A ceremony honouring the incredible bravery of sailors and commandos who set off from Cornwall during World War Two on what has since been called, ‘The Greatest Raid of all’, has been held in Falmouth to commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Operation Chariot.
Military personnel, council officials and members of the public gathered at the St Nazaire memorial on Prince of Wales Pier on Sunday, to pay their respect to courage and valour shown on what considered a certain suicide mission.
Parading through the town. Picture: Jory Munday
They were joined by a representative for the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall the deputy mayor of Falmouth Kirstie Edwards, and the Mayors of Penryn and Helston, as well as the Royal Naval Regional Commander, Brigadier Jock Fraser Royal Marines ADC OBE, to remember the audacious raid.
Deputy mayor Kirstie Edwards pays her respects. Picture: Jory Munday
Falmouth mayor Steve Eva said he was "gutted" and "disappointed" not to be able to attend after coming down with Covid alongside town clerk Mark Williams.
Last week he attended the 80th anniversary of the raid in France along with the town clerk which is why the Falmouth ceremony was moved to this weekend.
Among the serving sailors present was Chief Petty Officer Lee Burkin, of HMS Exploit, who had a special family connection to the St Nazaire Raid.
A paratrooper veteran salutes. Picture: Jory Munday
His grandfather, Able Seaman Gerald Burkin served on HMS Sturgeon, a WW2 S-class submarine that had left Portsmouth ahead the main convoy of ships for the raid. Her mission was to act as a navigational beacon provided the exact position for entry to the Loire River, from where the raiding force was to make their run up the estuary.
A sailor lays a wreath during the 80th memorial service marking the St Nazaire Raid. Credit: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum, RNAS Yeovilton
Lee laid a wreath in honour of his grandfather and said, “I’m very proud of Gerald, my grandfather and his part in the St Nazaire raid onboard HMS Sturgeon. The Falmouth 80th Commemoration is a fitting tribute to the bravery of all the Sailors and Commandos of WW2.”
On March 26 1942, HMS Campbeltown accompanied by 16 motor launches packed full of Commandos and escorted by two destroyers, departed Falmouth with the intention of blocking the St Nazaire dock, rendering the port unusable by the German Navy and the Battleship Tirpitz for maintenance and repairs.
HMS Campbeltown was rammed into the docks at St Nazaire
The raid was successful and Campbeltown, packed with explosives, rammed the dock and exploded, destroying the gates and knocking the giant dry dock out of action for the rest of the war.
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Ensuring that the large German warships, that were attacking allied trade routes would have to rely on bases in North Germany, thus leaving Tirpitz vulnerable to attack whilst going through the narrow entrance to the Baltic.
Pictured: HMS Seahawk's volunteer band march past VIPs and dignitaries during the 80th memorial service marking the St Nazaire Raid. Credit: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum, RNAS Yeovilton
Meanwhile, the Commandos transported in the motor launches landed and destroyed dockside installations as well as demolishing much of the infrastructure around the port. However, the cost of the raid was high. Of the 611 commandos and sailors who took part in Operation Chariot, 169 were killed and 200, mostly wounded, were taken prisoner.
Caroline Carr (great niece) places a wreath at the headstone of Able Seaman Bill Savage VC during a small memorial service held at Falmouth Cemetery. Credit: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum, RNAS Yeovilton
Only 242 returned to Falmouth after the raid. Some of the dead lie in cemeteries in France, some were brought home to England, others have no known grave.
Only four of the motor launches made it home. Five Victoria Crosses were awarded, two of them posthumously. At a separate ceremony in Falmouth cemetery, family members of Leading Seaman Bill Savage VC (MGB 314), and Motor Mechanic Tom Parker (MGB 477) laid wreaths at their graves.
Pictured: Standard Bearers march through Falmouth town centre during the 80th memorial service marking the St Nazaire Raid. Credit: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum, RNAS Yeovilton
“It is an honour to join the annual service of remembrance in Falmouth in commemoration of Operation Chariot the St Nazaire raid,” said Brigadier Fraser. “Widely known as `The Greatest Raid of All’, this Commando raid holds a special place in the heritage of our nation’s Commando and Amphibious forces.
A Standard Bearer shoulders the flag during a service held on the Prince of Wales Pier marking the 80th anniversary of the St Nazaire raid. Credit: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum, RNAS Yeovilton
“The dedication of the St Nazaire Society and Falmouth Town Council has once again enabled us to reflect together on the courage and commando spirit displayed by the 611 men who undertook the raid and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
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