Raid on Cuxhaven facts for kids
The Raid on Cuxhaven was a special attack by British planes launched from ships. It happened on Christmas Day in 1914. The target was the German Navy base at Cuxhaven.
Planes from the Royal Naval Air Service were carried close to the target by ships called seaplane tenders. These ships were supported by other Royal Navy ships and submarines. The planes flew over the Cuxhaven area and dropped bombs. They caused some damage to buildings on shore.
At the time, people called it an "air check" of the area. This included Cuxhaven, Heligoland, and Wilhelmshaven. The planes also took the chance to attack important military spots in northern Imperial Germany.
Planning the Attack
The large sheds for Zeppelin airships at Nordholz Naval Airbase near Cuxhaven were too far for planes based in the UK to reach. So, a plan was made. Special ships called seaplane tenders would carry the planes closer.
These ships were HMS Engadine, Riviera, and Empress. They were led by Squadron-commander Cecil L'Estrange Malone. A group of cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, known as the Harwich Force, also helped. This group was led by Commodore Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt.
The plan was to launch three seaplanes from each tender. They would take off near Helgoland in the German Bight. Their main goal was to look at German military buildings. If possible, they would bomb the Zeppelin sheds at Cuxhaven. A sailor and writer named Robert Erskine Childers helped with navigation. He knew the area well from sailing there before the war.
The Christmas Day Raid
On Christmas Day, 1914, the Royal Navy carried out the first ever attack using both ships and planes. Their aim was to find and bomb German Zeppelin sheds. This was to stop the airships from attacking Britain.
The air was very cold, just above freezing. Nine seaplanes were lowered into the water. But only seven of them could start their engines and take off. These planes carried three 20-pound bombs each. The two planes that couldn't start were pulled back onto the ships.
Fog, low clouds, and German anti-aircraft fire made the raid difficult. It was not a complete success, but several places were attacked. Still, the raid showed that planes launched from ships could be used for attacks. It also proved how important this new type of weapon was.
A message from January 1915 said that the British air raid on Cuxhaven made the German Navy move most of its main fleet. They moved them from Cuxhaven to different places along the Kiel Canal.
All seven plane crews survived the raid. They had been flying for over three hours. Three planes managed to return to their tender ships and were recovered. Three other planes landed near the island of Norderney. Their crews were picked up by the submarine E11. The planes were then sunk so the enemy couldn't get them.
The seventh plane had engine trouble and fell into the sea. Its pilot, Flight Lieutenant Francis E.T. Hewlett, was thought to be missing. But he was found by a Dutch fishing boat. The boat took him to the Netherlands, and he later returned to Britain.
German Response
After the raid, the main German fleet did not respond. However, the German naval air force was very busy. Seaplanes and airships took off to find the British attacking force. One reconnaissance seaplane flew for almost six hours. This was a great achievement for that time.
Another seaplane from Heligoland spotted the British ships. But it did not have a radio, so it had to fly back to the island to report. A German airship, L6, also saw the British. But it had a problem with its power, so it couldn't report right away.
The British ships were sailing together at a speed of about 20 miles per hour. But HMS Empress had engine problems and fell behind. Because of this, it was the first ship to be attacked. Two German seaplanes dropped bombs. One small bomb exploded close to the ship, but it caused no damage.
The Zeppelin L6 then attacked the Empress with bombs and machine gun fire. The crew of the Empress tried to fight back. They used rifles at first because their main gun was blocked. No damage was done to the ship, the seaplanes, or the airship.
German submarines also tried to attack the British ships as they left. But the British fleet moved skillfully, and the submarines had no success. The British force returned home safely, without any losses or damage.
Aftermath and Awards
For their bravery in the Cuxhaven Raid, some of the British crew members received awards. Flight Commander Kilner and Flight Lieutenant Edmonds were given the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). Two Chief Petty Officer Mechanics, James William Bell and Gilbert Howard William Budds, received the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM).
