Thread by @HMSExploit

Thread: The #GreatestRaid came about through absolute necessity. The one thing large warships need for sustained operations over the course of a war is a dock that can house them. You can’t fight a ship for years on end with maintenance. /1/

The German warship Tirpitz was one of the deadliest; a battleship of such capability that her mere presence in a naval theatre had significant consequences. In January 1942, it looked like she might make the run from the Norwegian coast into the Atlantic for convoy raiding. /2/

In order to sustain this, she needed a dry dock. There was only one on the Weat coast of sufficient size - #StNazaire. Two options presented themselves to Allied planners, sink the ship or destroy the dock. The @RoyalAirForce attempted to sink her from the sky, to no avail. /3/

Only one option remained to deny her long term access to Allied convoys. The dry dock at #StNazaire had to be destroyed./Last/ #GreatestRaid @RoyalNavy @RoyalMarines @BrigJkFraserRM @MarylaIngham @UKinFrance @JeremyClarkson

The plan was supposedly simple. The destroyer, HMS CAMPBELTOWN (lent from the @USNavy), was rigged with explosives and would ram the outer dock gate. Commandos would disembark, the ship would explode, destroy the lock gates and then the inner gate would be torpedoed.

Concurrently, the Commandoes would destroy as many dockyard infrastructure targets as possible. When the raid was complete, they would embark on the motor launches and return home - all whilst the @RoyalAirForce conducted an air raid.

All together, 1 Destroyer (plus 2 initial escorts), 14 Motor Launches, 1 Motor Gun Boat and 1 Motor Torpedo Boat comprised the naval element. They sailed from #Falmouth at 1500 on Thursday 26th March 1942. Only 4 craft would return. #GreatestRaid #StNazaire @BrigJkFraserRM

Overnight on the 27th March 1942, the @RoyalAirForce commenced the diversionary bombing raid. The crews were instructed to strike only military installations, intended to keep the garrison forces inside their defences. #GreatestRaid

Low cloud scuppered this plan; those that couldn’t see their targets did not drop any bombs. Those that did couldn’t deliver the required effect. As opposed to keeping the German forces under cover, they altered them to Allied forces (although not specifically the naval element)

The naval forces committed to the raid. Witnessing the sky illuminated from the air search lights and the bombs that were released, they hoisted their German flags and proceeded up river. #GreatestRaid #StNazaire

Accurate charting was not available, requiring the submarine HMS Sturgeon to indicate the start of the safe channel. Whilst proceeding slowly up the river, HMS Campbeltown touched the sea bed twice; she continued cautiously regardless. #GreatestRaid #StNazaire

At 0120, the group was illuminated by shore based search lights. Flying the German flag and responding to their signals seeded doubt in the minds of the Germans, stoping them from firing on the Allied vessels. When 2 miles from the lock gates, the white ensign was hoisted.

15 minutes of hell ensued, with intense shelling and gunfire coming from all sides. Approximately half of the sailors and Commandos were killed or wounded before they reached the target. #GreatestRaid #StNazaire

HMS Campbeltown made it through the maelstrom, smashing through the protective anti-torpedo barrier and into the dock gate. The impact occurred at 0134, just 4 minutes behind schedule. #GreatestRaid

The motor launches suffered dearly in the approach; only two landed their full complement of Commandos ashore. The others were either forced to re-embark their forces due to heavy opposition, or had already been lost. #GreatestRaid

The remaining Ship’s Company of the Campbeltown were evacuated from their ship, it’s bow wedged into the dock gate and the explosives, housed deep within, ticking towards detonation. #GreatestRaid

Captain Ryder, in charge of the raiding forces, stepped ashore to satisfy himself the mission would be achieved. At 0230, 56 minutes after the Campbeltown’s impact, he withdrew all forces. #GreatestRaid

The remaining craft fought a ferocious battle towards the sea. They suffered tremendously, returning fire from all angles, rescuing their own men along the way and engaging a group of German motor torpedo boats. Of the 8 craft that departed St Nazaire; only 4 reached safety.

Around noon on 28th March 1942, the explosives within HMS Campbeltown detonated; the dock gate was ripped apiece and destroyed. Later that evening, the torpedoes also detonated and caused irreparable damage to the dock infrastructure. #GreatestRaid

As a direct result of the raid. The battleship Tirpitz never left Norwegian waters for the remainder of the war. #GreatestRaid

The raid, overall, was a strategic success. The force completed their mission and denied safe haven to a deadly foe. However, it is the stories of the men on the ground and on the waves that make this truly the #GreatestRaid.

Over the next five days, we will continue our countdown by focusing on the Victoria Cross recipients. Their stories represent the bravery of all those involved; five men to represent hundreds of our countries finest. #GreatestRaid

Captain Robert Edward Dudley Ryder RN. The commander of the raid. He lead HMS Campbeltown, flanked by the fleet of motor launches, through a maelstrom of enemy fire to reach the dock gates of #StNazaire. #GreatestRaid

The losses suffered en route would have been enough to see many missions abandoned; not for Captain Ryder. He and his men pressed on through extraordinary odds, accomplishing their mission in increasingly dire circumstances. #GreatestRaid

Despite achieving the main task of reaching the dock gate, he remained at the forefront of the raid to ensure every element was achieved. Concurrently, he evacuated injured sailors and commandoes, organised ground forces and maintained an aggressive momentum. #GreatestRaid

When he was absolutely certain that he had evacuated as many of his men as possible, he withdrew from shore in the vulnerable motor launches. The his men had the best chance of escaping was clearly of utmost importance to him. #GreatestRaid

Considering the losses suffered making it up river against a less prepared enemy, the likelihood of Captain Ryder and his motor launch reaching the safety of the waiting destroyers was slim. Beating all odds, he and his wounded men made it. #GreatestRaid

Captain Robert Edward Dudley Ryder RN was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the raid. #GreatestRaid #StNazaire

Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Charles Newman. Command of military forces ashore during the raid. An Officer from the Essex Regiment, Lt Col Newman played an integral role in ensuring the commandoes achieved their aims ashore. #GreatestRaid

His men achieved great feats against a numerically superior force. They destroyed critical infrastructure to aid in neutralising the dry dock capability, such as the nearby pump house. The Lt Col could have directed his forces from afloat; he was instead one of the first ashore.

Directing individual elements of the raid, such as mortar teams, to neutralise specific enemy emplacements and bases of fire, he displayed a complete disregard for his own safety. His efforts were entirely focussed on the safety of his men. #GreatestRaid

The sterling efforts of all involved kept the enemy at bay until the demolition teams had completed their vital task. Pending the explosion in the Campbeltown, the objectives were complete. #GreatestRaid

When the raiding parties were pulled out, approximately 100 commandoes were still ashore fighting. He issued them three instructions:
1) To do our best to get back to England,
2) Not to surrender until all our ammunition is expended,
3) Not to surrender at all if we can help it.

In accordance with his instructions, he attempted to fight his way out of the country, only surrendering when all his ammunition was expended and there was no other option. For his actions during the raid, Lt Col Augustus Charles Newman was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Able Seaman William Alfred Savage. Motor Launch Gunner. His devotion to his shipmates and sheer fighting spirit was inspiring. From the moment the fighting started until his end, Able Seaman Savage’s actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the service. #GreatestRaid

The weapon emplacement on a motor launch was exposed, vulnerable to enemy fire from all angles. This seemed to matter little to Savage. Under an unimaginable ferocity of enemy fire, he kept his cool, steadied his aim and returned fire at the enemy positions. #GreatestRaid

He maintained his fire throughout the entirety of the raid. Defending his, and all other, Motor Launches, as well as those men on the Campbeltown and fighting ashore, he provided effective support to all elements. #GreatestRaid

During the return down the river after the raid, he was killed when engaging the returning German patrol boats. For his actions that day, and to represent the gallant men on all Motor Launches, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. #GreatestRaid #WeWillRememberThem

Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant. Motor Launch Gunner. A member of the atonal Engineers, Sergenat Durrant was assigned to 1 Commando at the time of the raid. Much like Able Seaman Savage VC, his courage under fire and commitment to his men was truly remarkable. #GreatestRaid

Motor Launch 306 was lucky to have Sergeant Durrant on board for the raid. Manning their Lewis Gun, again an exposed and vulnerable position to enemy fire, he provided valuable support to the raiding forces. #GreatestRaid

Motor Launch 306 was tasked with landing a group of Commandos on the Old Mole to commence their shore action. The rate of enemy fire, however, was insurmountable and the motor Launch was not able to get troops ashore. They would instead provide support from the river.

Whilst withdrawing, ML 306 valiantly engages an enemy vessel, the Jaguar. The Jaguar overmatched the ML significantly; yet Sergeant Durrant and the rest of the men on board fought on. #GreatestRaid

He was wounded numerous times, but consistently returned to his weapon and continued to engaged the enemy. He focussed on the Bridge of the warship, intent on neutralising their ability to remain close to the ML and also their Command and Control capability.

He was illuminated by searchlights from the Jaguar, focussing their wall of firepower against him. Durrant, despite this, maintained his composure, and his fire. Through this action he was wounded to such an extent that his weapon was the only thing keeping him standing.

Invited to surrender by the Jaguar, in his weakened state his natural response was a burst of fire at the ship’s Bridge. The engagement continued. Drum after drum of ammunition was expended, with the sergeant not once leaving his post. #GreatestRaid

Despite the Jaguar eventually neutralising the combat capability of the ML, Durrant refused to surrender. He only did so when the ship came alongside and boarded the ML, physically taking the remaining personnel prisoner. #GreatestRaid

Durrant was taken to a German military hospital and later succumbed to his wounds. For his heroic actions in the face of overwhelming odds despite serious personal injury, he was recommended by the German Commander for the Victoria Cross. #GreatestRaid

Following such recommendation, for his actions during the raid, Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. He remains the only soldier to be awarded a VC during a naval action, and on the recommendation of the enemy commander. #GreatestRaid