Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids (Battleground Channel Ports WW1) - Softcover

McGreal, Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1844156087 ISBN 13: 9781844156085

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military, 2008

Synopsis

The unrestricted U-Boat war threatened the very survival of Britain, whose reliance on imported food and war materials was her Achilles’ Heel.

A significant element of the German submarine fleet operated from the occupied Belgian ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend. After careful planning the Royal Navy launched audacious attacks on these two ports on St Georges’ Day 1918. Five obsolete cruisers and two Mersey ferries supported by a flotilla of smaller vessels penetrated the near impregnable defenses, while Royal Marines and naval storming parties battle ashore in a diversionary attack. At the time of the action the concrete filled block ships were scuttled in the ports’ approaches.

Despite being a costly and bloody affair for the participants, the survivors returned to acclaim. The raids gave a fillip to the national morale, at a time of depressing news from the Front. To underline the success of the affair no less than 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded.

About this title

About the Author:

Stephen McGreal is an author and historian.

Review:

“...takes you the reader back in time to read about some horrific events that occurred on the battlefields of the First World War...compelling account of this intense action...” (Over the Front)

About this edition

• Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1844156087
• ISBN 13: 9781844156085
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 216