On 28 August 1914, the Harwich Force, supported by light cruisers and battlecruisers of the Grand Fleet, carried out a raid towards Heligoland with the intention of destroying patrolling German torpedo boats. "Landrail" formed part of the 2nd Division of the Third Flotilla during this operation. "Landrail" took part in torpedo attacks against the German light cruisers and , with "Landrail" claiming one hit on "Mainz". On 24 October 1914, "Landrail" set out from Harwich as part of the escort for the seaplane carriers and on a raid against the German airship base at Cuxhaven. The force reached the launch-off point off Heligoland on the morning of 25 October, but poor weather meant that only two of the six seaplanes managed to take-off, both of which quickly abandoned the mission.