Falmouth Town Remembers the Bravery of Operation Chariot on Its 82nd Anniversary

Falmouth Town Council has announced a service of remembrance to mark the 82nd anniversary of Operation Chariot, famously known as the ‘Greatest Raid of All’ during World War II.

The event is scheduled to take place this Sunday, 17 March, at the Saint Nazaire Memorial located on the Prince of Wales Pier, starting at 11 am. The council extends an open invitation to the public to join in the remembrance service and view the accompanying parade.

To facilitate the event, road closures are expected on High Street, Market Street, and Killigrew Street from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm. Attendees are advised to plan their visits accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.

Operation Chariot is celebrated for its audacious assault on St Nazaire, specifically targeting its vast dry dock, which was a critical component in the German naval infrastructure during the war. The operation, carried out on 26 March 1942, saw the HMS Campbeltown, alongside 18 smaller vessels, embark from Falmouth, navigate across the English Channel, and forcefully collide with the Normandie dry dock’s south gate. The destroyer was laden with delayed-action explosives concealed within a robust framework of steel and concrete, which later exploded, rendering the dock unusable until 1948.

The raid, though successful in achieving its objectives, came at a steep price. Of the 611 commandos who ventured into Saint-Nazaire harbour, only about 200 managed to reach the docks, with the majority either losing their lives or being captured. Merely 22 managed to return to Britain on motor torpedo boats, and an additional five found their way to the Spanish border. The operation’s valour was recognised through the awarding of five Victoria Crosses to participants, cementing its legacy as the ‘greatest raid of all.’

The town council encourages individuals of all ages to participate in the service of remembrance, to not only honour those who displayed extraordinary bravery and sacrifice but also to educate the younger generations on the significant historical events that shaped the world as we know it today.