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Jet · #2 (**permalink**) June 25th, 2003, 07:05 PM

St Nazaire Raid

The Raid at St Nazaire was designed to prevent the drydock at the port being used by the Tirpitz, and therefore preventing the ship from coming south from the Norwegian fjords.

The raid was led by HMS Cambeltown an American lend-lease destroyer specially refitted for the task. Her interior was stripped, and the bridge armour-plated with protection being provided for the commandoes she would carry. The motor Launches carried 150 commandos, and each was fitted with two Oerlikon 20mm guns and additional fuel tanks to increase their range. To carry more commandos, the ML fleet was increased to ten and then to 14.Only one MGB was available, MGB 314 commanded by Lt Dunstan Curtis was a C-Class Fairmile. She would led the attack. MTB 74 joined the force after her attack on Rade de Brest. MTB 74 was backup, equipped with untried flying torpedoes to breach the lock if the Cambeltown failed to reach the drydock.

The Fleet sailed on 28th March, with MGB 314 at the lead and two escort destroyers flanking the MLs and Cambeltown. 60 bombers provided a diversionary air raid, and each boat flew the German flag to delay identification. HMS Sturgeon, a submarine, provided the exact position for the task force from which to make its run into the estuary,

The Cambeltown crept through the estuary at 5 knots, touching bottom twice. At 0120 Search lights illuminated the entire fleet and the German flags were replaced with the White Ensign. The fleet was still two miles from its target. In 15 minutes of intense shelling half the men aboard the MLs were dead or wounded. The bombers were briefed to target only military installations, specific targets, and to avoid civilian casualties. Those who failed to acquire their targets did not drop their bombs.

The Cambeltown cleared the estuary and increased speed to drive her bows through the torpedo barrier and into the dock gate. The MLs were all but stopped, only two succeeded in landing their full complement of commandos. Other MLs approached the old moe, but were forced to reembark their commandos in the face of heavy fire from 20mm cannons. Fighting was ferocious and close quartered on shore.

Cambeltown meanwhile, was relieved of most of her crew by MGB 314 while MTB 74 deployed her delayed action torpedoes in the foundations of the lock gate. The MTB then left for home with 26 more survivors. The MTB stopped to pick up two more survivors and shells from the shore batteries smashed the boat. Only three of the 34 aboard survived.

Cambeltown was driven onto the lock gates and its hold detonated, destroying the lock gates. The delayed torpedoes were activated two days later. Below are the VCs and awards granted for the St Nazaire raid.

Of the 241 Commandoes who took part, 59 were posted as killed or missing and 109 captured. 85 Royal Navy were killed or missing and a further 20+ captured and many others were woudned.

Captain Robert Edward Dudley Ryder, RN.
For great gallantry in the attack on St. Nazaire. He commanded a force of small unprotected ships in an attack on a heavily defended port and led HMS Cambeltown in under intense fire from short range weapons at point blank range. Though the main object of the expedition had been accomplished in the beaching of Cambeltown, he remained on the spot conducting operations, evacuating men from Cambeltown and dealing with strong points and close range weapons while exposed to heavy fire for one hour and sixteen minutes, and did not withdraw till it was certain that his ship could be of no use in rescuing any of the Commando Troops who were still ashore. That his motor un boat, now full of dead and wounded, should have survived and should have been able to withdraw through an intense barrage of close range fire was almost a miracle.

Lieutenant-Commander Stephen Halden Beattie, RN, HMS Cambeltown.
For great gallantry and determination in the attack on St. Nazaire in command of HMS Cambeltown. Under intense fire directed at the bridge from point blank range of about 100 yards, and in the face of the blinding glare of many searchlights, he steamed her into the lock gates and beached and scuttled her in the correct position. This Victoria Cross is awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Beattie in recognition not only of his own valour but also of that of the unnamed officers and men of a very gallant ship's company, many of whom have not returned.

Able Seaman William Alfred Savage, RN.
For great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty as gunlayer of the pom-pom in a motor gunboat in the St. Nazaire raid. Completely exposed, and under heavy fire he engaged positions ashore with cool and steady accuracy. On the way out of the harbour he kept up the same vigorous and accurate fire against the attacking ships, until he was killed at his gun. This Victoria Cross is awarded in recognition not only of the gallantry and devotion to duty of Able Seaman Savage, but also of the valour shown by many others, unnamed, in Motor Launches, Motor Gun Boats and Motor Torpedo Boats, who gallantry carried out their duty in entirely exposed positions against enemy fire at very close range.