Zebrugge Grappling Iron and Plaque - Dover, Kent.
Posted by: MeerRescue
N 51° 07.670 E 001° 18.551
31U E 381685 N 5665399
A commemorative bronze plaque alongside a grappling iron used in the Zebrugge Raid on 23rd April 1918.
Waymark Code: WMM74M
Location: South East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/03/2014
Views: 3
A commemorative bronze plaque set in a
granite slab together with a heavily damaged grappling iron from the Zebrugge
Raid of 23rd April 1918, is sited outside the former Dover Library, alongside
the towns War Memorial.
The bronze plaque reads;
GRAPPLING IRON
This Grappling Iron is one of many used
by the British Sailors and Royal Marines
to hold HMS Vindictive against The
Mole during the Raid on Zebrugge on the
23rd April 1918
_
Made at Chatham Dockyard, it bears the
scars it received during the fierce battle when
the Raiding Parties landed in the face of
heavy enemy fire at point blank range.
The Zebrugge Bell above the Town Hall, is
rung at noon on the anniversary
each year by the Town Mayor to
commemorate the raid, the success of which
denied the enemy use of the Belgium
canals for the remainder of the war.
_
Eight Victoria crosses were awarded for a
battle lasting only 70 minutes
Royal Marines Association
City of London Branch