RAID ON OSTEND.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1918, Page 3

RAID ON OSTEND.

A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION

(Received This Dav at 12.25. p.m.) LONDON, April 24. The Admiralty reports that a-? raid was made early this morning on Ostenj and Zeebrugge destroyer and submarine bases. ■

Our forces were seen returning. There is a scarcity of information hitherto, but a report states this raid met with

a reasonable measure of success. The force employed, except, the covering 1% ships, consisted of auxiliary vessels and six obsolete cruisers. Five of these cruisers were filled with concrete, and used as block ships. They were run aground, and in accordance with orders, were blown up and abandoned by their crews. The casualties are hot yet. reported. / , ■ SIGNALLY SUCCESSFUL. (Received This Dnv nt 12.25. n.r>- i LONDON, April 23. Sir Erie Geddes states the raid was signally successful. Marines landed at two points at Zeebrugge, and blew up, the block-ships in the mouth of the . Bruges canal. LOSS ON EACH SIDE. (Received This Day at. 12.25. > LONDON, April 23. Reuter reports that a German destroyer and a British destroyer, were sunk during the attack on Zeebrugge.

FURTHER DETAILS .

(Received This Day at 1.5. p.m.) LONDON, April 23

In the Commons, Sir E. Geddes an- » nounced that the vindicative storm- • ing of, parts of Zeebrugge distracted the enemy from the main operation. He believed that Bruges canal was effectively blocked. An absolete submarine filled with explosives was blown ' up and damaged Zeebrugge mole. An enemy destroyer was torpedoed. We lost a destroyer, two motor boats and two launches are missing. French destroyers co-operated.