Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The primary objective of the Zeebrugge Raid was to permanently block the Bruges-Zeebrugge canal, thereby preventing German U-boats and light shipping from accessing the English Channel and the southern North Sea.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Zeebrugge Raid's central strategic aim was to neutralize the port of Bruges-Zeebrugge by blocking its canal entrance, thereby impeding German U-boat and light shipping operations in the English Channel and southern North Sea.
The belligerents in the Zeebrugge Raid were the United States and Germany.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Zeebrugge Raid was a direct confrontation between the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and the Imperial German Navy, not involving the United States as a primary belligerent.
Initial British strategies to counter German U-boat activity from Flanders ports included combined operations against Borkum, Ostend, and Zeebrugge, but these were rejected due to various difficulties.
Answer: True
Explanation: Early British strategic considerations for neutralizing German U-boat bases in Flanders involved ambitious combined operations, but these were ultimately dismissed due to logistical and tactical complexities.
Admiral Sir John Jellicoe rejected the idea of a raid on Zeebrugge in 1917, preferring Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon's original blocking operation concept without any adaptations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Admiral Sir John Jellicoe actually proposed the Zeebrugge raid in 1917, and the plan that was eventually authorized was an adaptation of Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon's blocking operation, not a direct adoption of his original concept.
Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon's initial plan to bombard the Zeebrugge lock gates in late 1915 was approved by the Admiralty as a low-risk operation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon's proposal to bombard the Zeebrugge lock gates in late 1915 was explicitly rejected by the Admiralty due to its perceived high risk, not approved as a low-risk endeavor.
Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt's proposal in 1916 to capture the mole and the town of Zeebrugge as a prelude to advancing on Antwerp was rejected by both Vice-Admiral Bacon and the Admiralty.
Answer: True
Explanation: Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt's ambitious plan for a land-based advance on Antwerp via Zeebrugge was indeed deemed unfeasible and rejected by both Vice-Admiral Bacon and the Admiralty.
Operation Hush was a British plan for landings near Middelkerke, contingent on the success of the Third Battle of Ypres, and directly influenced the Zeebrugge Raid's execution.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Operation Hush was a British plan for landings near Middelkerke, it ultimately had no direct influence on the execution of the Zeebrugge Raid, despite being contingent on the Third Battle of Ypres.
Vice-Admiral Bacon's plan to destroy the Zeebrugge lock gates involved bombarding them with 15-inch guns from monitors at long range, using artillery-observation aircraft for aiming.
Answer: True
Explanation: Vice-Admiral Bacon's strategy for neutralizing the Zeebrugge lock gates involved a long-range bombardment by monitors equipped with 15-inch guns, with targeting precision aided by artillery-observation aircraft.
Bacon's bombardment plan required specific environmental conditions, including mist or low cloud to prevent aerial observation, and a precise wind direction for the smoke screen.
Answer: True
Explanation: The successful execution of Bacon's bombardment plan was critically dependent on a confluence of specific environmental factors, including atmospheric conditions for concealment and precise wind patterns for smoke screen deployment.
The bombardment attempt on Zeebrugge on 12 May 1917 successfully destroyed the lock gates, as confirmed by aerial photographs.
Answer: False
Explanation: The bombardment of Zeebrugge on 12 May 1917 proved unsuccessful in its primary objective; aerial reconnaissance confirmed that the lock gates remained intact, allowing German naval operations to continue.
The British bombardment of Ostend on 5 June 1917 had no lasting effect on the port's operations, despite some initial damage.
Answer: True
Explanation: While the British bombardment of Ostend in June 1917 inflicted some damage, German forces were able to repair it, and the operation ultimately failed to achieve any enduring disruption to the port's functionality.
What was the primary strategic goal of the Zeebrugge Raid on 23 April 1918?
Answer: To block the Bruges-Zeebrugge canal to prevent German U-boats and light shipping from exiting.
Which two nations were the primary belligerents in the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: United Kingdom and Germany
Which British naval officer proposed the raid on Zeebrugge in 1917, with the plan later adapted by Roger Keyes?
Answer: Admiral Sir John Jellicoe
Why was Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon's initial plan in late 1915 to bombard the Zeebrugge lock gates rejected by the Admiralty?
Answer: It was considered too risky.
What was 'Operation Hush' and its connection to the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: A plan for British landings near Middelkerke, which ultimately had no direct influence on the Zeebrugge Raid.
What was the key requirement for Vice-Admiral Bacon's bombardment plan to destroy the Zeebrugge lock gates using monitors?
Answer: A rare combination of wind, tide, and weather conditions.
What was the outcome of the British bombardment attempt on Zeebrugge on 12 May 1917?
Answer: The lock gates were not destroyed, and Zeebrugge remained open to German vessels.
Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, Roger Keyes, and Reginald Bacon were key German commanders during the Zeebrugge Raid.
Answer: False
Explanation: Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, Roger Keyes, and Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon were prominent British naval officers involved in the planning and command of the Zeebrugge Raid, not German commanders.
Ludwig von Schröder was the primary commander for Germany during the Zeebrugge Raid, responsible for German defenses.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ludwig von Schröder indeed served as the principal German commander, overseeing the defensive operations against the British assault on Zeebrugge.
The British forces involved in the Zeebrugge Raid consisted of approximately 1,700 Royal Marines and at least one destroyer.
Answer: True
Explanation: The British contingent for the Zeebrugge Raid was substantial, comprising approximately 1,700 Royal Marines and various naval assets, including destroyers, reflecting the scale of the planned operation.
Rear-Admiral Roger Keyes' plan for blocking Zeebrugge and Ostend, submitted in December 1917, involved using old cruisers in a night attack and was approved in January 1918.
Answer: True
Explanation: Rear-Admiral Roger Keyes' strategic proposal, which involved utilizing older cruisers for a nocturnal blocking operation against Zeebrugge and Ostend, received official approval in January 1918.
By 1917, the main German defensive batteries on the Flanders coast included the *Kaiser Wilhelm II* battery at Knokke and the *Tirpitz* battery near Ostend, both equipped with heavy artillery.
Answer: True
Explanation: By 1917, the German coastal defenses in Flanders were formidable, featuring heavy artillery batteries such as *Kaiser Wilhelm II* at Knokke and *Tirpitz* near Ostend, designed to protect vital naval installations.
The only vulnerable part of the German defensive system at Zeebrugge was considered to be the heavy coastal artillery batteries.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, the lock gates at Zeebrugge, rather than the heavy coastal artillery, were identified as the critical vulnerability in the German defensive network, as their destruction would severely impair canal access.
Volunteers for the Zeebrugge Raid were fully informed of the mission's specific objective before volunteering, to ensure they understood the risks.
Answer: False
Explanation: To maintain operational secrecy, volunteers for the Zeebrugge Raid were not fully apprised of the mission's specific objectives until a much later stage, a common practice for hazardous special operations.
HMS *Vindictive* was specially equipped in Chatham with additional armaments and had unnecessary equipment stripped, along with other blocking ships, for the raid.
Answer: True
Explanation: HMS *Vindictive* underwent extensive modifications at Chatham, including the installation of supplementary armaments and the removal of non-essential equipment, as part of the specialized preparations for the Zeebrugge Raid.
The British assault vessels for the Zeebrugge Mole, including HMS *Vindictive* and the Mersey ferries, were assembled at Dover.
Answer: False
Explanation: The British assault vessels designated for the Zeebrugge Mole, including HMS *Vindictive* and the Mersey ferries, were assembled at the Swin Spitway, off the River Blackwater, Essex, not Dover.
HMS *Thetis*, HMS *Intrepid*, and HMS *Iphigenia* were the blockships designated for Ostend Harbour.
Answer: False
Explanation: HMS *Thetis*, *Intrepid*, and *Iphigenia* were specifically designated as blockships for the Bruges Canal at Zeebrugge, whereas HMS *Sirius* and *Brilliant* were intended for Ostend Harbour.
HMS *Warwick*, an Admiralty W-class destroyer, served as the flagship assembled at Dover for the Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids.
Answer: True
Explanation: HMS *Warwick*, an Admiralty W-class destroyer, indeed functioned as the flagship for the combined Zeebrugge and Ostend operations, assembled at Dover.
Unit L, consisting of HMS *Phoebe* and HMS *North Star*, was tasked with towing submarines during the raid.
Answer: False
Explanation: Unit L, comprising HMS *Phoebe* and HMS *North Star*, was assigned the critical role of escorting HMS *Vindictive*, while Unit M was responsible for towing the explosive-laden submarines.
The British personnel participating in the Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids included 82 officers and 1,698 men from the Royal Navy, along with Royal Marine Artillery and Light Infantry.
Answer: True
Explanation: The combined British forces for the Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids were substantial, consisting of 82 officers and 1,698 men from the Royal Navy, augmented by specialized units from the Royal Marine Artillery and Light Infantry.
Who was the primary commander for Germany during the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: Ludwig von Schröder
Approximately how many Royal Marines were involved in the British forces for the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: 1,700
Rear-Admiral Roger Keyes' plan for blocking Zeebrugge and Ostend, approved in January 1918, primarily involved what type of vessels?
Answer: Old cruisers used in a night attack
By 1917, which German defensive battery, located east of the Bruges Canal at Knokke, featured four 12-inch guns?
Answer: Kaiser Wilhelm II battery
What was identified as the only vulnerable part of the German defensive system at Zeebrugge, whose destruction would significantly impact naval operations?
Answer: The lock gates.
What was notable about the recruitment of volunteers for the Zeebrugge Raid regarding their knowledge of the mission?
Answer: Very few participants were aware of the specific objective until much later.
Where were the British assault vessels for the Zeebrugge Mole, including HMS *Vindictive* and the Mersey ferries, assembled?
Answer: Swin Spitway, off the River Blackwater, Essex
Which *Apollo*-class cruisers were designated as blockships for Ostend Harbour?
Answer: HMS *Sirius* and HMS *Brilliant*
What was the flagship assembled at Dover for the Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids?
Answer: HMS *Warwick*
Which destroyers formed Unit L, tasked with escorting HMS *Vindictive*?
Answer: HMS *Phoebe* and HMS *North Star*
What was the total number of Royal Navy officers and men participating in the Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids?
Answer: 82 officers and 1,698 men.
The Zeebrugge Raid took place on 23 April 1918, primarily targeting the Port of Zeebrugge in German-occupied Belgium.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Zeebrugge Raid was executed on Saint George's Day, 23 April 1918, with its primary target being the strategically vital Port of Zeebrugge, then under German occupation in Belgium.
The first attempt at the Zeebrugge Raid on 2 April 1918 was called off due to heavy German counter-attacks.
Answer: False
Explanation: The initial attempt to execute the Zeebrugge Raid on 2 April 1918 was aborted not due to enemy action, but because an unfavorable shift in wind direction rendered the crucial smoke screen ineffective.
HMS *Vindictive*, *Daffodil*, and *Iris II* led a diversionary attack against the Zeebrugge mole, with *Vindictive* intended to land sailors and Royal Marines.
Answer: True
Explanation: HMS *Vindictive*, supported by the ferries *Daffodil* and *Iris II*, spearheaded a diversionary assault on the Zeebrugge mole, with the primary intent of landing British personnel to neutralize German gun emplacements.
Two British C-class submarines, HMS *C1* and HMS *C3*, were filled with explosives and intended to be driven into the viaduct connecting the mole to the shore.
Answer: True
Explanation: A critical component of the Zeebrugge Raid involved two C-class submarines, HMS *C1* and HMS *C3*, laden with explosives, tasked with ramming and destroying the viaduct linking the mole to the mainland.
The landing force from *Vindictive* faced challenges due to the smokescreen being blown offshore and *Vindictive* landing in the wrong place, exposing them to German fire.
Answer: True
Explanation: The British landing parties from HMS *Vindictive* encountered severe operational difficulties, including the dissipation of their protective smoke screen and an inaccurate landing position, which subjected them to intense German defensive fire.
HMS *C1*, commanded by Lieutenant Richard Sandford, successfully destroyed the viaduct at Zeebrugge.
Answer: False
Explanation: It was HMS *C3*, under the command of Lieutenant Richard Sandford, that successfully detonated its explosives and destroyed the Zeebrugge viaduct, not HMS *C1*.
All three blockships, HMS *Thetis*, *Intrepid*, and *Iphigenia*, successfully reached and were scuttled in the narrowest part of the Bruges-Zeebrugge canal.
Answer: False
Explanation: While HMS *Intrepid* and *Iphigenia* were scuttled in the narrowest part of the canal, HMS *Thetis* was severely damaged and sank prematurely, obstructing only a dredged part of the outer channel, not the main narrowest section.
Wing Commander Frank Brock was a German commander who successfully defended Zeebrugge against the British smoke screen operation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Wing Commander Frank Brock was a British officer responsible for devising and commanding the smoke screen operation during the Zeebrugge Raid, and he tragically lost his life during the engagement, making him a British casualty, not a German defender.
Why was the first attempt at the Zeebrugge Raid on 2 April 1918 called off?
Answer: The wind direction changed, making a smokescreen impossible.
What was the role of HMS *Vindictive* and the Mersey ferries *Daffodil* and *Iris II* in the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: They led a diversionary attack against the Zeebrugge mole.
Which British submarine, commanded by Lieutenant Richard Sandford, successfully destroyed the viaduct at Zeebrugge?
Answer: HMS *C3*
What happened to the blockship HMS *Thetis* during the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: It was severely damaged by German fire and sank before reaching the main channel.
Who was Wing Commander Frank Brock, and what was his fate during the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: The individual who devised and commanded the smoke screen operation, losing his life during the raid.
The Zeebrugge Raid was considered a decisive British victory, as the blockships successfully and permanently sealed the canal entrance, halting all German U-boat traffic for months.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite British efforts, the Zeebrugge Raid did not achieve a decisive victory; the blockships were not optimally placed, and German forces quickly adapted, allowing U-boat traffic to resume at high tide within days.
The United Kingdom suffered minimal casualties in the Zeebrugge Raid, with only 8 killed and 16 wounded.
Answer: False
Explanation: The United Kingdom incurred significant losses during the Zeebrugge Raid, reporting 227 killed and 356 wounded, which contradicts the assertion of minimal casualties.
According to Sir Henry Newbolt, the blockships were sunk in the wrong position, and German U-boat traffic continued at the same rate in the week after the raid.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sir Henry Newbolt, the official historian, concluded that the blockships were improperly positioned, resulting in only a temporary obstruction, and German U-boat activity quickly resumed its pre-raid frequency.
The Germans circumvented the blockships by removing piers and dredging a new channel through the silt, allowing U-boats to pass at high tide.
Answer: True
Explanation: German engineering ingenuity allowed them to rapidly bypass the sunken blockships by removing existing piers and dredging an alternative channel, thereby restoring U-boat access to the sea at high tide.
What was the ultimate outcome of the Zeebrugge Raid for the British?
Answer: A German victory, as the canal was only temporarily obstructed.
What were the approximate casualties for the United Kingdom in the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: 227 killed, 356 wounded
How did the Germans manage to circumvent the blockships in the Zeebrugge canal?
Answer: They removed piers and dredged a new channel through the silt.
The Zeebrugge Raid had no long-term effect on German U-boat traffic, which quickly returned to pre-raid levels.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the immediate obstruction was temporary, the Zeebrugge Raid did contribute to a sustained reduction in German U-boat passages from the port, with traffic not returning to its pre-raid intensity.
The Allies used the news of the Zeebrugge Raid to boost morale and symbolize impending victory, using the phrase 'Possunt quia posse videntur'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Zeebrugge Raid, despite its mixed operational success, was effectively leveraged by Allied propaganda to bolster public morale and project an image of imminent victory, encapsulated by the Latin maxim 'Possunt quia posse videntur'.
Vice-Admiral Bacon, in 1931, attributed operational failures of the raid to Roger Keyes' appointment and changes to his original plans, citing Keyes' lack of knowledge of local tidal conditions.
Answer: True
Explanation: In a later analysis, Vice-Admiral Bacon critically assessed the raid's shortcomings, attributing them to Rear-Admiral Keyes' modifications to his original plans and Keyes' perceived unfamiliarity with the complex local hydrographic conditions.
The Zeebrugge Raid was a standalone operation, unrelated to any attacks on Ostend.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Zeebrugge Raid was not an isolated event but was conducted concurrently with an attack on Ostend, and its perceived success directly influenced the subsequent Second Ostend Raid.
Most British casualties from the Zeebrugge Raid were buried in Zeebrugge Churchyard immediately after the raid.
Answer: False
Explanation: The majority of British casualties from the Zeebrugge Raid were interred in England, either repatriated for family burial or laid to rest in locations such as St James's Cemetery in Dover, rather than immediately in Zeebrugge.
Eight Victoria Crosses were awarded for the Zeebrugge Raid, with the 4th Battalion Royal Marines receiving one through a ballot, which was the last time this method was used.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Zeebrugge Raid was distinguished by the award of eight Victoria Crosses, notably including one selected by ballot for the 4th Battalion Royal Marines, marking the final instance of this unique selection method.
The Royal Marines have never raised another 4th Battalion as a mark of respect for those involved in the Zeebrugge Raid.
Answer: True
Explanation: As a lasting tribute to the valor and sacrifice of the 4th Battalion Royal Marines during the Zeebrugge Raid, the Royal Marines maintain a tradition of not reconstituting this particular battalion.
What was the long-term effect of the Zeebrugge Raid on German U-boat traffic from Zeebrugge?
Answer: The average number of U-boat passages fell and did not return to pre-raid levels.
What Latin phrase was used by the Allies to boost morale and symbolize impending victory after the Zeebrugge Raid?
Answer: Possunt quia posse videntur
Where were most of the British casualties from the Zeebrugge Raid primarily buried?
Answer: In England, often returned to families or buried in Dover.
How many Victoria Crosses were awarded for the Zeebrugge Raid, and what was unique about one of the selections?
Answer: Eight Victoria Crosses were awarded, with one selected by ballot for the 4th Battalion Royal Marines.
What is the significance of the Royal Marines never raising another 4th Battalion?
Answer: It is a mark of respect to honor the bravery and sacrifices of the 4th Battalion in the Zeebrugge Raid.