Captain McClure was engrossed in thought and as soon as he and his
staff arrived on the _Monitor_ he beckoned them to follow him below.
"Very important news, boys," he began.
"The department has ordered a concerted attack on Zeebrugge. The
allied armies have been making a successful drive in Flanders designed
at getting in behind the German U-boat bases. It seems to be the
consensus of opinion among the naval strategists of our own country,
as well as in England and France, that the only way to stop the
German submarine is to cut off the Germans at their naval bases.
That is the aim of the land drive, and now it is the navy's turn."
He paused for a moment, and then continued:
"But now, to be more explicit. Here are the orders that I have just
received from the Admiral, in conference with other American and
English naval commanders. A picked fleet from the allied navies has
been selected for the attack on Zeebrugge. Our American submarines
are to lead the way. We are expected to worm our way inside the
enemy port and open the attack, Then the battleships will open fire
on the coast fortifications.
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