Motor-cars may go along the mole as far as the end of the wharves. See text and photographs on pages [80] and [81].
In spite of the enemy's formidable defences around Zeebrugge, the British determined to block that port, at the same time as Ostend (See page [68]).
The operations, carefully planned in all details, were extremely perilous on account of the minefields, the nature of the landing-places (unmarked by any lights), and the difficulty of finding one's bearings near a coast where the dunes of varying heights are indistinguishable one from another. The enterprise was entrusted to Vice-Admiral Keyes, Commander of the Naval Forces at Dover. The attacking flotilla was composed as follows:
Three old cruisers the Iphigenia (Lieut. Billyard-Leake), the Intrepid (Lieut. Stuart Bonham-Carter) and the Thetis (Captain Sneyd), which, loaded with concrete, were to be sunk in the channel.
The protected cruiser Vindictive (Capt. Carpenter), was armed for an attack on the mole; sailors and marines were to land, destroy the guns, drive back the Germans, and create a diversion, thus enabling the blockading ships to carry out their mission.
The Attack on Zeebrugge.
- The "Vindictive" alongside the mole, on which the Marines disembarked.
- The "Daffodil" holding the "Vindictive".
- The "Iris" alongside the mole.
- The "Thetis" sunk in front of the Channel.
- The "Intrepid" and "Iphigenia" sunk in the Channel.
- Submarine blown up alongside the open-work pier.
- 6in. guns at entrance to mole (photo, p. [75].)
- Church and cemetery in which several of the British killed during the operations were buried (photo, p. [80].)
Two ferry-boats: the Iris and Daffodil, armed for landing operations; two submarines, loaded with explosives, to attack the mole; destroyers to defend the flotilla against enemy attacks; launches and motor-scouts to pick up the crews of destroyed or sunken vessels, and smoke boats.
Vice-Admiral Keyes was on board the Warwick. All the men were picked volunteers of tried courage and energy.