The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-04-24
MORE DETAILS OF
DARING ATTACK
.ON U-BOAT BASES
Are MADE PUBLIC.

blocked, but British sailors and mar.
ines who participated in the raid or
the German submarine bases. be-
J lieve that they destroyed every CUR
on the mole, demolished the sheds
throughout Its entire length and blew
up large stores of munitions con-
tanned in the sheds, according u
stories given by the survivors.
Until they were within a half mile
Of Zeebrugge, no ships in the at
lacking force had picked up the light
on the mole. The attacking ship
which started for the mole had
scarcely got within sight OF the light
when II was discovered by the Ger
mans. Star shells instantly pierced
the thick haze, showing up the cruis-
er as though 1t were daylight.
One second It seemed as liz every
battery in the neighborhood had
concentrated its fire on the cruiser.
How she was able TO get ahead none
Of those watching her understood.
Shells few around her like hail. She
was apparently hit but she plugged
ahead and was seen TO turn the
corner Of the mole and gain the in
side Of the harbor.
Lands FER Men.
Disregarding all that had happen
ed, the cruiser went up to the mole
and landed a large party of blue
jackets and marines The German
defenders conceived the idea. that
their assailants were Americans and
according to some Of the survivors,
this cry was heard:
Its the Americans! It's the
Yankees!"
Some OF the Germans bolted en-
masse from the nearest batteries,
leaving their guns to the British.
The guns were destroyed one by
one, while others in the landing
party dealt with the sheds and mu-
milton stores with flame throwers.
Apparently under cover Of this OPP
GRAFTON the concrete-laden cruisers,
with which IL was intended to block
the channels. made their way
through the harboT, accompanied, as
far as can be ascertained by only
one submarine. As they approached
the entrance, they anchored, swung
around on the cables, and, according
to the testimony Of one OF the OBJ
servers, were sunk within 20 min
utes.
ExpIodss Charge at Locks.
One Of the destroyers or submarines
exploded a charge at the gates OF
the lock to the Bruges canal and
they are believed to have been de-
stroyed Meanwhile four destroyers
entered the harbor and cruised
around, making observations, but
were unable to take part in the bat
tie.
When the attacking ship and its
landing party had completed their
work. the sailors and marines were
taken aboard again, and the cruiser
began to make its way out OF the
harbor.
One of the 17rinch shells fired at
the cruiser got well home in her
upper works. Her steeEinR gear was
injured and she signalled an escort
ship to show her the way out. but
before help arrived she had found
her way out and had taken her place
under her own. steam behind the
lines OF protecting cruisers.
One man who watched the opera
ton from an escorting ship said TO
The Daily Chronicles correspondent:
The men below must have work
ed like trojans for she was throwing
dames ten feet high from her fun
nels."
The narrator described the COM
bined noise OF the German gunfire
and the explosions on the mole as a
@tenfold heir.
The German destroyer which was
sunk was Fammed amidships and
torpedoed. Those who returned 70
the Kentish port also say that
boarders rushed on the German de-
stroyers anchored i'm the harbor. TAX |
ing them completely by surprise.
Sir Eric Geddes, first lord Of the
admiralty. IN experimenting the adj 1
Ffas 10 So A.
ZeebrugRe and Ostend, said I'm Civ
ing the house Of commons such in
formation as had come to hand Of
this extremely gallant and hazard
Gus rad:
Il ask the members 20 appreciate
that most OF tho officers and men
from whom we have got to get the
Information have been lighting the
greater part Of the night and that
some Of them are not yet IN"
French co-opsrats.
French destroyers co-operated
with the British forces. Six obso-
Iete cruisers all from 20 to 90 years
old, took part in the attack.
The plan after an intense bonn
bardment Of Zeebrugge By the mon
Itors, was for the cruisers. with aux
iIfaries to run alongside the mole
and attack it with gunfre as they
storming and demoli-
ton parties were TO be landed.
Aeantime three block ships, assisted
By motorboatss were 70 make the
sntrancs 20 the canal, run aground
yaIueieEs submarines filled with eX- I
olosivea, were TO run against the pile
work connecting the masonry with
he shore. in order 10 cut or the
mole from the shore.
At Ostend the operation was /
more simple. The difficulties were
Increased BY mist rain
md low visibility and the conss-
Iuent absence Of aerial cooperation.
The results thus Tar are known
o be that two block ships were run
lshors and blown up at 0stend. IL
3 too early 20 say definitely whether
hey accomplished their object. but
% far as the officers could see In the
darkness they were slightly of the ]
sourse. AT Zeebruggs two Of thres
lock ships attained their objective
icing sunk or blown up at the en- !
rance 20 the canal. The third i
rounded while passing IN.
we have sufficient information 70 ]
how that the entrance 10 the
7ruges canal probably was effec-
lively blocked, that material damage :
Fas done, and that the greatest j
redit rs due to ali"
Admiral Lord Beresford in an inc Z
ervieW on the raid on German sub +
marine bases. while euiogiZing the :
.eehruRHe achievement as a SPLEEN 4
Ia thing and quite worth attempt
1E. warns against disappointment II \
BE results Of dredging a channel !
auguine expectations. He says that q
be blocking Of 8 harbor IS s. most
lfdcult undertaking and Il never can \
e certain that the obstacles have &
een placed just right. Moreover