Operation Chariot at St Nazaire 28th March 1942

Remembering all the Fallen and all who suffered life changing injuries 81 years ago.

The Commando Fallen https://www.commandoveterans.org/Operation_Chariot_ROH

The Commando Charioteers https://www.commandoveterans.org/operation_chariot

The Naval Charioteers http://www.operation-chariot.org/personnel-1.html

Another year passes - still we remember them.

81 years ago this morning ...

The bows of HMS Campbeltown lodged in the outer caisson of the Normandie Dry Dock seen from near the top of the stairs on the inside the dock.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 28/03/2023 14:15:21

HMS Campbeltown from the river, still intact, and a close-up with a German sailor *possibly* carrying her folded ensign under his arm. The ladders used by the Campbeltown parties are well seen here too ...

Around 11:30hrs, the charges in Campbeltown's bow blew. The results ...

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Some of the commando wounded, including Tom McCormack, Stuart Chant, Tiger Watson, Gerard Brett, Dick Bradley and Arthur Ashcroft, loaded onto a lorry and about to leave for La Baule. The Bridge of Memories (Bridge 'D') is visible over the cab in the background.

Newman and Ryder leading the parade of Charioteers across the Bridge of Memories in 1947 at the unveiling of the memorial.

Remembering all the Fallen and all who suffered life changing injuries 82 years ago this week.

The Commando Fallen https://www.commandoveterans.org/Operation_Chariot_ROH

The Commando Charioteers https://www.commandoveterans.org/operation_chariot

The Naval Charioteers http://www.operation-chariot.org/personnel-1.html

Another year passed.

Not forgotten.

Remembering once again the Charioteers of 1942 - a few days late due to a death in my own family.

This past year I have discovered that Bill Hughes, one of the three 2 Cdo, 5 Troop commandos my grandparents billeted, made two escape attempts while a POW - see attached.

Mark

Hi Mark

Very sorry to hear of your family bereavement. The Forum isn't used as much these days so I put a monthly WW2 history page on the website home page. 83 years since the raid so thanks for remembering all who took part especially the Fallen and those who suffered life changing injuries. I have been adding some information from the Prisoner of War questionnaires to the Personnel A-Z pages or some time now.

Private William Amsted Hughes: https://www.commandoveterans.org/WilliamHughes2Commando

The Commandos who took part: https://www.commandoveterans.org/operation_chariot

ATB Pete

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 11/04/2025 13:27:01

Thanks Pete - the funeral was actually in Ayr, so 2 Cdo was very much in my mind as I moved around the town.

The cousin who has passed was born in 1940, but in Ardrishaig. However her grandparents and lots of other relations (including my own grandparents and mother) were in the Ayr area, so it is certainly possible she saw Tom, Bill and Syd as an infant. Perhaps even Joe and Ken!