Raid on the Medway

Overview

The Raid on the Medway, during the Second Anglo-Dutch War between 12 June to 14 June 1667, was a successful attack conducted by the Dutch navy on English warships laid up in the fleet anchorages off Chatham Dockyard and Gillingham in the county of Kent. At the time, the fortress of Upnor Castle and a barrier chain called the "Gillingham Line" were supposed to protect the English ships.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Raid on the Medway was a decisive Dutch naval operation during the Second Anglo-Dutch War, in which the Dutch fleet attacked English warships laid up at the fleet anchorages off Chatham Dockyard and Gillingham in Kent. The raid struck at the heart of English naval infrastructure, targeting vessels that the Gillingham Line — a barrier chain — and the fortress of Upnor Castle were meant to protect. The success of the operation, executed under the overall command of Michiel de Ruyter and Cornelis de Witt, demonstrated the vulnerability of England's laid-up fleet and dealt a severe blow to English naval prestige. Within the Second Anglo-Dutch War, the raid substantially strengthened the Dutch negotiating position and is widely associated with bringing the conflict toward its conclusion.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (6)