Second Ostend Raid

The Second Ostend Raid: A Daring Gamble Gone Wrong

Imagine a daring naval operation where the fate of an entire region hung in the balance. The Second Ostend Raid, carried out by the Royal Navy during World War I, was such an endeavor. This mission aimed to block the channels leading to the Belgian port of Ostend, forcing German submarines to operate from more distant ports and reducing their effectiveness. But what happened when the British forces faced heavy resistance and poor weather conditions? Let’s dive into this thrilling tale.

The Strategic Importance of Ostend

Ostend was a crucial port for Germany during World War I, serving as an entry point for small warships and submarines to access the major inland port of Bruges. The German navy had transformed Bruges into a formidable naval center with large concrete bunkers, barracks, and training facilities. Closing this exit would have been a significant blow to the German war effort.

A Failed Attempt

Previous attempts to close the exit at Ostend had already failed, including the First Ostend Raid. The Second raid, launched in 1918, was no less ambitious but equally unsuccessful. Blockships were supposed to be sunk strategically to block the channel, but they grounded over half a mile from their intended location and had to be scuttled by their crews under heavy artillery and long-range small arms fire.

A Gallant Effort

Despite its failure, the operation was presented as a courageous and daring gamble in Britain. Three Victoria Crosses and numerous other gallantry medals were awarded to sailors who participated in the operation. The British forces suffered moderate casualties, while German losses were minimal.

The Plan and Execution

The plan involved aerial bombardment and offshore artillery, followed by blockships scuttling themselves in the channel. Two obsolete cruisers, HMS Sappho and HMS Vindictive, along with four heavy monitors, eight destroyers, and five motor launches, were prepared for this mission. The attack was set to take place on May 9 under nearly perfect weather conditions.

Challenges and Setbacks

A minor boiler explosion on Sappho forced it to return to Dunkirk, halving the force’s ability to block Ostend. Despite this setback, the operation continued with torpedoes fired from motor launches demolishing machine gun posts and ten heavy bombers dropping incendiary bombs.

The Battle in Fog

The attack began in foggy conditions, making navigation extremely difficult. Godsal and Lynes consulted charts of Ostend before losing sight of the shore due to dense fog. The monitors and German shore batteries engaged in an artillery duel as Vindictive steamed back and forth across the harbour entrance, searching for the piers marking the canal’s entrance.

The Tragic End

Commander Alfred Godsal ordered the ship to swing broadside on into the channel mouth but was unable to complete the turn due to a damaged propeller. The cruiser became stuck on a sandbank outside the harbour and was left partially obscuring the entranceway. Crutchley ordered the charges to be blown and the ship evacuated, as he took a survey of the ship and found that none of the survivors were alive.

The Rescue Mission

The rescue mission itself was not going well, with only one motor launch remaining with the cruiser and being riddled with bullets. The crew managed to escape with 38 survivors but remained exposed to machine gun fire from the shore as they jumped onto the heaving deck of their damaged launch.

Aftermath

The operation concluded without significant damage or loss, but it failed to block the channel completely, leaving Ostend open for German use. The British forces regrouped and planned a return to Ostend with Admiral Roger Keyes, aiming to block the canal and sever Bruges from the sea.

The Second Ostend Raid, while a valiant effort, ultimately failed to achieve its strategic goals. Despite the bravery of those involved and the strategic importance of blocking the channels, the operation’s outcome was inconclusive. The German navy managed to maintain some level of access through small coastal submarines and ships, rendering the blockade largely ineffective.

As we reflect on this daring but ultimately unsuccessful mission, it serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, courage and determination can still shine through. However, success often requires more than just bravery; it demands careful planning and favorable conditions. The lessons learned from such operations continue to shape military strategy today.