Raid

 Uugh. There was a boat moored close to us that had its generator running when we went to bed, and sadly it never stopped. At 1:30am we had enough so got up and drove around until we found a quieter spot. That was on a corner that got busy pretty early, but we still got several hours sleep. We moved Reggie back into the sun and out of the wind. (We made the same mistake with a ship's generator in Norway once. So never again - if there's a ship moored and running its generator don't assume it'll sail away!)

It had been a blustery night, with rain, but cleared so there was welcome sunshine in the morning for our mission for the day, though still windy. The roof-top of the sub-pens was closed because of the wind so we couldn't get up there for the view.

My focus was on tracing the famous commando raid on the docks of St Nazaire - Operation Chariot, on 28th March 1942. (Remember the aircraft crew in the cemetery near Brest? I think they were doing reconnaissance in support of this raid.)

I read a guide on line but After the Battle do an article too. (AtB Vol 59). 

Check this carefully: the longest spikes are actually on buildings half a kilometre away! You have to stand in just the right spot on top of the protected lock to have them all come together. Very cleverly done, I suspect with lasers.

What the raid was all about: The Normandy lock. (So named by the British as it was where the passenger liner Normandy was constructed.) Campbeltown was rammed into the lock gates, commandoes disembarked and spread around this area, blowing stuff up before retreating. The Campbeltown blew up around mid-day, destroying the lock gate and putting the drydock out of business until after the war. 

Looking west showing the area where the rest of the commandoes were active. Below is the old entrance where they were somewhat successful before also retreating. Just visible behind the trees is the old mole where the thrid group of commandoes came to grief: none were landed successfully. Below the big building at rear was the 'new entrance', the target of the unsuccessful landings and the final retreat route of the commandoes.

The old mole where it all went wrong. There were German troops and heavy weapons along the mole that fought off the light British boats, sinking several.

The submarine pens. Not a target of the raid, they were not at all affected by it or any of the many bombing raids before or after. 

The memorial stele to the raid. The French chap responsible for it's erection was visiting to make sure it was OK. Couldn't converse of course...

And over the massive Loire bridge...