'St. Nazaire - Operation Chariot'
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Date commenced:
Saturday, March 28, 1942
Location
St Nazaire, France
France
47° 16' 29.712" N, 2° 11' 57.264" W
St Nazaire, France
A Combined Operations raid on the dry dock at St Nazaire, France. The force consisted of Army Commandos led by No.2 Commando who were supported by small detachments from Nos 1, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 12 Commandos.
The Force embarked on craft manned by Royal Navy personnel. The Naval Force carrying the Army Commandos consisted of HMS Campbeltown which, packed with hidden explosives, rammed the dock gates after which the Commandos stormed ashore. HMS Campbeltown was followed by a fleet of 18 smaller vessels, most carrying commando demolition teams and their protection squads.
The Commandos succeeded in demolishing much of the infrastructure of the dock operating mechanism, and the undiscovered explosives on HMS Campbeltown later detonated causing severe damage to the dock and its gates.
The Force embarked on craft manned by Royal Navy personnel. The Naval Force carrying the Army Commandos consisted of HMS Campbeltown which, packed with hidden explosives, rammed the dock gates after which the Commandos stormed ashore. HMS Campbeltown was followed by a fleet of 18 smaller vessels, most carrying commando demolition teams and their protection squads.
The Commandos succeeded in demolishing much of the infrastructure of the dock operating mechanism, and the undiscovered explosives on HMS Campbeltown later detonated causing severe damage to the dock and its gates.
Great gallantry was displayed by the raiders and there were many casualties amongst the Commando and Naval personnel. The following were awarded the Victoria Cross, the United Kingdom's highest gallantry award for bravery in the face of the enemy:
- Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Charles Newman, No 2 Commando
- Commander Robert Edward Dudley Ryder, Royal Navy
- Lieutenant Commander Stephen Haldane Beattie, Royal Navy
- Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant, No 1 Commando
- Able Seaman William Alfred Savage, Royal Navy
- Nominal Roll - Commandos (Operation Chariot): [ Commando Personnel.... ].
- Nominal Roll - Royal Navy (Operation Chariot): [ Naval Personnel............. ].
- Numerous images are in our Gallery here: [ St. Nazaire Gallery ........ ].
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