Zeebrugge Mole

[IanA]

I have recently bought a postcard which appears to be number one of a series. It depicts the Belgian Mole Guard at Zeebrugge. I assume that it was taken in 1914 rather than late 1918. I would appreciate any comments.

[MartinWills]

There is a set of cards from after the war covering the Zeebrugge raid (20 in all including a plan) which show much of the effect of the raid. Given that this one (not from the set I mention) carries the 1914-1918 date it is almost certainly printed postwar, but there does not appear to be much damage from the raid visible. Another card I have shows a very similar view but appears to be post raid, given that a lot of detail matches, I thik your card is of a "post-raid" picture as well. I can tell you that no. 4 in this seriies shows the temporary suspension bridge erected across the gap in the mole made during the raid so at least some of the set were taken after the raid - probably all of them were as interest in the location grew from the raid.

The gun is the end of a line of 7 10.5 cm guns pointing seaward at the landward entrance to the mole.

[SiegeGunner]

The French caption: "La garde belge du Môle" indubitably means "The Belgian guard on the Mole" and not "The Guard on the Belgian Mole", so it must depict a Belgian battery on the landward end of the Mole prior to the German capture of Zeebrugge in 1914.

[IanA]

Thanks to Martin and Mick for their comments. The soldiers are wearing Adrian helmets and 'glengarry-type' soft hats (I know they're not actual glengarries, but I can't think of their correct name.) so, yes, certainly 1918.

[Regulus 1]

1918, near one of the pieces of the German Lübeck battery at the entrance of the Mole

[IanA]

Thank you Johan. I assume that the broken wall to the left of the picture is evidence of the destruction which had taken place there.

[Cnock]

Hi,

probably caused by German demolitions when they left Zeebrugge mole.

A pic taken at this particular point after the St.George raid shows no damage

Regards,

Cnock

[IanA]

probably caused by German demolitions when they left Zeebrugge mole.

A pic taken at this particular point after the St.George raid shows no damage

I am seriously impressed. Is this then a replacement gun in a new emplacement?

[Cnock]

Hi Ian,

no, same gun in same emplacement, or may be we are not talking about the same demolitions.

The gun itself was put out of action when the Germans retreated.

The guns were placed there after the St.George raid, 2 x 15 cm Schnellade (quick firing) Kanonen 40.

Cnock

[IanA]

Sorry. My confusion is due to ignorance. I know a little about the famous raid but nothing at all about how Zeebrugge was won back later in 1918. I had assumed that the gun was a fully functioning one which had been installed after the German retreat so as to protect the port from a raid. From what you say, I understand that the Belgian soldiers are draped over a disabled gun. I presume the breech has been destroyed.