HP4 1NX
The Raid on St Nazaire – 27/28 March 1942
Nick Beattie
Truly the Greatest Raid of WWII
This suicidal mission took place at a very low point in the 2nd WW. The almost incredible aim was to destroy a dry dock situated six miles into the River Loire at the very heavily fortified military port of St Nazaire.
This extraordinary story is told by Nick Beattie, who says:
On 26th March 1942 a small flotilla consisting of one small destroyer and eighteen MTB’s, MGB,s and ML’s with 622 sailors and commandos, left Falmouth harbour to travel a somewhat hazardous 300 miles to the mouth of the river Loire in western France. This was a combined service operation with the RAF also involved.
Their objective was to travel six miles up the river, which was the most heavily fortified in Europe, to ram the dock gate at St Nazaire and destroy the dock and port infrastructure. Surely a crazy idea!
This raid is known as ‘The Greatest Raid of All’ and resulted in about 130 gallantry awards including 5 VC’s.
This is the most extraordinary story of bravery and self sacrifice, illustrating what detailed planning and daring to do what was thought impossible can achieve.
I will tell the story of why this was important, how they did it and how successful they were, together with the consequent repercussions of the event.
I am passionate about telling the story and keeping the memory of the participants alive. My father was one of the participants of the raid.
Nick Beattie
President, St Nazaire Society.
You couldn’t make it up!