Admiral Franz von Hipper executed a naval raid against the British coastal towns of Scarborough, Hartlepool, and Whitby in December 1914. The raid involved the deployment of battlecruisers from the German Imperial Navy, which targeted the east coast of England. This operation was motivated by a desire to demonstrate German naval capabilities and strike back against British maritime superiority, particularly in light of the naval blockades that Britain had imposed on Germany. Hipper's forces, equipped with advanced gunnery technology, aimed to inflict significant damage while minimizing their own losses.

On that day, German ships bombarded the towns with high-caliber shells, hitting civilian targets and military installations alike. Hartlepool suffered the brunt of the attack, with numerous casualties among the population, leading to about 130 fatalities and many injured. Whitby and Scarborough also experienced bombings that caused destruction to homes and businesses. The audacity of the raid brought alarm to the British public and raised questions about the effectiveness of coastal defenses.

The raid effectively demonstrated that the British coastline was not invulnerable to foreign naval aggression, leading to increased public concern and subsequent policy shifts in military defense. In response, the British Admiralty sought to improve coastal fortifications and increase naval patrols against near-shore threats. The event underlined the dangers of civilian warfare during the conflict and the extent to which naval power could be leveraged against vulnerable targets.