Operation Chariot Memorial Project

After the Bismarck had sunk
HMS Hood on 24th May 1941 she was hunted down and destroyed by elements of the
Royal Navy, but when initially damaged had signalled her intention to make for St
Nazaire, the only dock on the western seaboard of Europe that could accommodate her.
Realising that such a port could also be a haven for the Tirpitz, should she leave
Norwegian waters for the Atlantic, planners set their minds to destroying the port
facilities, in particular the Normandie Dock.

Following the sinking of the Bismarck, Churchill realised it was vital to winning the Battle of the Atlantic to put the Normandie Dock in St Nazaire out of action so Tirpitz could not be repaired on the Atlantic coast, thus keeping her in Norwegian waters
The idea was to use the USS Buchanan, a WWI destroyer, and convert her to look like a German Mowe class torpedo boat. She became HMS Campbeltown. The plan was to pack her with a 4 ton delayed explosive charge and ram the dock gates. Army Commandos from the Campbeltown and accompanying Motor Launches would destroy the Pumping Station, Winding House and other key dock facilities. Success relied on detailed intelligence, deception, precise timing and the heroism of the Charioteers.

On 26th March 1942, a force consisting of HMS Campbeltown (a converted former US destroyer) and eighteen small launches of coastal forces, twelve of them carrying commandos, set sail from Falmouth on the 400-mile passage to St. Nazaire accompanied by two escort destroyers, HMS Tynedale and HMS Atherstone. Fighter cover was provided by a single Hurricane.
On the 27th March the force is spotted by U-593 which is attacked by HMS Tynedale and forced to submerge. HMS Tynedale and HMS Atherstone head Southwest to conceal the true course of the British force. U-593 radios the sighting but reports the wrong course resulting in 6 German destroyers being despatched from St Nazaire on a fruitless mission.
As the force approaches the estuary to the Loire its position is confirmed by HMSub Sturgeon. The force moves into attack formation whilst Atherstone and Tynedale depart to patrol and to wait for survivors.

Despite the high Spring tide and that HMS Campbeltown has been stripped to make her lighter she grounds twice on the La Chatelier shoals. The British force is spotted and reported several times, but these reports are disbelieved.
When signalled, the force responds with authentic German signals that were secretly obtained during an earlier raid. The German batteries are confused and sporadic firing ceases.
Finally, the German batteries open fire and HMS Campbeltown hoists the White Ensign. As the British force opens fire, they are already in the harbour approaches and the chance to stop the assault has been missed.

Under heavy enemy fire HMS Campbeltown, fully illuminated by powerful search lights, is repeatedly struck while the little boats of Coastal Forces attempt to fulfil their missions under punishing, point blank enemy fire. When Lt. Commander Sam Beattie realises he is heading for the wrong lighthouse he quickly corrects course, steering Campbeltown at 20 knots through the dock’s protective torpedo net to strike the Normandie dock caisson dead centre, positioning the hidden explosives precisely against the target.
The time is now 01:34, and she is only four minutes late after accomplishing something many believed could not be done.

Of the 625 sailors and commandos involved 169 were lost, many in the burning waters
of the Loire estuary, with 101 of them having no known grave. Over 200 were made
prisoners of war but 239 were able to return to Falmouth. In addition, the RAF lost 9
aircrew. Among the 140 decorations awarded were five Victoria Crosses.
Each year commemorative events are held in St Nazaire, Falmouth (where the Charioteers set off from) and at a London lunch.
The Normandie Dock remained out of action for the rest of the war and the Tirpitz never ventured into the Atlantic.