The Approach: Fooling the German Defences

"Having, as a last desperate, ploy used intercepted German signals to persuade the German batteries that the fleet was, in fact, friendly, the ships were not fired on until they reached the estuary narrows. Then 'all hell broke loose' as a mass of guns began to pour shells into the force from both estuary shores." © James Dorrian. Used with permission.

Entering the Loire estuary

The Estuary Approach

00.45hrs: Campbeltown grounds twice on La Chatelier shoals. The north shore becomes visible and some bombers are heard making for home.
01.00hrs: Despite the bombers departing, shore batteries remain on alert. A patrol vessel sights the force but has no radio! The force is also sighted by the commander of the 809th Flak Battalion – but his report is disbelieved.
01.15hrs: The force is reported again, by a lookout at St Marc. Enquiries confirm these are not the German destroyers sent to sea earlier.
01.20hrs: The first ships pass Les Morees light tower, just two miles from target. Mecke (German Commander) finally gives the ‘Beware Landing’ signal and Emergency Orders come into force to repel an assault.
01.23hrs: The force is challenged by signal, from within the port, and from the Batterie Behncke – West. Using genuine Signals Intelligence keeps the German batteries confused and sporadic firing ceases.
01.28hrs: No longer fooled, the German batteries finally open fire. HMS Campbeltown hoists the White Ensign and orders the fleet to open fire. The leading British ships are now in the harbour approaches and the chance to stop the assault has been missed.

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