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GERMAN PROPAGANDAImmediately after the Raid the Germans issued a variety of propaganda stories, alleging that the Raid had not achieved its objectives and that German engineers had quickly been able to clear a route
around the block ships. The Kaiser awarded bravery medals to many of the Zeebrugge defenders, claiming the operation as a German victory. This German version of events was accepted by many people, particularly those in
England who had supported Admiral Bacon and disapproved of the young Admiral Keyes' aggressive action. It was a view held by many senior officers at the time, that strong action against the Germans was to be
discouraged, since it would only provoke damaging counter attacks. |
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But Keyes was convinced the Raid had been a success and most of his supporters and allies agreed with him. The evidence
certainty seems to support his view of events. Aerial photographs taken soon afterwards showed two of the blockships in position across the mouth of the canal preventing it from being used by homeward bound German
submarines. It was later discovered that several German submarines and motor torpedo boats had been trapped in the canal and had remained there for the rest of the War. Even after the War the Liverpool Salvage Company,
with the most modern equipment, took more than twelve months to clear the canal. |
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