Captain Carpenter VC with Commander Osborne & ships mascots
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Captain Carpenter VC with Commander Osborne & ships mascots
Vice-Admiral Alfred Carpenter VC (17 September 1881 27 December 1955) was a Royal Navy officer who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his command of HMS Vindictive during the Zeebrugge Raid on the night of 22/23 April 1918. Pictured with Commander Osborne (on the left) holding the ships mascots - two black cats. Date: 1918
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Media ID 14146858
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Action Admiral Awarded Bravery Carpenter Cats Command Mascots Mole Osborne Raid Vice Vindictive Winner Zeebrugge
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, Vice-Admiral Alfred Carpenter VC, a gallant Royal Navy officer, is seen in the midst of the Zeebrugge Raid's aftermath, flanked by Commander Osborne on his left. The trio stands proudly with the ships' mascots – two black cats – perched on their shoulders. The scene unfolds against the backdrop of the damaged HMS Vindictive, a testament to the audacious naval operation that unfolded on the night of 22/23 April 1918. Vice-Admiral Alfred Carpenter VC, born on 17 September 1881, was a decorated war hero who would go down in history for his exceptional leadership during the daring Zeebrugge Raid. The operation aimed to block the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, which was a significant base for German U-boats and mine-laying operations in the English Channel. Carpenter's command of HMS Vindictive was instrumental in the success of the mission, which involved ramming the ship into the Mole, a massive concrete structure protecting the harbor. Commander Osborne, on the left, stands with a sense of pride and camaraderie as he shares this moment with his esteemed colleague and the ships' beloved mascots. The presence of the cats adds a touch of lightness and humanity to the scene, reminding us that even in the midst of war, there is a connection between men and their animals that transcends the battlefield. This photograph, taken in 1918, is a poignant reminder of the bravery, determination, and camaraderie that defined the First World War's naval actions. It stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the men who served on the front lines, and the animals that accompanied them through the trials and tribulations of war.
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