THE SUCCESSFUL NAVAL RAID

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13751, 26 April 1918, Page 5

THE SUCCESSFUL NAVAL RAID

CONCRETE-LADEN SHIPS SUNK WITHIN 23 MINUTES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 25, 7.15 p.m. LONDON, April 24. Participators in the raid state that "the concrete-laden ships anchored at the entrance to the harbour, swung round, and sank within 23 minutes of anchoring. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT OS THE OPERATIONS. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) Received April 25, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, April 24. A German official message, referring to the raids on Zeebrugge and Ostend on Tuesday night, says that the enterprise, which was conceived on a large scale and planned regardless of sacrifice, was frustrated. Small cruisers, escorted by numerous destroyers and motor-boats, after a violent bombardment, pushed forward under a veil of artificial fog near Ostend and Zeebrugge to cmite near the coast with the intention of destroying the locks and harbour works. Only 40 marines got on the mole. These fell into our hands—some alive, some dead. Boat's parties fought on the narrow high wall with the utmost fierceness. The report claims that the small cruisers Intrepid and Sirius and two others of similar construction were sunk close to the coast, while three destroyers and a considerable number of torpedo-boats were also -sunk by artillery fire. Only a few of the crews could be saved. Beyond the damage to the mole by a torpedo, tho harbour works and coast batteries were •undamaged. One of our torpedo-boats suffered slight damage. Our casualties were slight. (Admiralty per Wireless Press.) - Received April 26, 12.5 a.m. LONDON, April 24. The German official message claims, inter alia, that the Germans sank three destroyers and three small cruisers in the attack on Zeebrugge and Otfteod. ENEMY'S GUNS TURNED AGAINST THEIR OWN FORTIFICATIONS. BRITISH SAILORS LEFT BEHIND COMPLETE THE WORK OF DESTRUCTION. STORIES OP TIIK EXTENT OF THE ENEMY'S LOSSES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received April 25, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, April 24. Other surwors state that before destroying the guns on the mole the landing party turned them against the enemy fortifications.' The Vindictive left a number on the mole, but some of these were subsequently taken, off by patrol boat* and launches, while other remained and completed the task of destruction of the military works, knowing that, they would be killed or taken prisoner?. The British destroyer which is reported as lost received a salvo of shells In the engine-room. She dashed for the shore in a sinking condition, and was ultimately beached. Another-destroyer took off the survivors, and then blew up the stranded vessel. > There are conflicting stories of the enemy losses. Some survivors state that in addition to the destroyer which was rammed and sunk, two destroyers were sunk In the harbour and one sunk alongside the mole. Other smaller fraft, including submarines, are reported to have J?een sunk.