Zeebrugge: Eleven VCs Before Breakfast

by Barrie Pitt

This is the story of a desperate and heroic venture - the raid by British warships on the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, 23 April 1918. The objective was to sink blockships in the mouth of the canal, sealing off access to the English Channel from the U-boats and destroyers based in the harbour at Bruges. The British crews were all volunteers, highly trained and ready for the fight, who nonetheless knew they were unlikely to survive the firestorm from the German batteries. It was the ultimate example of heroic failure. The Germans removed the obstructions, and the U-boats continued to operate through the summer. But in that one brief morning, eleven men won the VC, 21 the DSO, 29 the DSC, among many other awards. It was an incredible tale, captured here perfectly in Barrie Pitt's graphic account.

Genres: History, World War I, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction, 20th Century

Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Barrie William Edward Pitt was educated at Portsmouth Southern Grammar School before becoming a bank clerk. After service in the Second World War Pitt worked as a surveyor, joined 21 SAS (TA), with whom he rose to the rank of sergeant, and started to write for the magazine Adventure. Pitt also worked for a time as an information officer at the Atomic Energy Authority establishment at Aldermaston, where he demonstrated a talent for turning scientific information into readable prose

In 1958, Pitt wrote a novel, The Edge of Battle, and Zeebrugge, an admired account of the First World War raid on the Belgian U-boat base. This led to a long and prolific career as an author and editor of popular histories. Under the overall editorship of Sir Basil Liddell-Hart, he was responsible for the first major part-work, Purnell's History of the Second World War, a 96-instalment mass circulation series which was launched in 1966 at the Imperial War Museum. He also worked as a researcher for the 1960s BBC television series The Great War.

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a desperate and heroic venture by the British in the last months of WWI......a raid on the Belgian port of Zeebruge where German U-boats and destroyers were sheltering and making lightning strikes against the British Navy and merchant shipping. The objective was to sink blockships in the mouth of the port thus sealing off access to the Channel. The British crew were all volunteers and were well aware that they might not return from this mission. The author has well researched all aspects of the operation and the men who took part in this heroic failure. Although the blockships were put in place, the Germans removed them and continued business as usual. But, like Dunkirk in WWII, defeat was turned to victory as the raid restored the flagging morale of the British people and restored faith in the Royal Navy. The bravery of the men who undertook this mission resulted in the awarding of eleven Victoria Crosses, the most ever given in one battle.

This is an interesting look at a battle which was only a very small part in the overall picture of those last months of the war but one that captured the attention of the world. It is rather technical and demands close attention.....not a book to be read at lunchtime. It is a "keeper" for the reader of WWI history.

[jj Grilliette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I have an older copy of this book as the name is a different but description seems to fit. Same author. Very action packed. Exciting. Heroic

[will hogrefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Interesting

I was intrigued by what went into the planning and preparation for these raids and humbled by the gallantry and bravery of the men involved. Found the language a bit difficult keep up with, and a couple maps showing the geographical layout and movement of combatant units would have been helpful.

[Mr Stephen Tyrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of its day but very interesting

[Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great story but this book is now a bit dated (first published in 1958). It winds up hinting at a German version of the raid that is at odds with what you just read in the book. It would be great to learn the true story.

[Herb Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written entertaining account of a British naval raid, late in the First World War, to destroy the ability of U Boats to enter the sea from their base. It is an exciting adventure story worthy of an Alistair Maclean novel. There are maps and charts that help make this very complex operation easy to understand. The author even adds the occasional bit of dry English wit.

The one problem I have with the book is most likely the result of the the time which it was written; 1958. Every commander and sailor who participated in this action is portrayed as a squared jawed embodiment of British manhood. Each man is shown to be aching with joy to rush forward on what was assumed to be a suicide mission. If a ship broke down on the way to the raid the crew are described as brokenhearted, everyone eager to race into the cannon's mouth. This raid takes place after almost 4 years of slaughter in the trenches, many soldiers, on both sides had begun to question the wisdom of their leaders. They had seen too many of their fellows blown to bits and found that "glory" left a bitter after taste. The author's constant need to paint everyone a hero gets a little old and makes the book seem dated.

I was reminded of some lines from the play Marat Sade which I was inspired to re read. I will quote them below.
ROUX:
We demand
That the people who started the war
should pay the cost of it
Once and for all
the idea of glorious victories
won by the glorious army
must be wiped out
neither side is glorious
On either side they're just frightened men
messing their pants
and they all want the same thing
Not to lie under the earth
but to walk upon it
without crutches.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The almost unbelievable story of the attack on the harbour to stop German U Boats in WW1.

[Eion Hewson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and well told story but noticeably dated and jingoistic