3-047-202 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'One After Another The Buildings Burst Into Flames', c1929. First World War: The Zeebrugge Raid on 23 April 1918, was an attempt by the Royal Navy to block the Belgian port of Bruges-Zeebrugge. 'So completely was the attack a surprise to [the Germans] that our men found the guns at the head of the Mole were either deserted or uncovered, and thus easily captured and put out of action. Soon the marines had control of the Mole, and proceeded to demolish it according to plan. One after another the buildings burst into flames or split into fragments, and crumpled, as the dynamite they laid went off with terrific effect. Presently their eyes were cheered by the sight of a terrific explosion, and they burst into round after round of cheers. For the explosion marked the execution of one of the most daring and skilful achievements of the evening'. From "Heroic Deeds of Great Men", by C. Sheridan Jones and Alfred Miles, illustrated by Howard Davie and Harry Payne [Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd, London, c1929]