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A memorial block, inset with a plaque commemorating Operation Chariot, which sailed from Falmouth Harbour on 28th March 1942. Operation Chariot, the name given to the raid by British forces on Saint-Nazaire and specifically its huge dry dock, was one of the most daring, courageous episodes of World War II. Out of 611 Commandos who entered the Saint-Nazaire harbour, around only 200 succeeded in landing at the docks. All but 27 were either killed or captured, 22 escaped back to Britain in motor Torpedo Boats and five escaped to the Spanish border. Five Victoria Crosses were awarded to men involved, in what has become known as the greatest raid of all. The memorial block was erected in 1989 and was originally sited at Fish Strand Quay, Church Street.
Title
St Nazaire Raid Memorial
Date
1989 & 2008
Medium
granite & bronze
Accession number
TR11_BH_S017
Acquisition method
commissioned by The St Nazaire Society
Work type
War memorial
Owner
The St Nazaire Society
Custodian
The St Nazaire Society
Work status
extant
Unveiling date
July 2008
Access
at all times
Inscription description
stone of remembrance: OPERATION CHARIOT / FROM THIS HARBOUR 622 SAILORS / AND COMMANDOS SET SAIL FOR / THE SUCCESFUL RAID ON ST NAZAIRE / 28TH MARCH 1942. 168 WERE KILLED, / 5 VICTORIA CROSSES WERE AWARDED / DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF / THEIR COMRADES BY / THE ST NAZAIRE SOCIETY; first plinth: HMS / CAMPBELTOWN / STRUCK THE / DOCK GATE WITH / SUCH FORCE / THAT HER BOWS CRUMPLED / BACK AND PROJECTED ONE / FOOT BEYOND THE INNER FACE. / LT. COMMANDER / BEATTIE TURNED TO / CAPTAIN MONTGOMERY / WITH A SMILE AND SAID / "WELL, THERE WE ARE." / LOOKING AT HIS WATCH, / HE ADDED "FOUR / MINUTES / LATE."; second plinth: ALL / DEMOLITIONS / AT THE FORME / ECLUSE HAD BEEN / COMPLETED. / THESE TARGETS INCLUDED / THE TWO CAISSONS, / WINDING HOUSES AND / MACHINERY, INNER CAISSON / AND THE PUMP HOUSE; ALL HAD / BEEN DESTROYED. / REQUESTED PERMISSION TO LOOK / FOR BILL PRICHARD RATHER THAN / EMBARKING AND WAS TOLD BY THE / ADJUTANT TO LOOK AT THE RIVER. / THAT WAS MY FIRST INKLING THAT / ANYTHING HAD GONE / WRONG WITH OUR PLAN. / Lt. Colonel Bob Montgomery MC; third plinth: LIEUT. / HILLS IS / LYING ACROSS THE / CARLEY FLOAT UNCONSCIOUS / DYING OF THE WOUNDS. / WE DESPERATELY STEER / THE FLOAT BETWEEN THE LAKES / OF BURNING FUEL. / SHELLS ARE HITTING THE WATER. / CORPORAL BROWN, WOUNDED, / IS HANGING ONTO ME. / A GERMAN / SEARCHLIGHT / IS TRACKING / US. Eric dela Torre MBE / 3 Commando; fourth plinth: TO / COMMEMORATE / THE REDEDICATION / BY HRH THE / PRINCE OF WALES / AND THE DUCHESS / OF CORNWALL / ON 11th JULY / 2008.; fifth plinth: YOUR / SONS ARE THE / SONS OF / FRANCE. THEIR / MEMORY/IS HALLOWED. / Jean Guitten Croix du Combattant, OBE; sixth plinth: WELL / CHAPS, WE'VE / MISSED / THE BOAT / HOME WE'LL / HAVE TO / WALK. / Lt. Colonel A.C. / Newman, VC; seventh plinth: OF / ALL THE / OPERATIONS / I WAS INVOLVED DURING THE / WAR, IT IS / WITHOUT DOUBT / THE RAID ON / ST NAZAIRE / WITH WHICH I AM MOST / PROUD TO HAVE BEEN / ASSOCIATED. IT IS ONE OF / THOSE ENTERPRISES WHICH / (...) ATEMPTED ONLY / BECAUSE IT SEEMED / IN THE EYES OF THE / ENEMY TO BE / ABSOLUTELY / IMPOSSIBLE.
