 Trade In this Item for up to £1.55
Get an extra £5 when you trade in books worth £10 or more until June 30, 2012. Trade in Saint-Nazaire: Operation Chariot - 1942: Battleground French Coast for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £1.55, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Find more products eligible for trade-in.
|
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
In early 1942, shipping losses in the Atlantic threatened Britain's very survival. In addition to the U-Boat menace, there was real concern that the mighty German battleship Tirpitz be unleashed against the vital Allied convoys. Yet only the 'Normandie' Dock at St Nazaire could take her vast size in the event of repairs being required. Destroy that and the Tirpitz would be neutralized.
Thus was born Operation CHARIOT, the daring Commando raid that, while ultimately successful, proved hugely costly. Using personal accounts, James Dorrian describes the background and thrilling action that resulted in the award of five Victoria Crosses.
In a dramatic final twist of events, once the battle was over, the converted former US warship Campelton blew up wrecking the dock gates and killing many Germans who thought the battle was won.
Thus was born Operation CHARIOT, the daring Commando raid that, while ultimately successful, proved hugely costly. Using personal accounts, James Dorrian describes the background and thrilling action that resulted in the award of five Victoria Crosses.
In a dramatic final twist of events, once the battle was over, the converted former US warship Campelton blew up wrecking the dock gates and killing many Germans who thought the battle was won.
From the Author
This, my second book on the subject of Operation CHARIOT, is designed to act as a comprehensive guide of equal value both to those who wish only to read about this amazing feat of arms, and to those whose intention it is to one day visit Saint-Nazaire and follow in the footsteps of Colonel Charles Newman's gallant Army Commandos. Largely based on the personal testimony of the soldiers and sailors who were actually there, the extensively illustrated text is supplemented by essential travel information and a detailed tour encompassing all the primary Commando targets, the CHARIOT memorial and the awe-inspiring U-Boat pens.
As demonstrated by Jeremy Clarkson in his moving documentary 'The Greatest Raid Of All Time' - for which I acted as programme consultant - many of the major features of the 1942 battlefield remain to the present day, the giant 'Normandie' dock still welcoming some of the largest ships in the world.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After the Bismarck was sunk in May 1941, the Tirpitz posed the greatest threat to Allied shipping in the Atlantic by any surface vessel. In order to become that threat, however, like the Bismarck, first she had to get there. Both sides were aware of how the Bismarck's attempt had been a close run thing. Had her steering gear not been jammed by a fortunate torpedo strike - just as the great ship was executing an emergency turn, she would easily have made it to safety.
Whilst stopping the Tirpitz was, therefore a high priority for the British, the ship was also proving to be most elusive. Then came a plan with a very different approach altogether. The Tirpitz was a massive 45,000 tonnes and, in those days, there were not very many docks able to take such a large vessel. If ever she did break out, she would need to have a safe refuge somewhere for those eventual repairs and engine overhauls that are an essential part of running any big ship. The only suitable dockyard outside Germany was at Saint Nazaire.
In a daring raid in which no fewer than 5 VC's were won, this is the story of how one of HM Ships was disguised to look like a German Destroyer in order to get close to the gates at the entrance to Saint Nazaire harbour - the very gates through which any big ship would have to pass. The plan was simple enough; A large compartment in the bows of the ship were packed with high explosives and then sealed shut. With the ship thus transformed into a time-bomb, she was driven at full speed into those gates where she became firmly wedged. This was followed by fierce fighting as the British tried to withdraw their now stranded crew and protective Commando troops from the harbour.
Later, when quiet had finally descended on the town, the Germans inspected the ship - completely bemused by what appeared to be a futile attempt to wreck their harbour by simply ramming the gates. But, somewhere in a sealed compartment a clock was still ticking.....
The Press Release issued with this book describes it as "A graphic and dramatic description backed by excellent photographs." I could not have put it better.
Whilst stopping the Tirpitz was, therefore a high priority for the British, the ship was also proving to be most elusive. Then came a plan with a very different approach altogether. The Tirpitz was a massive 45,000 tonnes and, in those days, there were not very many docks able to take such a large vessel. If ever she did break out, she would need to have a safe refuge somewhere for those eventual repairs and engine overhauls that are an essential part of running any big ship. The only suitable dockyard outside Germany was at Saint Nazaire.
In a daring raid in which no fewer than 5 VC's were won, this is the story of how one of HM Ships was disguised to look like a German Destroyer in order to get close to the gates at the entrance to Saint Nazaire harbour - the very gates through which any big ship would have to pass. The plan was simple enough; A large compartment in the bows of the ship were packed with high explosives and then sealed shut. With the ship thus transformed into a time-bomb, she was driven at full speed into those gates where she became firmly wedged. This was followed by fierce fighting as the British tried to withdraw their now stranded crew and protective Commando troops from the harbour.
Later, when quiet had finally descended on the town, the Germans inspected the ship - completely bemused by what appeared to be a futile attempt to wreck their harbour by simply ramming the gates. But, somewhere in a sealed compartment a clock was still ticking.....
The Press Release issued with this book describes it as "A graphic and dramatic description backed by excellent photographs." I could not have put it better.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This excellent publication, detailing the daring British commando raid on the French, Atlantic coastal port of St Nazaire , is the latest title in the superb Elite Forces Operations series of books from specialist military book publisher - Pen and Sword,
Mainland France had been under Nazi occupation for almost two years as the Spring of 1942 approached and as successive months passed, the enemy seized the opportunity to reinforce its foothold in the region further by building up its defences against a possible allied invasion.
St Nazaire's excellent location and unique, vast dry dock facility at the mouth of the Loire, afforded Germany's Kriegesmarine the opportunity to operate and maintain the largest of warships in it's fleet (including the infamous Tirpitz), whilst at the same time, being able to monitor and subsequently attack Allied shipping, carrying crucial cargoes of personnel and supplies, as it entered the Western Approaches from the Atlantic Ocean.
Under the code-name "Operation Chariot", the large-scale commando raid, aimed at destroying the port's famous Normandie Dock was launched. Making use of HMS Campbletown - a converted US Navy destroyer, loaded with high-explosive as a battering ram, their target was reached successfully at the dead of night. As the ship deliberately hit the dock, our elite forces, swarmed over the surrounding port area, destroying key installations and facilities, causing the maximum damage possible. The determined efforts of this group of exceptionally brave men (five of whom were subsequently to be awarded the coveted Victoria Cross) paid off and the mission was deemed - successful, however the cost was high, resulting in many of our troops being killed, wounded or captured.
This splendid book makes interesting reading and will therefore prove invaluable to anyone intending visiting the area, studying the operation or researching the war service history of a relative involved. It includes many excellent black and white photographs and maps, plus a superb colour section featuring the weapons and equipment used at the time. The detailed eye witness accounts and citations for the five Victoria Crosses awarded are especially interesting and as a result, I am sure the reader will not be disappointed.
Mainland France had been under Nazi occupation for almost two years as the Spring of 1942 approached and as successive months passed, the enemy seized the opportunity to reinforce its foothold in the region further by building up its defences against a possible allied invasion.
St Nazaire's excellent location and unique, vast dry dock facility at the mouth of the Loire, afforded Germany's Kriegesmarine the opportunity to operate and maintain the largest of warships in it's fleet (including the infamous Tirpitz), whilst at the same time, being able to monitor and subsequently attack Allied shipping, carrying crucial cargoes of personnel and supplies, as it entered the Western Approaches from the Atlantic Ocean.
Under the code-name "Operation Chariot", the large-scale commando raid, aimed at destroying the port's famous Normandie Dock was launched. Making use of HMS Campbletown - a converted US Navy destroyer, loaded with high-explosive as a battering ram, their target was reached successfully at the dead of night. As the ship deliberately hit the dock, our elite forces, swarmed over the surrounding port area, destroying key installations and facilities, causing the maximum damage possible. The determined efforts of this group of exceptionally brave men (five of whom were subsequently to be awarded the coveted Victoria Cross) paid off and the mission was deemed - successful, however the cost was high, resulting in many of our troops being killed, wounded or captured.
This splendid book makes interesting reading and will therefore prove invaluable to anyone intending visiting the area, studying the operation or researching the war service history of a relative involved. It includes many excellent black and white photographs and maps, plus a superb colour section featuring the weapons and equipment used at the time. The detailed eye witness accounts and citations for the five Victoria Crosses awarded are especially interesting and as a result, I am sure the reader will not be disappointed.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A group of us intend to visit Saint Nazaire soon and I came across this book 'St Nazaire-Operation Chariot' I purchased it through Amazon and was pleased with the speed of delivery.
Having read the book and studied the pictures and plans I now know we will have a very good visit. It is full of detail and information both of our forces and the defending garrison. A clear walking tour is included together with full details of travel and accomodation. A very good buy.
Having read the book and studied the pictures and plans I now know we will have a very good visit. It is full of detail and information both of our forces and the defending garrison. A clear walking tour is included together with full details of travel and accomodation. A very good buy.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
