THE ZEEBRUCGE RAID.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1717, 7 January 1920, Page 5

THE ZEEBRUCGE RAID.

LECTURE BY LIEUT.-COMMANDER BOURKE. V.C.

This evening at the Opera House Lieut.Commander Bourke, V.C., D.5.0., R.N.V.U., will relate the story of the operations at Ostcnd and Zebrugge m April, 1918. The lecture is under the auspices of tho Navy league. Commenting on an addresg.given at Auckland tho Herald _ says: Lieut.Commander Bourke told his tale with a. directness and simplicity that put rhetorical efforts to shame. The interesting details of the secret preparations for assault, and tho actual’ attack itself held tho close attention of tho audience throughout tho evening. Having himself played a very conspicuous part in the operations he _ described, the commander Vas able to bring_ the -whole memorable scene before the minds of his hearers as no more printed or second-hand verbal recital could over do. With an excellent lantern and tho vspcclal Admiralty slides which he had at his disposal, ho reinforced tho effort of his words, so that no one who heard and saw could bo excused trom carrying away a clear understanding, of the stupendous task the Navy undertook on that occasion, and a sincere admiration [or tho' spirit of gallantly and selfsacrifice which imbued all who shared in the exploit. Beginning with an account of the work of the Dover patrol in its hazardmis vigil against German submarines, the commander carried his audience with him through tho countless operations of offence and defence, showing and explaining by a wealth of.,,pictures the different classes of vessels engaged, and the nature of their duties. Then he landed his hearers on the’ mole of Zeebruggo on > that memorable night when the Vindictive and her friends hurst through the smoko screen, and clashed in under a witlioring firo. The assault on the mole and the blowing up of the viaduct were most graphically described by word and pictures The lecturer interspersed his narrative with numerous incidents of individual risk, daring, and suffering. Maps and pictures made plain the nature of the canals, and the invaluable work accomplished by tho sinking of tho blockships.