Waterfront at Ostend. The photo shows the beach, buildings and a water tower in the background. Ostend is a Belgian coastal city and municipality, located in the province of West Flanders. Ostend (in common with nearly the entirety of the country) was occupied by German forces and used as an access point to the sea for submarines and other light naval forces for much of the duration of World War I. As a consequence the port was subjected to two naval assaults by the Royal Navy. Photo from album which possibly belonged to Lt Reginald Vigars Prenter (RVP), 72nd Bn.