THE RAID SUCCESSFUL
The platoon which was commanded by Commander Adams was officially
designated as No. 1; that commanded by Frank as No. 2 and that commanded
by Commander Hastings as No. 3.
Units were now landing rapidly and No. 7 platoon succeeded in placing
heavy scaling ladders in positions, and then formed up to support Nos. 9
and 10 platoons. Numbers 11 and 12 platoons were dispatched along the
parapet, and reached the lookout station, where they were checked.
Commander Adams and his men, who had again united with the parties
commanded by Frank and Commander Hastings, were some forty to fifty yards
ahead of them, and both parties could make no headway along the exposed
parapet. Meanwhile No. 5 platoon, which had been recalled from its
advanced position, with Nos. 7 and 8 platoons were forming up on the Mole
for an assault on the fortified zone and the 4.1-inch battery at the Mole
head. This attack was launched, but before it could be developed the
general recall was sounded.
There was a cheer from the men. They knew by the sounding of the recall at
this moment meant that the expedition had been a success. Otherwise the
fighting on the Mole would have continued.
The units fell back in good order, taking their wounded with them. The
passing of the men from the Mole on to the parapet by means of the scaling
ladders was rendered hazardous by the enemy opening fire at that portion
of the Mole. Several ladders were destroyed.
The men were sent across in small batches from the comparative shelter
afforded by long distance fire from the battleships. Such rushes were made
as far as possible in the intervals between the bursts of German fire.
The landing parties re-embarked in the manner which they had left their
ships--climbing to the deck of the Vindictive and then proceeding to their
deck of the Vindictive and then proceeding to their various ships by small
boats.
This undertaking was hazardous, too, for enemy shells were falling all
about. Nevertheless, the most of the men reached their ship in safety, and
from the flagship came the signal to retreat.
Upon returning to the Brigadier, Frank surveyed his own men. There had
been few casualties among them. Less than a dozen men had been killed and
left behind. Of wounded Frank counted fifteen. Immediately he ascended to
the bridge to report to Jack.
Jack greeted his chum with a smile. Although the Brigadier had been in the
midst of the battle, and many German shells had found their marks aboard
her, Jack was as cool and unruffled as before the battle started.
"What luck, Frank?" he asked.
"Good," Frank replied. "We held the Mole until ordered back. And you?"
"The best of luck. I've stuck tight to the Vindictive through the heat of
the battle, and I believe our guns have done some damage."
"And the block ships?" asked Frank.
"They have been sunk at the mouths of both harbors, I am informed. The
raid has been a complete success."
At that moment came the recall signal from the flagship.
"See," said Jack, "there's proof of it. If we had not been successful, the
recall would not have been sounded yet. There is still plenty of time if
we needed it, and our damage has not been great enough to leave the job
unfinished."
Jack was right. The harbors of Ostend and Zeebrugge had been effectually
sealed. No longer would enemy U-Boats make nightly raids into the North
Sea, only to scurry back to their bases when it grew light. As a submarine
base, Zeebrugge was extinct. So, for that matter, was Ostend.
That the success of the British expedition had been a severe blow to the
Germans goes without saying. No other single feat since the beginning of
the war had done so much to dishearten them; and there is little doubt
that the sealing of their submarine bases did much toward hastening the
end of the war.
British losses in the raid had been severe. The Vindictive, which had led
the attack, had literally been shot to pieces and it was a miracle how she
remained afloat. The Brigadier, also, had suffered severely, but her
condition was not so bad that a few months in drydock would not be
sufficient to make her whole again.
A dozen or more of the little motorboats and coastal patrol vessels had
been sunk, and the loss of life had been heavy. Several others of the
destroyers had been badly damaged, but there was not one of the larger
vessels sunk or crippled so badly that she could not return to her home
port.
It still lacked an hour of daylight when the allied fleet drew off, its
work accomplished; and behind in the ports now sealed, the anger of the
Germans flared forth anew.
The damaged British ships were immediately put into drydock in British
ports, and Jack and Frank at once returned to Dover to report to Lord
Hastings. The latter greeted the lads with outstretched hands.
"It was a gallant exploit," he exclaimed, "and I am sure both you boys had
important roles to play."
"I guess we did, sir," Frank admitted. "At the same time, I'm glad to be
safely back here again."
"I suppose, sir," said Jack, "now that the enemy submarines caught outside
are without bases, there is little fear of their attempting the
trans-Atlantic trip?"
"On the contrary," said Lord Hastings, "they are more likely than ever to
do so."
"But they must have a base, sir," protested Frank.
"Not necessarily," smiled Lord Hastings.
"Then how will they replenish their supplies of food and fuel?"
"Well," said Lord Hastings, "if they can snare a victim every three or
four days it should be enough. From a merchant ship they can get all the
food and fuel they need before sinking her."
"That's so, by George!" Frank exclaimed.
"It stands to reason," said Lord Hastings, "that those submarines which
were not bottled up in the harbors have been warned not to return. Now,
it wouldn't surprise me a bit if they headed directly for America."
Jack grew thoughtful.
"It's too bad," he said at last, "that the Brigadier was so crippled that
we cannot resume our interrupted voyage."
Lord Hastings smiled.
"I understand she is in pretty bad shape," he said. "So you don't think
you can go now, eh?"
"I'm afraid not, sir. A fellow can't cross the ocean except in a ship."
"True enough. But why are you in Dover now?"
"Why, sir?" Jack exclaimed. "Because we were instructed to report to you."
"Exactly," said Lord Hastings; "and in your pocket, I presume, you have
the same packet of papers the admiralty wishes turned over to Secretary
Daniels of the American navy department?"
Jack clapped a hand to his coat pocket.
"By George! I had forgotten all about them," he said.
"So I imagined. But it is my guess that the navy department still wishes
those papers delivered."
"You're right, sir. Here, I'll turn them over to you, sir."
Lord Hastings waved the packet away.
"Keep them," he said quietly.
"But--" Jack began.
"Great Scott," Frank put in at this juncture, "you must be getting denser
every day, Jack."
Jack wheeled on his chum.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Why, can't you see that you are still expected to deliver the papers?"
Jack sank suddenly into a chair.
"Now why didn't I think of that?" he muttered.
"And I suppose, sir," said Frank to Lord Hastings, "that another ship is
to be put at Jack's disposal?"
Lord Hastings nodded.
"Exactly," he replied.
Jack was on his feet again immediately.
"What ship, sir?" he asked eagerly.
"The Essex, a sister ship of the Brigadier."
"By George! That's fine, isn't it?" exclaimed Jack.
"And do I go along, sir?" Frank wanted to know.
Again Lord Hastings nodded.
"You do," he replied, "together with the officers and crew of the
Brigadier who survived the recent engagement. Your compliment will be
filled from other vessels damaged in the raid."
"And where is the Essex now, sir?" asked Jack.
"Here," replied Lord Hastings, "in Dover. You are to go aboard this
evening."
"I can't get there too quickly to suit me," declared Jack.
"Same here," Frank agreed.
"Now, remember," enjoined Lord Hastings, "that I still am desirous of your
delivering to Secretary Daniels the document I gave you."
"Is the Admiralty still unconvinced of the likelihood of submarines
reaching American waters, sir?" asked Frank.
"It is, but you know my opinion has not changed."
"I begin to agree with you, sir," said Jack. "At first I'll admit I was
skeptical, but the way you explain the matter it sounds reasonable."
"Well," said Frank, "I hope we get there in time to spoil their plans."
"Amen to that, my boy," said Lord Hastings. "But, I'll detain you no
longer. You both probably are anxious to get a look at your new vessel."
"But we have no sailing orders, sir," said Jack.
"You will have before morning," was Lord Hastings reply. "I don't like to
hurry you off, but the truth is I'm busy and will have to get down to
work."
"Sorry we have detained you so long," said Jack. "Goodbye, sir."
They shook hands all around, and the lads wended their way to the harbor,
where they soon were put on board their new ship.
"And now," said Frank, "while we had a good time and all that, I hope
this voyage won't be interrupted."
"My sentiments exactly," Jack agreed. "I want to have another look at
America."