Zeebrugge Raid Remembered April 19th-23rd

April 23rd will be the 100th anniversary of the Zeebrugge Raid in WWI when HMS Warwick led a daring attempt to blockade the German U-boat base at the Belgian port. From April 19th to 23rd, there will be an exhibition in the Visitor Information Centre in Jury Street, telling the story of the raid.

The Royal Navy intended to sink obsolete ships in the canal entrance to prevent German vessels from leaving port to attack British shipping in the North Sea and The Channel. The port and coastal area was heavily defended.

The Flagship of the British naval force was HMS Warwick , a newly-built Admiralty ”W’ Class Destroyer.

During fierce fighting that saw HMS North Star sunk, two of the three ‘blockships’ were scuttled in the narrowest part of the Bruges canal, but after a few days the Germans were able to reopen the canal to submarines at high tide.

More than 220 British servicemen were killed and 350 wounded. Eight Victoria Crosses were awarded. The German casualties were 8 dead and 16 wounded. There is a memorial to those who died in St. James’ Cemetery in Dover.

At St. Mary’s Church, Warwick, on Sunday 22nd April, there will be a special Evensong service commemorating those who died a hundred years ago.