Battle of Dover Strait (1917) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Second Battle of Dover Strait
Part of the First World War
HMS Broke in 1917.
Date 20–21 April 1917 Location Dover Strait 51°01′N 1°29′E / 51.017°N 1.483°E / 51.017; 1.483 Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	German Empire
Commanders and leaders
Edward Evans	Theophil Gautier
Strength
Destroyer leader Broke Destroyer leader Swift	6 torpedo boats
Casualties and losses
Broke heavily damaged Swift lightly damaged 22 killed	2 torpedo boats sunk 71 killed

The Second Battle of Dover Strait was a small but important naval battle during World War I. It happened in April 1917 in the Dover Strait, which is a narrow part of the English Channel. In this battle, two British destroyers fought against a larger group of German torpedo boats. The British ships won, sinking two German boats, but their own ships were damaged.

What Happened Before?

On April 20, 1917, the German Navy sent two groups of fast ships called torpedo boats. Their mission was to attack Allied positions on land. They also wanted to fight any warships guarding the Dover Barrage. This was a line of floating mines that stopped German ships from entering the English Channel. Six German torpedo boats fired at Calais in France. Another six fired at Dover in England, just before midnight.

The Battle Begins!

Two British ships, HMS Broke and Swift, were on patrol near Dover. They were called "flotilla leaders," which means they were larger destroyers that led groups of smaller ships. Early on April 21, they met six German ships near the Goodwin Sands.

The battle was confusing in the dark. The British ship Swift fired a torpedo and hit a German ship called SMS G85, sinking it. Then, Broke crashed into another German ship, SMS G42. The two ships got stuck together.

For a short time, sailors from both sides fought hand-to-hand. German sailors tried to climb onto the British ship. But Broke managed to break free. Soon after, the damaged G42 sank.

What Happened After?

The British ship HMS Swift had only minor damage. However, Broke was badly damaged. It had to be pulled back to port by another ship. Even though the British ships were damaged, they won the battle. They stopped the German attack and sank two enemy ships.