Bomb Damaged Submarine Shelters on the Mole near Zeebrugge

This rare photograph bought from a flea-market shows the German submarine shelters built along the Zeebrugge Mole in 1918. Notice clear signs of bomb damage caused by the British raid of Zeebrugge on 23 April of that year. These sturdy shelters were designed to shield U‑boats and smaller naval craft from aerial attack and shellfire, making them a vital part of the German defensive network along the Belgian coast.

The image reveals the aftermath of the raid: shattered concrete, exposed structural elements and debris scattered over the Mole. These scars embody the force of the British assault and the strategic importance of the Mole as a base for German naval operations.

German Submarine bomb damage on the Mole
German Submarine bomb damage on the Mole

Craters, Barbed Wire and Broken Concrete

visible damage to the shelters can be seen — fractured walls, fallen sections and bomb craters marking the surface. The Mole was heavily fortified, and these shelters were built to withstand significant force, so the destruction seen here speaks of the scale of the bombardment.

Barbed wire defences run along the Mole, forming a protective barrier against landing parties. The wire coils, still intact in places, emphasise the Mole’s role as both a harbour structure and a defensive stronghold.

A Path Through the Defences: Trails Between Barbed Wire

A narrow trail can be seen leading between the barbed wire defences. This path would have been used by German personnel moving between gun positions, shelters and observation posts. Its presence adds a human dimension to the photograph, hinting at the daily routines of the men stationed here.

The trail also convey the scale of the Mole — a vast concrete structure stretching far out into the sea, lined with defensive positions and essential wartime infrastructure.

Blockships in the Distance: Intrepid and Thetis

In the distance, on the left side of the photograph, the scuttled blockship HMS Intrepid can just be seen. Her silhouette lies low in the water, marking the spot where she was deliberately sunk during the raid to block the harbour entrance.

At the centre of the photo sits HMS Thetis, another British vessel used in the operation. Thetis was intended to lead the blockship group but came under heavy fire and was scuttled earlier than planned. Her presence in this photograph provides a rare visual record of her final resting place.

Together, these two vessels form a powerful reminder of the raid’s objective: to obstruct the Bruges–Zeebrugge canal route used by German U‑boats.

Relevant Links on the Zeebrugge Raid 1918

View the photo gallery menu of the Zeebrugge Raid 1918
A historical overview of the Zeebrugge Raid in 1918

About this site and bibliography

View Further Images Relating to the Zeebrugge Raid

Gun barrel with firing mechanism on the Mole Coast
Scuttled HMS Intrepid and Iphigenia in the Mole
Aerial view of scuttled ships Intrepid and Iphigenia
German naval mechanics on the Mole
Views of the Mole Seaport with gun in foreground

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