It would be difficult to exaggerate the important part played
by the Navy in the battle of the Dunes and in checking the German advance along the coast road. A statement issued by the Admiralty and published in Friday's papers tells in laconic language what has happened. This statement shows that "since the morning of the 27th (Tuesday) the fire of 12-in, guns has been brought to bear upon the German position and batteries." Unofficial reports show that this may be translated as follows. A British battleship, name not mentioned, has been taking part in this game of long bowls. The Admiralty further tells us that "reports from the shore testify to the effective accuracy of the fire and to its galling character." On Wednesday and Thursday the enemy brought up heavy guns and replied vigorously to the fire of Admiral Hood's ships, but without doing any serious damage. By Thursday, indeed, the preponderance of the naval gunnery was established. The Admiralty statement ends by informing us that the enemy's submarines had sought an opportunity to attack the bombarding ships, which were covered by British destroyers. The report as a whole may be summed up in the conclusion of one of the paragraphs: "The flank is thus fully maintained."
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