Britain’s National Museum of the Royal Navy has announced more details of its forthcoming WW1 conference to commemorate the centenary of the seaborne attempt to block German U-boat bases in Flanders.
The two-day symposium, on April 20/21, will include a screening of the 1924 documentary Zeebrugge, with an introduction by Bryony Dixon of the British Film Institute.
Themes to be explored include technological aspects of Royal Navy’s attack on the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, its planning and the challenges of covert operations.
See the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard website for details of speakers and booking for the NMRN conference.
Although unsuccessful, the landing at Zeebrugge and the sinking of blockships there and at Ostend on 23 April 1918 was portrayed as a victory. Eight Victoria Crosses – Britain’s highest award for gallantry – were awarded.
Carried out on the feast day of St George, England’s patron saint, the action is also known as the St George’s Day Raid. It came as Britain and the Allies were battling to contain Germany’s last offensives of the First World War.
Source: Natonal Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Images: Centenary News
Posted by: CN Editorial Team