Photo: Vandyk
FLIGHT-LIEUT. HAROLD ROSHER, R.N.
Note.
The following is the Admiralty's official account of the raid described in the foregoing letters:—
"During the last twenty-four hours, combined aeroplane and seaplane operations have been carried out by the Naval Wing in the Bruges, Zeebrugge, Blankenberghe and Ostend districts, with a view to preventing the development of submarine bases and establishments.
Thirty-four naval aeroplanes and seaplanes took part.
Great damage is reported to have been done to Ostend Railway Station, which, according to present information, has probably been burnt to the ground. The railway station at Blankenberghe was damaged and railway lines were torn up in many places. Bombs were dropped on gun positions at Middelkerke, also on the power station and German mine-sweeping vessels at Zeebrugge, but the damage done is unknown.
During the attack the machines encountered heavy banks of snow.
No submarines were seen.