THE ZEEBRUGGE OPERATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1967, 22 April 1919, Page 2

THE ZEEBRUGGE OPERATION.

AT the lime of the daring exploit which had for its object the blocking of Zeebruggc, there were friendly but candid critics who questioned the wisdom of the adventure. Even in America there were writers who, while expressing unstinted admiration of the heroism of those who engaged in the operation, did not hesitate to declare that the cost in men and materials was not justified by the results. At the present time there are but few who would deny that the scheme has been fruitful of results of the highest value. Lord •Icllieoe's war bo'bk allots the credit for its inception. As early as 1914, Admiral Jellieoe and Sir Lewis Bayly discussed the blocking of Zeebruggc by sinking ships across.

the channel. Sir Lewis Bayly -considered the scheme feasible, and Admiral JeJlieoe suggested to (he Admiralty that such an operation .should be carried out, but it was'" not considered practicable by the Admiralty after taking up the appointment of First. Sea Lord at the time. Some two years later he caused the question to be reconsidered, and more-"than one plan was discussed with Admiral Bacon {commanding the Dover patrol). Various schemes for driving the on-» emy from the Belgian coast were meanwhile put into operation; and in September, 1017, when it became clear that (he object in view would not be effected by military operations during that year, Admiral Jellicoe gave directions to the Plans Division of the Naval Staff, of which Rear-Admiral Roger Keys h.ad recently become the head, .that phi ns for blocking Zeebrugge were to be prepared. Later, after considering an independent proposal by Sir Reginald Bacon for attacking the Mole by landing parties by monitors run alongside it, Admiral Jellicoe decided that the operation was to he combined with a landing on the Zeebrugge Mole. He eventually approved the scheme* in November, 1U.17, and the training of (he storming "party and selection of the block ships wore taken in hand.