the same time creating distractions. Although this wasn't completely successful - the canal was not entirely blocked - it was one of the most daring of the war and gave a boost to British morale.
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Capture of Ostend, 19 October 1918
Two Belgian girls sitting on the barrel of a German coastal defence gun at the Eylau Battery, Ostend, 19 October 1918. One has a camouflage-painted German helmet (Stahlhelm) and is wearing a brooch of Allied flags. Ostend was abandoned by the Germans on 14 October 1918.
Zeebrugge Raid - HMS Vindictive arrives in Dover
After departing from the Mole at Zeebrugge HMS Vindictive began an eight hour passage across the North Sea and English Channel to Dover. It arrived at Dover around 08.00 hours during the morning of 23 April 1918. As featured in ‘Voices from the Past: The Zeebrugge Raid’ by Paul Kendall published by Frontline Books, Pen & Sword Books)
Zeebrugge Raid 1918: Kingsdown Beach - Video 2
Kingsdown Beach in Kent. A century ago during March 1918, 4th Battalion, Royal Marines Light Infantry trained on this ground to prepare for the Zeebrugge Raid. As featured in ‘Voices from the Past: The Zeebrugge Raid’ by Paul Kendall published by Frontline Books, Pen & Sword Books)
Port of Ostend
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The port of Ostend is situated in Ostend, West Flanders, Belgium.The port services freight transport between Ostend and Ramsgate, Ipswich and North Killingholme Haven.Passenger transport between Ostend and Ramsgate was provided by Transeuropa Ferries from 1998 to 2013.
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Tricksparty Zeebrugge 2019
Lars shot and editted this video of our weekend at the Tricksparty Zeebrugge 2019 competition. A lot of wind, but also a lot of fun. Enjoy!
[Wikipedia] Second Ostend Raid
The Second Ostend Raid (officially known as Operation VS) was the later of two failed attempts made during the spring of 1918 by the United Kingdom's Royal Navy to block the channels leading to the Belgian port of Ostend as a part of its conflict with the German Empire during World War I. Due to the significant strategic advantages conferred by the Belgian ports, the Imperial German Navy had used Ostend as a base for their U-boat activities during the Battle of the Atlantic since 1915.
A successful blockade of these bases would force German submarines to operate out of more distant ports, such as Wilhelmshaven, on the German coast. This would expose them for longer to Allied countermeasures and reduce the time they could spend raiding. The ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge (partially blocked in the Zeebrugge Raid three weeks previously) provided sea access via canals for the major inland port of Bruges. Bruges was used as a base for small warships and submarines. As it was 6 mi (5.2 nmi; 9.7 km) inland, it was immune to most naval artillery fire and coastal raids, providing a safe harbour for training and repair.
The First Ostend Raid on 23 April 1918 was largely a failure, the blockships grounded too far from the channels to obstruct them. The second attempt also failed, due to heavy German resistance and British navigational difficulties in poor weather. In anticipation of a raid, the Germans had removed the navigation buoys and without them the British had difficulty finding the narrow channel into the harbour in poor weather. When they did discover the entrance, German resistance proved too strong for the operation to be completed as originally planned: the obsolete cruiser HMS Vindictive was sunk, but only partially blocked the channel.
Despite its failure, the raid was presented in Britain as a courageous and daring gamble that came very close to success. Three Victoria Crosses and numerous other gallantry medals were awarded to sailors who participated in the operation. British forces had moderate casualties in the raid, compared to minimal German losses.
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Zeebrugge 100
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Navy’s daring raid on Zeebrugge during the First World War – actions which saw eight Victoria Crosses awarded to personnel.
It was an attempt by the British to obstruct the Belgium Port of Bruges/Zeebrugge in order to prevent German U-boats access to the North Sea. As part of a diversionary attack, storming parties from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy attacked the defences on the Mole and a redundant RN submarine was blown up, destroying the railway viaduct linking the Mole with the shore.
Commemorations involving the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and their partner navies are taking place today in Zeebrugge to remember both those who were lost and the spirit in which the Allies fought to ensure the world was free of German tyranny.
Halt U-Boats in Zeebrugge
A British fleet mounts a costly battle trying to bottle up U-boats stationed on the German-occupied Belgian coast during World War I.
Zeebrugge Raid - 1918: Headquarters of Admiral Ludwig von Schroder, Bruges
This is the Provincial Court in the centre of Bruges. It was the headquarters of Admiral Ludwig von Schroder during World War One, where he coordinated the defences along the Belgian coast and the operations of the German submarines and torpedo boats of the Flanders Flotilla based at Bruges. The British prisoners captured on the Mole during the Zeebrugge Raid were also brought here for interrogation on 23rd April 1918.
WW2: First Snow in Houffalize, Belgium (November 10, 1944)
LIB 538, FIRST SNOW, Belgium;10 Nov 1944 High Pan, Belgium town of Houffalize after first snowfall.MSs, CUs, MPs direct traffic into town.VS, soldiers walk thru snow-covered streets, throw snowballs and talk to civilians.
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Raid on Zeebrugge (2) TV documentary
The story of Albert McKenzie VC and the Raid on Zeebrugge. An excellent Belgian TV documentary published in two parts
WW2: Lt. Gen. Hodges Briefing, 1st US Army CG - Spa, Belgium (March 2, 1945 )
Signal Corps 111ADC SOURCE: AFCF (M-I591-1593)5940 FILM: ARCH MP & APC MP, 693° ea, Comp (Push-Pull) ADC 3940 LT GEN HODGES BRIEFING Spa, Belgium 2 March 1945 SPX-B(LIB 5328) Seq: Brig Gen Truman C Thorson briefing officers with a summary of campaign.Lt Gen Omar N Bradley enters, is greeted by officers, and sits down. Lt Gen Courtney H Hodges gets up from chair and points to map for Gen Bradley. Other Generals sitting around map, but whose faces are not seen, are: Gen William B Kean and Maj Gen Elwood R Quesada.