British Commandos, 1942. Photo credit: Malindine E G (Lt) War Office official photographer.

The St Nazaire Raid, known as Operation Chariot, conducted on March 28, 1942, during World War II, was a daring British operation targeting the Normandie dock at St Nazaire in German-occupied France. The Normandie dock was the only facility on the Atlantic coast capable of accommodating massive German warships like the battleship Tirpitz. Destroying it would force any damaged German battleships to return to home waters via the heavily guarded North Sea, effectively neutralizing their threat in the Atlantic.

The raid was orchestrated by Combined Operations Headquarters and carried out by a joint force of the Royal Navy and British Commandos. Its aim was audacious: to disable the Normandie dock using an old destroyer packed with explosives and to demolish other key port facilities. This mission was perilous, requiring precision, coordination, and immense bravery.

Planning

The St Nazaire Raid was a bold and complex operation, requiring thorough preparation and precise coordination. The planners faced the formidable task of navigating a heavily defended port, disabling a critical German facility, and ensuring the safe return of as many participants as possible.

HMS Campbeltown, a World War I-era destroyer, was chosen as the linchpin of the operation. Given its age and limited operational value, it was an ideal candidate for a high-risk mission. The ship underwent significant modification.

To achieve its disguise as a German destroyer, the ship’s silhouette was altered. Two of its four funnels were removed, and the remaining two were cut at an angle to mimic the profile of a Kriegsmarine ship. The bow was packed with 4.5 tons of high explosives, sealed within steel and concrete. The charges were set with delayed-action fuses to detonate hours after the ship rammed the dock gates. The ship was stripped of its original weaponry and fitted with eight Oerlikon 20mm cannons for close-range defense. Additional armor plating was installed to protect the crew and commandos aboard.

The raiding force for the St Nazaire Raid was a carefully assembled and well-prepared group of individuals and vessels, each selected for their specific roles in the operation. It comprised 346 Royal Navy personnel who manned the ships and provided essential support for the naval components of the mission.

Alongside them were 265 British Commandos, primarily from No. 2 Commando, with additional members from other commando units, who were tasked with carrying out onshore demolition and engaging in close quarters combat as needed. Their transport and support were provided by a flotilla of 16 motor launches (MLs), predominantly Fairmile B-class wooden vessels. These launches played diverse roles, including ferrying commandos, delivering fire support, and deploying torpedoes.

To ensure the mission’s success, the commandos underwent intensive training, honing their skills in demolition techniques, close-quarters combat, and naval boarding procedures. Their preparation involved extensive rehearsals in simulated dock environments, allowing them to familiarize themselves with their objectives and the challenges they would face. This rigorous training and detailed planning underscored the level of commitment and precision required for such a daring raid.

The operation’s success relied on deceiving German defenders. HMS Campbeltown flew a German naval ensign and employed recognition signals acquired from prior intelligence work. The Royal Air Force (RAF) staged bombing raids in the area to distract German forces and draw attention away from the approaching convoy.

Intelligence for the raid was painstakingly compiled from multiple sources. Technical details of the dock were obtained from engineering journals and former employees. Covert agents provided updates on German defenses. Decoded German communications and patrol patterns informed the timing and route of the convoy.

The planners of the St Nazaire Raid faced numerous logistical challenges that required meticulous attention to detail. Timing was critical, as the operation was scheduled to coincide with an unusually high spring tide. This would allow HMS Campbeltown to navigate the shallow and treacherous waters of the Loire estuary and reach the dock gates without grounding.

Navigational precision was equally vital; to assist the flotilla’s approach, the submarine HMS Sturgeon was stationed at the mouth of the estuary. Its role was to act as a beacon, guiding the convoy safely through the estuary’s narrow and obstacle-laden waters.

Another significant aspect of planning involved evacuation logistics. Motor launches were designated to extract the commandos once their objectives were completed. However, the planners realistically acknowledged the high likelihood that many participants might not survive or make it back to the flotilla.

The mission’s objectives were clearly defined to ensure focus and coordination during the raid. The primary target was the destruction of the Normandie dock’s gates and its water pumping machinery, thereby rendering the dock inoperable. Secondary objectives included the demolition of dockside facilities, fuel storage tanks, and critical infrastructure to disrupt German naval operations further. Defensive considerations were also incorporated into the plan.

The commandos were tasked with neutralizing enemy searchlights, anti-aircraft emplacements, and other potential sources of resistance. These measures aimed to enhance the chances of mission success and mitigate immediate threats to the raiding force. This detailed and multi-faceted approach reflects the extraordinary level of planning that went into one of history’s most daring military operations

The meticulous planning of Operation Chariot exemplifies the ingenuity and determination of the British forces. Each detail, from the choice of Campbeltown to the commando training exercises, played a crucial role in the raid’s ultimate success.

Execution

As the convoy neared St Nazaire under the cover of darkness, German searchlights swept across the estuary, eventually exposing their approach. In a bold attempt to confuse the defenders, HMS Campbeltown and the accompanying motor launches briefly flew a German naval ensign.

This deception delayed the enemy’s response just long enough to gain precious moments, but the ruse could not last. Once the flotilla came into clearer view, the German coastal defenses unleashed a devastating barrage of gunfire, illuminating the night with tracer rounds and shell bursts. The raiders pressed on through the storm of fire, sustaining significant damage but resolutely advancing toward their target.

HMS Campbeltown, heavily modified for this mission, became the focal point of the operation as it accelerated toward the Normandie dock gates. Under continuous enemy fire, the ship surged forward and rammed into the gates at full speed, embedding its bow firmly. The collision left the explosives-packed destroyer lodged in place, perfectly positioned for the delayed detonation later.

As the ship came to a halt, the commandos onboard sprang into action, disembarking into a scene of chaos and destruction. Braving relentless German gunfire, they moved swiftly to set demolition charges on key targets, including the dock machinery, surrounding infrastructure, and vital bridges.

While the commandos carried out their tasks with extraordinary courage, German resistance grew fiercer. Shore batteries, anti-aircraft emplacements, and patrol forces concentrated their fire on the raiders and the supporting motor launches, sinking many of the fragile wooden vessels.

The devastating bombardment rendered extraction by sea almost impossible, leaving many survivors stranded and forced to fight their way through St Nazaire on foot. Some managed to regroup, but ammunition and resources dwindled under the unrelenting assault, leading to eventual capture for many.

The raid’s turning point came in the hours following the initial attack. In the midst of the destruction and chaos, the delayed-action explosives concealed within HMS Campbeltown’s bow detonated as planned. The massive explosion obliterated the dock gates, sending a towering plume of smoke and debris into the air.

The force of the blast not only rendered the Normandie dock inoperable for the remainder of the war but also claimed the lives of hundreds of German personnel who had gathered around the ship, unaware of its deadly payload. This cataclysmic moment underscored the raid’s success, achieving its primary objective despite the heavy sacrifices endured by the raiding force.

Success at a High Cost

The raid cost Britain dearly: 169 men were killed, and 215 were captured. However, the mission achieved its objective. The Normandie dock was rendered inoperable until the war’s end, significantly curtailing the operational range of German battleships.

The bravery displayed during the raid was extraordinary. Out of the 611 participants, 89 were awarded decorations, including five Victoria Crosses—the highest military honor. The raid is remembered as a profound symbol of ingenuity, courage, and sacrifice. This audacious operation successfully crippled a vital enemy asset and remains a defining moment in military history. It has since been hailed as the “greatest raid of all.”