THE NAVAL WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17882, 30 August 1918, Page 5

THE NAVAL WAR.

THE OSTEND RAID.

ADMIRAL REYES'S DISPATCH. A. and N.Z. Cable Association aui Rcuter,

LONDON, August 28.

The "Gazette-" contains stirring stories of deeds of heroism and indomitable courage in the of a long list mentioned by Admiral Keyes, commanding the Dover patrol, in connection with the second blocking operation' at Osteud, on the night of May 9. Admiral Keyes says:—Aerial photographs taken« prior to the operation clearly showed that the enemy had made special preparations in anticipation of a renewed attack. The operation was carried out in mined waters, in face of tremendous fire. The greatest credit is due to the volunteers for their hazardous service in the Vindictive and tho motor launches detailed for rescue work, also to.the crews of innumerable craft, winch covered and screened the Vindictive, led her to the objective and rescued the survivors of her crew, after she had been premeditatedly blown up.

THREE VICTORIA CROSSES

A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Rcuter.

(Received August 29, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 28.

The list of awards in connection with the blocking of Osteud on May 9 include three Victoria Crosses:—

Lieutenant-Commander Drummond, in charge of a motor launch, despite throe severe wounds, navigated his seriously damaged boat and took off forty of the Vindictive's crew, some of whom were killed during the embarkation. Lieutenant-Commander Bourke, who while in charge of a motor-launch engaged the enemy guns with a Lewis dun. After withdrawing he heard cries

and re-entered the harbour and rescued! three wounded clinging to a skiff. The launch was hit in fifty-six places, including one hit by a six-inch shell. Lieutenant Victor Crutchley, who as« sumed command of the Vindictive after, his superior officers were put out ol action, and 'manoeuvred the Vindictive into position, did not leave until ha thoroughly searched with an electrid torch for survivors. ' He assumed command of Commander Drummond'fl motor-launch when the latter collapsed owing to wounds, and kept her afloat by bailing out. Captain Benn, a member of the House of Commons, was appointed Commander of the Order of the Bath, and Captain Ernest Wigra,m, Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, for gallant conduct in the Ostend action. '*

"WITHOUT TRACE." HUN METHODS EXPOSED. LONDON, August 28. A clear case of a German submarine attempting to " sink without leaving a trace" has been revealed by the French Government. The steamer Lyndiane was torpedoed without warning off the Spanish coast. Two whaleboata and a raft were got afloat with the survivors, when the submarine rose and charged one of the whalers, cutting it in halves. The occupants of the other whaler thought that this was accidental and strove to rescue their comrades, but the submarine then rammed and smashed it, killing the captain ; and a woman passenger. The submarine then turned and rammed the debris in order to make sure. The submarine next rammed the raft several times.

The submarine commander seeing the Lyndiane's second officer swimming by the ship, rari him down, the propeller cutting him in pieces. The U-boat then resumed the task of smashing the obstinate raft, killing and maiming many during the process. Eventually the raft was scattered to pieces and the submarine disappeared, leaving the survivors clinging to the debris.

Though this attempt to sink without leaving a trace failed, only eight of the stricken survivors were rescued out of forty-six. , -"