THE ZEEBRUGGE RAID 23 APRIL 1918.

 The aim of this raid was to sink several old ships in the canal entrance at Zeebrugge to stop German U-boats from using the port.HMS Vindictive, along with the requisitioned Liverpool ferryboats Iris and Daffodil, carried parties of Royal Marines and sailors.Their job was to subdue the German defences located on the mole that protected the harbour whilst other naval personnel sank the block ships in the shipping channel.The attacking Royal Navy forces lost their element of surprise when the smoke cover cleared revealing their positions to the German forces defending the harbour. Thereafter they came under intense attack.Under heavy fire Vindictive berthed further away from the planned position. The landing parties then faced a daunting barrage as they crossed specially contrasted gangplanks and descended about five metres from the top of the wall to the main level of the mole.Despite several gallant actions they failed to neutralise the German guns which made it harder to sink the block ships in the planned positions. After an hour the British naval forces retreated.

Ultimately, the raid had limited success as the canal only remained blocked for a few days.