BRILLIANT NAVAL OPERATION

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13750, 25 April 1918, Page 5

BRILLIANT NAVAL OPERATION

SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS AGAINST OSTEND W ZEEBRUGGE. IAmP v\n>:R OF VOLUNTEERS FOI nW-XOCS WORK. LAXDTXr, P'?T]F? : \RRY 01 r THEIR WORK '*' - \FELY RE -EMB VRK. THE ENTRANCES CLOCKED \ND LAND WORKS DAMAGED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 24, 8.3d p.m. "~ LONDON, April 23. Sir Erie Geddes First Lord o' the Admiralty, in the House of Commons, said that the uid on Zeebrusse and Ostend, in which French destroyers coSaW vws an enremely gallant and hazardous undertaking under \iceArimirV Rocer Raves The object was to block the entrances to Zeebrugge a\ d Ts end ß obsolete cruisers the Brilliant, Siruis Intrepid, Iph genia, Thetis ard Vindictive participated in the attack. The first five, filled with concrete were to b3 sunk in the channel entrances to Zeebrugge and Ostend. The Daffodil and Iris carried landing, stormtas and demolition njrties to destroy the head of the Zeebrugge mole. The cru-'ser Vindictive wes fitted with landing bows, and also specially armed batteries, Stokes mortars and flame-throwers. The men employed on the blcckships and in the storming and demolition parties were selected from a larse number or volunteers, for which there was great competition. Light forces from Dover and Harwich, under Commodore Sii R. Y. TyrwhUt covered the operations, which were most intricate. It was necessary to adhere to strict timetable and the earning out involved an attack on a hostile coast and delicate navigation without ! ! S hts : with the added d —-cr of unknown minefields. . ~„ . f .„ „._. Essentials in the sjecess were the scientific use oi unone or log, combined with certain wind conditions, to protect the attackers from the enemy batteries Monitors were ordered to cany out an intense bombardment ol Zeebrugge for an hour, and then the Vindictive was to run alongside the head of the* mole, attack it with gunfire, and land the storming and demolition parties Three blockships. assisted by coastal motor-boets and launches, were ordered to make for the entrance of the canal, run aground and be blown up. Two old, valueless submarines filled with explosives were ordered to run against the pile, work connecting the .. esonry port of the mole with the shore, thus cutting off the mole. The operation at Ostend was simpler. Two blockships were ordered to run ashore and blow up at the entiancc to the port. The difficulties here were increased bv m ; st and r?ir. In consequence of the absence of effective aerial co-operation the results, so far as known, are that the two blockships run ashore at Osiend were abandoned and blown uo. It is too early to say definitely whether they accompl'shed their o'liecii.e. observation being difficult owing to the rn'si. OUcers in the vicir r. ■■>[''•' ' thit these vessels were s l ' I'lfy off their course. Two oat c" the three blocks'iips et Zeebrir.:, 1 attained their objectives, and v\er; sunk e" 1 h'ov\n rp ; r the cnironcc 'o the can?l. The third went aground goir'T W Demase. He extent o" which is not known, was done to enemy '"' trovers r"d ( ier c, ift al< m;s'de ttie moie by gunfire and torpedo attacks. A rroto l ic I >:por!s 'vi '■ torpedoed an enemy destroyer which attempted o e-cec.3 I . sei. dee o d übmeiine attained its objective and v> .s blown rn dcstrry'V! the piline: et the approach to the mole The stormy p.rites r rom 'he Vndictive. Iris, and Daffodil tomtit with the greptest possibly lallartry. maintains • f'eir pos'tiors alongside the mole for an lioor. c :usir°- rwtli dameee. The storming pailies' objectives were the mole, the force ho'ding it and the battery there, and a Ipige seaplane base. The Vnd'ctiv Tr i« ynd Daffodi', a'ter re-e nbarkinn the land' i : uarties, withdrew successful*; This attack was primeulv intended *o engage the attention o' the iroh'- - -isor thneby r"ow;ne the blockships to enter the harbour. This v " '"' ' •"'' ' ■'* : '- S! ° "? v." '"' " "-'<-<■ \on the mnl?, which was & u c-cessii". Sir Eiic L'hv- rC3rett:d t> i :p" t sua Hies to the personnel were heavy in proportion h the numbers er ..r;ed. The Vindictive had reached her base, and the Lis and Daffodil were reported i<j be return'"' . Our losses so far reported were a destro>er sunk by gunfire oT the mole, and two coastal motorboats and two launches missing. In the Adm'ialh s opinion the greatest possible credit is due t> a l, concerned for a very gallant undertaking, which was carried Wt, with s'gnal success. The co-operation between the units engaged and the s\nchronis;tion of all foices wes most remaikable. The officer who developed the s noke attack was killed. Most of the officers and men had been lighting all night, and some had not yet returned, but there was sufficient information to show that the enhances to BtUges Canal was properly and effectively blocked and considerable material damage done. Mr Reginald McKenna, a former First Lord of the Admiralty, congratulated the Navy on its vc'7 gallant action. MEBSAC <•>" CONGRATULATION FROM HIS MAJESTY. SPLFTPK' •■' ' ' V \TRY UNDER EXCEPTIONALLY HAZARDOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. .-'/• . ;"d New Zealand a* l ' Reuler.) I»."cjived Apr! 24, 10.40 pm. LONDON, April 23. The Press Bureau states that His Majesty has sent the following message to the Mee-Admiial at Dover: "I heartily congratulate you and your forces on the marked success of last night's operations. The splendid gallantry displayed Binder exceptionally hazardous circumstances fills me with pride and admiration."