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WOW !! THIS VIDEO WAS GREAT !!!! I LOVE how you did the entire thing, Music was perfect, and the description of the run-up to the dock gate, got me pinned to the screen ! this was like an old fashion radio thriller !! A real story teller,
Jeremy Clarkson made this story memorable for me. His passion and dedication to telling the story of these men and their heroism was absolutely amazing. He made you feel like you were actually there in the moment. It truly was against all odds.
Couldn't agree with you more, Nolan. You're right on the money, just like Jeremy and his no-punches-pulled commentary. Intriguing to learn also that every specialized military unit owes its heritage to this unique group of men.
@Henry Robinson ok you clicked on this video and chose to watch it and or go through the comments. So if you thought he was racist why do you continue to watch him or click on any videos with him in it. Very hypocritical of you so shut up and mind your own business because no one asked for your opinion
@@nolandavis9040 Nicely said Nolan. I don't think I would have been as gracious. Guys like Henry would find fault with Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa or even God. Just trolls who like nothing better than to spew their diarrheia
@@darkprotector9562 it just drives me crazy because I was in it for the story and how it was told. I don’t care who the narrator is as long as they can tell the story with enthusiasm and honor. The story is what is important and some people can’t get past the past
@Henry Robinson never cross my mind to put such a comment about racism in this story, no matter who's the narrator. This comment of yours is completely inappropriate and may I say, completely biased. And if you have this opinion about Clarkson, why do you watch him?
That letter to his Dad by Sergeant Bill Gibson absolutely broke my heart. His simple & humble words, referencing future generations hopefully benefitting from his actions, really hit home.
That was tough to hear. Not only for the expected reasons of his incredible toughness, bravery and ultimate sacrifice and the terrible loss to his family. The shameful tragedy of this future generation that indeed gained everything from his terrible sacrifice, that they have no appreciation and are trying their damnedest to throw it all away.
My grandfather was one of the german soldiers at St. Nazaire. He said, that those british soldiers, who faced him in battle, were the bravest men, he ever knew. He fought on all fronts during the rest of the war and saw action many times, especially in Russia. But those commandos he highly admired and met some of them after the war. Before he passed away in 1978 he told me about his war memories. So I end this comment with a quote from him. " If our soldiers would have been as brave as those british heros, we would have won the war. They all should have won the victoria cross, every single one of them. "
That operation certainly baked the ethos of the Commando into the British military and other militaries who fought along side them. They were true heroes and if the British had an equivalent to the US Presidential Unit Citation that bunch deserved it.
What a top man and statement to appreciate his enemy's achievements, ive heard similar stories at monte cassino, both sides agreed a truce for their wounded and dead to be picked up, when they realised it was the falshirmjager and british Paras was fighting each other, they was horrified and shocked and said parachute kameraden and brothers should not be fighting each other both sides agreed, in fact ciggies and food got shared, along with jokes and stories and pictures, german medics helping british wounded vise versa the same with carrying the wounded and the dead, then seize fire ended and it was back to killing each other, but the falshirmjager did mainly pull out that night and left a small screening force, we all know what happened next.. Its a shame that more germans who survived the war didnt convey their experiences to video for all future generations to here, as at the end of day the average german soldier was just as heroic as anybody else and ive never heard a british veteren say no different...
@@MC14may - Most of everyone's Grand dad or Great Grand dad in Europe was in the War so why do you feel surprised that they have Grand kids watching UA-cam.
His Victoria Cross citation reads: For great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun in HM Motor Launch 306 in the St Nazaire raid on 28 March 1942. Motor Launch 306 came under heavy fire while proceeding up the River Loire towards the port. Sergeant Durrant, in his position abaft the bridge, where he had no cover or protection, engaged enemy gun positions and searchlights ashore. During this engagement he was severely wounded in the arm but refused to leave his gun. The Motor Launch subsequently went down the river and was attacked by a German destroyer at 50 to 60 yards range, and often closer. In this action Sergeant Durrant continued to fire at the destroyer's bridge with the greatest of coolness and with complete disregard of the enemy's fire. The Motor Launch was illuminated by the enemy searchlight, and Sergeant Durrant drew on himself the individual attention of the enemy guns, and was again wounded in many places. Despite these further wounds he stayed in his exposed position, still firing his gun, although after a time only able to support himself by holding on to the gun mounting. After a running fight, the Commander of the German destroyer called on the Motor Launch to surrender. Sergeant Durrant's answer was a further burst of fire at the destroyer's bridge. Although now very weak, he went on firing, using drums of ammunition as fast as they could be replaced. A renewed attack by the enemy vessel eventually silenced the fire of the Motor Launch, but Sergeant Durrant refused to give up until the destroyer came alongside, grappled the Motor Launch and took prisoner those who remained alive. Sergeant Durrant's gallant fight was commended by the German officers on boarding the Motor Launch. This very gallant non-commissioned officer later died of the many wounds received in action. SGT Durrant VC ........RIP
@@Anglo_Saxon1 war creates brave and great people, it's only a matter of time before we find ourselves in another. And then those brave men will be remembered similarly. History is doomed to repeat itself after all.
Every year, on the Saturday before remembrance Sunday, the South Wales Echo would publish tributes to individuals lost in the various wars. I remember every year, for many years, someone who knew Tom Durrant left an in memorium tribute to him, his name and the fact he earned the VC has always stuck in my memory.
Thanks to Jeremy for telling this story worth hearing about. As a former US Army Ranger, we owe some of our heritage to the British Commando as they developed the training and concepts that ultimately were instrumental in forming the first US Army Ranger Battalion. RLTW Rangers Lead the Way! Jeremy is a great story teller. Whether it be cars, history or farms, Jeremy has perspective with his sense of humor that is unparalleled!
PUBLIC OPINION ON AMERICAN INTERVENTION IN World War II. September 1, 1939: World War II BEGINS Gallup survey, Sept 1-6, 1939 Q. If it looks within the next few months as if England and France might be defeated, should the United States declare war on Germany and send our troops abroad? YES 32%,... NO 58% ....10% No opinion. October 6, 1939: POLAND CONQUERED Gallup survey, Oct. 5-10, 1939 Q If it appears that Germany is intent on trying to defeat England and France, should the United States declare war on Germany and send our army and navy to Europe to fight? YES 29%,... NO 71%. May 10, 1940: GERMANY INVADES WESTERN EUROPE Gallup survey, May 18-23, 1940 Q. Do you think the United States should declare war on Germany and send our army and navy abroad to fight? YES 7%, NO 93% June 22, 1940: FRANCE FALLS TO GERMANY Gallup survey, June 27-July 3, 1940 Q Which of these two things do you think is the more important for the United States? 1) to try to keep out of war ourselves. 2) or to help England win, even at the risk of getting into the war? HELP 25%,... KEEP OUT 71% ...4% No opinion. Yet they all claim they ''saved'' Britain in WW2? We read it every day, and yet what utter rubbish that really is? The truth is so obviously the complete OPPOSITE? As proven, we saved them! But they'll still deny it, and come up with their next lines of bull? They'll now be thinking to themselves, but … but ... but, we supplied the USSR, and it's only because of those supplies the USSR could even fight in the war blah blah? How many times have we all heard that outright lie? Again, I'll prove it was a lie.
And you'll also notice that not a single American would agree? This is what we really are talking about today?, they have nothing left, and nobody that could do the right thing for them. And it's all their own damn fault because of their own arrogance, their own stupidity, their own complete misunderstanding of this world we live in. Get lost USA. Great Britain, Russia, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Romania, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Greece, Slovakia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia & The World.
They're all exactly the same today. If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, eventually the people will come to believe it ~ Joseph Goebbels, 1941. You only need to say it once to an American, as long as it was the American government saying it, they'd all believe it. American propaganda and lies are so ingrained in these people today, they're completely unable to recognise what propaganda is, what it's used for, or even why it's used? They've no idea, man? You'll read these people watch something happen with their own eyes, yet because they saw it on RT?, well that must mean it's propaganda? They don't even grasp the fact, that if you can see something happen yourselves, then it's never propaganda, but actually, the reality, the facts! If you watch a US jet purposely bomb a hospital in Iraq? That's not propaganda, it's a fact, as you can see it for yourselves? If, however, RT was just saying a US jet bombed a hospital? Without allowing you to actually see it? Then yes, we can call that propaganda, but even then, not all the time, they may not have the footage to show, so can only report it, that's where common sense comes into play. Only "common sense" with "American" in the same sentence, is illogical, as they're polar opposites. I really do think and believe, that these American people today, actually think that American tyranny over the world, would see them all better off, would see them on a level above the rest of us, this really is what these American people think today. It must be! Showing us all, they don't even understand what a tyrannical government is, or what it always does? As if they did know what any, and all tyrannical governments, always have done. They'd all know they're actually always the first to be killed, the first threatened, and the first subdued. It's always those people living under any Tyrannical government, who are always the first to be dumbed down, and always turned into nothing other than meaningless canon fodder, they're always the first crushed. And as it happens, ironically, that's exactly what we're watching them all being turned into today!
To survive we must see Britain, Europe, Russia and China fighting for our belief in our own freedom?. Against the United States of Global Terrorism, fighting for full global control and dominance, both financially, and militarily, - American Tyranny in other words. You decide!
Before every war in history, as soon as the people have found out it's heading to war, we've often seen enormous shifts in alliances, many times with some of the most unexpected alliances being formed, while the usual alliances get broken, and at times, by the demands of the people themselves. Every War in history has seen this, hopefully it will be no different this time. Every War in history has been lost by the country trying for domination, control or global tyranny. Not one has ever won, countries with some of the largest, greatest, most enormous military's ever seen at that time, have all lost, and not only lost but all have been annihilated. The American people would be very wise to remember that. Because there's a reason for that… When you're fighting for the right reasons? Fighting against attempted tyranny or oppression? You all learn very quickly to overcome anything thrown at you, you fight with all your might, everyone around you is the same, so you easily outfight anyone that's fighting for tyranny, or fighting for the wrong reasons, as those troops all lack any real sort of fight. So no matter what, or how many weapons they may have, they can't ever match the fight against them. We see this in every war throughout history, over and over again, we also always see that the troops all fighting for the righteous reasons, like their own country's freedom, always seem to become invincible! Every War is the same. It will be no different this time, only the annihilation might be much more severe, but just as deserved.
One of the most staggering facts from this raid was the fact that a German Captain went out of his way to recommend a VC to what was an enemy combatant to him.
@LibtardsStillCant SilenceMe20 Interesting how you left the SS out... So no contempt for the SS, and the Mujahideen, but Asians, oh the Asians are contemptible...
@@CheersDits2979 I once saw a guy with spiral crack up through his shin sit up, give the guy who caused it by accident his hand and tell him it was not his fault, these guys had way more adrenalin coursing through their vanes, this is totally believable to me.
@@thelogan4641 Trust me, people who get their legs blown off do NOT sit their cheering people on, even after morphine. Someone with a catastrophic bleed if not tourniquet will die within minutes, they normally if conscious scream in pain. I’ve seen and dealt with a few so @bloke 75, yes i would know (sigh, civis 🙄)
Being native from the surrounding area of St Nazaire, I am so grateful for what those men accomplished! Every time I pass in front of what remains of the submarine base, I have a thought for those who were ready to give their life in order for my generation to live freely. Amazing documentary in their honor!
I wish more French people had your attitude. So often the powers that be seem very ungrateful for the generation of men that died trying and eventually saving France, De Gaulle himself seemed to despise the British
Having worked in France and Belgium, I think it is a little lost on the British how much the people there still hold these heros and the liberation, in the highest regard and regularly pay their respects with great dignity and reverence.
I am also native of Saint-Nazaire, living in Britain. I would like to personally thank the author James Dorrian who is the main history adviser behind the BBC programme narrated by Jeremy Clarkson. There is a lot more about Operation Chariot that meets the eye: who supplied the plans of the Saint-Nazaire port installations? Who were the local inhabitants who helped one of the five commandos, Lance-Corporal Arnold Howarth (BEM, Croix de guerre) to escape from Saint-Nazaire? I wonder if anybody local to Saint-Nazaire ever heard of René-Yves Creston or Etienne Baratte except for a few people interested on Operation Chariot.
Good to have Jeremy be the one to narrate this event. Salute to the greatest generation. Whatever we enjoy since the past 60+ years , we owe to them. Go’d Bless All
The only reason why we have our very own Green Beret in Malaysia is because of the British Green Beret. No other words can be as meaningful as a great Thank You for Britain's contribution. 🇲🇾❤️🇬🇧
When I was a kid in the 1970s my next door neighbour, who seemed as old as the hills to me, was a very quiet and gentle man, years after his death we found out he was part of this raid and many others, he's eternally etched in my mind tending to his runner beans.
I had a neighbour involved too. We went to St Nazaire in the 70s and saw the memorial. Swimming in the sea my sister and I found a rock of the same type and took it home to him. He cried and thanked us , I will never forget.
That's amazing. You can find some of the most bad-a$$ warriors resorting to the most peaceful things without even knowing how important they were to history.
@@darkprotector9562 it is a real shame that they aren't looked after better. The government should have given these men, and others like them, land with no taxes and a massive payout. Without these kinds of men, we would be speaking German or Japanese. Incredible story.
@@Floody77 Maybe a new adaptation. The same epic story but modern movie magic like Dunkirk (film). Although I concur after watching this documentary, I think the Raid at St. Nazaire is more compelling.
I'm from Denmark and didn't know about this raid... I know those guys was a big part of my country getting liberated the 5may 1945... I Thank those guys for that and will always remember them from now on and tell the story... Every 5may i sit a candle in my window for the liberation of my country, but from now I will sit up an extra candle for those guys... Thank you💖 Peace💖
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. Who's stood in front of the Soviets and told them if they didn't hold there advance into Denmark. He would open fire. Thankfully the soviets blinked first and the Iron Curtain didn't fall over Denmark. Just out of curiosity does that get taught in Denmark?
@@jamesmcstein6758 No sadly my friend.. I didn't even know this you just told me now.. we learned about ww2 but mostly the history everyone knows... Do you maybe have a link or so about this you told me so I can read about it??? Thank you for writing friend
@@ArmageddonAfterparty The answer looks more like "Sort of". www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/canadian-saved-denmark.html He sent a contingent of Canadian Paras to hold them up, Then made sure the Russians stuck to the pre-agreed borders.
@@ArmageddonAfterparty This is where i got my information from Dr Mark Felton explains it a lot better than me though. ua-cam.com/video/OWcRl7Q7pGs/v-deo.html
I’ve been watching WW2 documentaries since I was no age. This is the best one I’ve ever seen! The way Jeremy gets into the archives to look at the meeting minutes, uses the actual model used to plan the raid, looks at the original letters from Churchill… just brilliant!
I don't know what to say.. I am speechless.. I am an American soldier I am inspired by these men and there stories... This why they are the greatest generation....There story must survive for generations to come.... God save the Queen
I'm an American too - and this is an impressive story of en-masse bravery. But "the Queen" or anyone given a heredity position, is a revolting concept.
@@stevealexander8010 These guys were fighting for "King & Country" and in most cases the armed forces pledge their allegiance to the Monarch as part of the Oath of Allegiance. i.e. "I, swear by Almighty God (do solemnly, and truly declare and affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors...
@@poweredbyrice5708 Republics usually have similar arguments to justify themselves. Power is given by God and is taken away when it is abused. It is an ancient principle.
Jeremy has shared his love for cars his entire life and thusly, enriched my enthusiasm for quality automotive subjects. Just imagine if Jeremy had spent an equal amount of time hosting quality historical docos such as this one. Wouldn't more of us find history vastly more interesting with Jeremy bringing his unique style of journalism to informing us about the really important events? Maybe, just maybe, if that farming or the car shows don't work out for him, he would lend his talents to bringing these stories to life. I know a few of us would be better humans for it.
He's done a few history docs there's another one on UA-cam about Victoria Cross heroes, and I'm not sure if its on here but one about the North Atlantic convoys, and a series about weapons I think as well But I definitely agree he's great in these things like this
It is time once again for the English speaking world to save itself along in so doing the rest of it! GET YOUR KIT AND PREPARE TO LET LOOSE. My money is on my neighbors to the North of me to start the show?
The man being carried on the stretcher at 58:24 was Arthur Ashcroft 2 Commando. He was my neighbour in Venmore street, Anfield, Liverpool. Arthur and Millie lived across the road when I was a kid and I used to talk to Arthur a lot,he was a lovely old man,cups of tea and stories of the war.He was gentle with his stories, more about comradeship and the family of the platoon than killing. I have a few pages (copies) of the diary he kept whilst a prisoner of war after Operation Chariot.What is wonderful about them is the lack of complaint for their predicament. "We've got little food and lots of injuries but it's a lovely sunny day today" You had natural respect for this man,you could tell he deserved it but he didn't demand or wear it.He was like a statue with a deep slowly spoken voice you could listen too. I hope he and his lovely wife Millie (who worked with my mum at united biscuits) rest in peace,forever.Neil.
These men… their bravery…. I am truly in awe. I am an American, and I didn’t know about this story before watching this documentary…. but you can bet that now I’m gonna tell everyone I know about it! Surely one of the greatest feats ever achieved by any country 🇬🇧
as a retired u.s. army/air force veteran may i pay mad respect for the sailors and officers of the most undesirable, least equipped, lightest protected bunch of floating orphans any navy put together! for these men who hadn't had the training for mental toughness to still go out there and give their brothers in the commandos their very best is just awe inspiring. WELL DONE, NOBLE SEAMEN OF THE ROYAL NAVY. WELL DONE, INDEED.
The British military forces actions and sacrifices are immeasurable... My gratitude and salutes to all those soldiers ❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏. ( to all allied forces ) Regards from India 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳❤️
Its docs like this that show you just how great a commentator/orator Clarkson is and how much he values the sacrifices of our forebears. This is some of his best work imo.
I am one of these froggies that will always see the Brits what they are: A great and proud people that I am glad to have as neighbours and friends. It's sad that we fought each other so much in history because our cultural differences makes our peaceful exchanges all the more exquisite and beautiful. I am glad to share the red white and blue of our vertical stripes with the colour of the Union Jack. God saves the Queen!
You are an admirable individual. And you know, there are many thousands of people who are alive today because of the bravery and sacrifice of the French Resistance - truly the definitive guerilla force. And I find it a happy coincidence that my own flag, the Star Spangled Banner, shares it's colors with both France & England.
@@darkprotector9562 all about the red white and blue... The white stands for freedom, the red synifies the blood one as to shed sometimes for it, and the blue is for a mans noble cause.this englishmans proud to be under it...
As a young boy, I was fascinated with WW2. I never read or watched anything about this raid. This is perhaps one of the best documentaries on these Commando’s and their training and mission. The host narrated this perfectly. My favorite line: “ please don’t shout...just get on with it” after they were captured and exhausted. The Germans were threatening to execute them as spies.
Typically outstanding British documentary making. This is so well done! This story is beyond inspiring, it is life-giving. It demands that we all rise higher, do better, “never, never, never give up,” (Churchill).
And still, everywhere in the world you see yelling insane populist politicians. One even damaged the US reputation for four years. Why do we accept that nonsense?! Do something to prevent a next war!
39:29 "how to tackle a bloke with your bare hands: knock him out, spoil his prospects and pinch his weapon...and his gold watch too if he's got one" lmao
AMAZING!!!! Thank you so much!! I just took the most amazing drain pipe clearing dump thanks to your Epsom salt recommendations!!!!! I dropped at least 15lbs of waste.
I am 59 and shocked that I have never heard of this most daring raid, these men were beyond belief, and those who survived went on to contribute to humanity, amazing people....this true story is very uplifting and is full of hope. I hope to visit Corwall England.
You may or may not know this but the film ‘Attack On The Iron Coast’ with Lloyd Bridges is based around this raid. It’s not exactly what occurred, but it’s pretty close.
@@HO-bndk there's a reason joint operations exist... similar humor, similar thoughts, similar training, but all regular men doing extraordinary things to use violence for good.
Agreed, Danielle - I served with 2Para in the 1980's, but of course then, the Commando's were under the auspices of the Army & not directly affiliated with the Senior Service (RN), as now. In military terms, it's a whole different ball of wax, today. Keep yourself safe, Andrew.
Amazing story. Amazing men. I think the survivor at the end who so quickly, so self-deprecatingly, and with such certainty offers his opinion that subsequent generations of youth would absolutely have had the courage to do what he and his compatriots did is being very gracious and extraordinarily humble.
You know nobody works with Amazon maybe he should do more documentaries like this. Jeremy Clarkson has made it no secret that he is a huge supporter of the British military. Something tells me that he would be a great person to do documentaries and stuff centered around other aspects of the military.
deserves it, but Hollywood would distort it with fiction and will more than likely make it an American commando unit or something like that. Like that U-571 film
@@chiron13 yes remember midway not 1 Commonwealth ships insight and did not see any of the kamikaze's bouncing off the decks of them ships because it would have stolen the show just a bit lol
This Clarkson. Jeremy Clarkson has an remarkably good and strong ability to present serious subjects. As a Yank I'm always deeply impressed with the British grit and determination to fight the good fight. We in the U.S. like to think that our two countries are in this fight of evil in the world till the end.
As an Englishman living near Saint Nazaire I can assure you that this raid is well remembered and honoured. As is the loss of the 'Lancastrian'. A loss so serious Churchill ordered the sinking to be kept secret. I've been very touched and impressed by the way the vast majority of French people remember the Allied efforts. Examples, I have had many French people thank me personally on behalf of my Father's generation. Many French towns and villages, some in quite remote areas have a street named for the date of their liberation. Brits, Americans, Canadians living nearby are often invited to remembrance day ceromonies. Quite recently I was speaking with a Breton who made clear he did not like the English. I told him my family had quite a long association and admiration for France. He was not impressed. I told him but for the British he would be speaking German and added, I would not exist because I'm Jewish. I added my Father arrived in France during the war without a passport on June 7th; at Normandy. His attitude changed, he sincerely thanked me for my father's efforts and we have become friends.
It's not worth engaging with someone so ignorant and small-minded that they do not like an entire race of people. I can't abide people like that, their abject negativity towards everything new or outside of their small worlds is so pathetic. People like that are never interesting or engaging, just tiresome and dull. You'd have to have zero logic, rationality, or imagination to judge people as a group, not the individuals they are.
I am sitting here in my chair watching this video with tears streaming down my cheeks ,not with sadness, but with pride !!!! I am 54 years of age now living in france ,but i will ALWAYS be british . I take my hat off to the men in this video ,may you all (living or not ) know that thanks to your courage you helped save many lives 👏👏👏👏
I hear living or dead they come on to this comment section everyday to see comments like these.. some might think it's a tad virtue signaling but nah you're the real deal.
@@acesul8811 ,does it matter to you if this ....ex - patriot doesn't live in England???? My grand father fought in the war and his origins where nordic ,so does that make him any less british??, his grandparents came to england for a better life ,the same as i have done for my family. .
@@andrewbull3537 LMAO - left Britain for a better life. You went next door and shacked up with the neighbour and want to pretend you still love your wife, even though you don't live with her or financially support her.
Struggling to articulate in mere words how truely remarkable these people are, prepared to achieve and indeed carried out what was considered impossible. To get that boat to it's destination and remark "here we are.. four minutes late" sums up the British spirit succinctly. Thank you brave souls one and all and credit to you Timeline for telling their story.
Thank you Jeremy Clarkson, you make me proud to be British. It's humbling to know that we are here today because so few stood up against tyranny and were successful in prevailing over evil.
These guys were so brave. Operating in such dangerous areas, being observant of the tactical situation, maneuvering through unexpected obstacles. Thank you for your service, gentlemen.
Courage is recognising Fear Courage is overcoming Fear As a 2nd generation British Pakistani this was simply amazing! And Jezza was the best person to tell this story. Hats off to the Commandos This would be a blockbuster
Brian it`s these people that gave you and I the chance to follow our dreams freely, thanks for the music so glad you got your PhD and keep well, kind regards from Yorkshire.
Nah, it aint is it? You the real deal brian may who married angie from east enders, and one of the GOAT legend guitarists from one of the greatest bands of all time!!! Scaramoosh, iccurumba..
Hi. I was in absolute tears watching this programme. Such bravery we are now scoundering. These men swuffered so much suffering so we csan be free. Your sacrifice will be forever remembered!!
I read about the Commandos as a boy and learned of their affiliation with America’s Rangers. Much impressed, when I came if age I became an Airborne Ranger and fought America’s enemies until I retired at age 62. I wouldn’t change a thing. Hats off to the Brits and all their contributions in World War ll. God bless the Royal Commandos, every man jack of them.
@@HO-bndk - Yes, you are right, Harry. A strong bond was formed during WWll and and remains to this day. The Americans did come to the Brits for orientation and initial training.
@@darrenh0218 No need to be silly about it, I'm just pleased that some of our American cousins are finally finding out about events like St. Nazaire at last. I've known of this since I was a kid and read about in the comics of the 1960's, and much else besides.
despite how much I love the cocky, self deprecating, full of b/s Clarkson of topgear's golden years, this is him at his very best. love his still over-the-top attitude paired with that immense dedication and passion to bringing the heroics of Britains finest to light. excellent storytelling of an incredible story.
Considering what these men did it was a surprisingly high number of men that returned. An absolutely different breed of men these special individuals were. Hats off to these heroes
Saint Nazaire is my home town. My grand mother lived not far from the harbor and heard the fighting. There was a square named after the raid. A monument, not a stone. A real monument. And all through my childhood a party from the UK came for the ceremony to honor those who had fallen. The whole town knew about the raid on Saint Nazaire. My grandmother told me that after the Campbeltown exploded the sight of pieces of bodies all over the harbor area was gruesome.
In 1972 on a motoring trip to Brittany my wife and I visited St Nazaire in our Morris 1500. Driving along the dock road by the shipyards at change of shift. Lots of frenchmen coming out of the docks on bicycles. All gave us a rousing cheer on our way past on the strength of our British number plates. It was quite moving.
Excellent short film. I’m born and raised in Tennessee USA, but love to hear these stories of heroism from our British brothers. My last name is North, and my great aunt went to England years ago tracing back our family tree. We are direct descendants of “Lord North” the prime minister of England during the American Revolution, and my wife’s maiden name is “Clapp” which traces back to the same area as my family in England. I like to tell her if we were both alive 1,000 years ago we may still have met and been married 😂 Many of us Americans come directly from England and can trace our ancestry back rather directly! I would love to visit England one day. God save the King and Queen!
@@johnhanson5943 Please do not speak for me, as a child 75 years ago I eulogised about the Red Indians , now known as native Americans or indigenous people of America but sadly the worst type of our countries example has been picked up by the US, leave me out.
Also even if not of English ancestry, the founding values of the US were based majorly on British Enlightenment ideas; freedom of expression, consent of the governed, natural rights, etc. Ironically a lot of these ideas led directly to the War of Independence.
My Grandmother was born in 1893. Her parents came over from England on a sailing ship. Dad's side came from England also but Earlier. Much like lots of orhers from Virginia North and South Carolina.
I watched this today because is was too cold to rake leaves. I am writing this in shame with teary eyes considering the courage these men showed. The World was in peril and these men were the last line of defense. Once again Sir Winston Churchill's words "Never have so many owed so much to so few." ring true. Many thanks Mr. Clarkson for putting things like a cold Spring day in perspective.
That thinking didn't work so well for Burnside at Maryes Heights(Battle of Fredericksburg, U.S. Civil War). I'm glad it worked out for Lord Mountbatten though.
I had never heard this story before. So I am watching this...thinking "well, the ship didn't explode but at least they showed tremendous courage". And then the guy in the video said...."there was a bang". It's better than Luke destroying the Death Star.
I'd read of this raid and watched a UA-cam video or two on it. Indeed, this was the single greatest commando raid of WWII and an action of supreme bravery. This raid should be better remembered. I'll never forget it.
Nor will I Roger. I live in France and every time I fly from Nantes to the UK the plane flies over St Nazaire and I always look down at that dock and marvel at what those brave men did. R.I.P.
Last time I visited St Nazaire there was a plaque and i found the French people felt rather proud to have had their dock attacked by these brave men. The U boats pens are open to the public & worth seeing. There is also a memorial to the ship Lancastrian sunk by dive bombers while evacuating troops after Dunkirk. No one knows for sure how many men died with the Lancastrian, most estimates are between 6 & 8 thousand. A tragedy that makes the Titanic sinking look like almost trivual.
There is a small memorial with a plaque at the location. You can find a picture of it on Google Maps. There is a map display there describing the layout of the event. The memorial has a gun barrel from the destroyer on top of it. It is on top of the submarine museum right next to the dry dock.
Thanks mr. Jeremy Clakson, your telling of this story made me feel like I was there with these brave commandos. Brave men whose sacrifyice means a lot.
Not quite. My father served in WW2 and the most telling remark he made was how incredibly third-rate and botched most of what he experienced first-hand was. In the light of all that, he was amazed that we still won the war. His conclusion: the opposition must have been even more incompetent than us! What is true however is that a few really did shine, and surely those on the St Lazaire raid must be counted among them. We *_do_* owe an incredible debt of gratitude to that generation, a debt we can never repay, indeed we owe our freedoms to them, but they were flawed just like us.
@@Muddy283 mate even if they were flawed just like us there generation is one of the bestest let’s be honest if a world war came around now I guarantee no one would even enlist due to how many people in this generation who are pure snowflakes.
@@LWQ15881 Well, you're certainly entitled to your point of view. But it is not one shared by arguably one of the greatest Western military wartime leaders we have seen in the last 50 years: ua-cam.com/video/8-aytw--YUY/v-deo.html. It is my opinion that great persons will always arise in times of national and/or international existential crises. Anyway my intention was not to enter into a UA-cam spat with you, merely to express a point of view illuminated somewhat by my late father's firsthand experience of that terrible war. Hopefully, we can agree to differ.
@@Muddy283 haha don’t worry mate I’m not angry over a UA-cam comment don’t worry it’s 2021 mate that’s all history it isn’t something to be angry about. And yes yes I guess I can see where you are coming from but I also see the only reason why I am entitled to an opinion is because of them.
Thank you, SIR!! It seems that Brit historians are better at this than anyone in the world. As a recently retired (Science) teacher, I can only say that I GENUINELY appreciate videos like this. A shame I never had them growing up, in the old 'printed-material', pre-computer days...(but then again, if I'd had them I'd have never left the house... lol) Fantastic vid, and I thank you for compiling and sharing such a great piece of historical documentation. Cheers!!
Although not a direct film about the St Nazaire Raid the latter part of the 1952 film The Gift Horse starring Trevor Howard and Richard Attenborough is based upon the raid.
A wonderful reminder to us of these brave men who gave their lives to give us freedom which we take so much for granted today. Let's always remember their bravery which definitely spurs us on. May our prayers be with all of them and their families. Thank you for this documentary of great remembrance.
Op Market Garden, The Raid on St Nazaire, few others like Al Almin, etc are taught even today in Indian Military Acadamy, and OTSs' along with many post 1947 battles.
Two important World War II battles were fought in the area: At the First Battle of El Alamein (1-27 July 1942), the advance of Axis troops on Alexandria was blunted by the Allies, stopping the German Panzers that were trying to outflank the Allies position. At the Second Battle of El Alamein (23 October - 4 November 1942), Allied forces broke the Axis line and forced them all the way back to Tunisia. Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister at the time, said of this victory: "Now this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." After the war, he wrote: "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein, we never had a defeat."
if anything that should be learned, its how Winston Churchill got alot of people killed in suicidal "miracle" operations by approving them and Montgomery by conducting them Canadians are still bitter about it and the lesson they learned from it is that they will never allow British generals to fully take charge of Canadian troops again
@@xGoodOldSmurfehx What operations are you referring to? Apart from Dieppe, I am not aware of any operations where Canadians were put in suicidal situations more so than British troops. I'd also add that Montgomery had one of the best track records of any WWII general for keeping casualites to a minimum. You should watch his interview while he was in Canada ("Field Marshall Montgomery Lord Taylor Interviewing"). He clearly states that his focus was on reducing casualties wherever possible and winning battles through preparation.
"One very import thing to us, was what the French Prime Minister said to us, you were the first who give us hope". Thank God for these guys who stuck two fingers up to the 'impossible' and gave the world hope! My sincere gratitude to you all!
I only know Jeremy from Top Gear and The Grand Tour, so it was initially a surprise to see him presenting this doc. Then I think about some of the Top Gear episodes, and I remember how he and May would geek out on old tanks and Soviet era jets. Meanwhile, Hammond's looking like a miserable teenager while his mom and grandmother are meandering up and down every aisle, checking the prices of every single item at the crafts store. (Sorry, I had a flashback there) I guess thinking of those episodes made me realize the man really likes history, especially war history. I'm in the same cigarette boat, particularly for WWII.
That was absolutely excellent. I am very pleased to know this story and salute all the men who took it on. It's untold stories like this, true ones, that made real history. It brought tears to my eyes of pride in that very special generation of men that fought WW2. There will never be a generation like them again.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit, the world's best history documentary service and get 50% off using the code 'TIMELINE' 👉 bit.ly/3dPKsuC
What a waste of money.
Who are the two sons of abraham
WOW !! THIS VIDEO WAS GREAT !!!! I LOVE how you did the entire thing, Music was perfect, and the description of the run-up to the dock gate, got me pinned to the screen ! this was like an old fashion radio thriller !! A real story teller,
@@lloydanderson9806 6
.
Jeremy Clarkson made this story memorable for me. His passion and dedication to telling the story of these men and their heroism was absolutely amazing. He made you feel like you were actually there in the moment. It truly was against all odds.
Couldn't agree with you more, Nolan. You're right on the money, just like Jeremy and his no-punches-pulled commentary. Intriguing to learn also that every specialized military unit owes its heritage to this unique group of men.
@Henry Robinson ok you clicked on this video and chose to watch it and or go through the comments. So if you thought he was racist why do you continue to watch him or click on any videos with him in it. Very hypocritical of you so shut up and mind your own business because no one asked for your opinion
@@nolandavis9040 Nicely said Nolan. I don't think I would have been as gracious. Guys like Henry would find fault with Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa or even God. Just trolls who like nothing better than to spew their diarrheia
@@darkprotector9562 it just drives me crazy because I was in it for the story and how it was told. I don’t care who the narrator is as long as they can tell the story with enthusiasm and honor. The story is what is important and some people can’t get past the past
@Henry Robinson never cross my mind to put such a comment about racism in this story, no matter who's the narrator. This comment of yours is completely inappropriate and may I say, completely biased. And if you have this opinion about Clarkson, why do you watch him?
That letter to his Dad by Sergeant Bill Gibson absolutely broke my heart. His simple & humble words, referencing future generations hopefully benefitting from his actions, really hit home.
That was tough to hear. Not only for the expected reasons of his incredible toughness, bravery and ultimate sacrifice and the terrible loss to his family. The shameful tragedy of this future generation that indeed gained everything from his terrible sacrifice, that they have no appreciation and are trying their damnedest to throw it all away.
@@jbdbean242 well not all of us are, I’m currently serving in the Middle East, trying to do my part
Same
@@sailingyoumeandjosapea6770 Bless you both, though the country he defended seems to be neither as free nor as proud as it was in his day.
@@kh0678 keep safe
My grandfather was one of the german soldiers at St. Nazaire. He said, that those british soldiers, who faced him in battle, were the bravest men, he ever knew. He fought on all fronts during the rest of the war and saw action many times, especially in Russia. But those commandos he highly admired and met some of them after the war. Before he passed away in 1978 he told me about his war memories. So I end this comment with a quote from him. " If our soldiers would have been as brave as those british heros, we would have won the war. They all should have won the victoria cross, every single one of them. "
That is one stunning statement..
my great grandfather was one of the British commandos that took part in the raid. I feel so honoured reading this. thank you
That operation certainly baked the ethos of the Commando into the British military and other militaries who fought along side them. They were true heroes and if the British had an equivalent to the US Presidential Unit Citation that bunch deserved it.
What a top man and statement to appreciate his enemy's achievements, ive heard similar stories at monte cassino, both sides agreed a truce for their wounded and dead to be picked up, when they realised it was the falshirmjager and british Paras was fighting each other, they was horrified and shocked and said parachute kameraden and brothers should not be fighting each other both sides agreed, in fact ciggies and food got shared, along with jokes and stories and pictures, german medics helping british wounded vise versa the same with carrying the wounded and the dead, then seize fire ended and it was back to killing each other, but the falshirmjager did mainly pull out that night and left a small screening force, we all know what happened next.. Its a shame that more germans who survived the war didnt convey their experiences to video for all future generations to here, as at the end of day the average german soldier was just as heroic as anybody else and ive never heard a british veteren say no different...
They were all brave and real men on all sides brother
My grandad was part of this raid which I am immensely proud of.
My grandad was a gunner in one of the ml boats
Your grandads a legend
Sounds like one of the 5,000 on the balcony of the iranian embassy...that must have been a big boat as everyones grandad was on it too.😂
@@MC14may - Most of everyone's Grand dad or Great Grand dad in Europe was in the War so why do you feel surprised that they have Grand kids watching UA-cam.
Anyone involved in this raid is a true hero. They should be remembered forever.
God Bless the commandos and God Bless Jeremy Clarkson for his eloquent and passionate telling of this incredible story.
This is some of Clarkson's best work.
Agreed. From across the top pond.
I find him unbearable and so inadequate to those glorious men.
@@philippechevereau9818 Yeah, but you're French.
A
His Victoria Cross citation reads:
For great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun in HM Motor Launch 306 in the St Nazaire raid on 28 March 1942.
Motor Launch 306 came under heavy fire while proceeding up the River Loire towards the port. Sergeant Durrant, in his position abaft the bridge, where he had no cover or protection, engaged enemy gun positions and searchlights ashore. During this engagement he was severely wounded in the arm but refused to leave his gun. The Motor Launch subsequently went down the river and was attacked by a German destroyer at 50 to 60 yards range, and often closer. In this action Sergeant Durrant continued to fire at the destroyer's bridge with the greatest of coolness and with complete disregard of the enemy's fire. The Motor Launch was illuminated by the enemy searchlight, and Sergeant Durrant drew on himself the individual attention of the enemy guns, and was again wounded in many places. Despite these further wounds he stayed in his exposed position, still firing his gun, although after a time only able to support himself by holding on to the gun mounting.
After a running fight, the Commander of the German destroyer called on the Motor Launch to surrender. Sergeant Durrant's answer was a further burst of fire at the destroyer's bridge. Although now very weak, he went on firing, using drums of ammunition as fast as they could be replaced. A renewed attack by the enemy vessel eventually silenced the fire of the Motor Launch, but Sergeant Durrant refused to give up until the destroyer came alongside, grappled the Motor Launch and took prisoner those who remained alive.
Sergeant Durrant's gallant fight was commended by the German officers on boarding the Motor Launch. This very gallant non-commissioned officer later died of the many wounds received in action. SGT Durrant VC ........RIP
The Greatest Generation
who gave away everything for future generations.Rest in Peace 🙏🏻
@@michaelnorwood3164 Good god yes.I doubt we'll ever be privileged to see their likes again Michael.
@@Anglo_Saxon1 war creates brave and great people, it's only a matter of time before we find ourselves in another. And then those brave men will be remembered similarly. History is doomed to repeat itself after all.
@@MDM1992 Yes,I fear you may be right mate.
Every year, on the Saturday before remembrance Sunday, the South Wales Echo would publish tributes to individuals lost in the various wars.
I remember every year, for many years, someone who knew Tom Durrant left an in memorium tribute to him, his name and the fact he earned the VC has always stuck in my memory.
"This week on Top Gear we see what a Destroyer can REALLY do."
And The Stig will time trial it. =P
Tonight! I ram a dock gate! James builds a bomb! And Richard gets queasy....
As long as James doesn't try to jump a car on to it again.😂
ha ha ha👍🏻
This week on Jeremy Clarkson--Our Heroes 👏👏👏👏
When your own enemy says you deserve the VC, that's real recognition.
Like that German tank commander , Michael Wittmann, buried in France and has flowers placed on his grave every day in respect
the german soldiers really didnt want to be fighting. the SS and gestapo were different . so they had comradery there
@@seinfeld11123 gee wee, men don't want to die, what a bloody surprise
Recognition of the utmost vile treachery, yes
Ka dina bro
Thanks to Jeremy for telling this story worth hearing about. As a former US Army Ranger, we owe some of our heritage to the British Commando as they developed the training and concepts that ultimately were instrumental in forming the first US Army Ranger Battalion. RLTW Rangers Lead the Way! Jeremy is a great story teller. Whether it be cars, history or farms, Jeremy has perspective with his sense of humor that is unparalleled!
PUBLIC OPINION ON AMERICAN INTERVENTION IN World War II.
September 1, 1939: World War II BEGINS
Gallup survey, Sept 1-6, 1939
Q. If it looks within the next few months as if England and France might be defeated, should the United States declare war on Germany and send our troops abroad? YES 32%,... NO 58% ....10% No opinion.
October 6, 1939: POLAND CONQUERED
Gallup survey, Oct. 5-10, 1939
Q If it appears that Germany is intent on trying to defeat England and France, should the United States declare war on Germany and send our army and navy to Europe to fight? YES 29%,... NO 71%.
May 10, 1940: GERMANY INVADES WESTERN EUROPE
Gallup survey, May 18-23, 1940
Q. Do you think the United States should declare war on Germany and send our army and navy abroad to fight? YES 7%, NO 93%
June 22, 1940: FRANCE FALLS TO GERMANY
Gallup survey, June 27-July 3, 1940
Q Which of these two things do you think is the more important for the United States? 1) to try to keep out of war ourselves. 2) or to help England win, even at the risk of getting into the war? HELP 25%,... KEEP OUT 71% ...4% No opinion.
Yet they all claim they ''saved'' Britain in WW2? We read it every day, and yet what utter rubbish that really is? The truth is so obviously the complete OPPOSITE? As proven, we saved them!
But they'll still deny it, and come up with their next lines of bull?
They'll now be thinking to themselves, but … but ... but, we supplied the USSR, and it's only because of those supplies the USSR could even fight in the war blah blah? How many times have we all heard that outright lie? Again, I'll prove it was a lie.
And you'll also notice that not a single American would agree? This is what we really are talking about today?, they have nothing left, and nobody that could do the right thing for them. And it's all their own damn fault because of their own arrogance, their own stupidity, their own complete misunderstanding of this world we live in. Get lost USA.
Great Britain, Russia, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Romania, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Greece, Slovakia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia & The World.
They're all exactly the same today. If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, eventually the people will come to believe it ~ Joseph Goebbels, 1941. You only need to say it once to an American, as long as it was the American government saying it, they'd all believe it.
American propaganda and lies are so ingrained in these people today, they're completely unable to recognise what propaganda is, what it's used for, or even why it's used? They've no idea, man?
You'll read these people watch something happen with their own eyes, yet because they saw it on RT?, well that must mean it's propaganda?
They don't even grasp the fact, that if you can see something happen yourselves, then it's never propaganda, but actually, the reality, the facts! If you watch a US jet purposely bomb a hospital in Iraq?
That's not propaganda, it's a fact, as you can see it for yourselves? If, however, RT was just saying a US jet bombed a hospital? Without allowing you to actually see it? Then yes, we can call that propaganda, but even then, not all the time, they may not have the footage to show, so can only report it, that's where common sense comes into play. Only "common sense" with "American" in the same sentence, is illogical, as they're polar opposites.
I really do think and believe, that these American people today, actually think that American tyranny over the world, would see them all better off, would see them on a level above the rest of us, this really is what these American people think today. It must be!
Showing us all, they don't even understand what a tyrannical government is, or what it always does? As if they did know what any, and all tyrannical governments, always have done. They'd all know they're actually always the first to be killed, the first threatened, and the first subdued.
It's always those people living under any Tyrannical government, who are always the first to be dumbed down, and always turned into nothing other than meaningless canon fodder, they're always the first crushed. And as it happens, ironically, that's exactly what we're watching them all being turned into today!
To survive we must see Britain, Europe, Russia and China fighting for our belief in our own freedom?. Against the United States of Global Terrorism, fighting for full global control and dominance, both financially, and militarily, - American Tyranny in other words. You decide!
Before every war in history, as soon as the people have found out it's heading to war, we've often seen enormous shifts in alliances, many times with some of the most unexpected alliances being formed, while the usual alliances get broken, and at times, by the demands of the people themselves. Every War in history has seen this, hopefully it will be no different this time.
Every War in history has been lost by the country trying for domination, control or global tyranny. Not one has ever won, countries with some of the largest, greatest, most enormous military's ever seen at that time, have all lost, and not only lost but all have been annihilated. The American people would be very wise to remember that. Because there's a reason for that…
When you're fighting for the right reasons? Fighting against attempted tyranny or oppression? You all learn very quickly to overcome anything thrown at you, you fight with all your might, everyone around you is the same, so you easily outfight anyone that's fighting for tyranny, or fighting for the wrong reasons, as those troops all lack any real sort of fight. So no matter what, or how many weapons they may have, they can't ever match the fight against them.
We see this in every war throughout history, over and over again, we also always see that the troops all fighting for the righteous reasons, like their own country's freedom, always seem to become invincible! Every War is the same. It will be no different this time, only the annihilation might be much more severe, but just as deserved.
One of the most staggering facts from this raid was the fact that a German Captain went out of his way to recommend a VC to what was an enemy combatant to him.
Imagine being so badass that even your enemies salute you
Though they are enemies, Warriors always respect one another!
@LibtardsStillCant SilenceMe20 Interesting how you left the SS out... So no contempt for the SS, and the Mujahideen, but Asians, oh the Asians are contemptible...
@LibtardsStillCant SilenceMe20 one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. But I can't condone your theory
Yes, that's true, Mr Clarkson, has presented this very well, with some emotion,,
He was laying on the deck with his leg blown off and he was cheering us on. Legend.
In reality I doubt that happened
@@CheersDits2979 You'd know , you were there . ( sigh )
@@CheersDits2979 I once saw a guy with spiral crack up through his shin sit up, give the guy who caused it by accident his hand and tell him it was not his fault, these guys had way more adrenalin coursing through their vanes, this is totally believable to me.
L
@@thelogan4641 Trust me, people who get their legs blown off do NOT sit their cheering people on, even after morphine. Someone with a catastrophic bleed if not tourniquet will die within minutes, they normally if conscious scream in pain. I’ve seen and dealt with a few so @bloke 75, yes i would know (sigh, civis 🙄)
Being native from the surrounding area of St Nazaire, I am so grateful for what those men accomplished!
Every time I pass in front of what remains of the submarine base, I have a thought for those who were ready to give their life in order for my generation to live freely.
Amazing documentary in their honor!
Je suis sûr que chacun de ces soldats vous dirait : " De rien, Christelle "...
I wish more French people had your attitude. So often the powers that be seem very ungrateful for the generation of men that died trying and eventually saving France, De Gaulle himself seemed to despise the British
Having worked in France and Belgium, I think it is a little lost on the British how much the people there still hold these heros and the liberation, in the highest regard and regularly pay their respects with great dignity and reverence.
I am also native of Saint-Nazaire, living in Britain. I would like to personally thank the author James Dorrian who is the main history adviser behind the BBC programme narrated by Jeremy Clarkson. There is a lot more about Operation Chariot that meets the eye: who supplied the plans of the Saint-Nazaire port installations? Who were the local inhabitants who helped one of the five commandos, Lance-Corporal Arnold Howarth (BEM, Croix de guerre) to escape from Saint-Nazaire? I wonder if anybody local to Saint-Nazaire ever heard of René-Yves Creston or Etienne Baratte except for a few people interested on Operation Chariot.
you dont live freely, and future generations will live less freely.
The very definition of a suicide mission. That it actually succeeded, and that many survived, was truly miraculous!
If bombers would knock out some defenses and ships, some vague chances for return would have appeared. But there are no if's.
As a wounded veteran myself, you’re not supposed to return from this one. My Salute.
God definitely played a role in the commando's success here.
But given how useless Tirpitz really was, honestly it’s tragic seeing this mission happened in the first place.
@@bkjeong4302 you do realise it was basically made useless because of this raid.....
Good to have Jeremy be the one to narrate this event.
Salute to the greatest generation. Whatever we enjoy since the past 60+ years , we owe to them.
Go’d Bless All
@G SQUADRAN i found it about 4 years ago I love this story
Can't help thinking... what if there was a call up today? They'd be crying into their mothers aprons,
Clarkson is a schmuck who ruins every video he is in...
Communism?
@@chadhaire1711 least popular take of all time
The only reason why we have our very own Green Beret in Malaysia is because of the British Green Beret. No other words can be as meaningful as a great Thank You for Britain's contribution. 🇲🇾❤️🇬🇧
When I was a kid in the 1970s my next door neighbour, who seemed as old as the hills to me, was a very quiet and gentle man, years after his death we found out he was part of this raid and many others, he's eternally etched in my mind tending to his runner beans.
I had a neighbour involved too. We went to St Nazaire in the 70s and saw the memorial. Swimming in the sea my sister and I found a rock of the same type and took it home to him. He cried and thanked us , I will never forget.
That's amazing. You can find some of the most bad-a$$ warriors resorting to the most peaceful things without even knowing how important they were to history.
@@darkprotector9562 And it's inspirational in how they mentioned how these Commandos were picked as ordinary people from mundane professions.
@@darkprotector9562 it is a real shame that they aren't looked after better. The government should have given these men, and others like them, land with no taxes and a massive payout. Without these kinds of men, we would be speaking German or Japanese. Incredible story.
@@simmo7670 Most of these commandos are the type of men who would not take such an offer. Saying they were only doing what had to be done.
41:00 "Don't hang about here, it's decidedly unhealthy'' AH! the British.
love that lot. go sas those who dare win
Dear Vaibhav, Would you appear to be a child. Welcome to the hotel auschitz.
This has to be one of the best war documentaries ever made... quite frankly, because of the way Clarkson presents it!
he makes it interesting
Without a Doubt, Incredible!!
This should be a movie. Brave men. I’m deeply moved by their tenacity.
There is an old movie from 1952 called gift horse based on this raid 👍🏼
Attack on the Iron Coast
@@Floody77 Maybe a new adaptation. The same epic story but modern movie magic like Dunkirk (film). Although I concur after watching this documentary, I think the Raid at St. Nazaire is more compelling.
It was made into a movie.
I totally agree with you this should be the next ww2 movie
I'm from Denmark and didn't know about this raid...
I know those guys was a big part of my country getting liberated the 5may 1945...
I Thank those guys for that and will always remember them from now on and tell the story...
Every 5may i sit a candle in my window for the liberation of my country, but from now I will sit up an extra candle for those guys...
Thank you💖
Peace💖
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. Who's stood in front of the Soviets and told them if they didn't hold there advance into Denmark. He would open fire. Thankfully the soviets blinked first and the Iron Curtain didn't fall over Denmark. Just out of curiosity does that get taught in Denmark?
@@jamesmcstein6758 No sadly my friend.. I didn't even know this you just told me now.. we learned about ww2 but mostly the history everyone knows... Do you maybe have a link or so about this you told me so I can read about it??? Thank you for writing friend
@@jamesmcstein6758 citation needed
@@ArmageddonAfterparty The answer looks more like "Sort of".
www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/canadian-saved-denmark.html
He sent a contingent of Canadian Paras to hold them up, Then made sure the Russians stuck to the pre-agreed borders.
@@ArmageddonAfterparty This is where i got my information from Dr Mark Felton explains it a lot better than me though. ua-cam.com/video/OWcRl7Q7pGs/v-deo.html
I’ve been watching WW2 documentaries since I was no age. This is the best one I’ve ever seen! The way Jeremy gets into the archives to look at the meeting minutes, uses the actual model used to plan the raid, looks at the original letters from Churchill… just brilliant!
I can't imagine anyone other than Clarkson narrating this amazing documentary.
I can with morgan Freeman
David Attenborough
Karl Pilkington
Your mum
Lol
I don't know what to say.. I am speechless.. I am an American soldier I am inspired by these men and there stories... This why they are the greatest generation....There story must survive for generations to come.... God save the Queen
I'm an American too - and this is an impressive story of en-masse bravery. But "the Queen" or anyone given a heredity position, is a revolting concept.
@@stevealexander8010 These guys were fighting for "King & Country" and in most cases the armed forces pledge their allegiance to the Monarch as part of the Oath of Allegiance.
i.e. "I, swear by Almighty God (do solemnly, and truly declare and affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors...
Fk the queen
They were the reason Communism spread. Read history.
@@poweredbyrice5708 Republics usually have similar arguments to justify themselves. Power is given by God and is taken away when it is abused. It is an ancient principle.
Jeremy has shared his love for cars his entire life and thusly, enriched my enthusiasm for quality automotive subjects. Just imagine if Jeremy had spent an equal amount of time hosting quality historical docos such as this one. Wouldn't more of us find history vastly more interesting with Jeremy bringing his unique style of journalism to informing us about the really important events? Maybe, just maybe, if that farming or the car shows don't work out for him, he would lend his talents to bringing these stories to life. I know a few of us would be better humans for it.
He's done a few history docs there's another one on UA-cam about Victoria Cross heroes, and I'm not sure if its on here but one about the North Atlantic convoys, and a series about weapons I think as well
But I definitely agree he's great in these things like this
@@slyaspie4934 I saw the V.C. episode but was unaware of the others. Thanks for the heads up my dood. Will look for those, THX!
its ashame they did away with Top Gear and remade it with some Black guy on instead !!!!!!! .......it used to be good that ...
@@slyaspie4934 ßppplol0⁰
The problem with history like this is it sets a damn high bar for using the word courage ! God bless each and everyone of them.
Amen.
It is time once again for the English speaking world to save itself along in so doing the rest of it! GET YOUR KIT AND PREPARE TO LET LOOSE. My money is on my neighbors to the North of me to start the show?
@@genebohannon8820 WTF? 🤔
@MichaelKingsfordGray Oh give it a rest, sweetheart.
@MichaelKingsfordGray no one cares
The man being carried on the stretcher at 58:24 was Arthur Ashcroft 2 Commando. He was my neighbour in Venmore street, Anfield, Liverpool. Arthur and Millie lived across the road when I was a kid and I used to talk to Arthur a lot,he was a lovely old man,cups of tea and stories of the war.He was gentle with his stories, more about comradeship and the family of the platoon than killing. I have a few pages (copies) of the diary he kept whilst a prisoner of war after Operation Chariot.What is wonderful about them is the lack of complaint for their predicament. "We've got little food and lots of injuries but it's a lovely sunny day today" You had natural respect for this man,you could tell he deserved it but he didn't demand or wear it.He was like a statue with a deep slowly spoken voice you could listen too. I hope he and his lovely wife Millie (who worked with my mum at united biscuits) rest in peace,forever.Neil.
I find united biscuits funny
Cool story tho thanks for sharing
It really takes a special kind of human, thank you for sharing! Sounds like a good man.
Thanks, chickenswampable. Nice to hear from you. 🙂👍
he was the example of a good man to me.
"Don`t hang about lad it`s extremly unhealthy round here."
Classical British understatement which I love.
That these men reached old age is a miracle. Thank you Timeline.
These people were tough. Death showed up and they laughed in his face!
I love how in the old films they called kicking a guy in the balls “spoiling his prospects”
Knick his gold watch if he's got one!
And he most certainly had.
then stick him with a bayonnet !
Such a wise and funny way to refer to saying I'm going to make a man sterile. Here in Baltimore MD you hear it as family jewels..
@@randymcfarland9930 That expression is also used in the UK.
These men… their bravery…. I am truly in awe. I am an American, and I didn’t know about this story before watching this documentary…. but you can bet that now I’m gonna tell everyone I know about it! Surely one of the greatest feats ever achieved by any country 🇬🇧
There were a few canadians as well. Coming from a grateful Brit!
My deepest respect to this fearsome gentleman and soldiers. Truly the golden generation. Will always be remembered love from Fiji Islands 🇫🇯
as a retired u.s. army/air force veteran may i pay mad respect for the sailors and officers of the most undesirable, least equipped, lightest protected bunch of floating orphans any navy put together! for these men who hadn't had the training for mental toughness to still go out there and give their brothers in the commandos their very best is just awe inspiring.
WELL DONE, NOBLE SEAMEN OF THE ROYAL NAVY. WELL DONE, INDEED.
The British military forces actions and sacrifices are immeasurable... My gratitude and salutes to all those soldiers ❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏. ( to all allied forces )
Regards from India 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳❤️
Its docs like this that show you just how great a commentator/orator Clarkson is and how much he values the sacrifices of our forebears. This is some of his best work imo.
Excellent!!
I am one of these froggies that will always see the Brits what they are: A great and proud people that I am glad to have as neighbours and friends. It's sad that we fought each other so much in history because our cultural differences makes our peaceful exchanges all the more exquisite and beautiful. I am glad to share the red white and blue of our vertical stripes with the colour of the Union Jack. God saves the Queen!
And God save France Mon Ami...from a proud Brit
You are an admirable individual. And you know, there are many thousands of people who are alive today because of the bravery and sacrifice of the French Resistance - truly the definitive guerilla force.
And I find it a happy coincidence that my own flag, the Star Spangled Banner, shares it's colors with both France & England.
@@darkprotector9562 all about the red white and blue... The white stands for freedom, the red synifies the blood one as to shed sometimes for it, and the blue is for a mans noble cause.this englishmans proud to be under it...
As a young boy, I was fascinated with WW2. I never read or watched anything about this raid. This is perhaps one of the best documentaries on these Commando’s and their training and mission. The host narrated this perfectly. My favorite line: “ please don’t shout...just get on with it” after they were captured and exhausted. The Germans were threatening to execute them as spies.
Typically outstanding British documentary making. This is so well done! This story is beyond inspiring, it is life-giving. It demands that we all rise higher, do better, “never, never, never give up,” (Churchill).
Nice!
And still, everywhere in the world you see yelling insane populist politicians. One even damaged the US reputation for four years. Why do we accept that nonsense?! Do something to prevent a next war!
✌️👍
This was a great story. Clarkson should just keep doing these since he’s getting older and the grand tour is over. I’d watch these all day
When he finds out farming isn't easy?
@@williamrae9954 he took up farming?
@@ryannocera6690 yes, he made a show called "clarksons farm" on amazon prime. Its actually really good id recommend watching it
This programm was produced by Clarkson years ago. Just because this upload is new, it doesn't mean the film is.
He hasn't done a show like this for decades, all the men involved have long since passed. This must be getting on for 20 years old
Leave it Jeremy to bring a man to tears during a history lesson. The bravery of these men needs to never be forgotten
39:29 "how to tackle a bloke with your bare hands: knock him out, spoil his prospects and pinch his weapon...and his gold watch too if he's got one" lmao
like film attack on the iron cost 1968 base raid st nazaire
Love that phrase, "spoil his prospects". when kicking someone in the nuts! 😂
@Biggus Dickus whats your wife called again?
@Biggus Dickus ah thanks for the reminder
hehe
ffssffs
'Knock him down and spoil his prospects.' Extraordinarily British.
😊
That sounded suspiciously like Michael Caine.
@@austin2842 I'm picturing Blackadder.
AMAZING!!!! Thank you so much!! I just took the most amazing drain pipe clearing dump thanks to your Epsom salt recommendations!!!!! I dropped at least 15lbs of waste.
@@kevinsturgeon8414, only 170 left to go!
My Dad worked with British troops and had high regard for them during WWll.
The sacrifice of the commandos and their bravery should never be forgotten
Thank you all lads, heroes for all eternity, with deepest gratitude.
12:38 You don't know how much I appreciate the physical reference materials instead of video effects.
I liked both.
I am 59 and shocked that I have never heard of this most daring raid, these men were beyond belief, and those who survived went on to contribute to humanity, amazing people....this true story is very uplifting and is full of hope. I hope to visit Corwall England.
Watch the b&w film “ the Gift horse “ .
You may or may not know this but the film ‘Attack On The Iron Coast’ with Lloyd Bridges is based around this raid. It’s not exactly what occurred, but it’s pretty close.
Good choice,that gonna be the last bastion eventually of true britishness and culture along with glasgow and all above it......
American Navy: “What happened to that destroyer we loaned you?”
British Navy: “Um... You know it’s the funniest story...”
"we gave it to the germans..."
Royal Navy: "It's at St. Nazaire."
US Navy: "Where about in St, Nazaire?"
Royal Navy: "Everywhere."
@@cycadaacolyte6349 lm
@@HO-bndk there's a reason joint operations exist... similar humor, similar thoughts, similar training, but all regular men doing extraordinary things to use violence for good.
They definitely lost their deposit.
The sad part of this is I only have one like to give.
I see what you did there. Who do you think taught us, "Don't tread on Me!"`?
Sadly the original is more fitting in the English speaking world again today. GET READY!
Who gave this a thumbs down? Shameful.
Wow, I am in tears. Bravo to those brave chaps! Those guys are amazing and are certainly heroes beyond measure.
😪🤧
They were badasses, each and every one. The Greatest Generation - we stand on the shoulders of giants. May God bless them, each and every one.
Giants, indeed, Daniel - they were the epitome of courage.
We could do with their kind now.
@@daniellebcooper7160 I couldn't agree more.
Agreed, Danielle - I served with 2Para in the 1980's, but of course then, the Commando's were under the auspices of the Army & not directly affiliated with the Senior Service (RN), as now. In military terms, it's a whole different ball of wax, today. Keep yourself safe,
Andrew.
They even knew which bathroom to use...
It still Amazes me that someone like Ridley Scott hasn't made this heroic, and epic tale into a movie ! Maybe one day !?
Or the guy who did Dunkirk.
Amazing story. Amazing men. I think the survivor at the end who so quickly, so self-deprecatingly, and with such certainty offers his opinion that subsequent generations of youth would absolutely have had the courage to do what he and his compatriots did is being very gracious and extraordinarily humble.
You know nobody works with Amazon maybe he should do more documentaries like this. Jeremy Clarkson has made it no secret that he is a huge supporter of the British military. Something tells me that he would be a great person to do documentaries and stuff centered around other aspects of the military.
Why not a feature film?
@@stuart5811 that could work
An entire series with multiple seasons of 12-15 episodes each. It could run for years just telling the stories from WWII
I'd watch them. Better that than Clarkson playing farmer.
@@markphillips2076 haven’t seen that yet
My GOD... the bravery & audacity. These men were completely selfless. What an incredible feat.
Unable to control my tears... May those 168 comandos lost in action rest in peace 🙏... 🙏🥺😪
Heck, this is better than "Saving private Ryan".
Deserves a big budget movie.
deserves it, but Hollywood would distort it with fiction and will more than likely make it an American commando unit or something like that. Like that U-571 film
No it doesnt.
This has a documentary and its all the format it needs.
No freakin hollywood BS with an "extended storyline"
@@kavasir7042 I agree that Hollywood would probably turn it into a movie centered around the US military.
@@chiron13 yes remember midway not 1 Commonwealth ships insight and did not see any of the kamikaze's bouncing off the decks of them ships because it would have stolen the show just a bit lol
If it's done right.
This Clarkson. Jeremy Clarkson has an remarkably good and strong ability to present serious subjects. As a Yank I'm always deeply impressed with the British grit and determination to fight the good fight. We in the U.S. like to think that our two countries are in this fight of evil in the world till the end.
WHAT THE? An American calling himself a Yank?
It's just too bad that both gov/military's are being over run by grifters/cowards and tractors.
@@LordZonaxe yeah, those pesky tractors, plowing the fields of people who never asked for it.
@@bobrockmann7521 lol the pesky Tractors all ways up to no good..
true yank hat off sir
As an Englishman living near Saint Nazaire I can assure you that this raid is well remembered and honoured.
As is the loss of the 'Lancastrian'.
A loss so serious Churchill ordered the sinking to be kept secret.
I've been very touched and impressed by the way the vast majority of French people remember the Allied efforts.
Examples, I have had many French people thank me personally on behalf of my Father's generation.
Many French towns and villages, some in quite remote areas have a street named for the date of their liberation.
Brits, Americans, Canadians living nearby are often invited to remembrance day ceromonies.
Quite recently I was speaking with a Breton who made clear he did not like the English.
I told him my family had quite a long association and admiration for France.
He was not impressed.
I told him but for the British he would be speaking German and added, I would not exist because I'm Jewish.
I added my Father arrived in France during the war without a passport on June 7th; at Normandy.
His attitude changed, he sincerely thanked me for my father's efforts and we have become friends.
It's not worth engaging with someone so ignorant and small-minded that they do not like an entire race of people. I can't abide people like that, their abject negativity towards everything new or outside of their small worlds is so pathetic. People like that are never interesting or engaging, just tiresome and dull. You'd have to have zero logic, rationality, or imagination to judge people as a group, not the individuals they are.
I am sitting here in my chair watching this video with tears streaming down my cheeks ,not with sadness, but with pride !!!!
I am 54 years of age now living in france ,but i will ALWAYS be british .
I take my hat off to the men in this video ,may you all (living or not ) know that thanks to your courage you helped save many lives 👏👏👏👏
I hear living or dead they come on to this comment section everyday to see comments like these.. some might think it's a tad virtue signaling but nah you're the real deal.
you’re still british... well that depends how long you been living in france
Another ex-patriot who loves their country so much they don't live in it.
@@acesul8811 ,does it matter to you if this ....ex - patriot doesn't live in England????
My grand father fought in the war and his origins where nordic ,so does that make him any less british??, his grandparents came to england for a better life ,the same as i have done for my family.
.
@@andrewbull3537 LMAO - left Britain for a better life. You went next door and shacked up with the neighbour and want to pretend you still love your wife, even though you don't live with her or financially support her.
Struggling to articulate in mere words how truely remarkable these people are, prepared to achieve and indeed carried out what was considered impossible.
To get that boat to it's destination and remark "here we are.. four minutes late" sums up the British spirit succinctly.
Thank you brave souls one and all and credit to you Timeline for telling their story.
Thank you Jeremy Clarkson, you make me proud to be British. It's humbling to know that we are here today because so few stood up against tyranny and were successful in prevailing over evil.
These guys were so brave. Operating in such dangerous areas, being observant of the tactical situation, maneuvering through unexpected obstacles. Thank you for your service, gentlemen.
Courage is recognising Fear
Courage is overcoming Fear
As a 2nd generation British Pakistani this was simply amazing! And Jezza was the best person to tell this story.
Hats off to the Commandos
This would be a blockbuster
Why isn't this more well known and celebrated?? Hats off and much honor to all those brave men.
Deep, deep respect. I cannot conceive bravery on this level. Inspirational men and (Most of) our country is incredibly proud of them.
Brian it`s these people that gave you and I the chance to follow our dreams freely, thanks for the music so glad you got your PhD and keep well, kind regards from Yorkshire.
Nah, it aint is it? You the real deal brian may who married angie from east enders, and one of the GOAT legend guitarists from one of the greatest bands of all time!!! Scaramoosh, iccurumba..
I Totally Hope that no one shold never forget what these Brave Men did for their country and the war
The Allies were in the wrong sonny. Even these commandos admit it.
I was 21 during Falklands and I couldn't believe that just about everybody I knew would have signed up on the spot it they had the chance!
Hi. I was in absolute tears watching this programme. Such bravery we are now scoundering. These men swuffered so much suffering so we csan be free. Your sacrifice will be forever remembered!!
I read about the Commandos as a boy and learned of their affiliation with America’s Rangers. Much impressed, when I came if age I became an Airborne Ranger and fought America’s enemies until I retired at age 62. I wouldn’t change a thing. Hats off to the Brits and all their contributions in World War ll. God bless the Royal Commandos, every man jack of them.
Rangers are affiliated with British commandos, not the other way around.
@@HO-bndk Affiliations go both ways pal.
@@HO-bndk - Yes, you are right, Harry. A strong bond was formed during WWll and and remains to this day. The Americans did come to the Brits for orientation and initial training.
Yanks are babies compared to these guys,
@@darrenh0218 No need to be silly about it, I'm just pleased that some of our American cousins are finally finding out about events like St. Nazaire at last. I've known of this since I was a kid and read about in the comics of the 1960's, and much else besides.
despite how much I love the cocky, self deprecating, full of b/s Clarkson of topgear's golden years, this is him at his very best. love his still over-the-top attitude paired with that immense dedication and passion to bringing the heroics of Britains finest to light. excellent storytelling of an incredible story.
Considering what these men did it was a surprisingly high number of men that returned. An absolutely different breed of men these special individuals were. Hats off to these heroes
Thank you Timeline. These men should be remembered with a proper monument. I am in awe of these men and what they achieved.
Saint Nazaire is my home town. My grand mother lived not far from the harbor and heard the fighting. There was a square named after the raid. A monument, not a stone. A real monument. And all through my childhood a party from the UK came for the ceremony to honor those who had fallen. The whole town knew about the raid on Saint Nazaire. My grandmother told me that after the Campbeltown exploded the sight of pieces of bodies all over the harbor area was gruesome.
@@bernardlucas3954 Thank you, it is good to know they are remembered. I am grateful for never having had to experience war first hand.
In 1972 on a motoring trip to Brittany my wife and I visited St Nazaire in our Morris 1500. Driving along the dock road by the shipyards at change of shift. Lots of frenchmen coming out of the docks on bicycles. All gave us a rousing cheer on our way past on the strength of our British number plates. It was quite moving.
Excellent short film. I’m born and raised in Tennessee USA, but love to hear these stories of heroism from our British brothers. My last name is North, and my great aunt went to England years ago tracing back our family tree. We are direct descendants of “Lord North” the prime minister of England during the American Revolution, and my wife’s maiden name is “Clapp” which traces back to the same area as my family in England.
I like to tell her if we were both alive 1,000 years ago we may still have met and been married 😂 Many of us Americans come directly from England and can trace our ancestry back rather directly! I would love to visit England one day. God save the King and Queen!
The British are good people believe me as are the people of the USA...we make a good team....
We all want to escape to our brothers in Red American States!
@@johnhanson5943 Please do not speak for me, as a child 75 years ago I eulogised about the Red Indians , now known as native Americans or indigenous people of America but sadly the worst type of our countries example has been picked up by the US, leave me out.
Also even if not of English ancestry, the founding values of the US were based majorly on British Enlightenment ideas; freedom of expression, consent of the governed, natural rights, etc.
Ironically a lot of these ideas led directly to the War of Independence.
My Grandmother was born in 1893. Her parents came over from England on a sailing ship. Dad's side came from England also but Earlier. Much like lots of orhers from Virginia North and South Carolina.
This is one of the best things I’ve seen on UA-cam
I watched this today because is was too cold to rake leaves. I am writing this in shame with teary eyes considering the courage these men showed. The World was in peril and these men were the last line of defense. Once again Sir Winston Churchill's words "Never have so many owed so much to so few." ring true. Many thanks Mr. Clarkson for putting things like a cold Spring day in perspective.
It's a shame what the west turned into though... Exactly what they were fighting against..
Not only presented by Clarkson, WRITTEN by him. Kudos Sir. Well done
“The fact that is regarded as impossible, makes it possible! The Germans will never think we would attempt it.”
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000p0000000000
Who dares wins!
The fact that I agreed instinctively with this sort of worries me....
That thinking didn't work so well for Burnside at Maryes Heights(Battle of Fredericksburg, U.S. Civil War). I'm glad it worked out for Lord Mountbatten though.
I had never heard this story before. So I am watching this...thinking "well, the ship didn't explode but at least they showed tremendous courage". And then the guy in the video said...."there was a bang". It's better than Luke destroying the Death Star.
Yes the ship did explod watch till the end
@@denismelville2833 you should read to the end
I'd read of this raid and watched a UA-cam video or two on it. Indeed, this was the single greatest commando raid of WWII and an action of supreme bravery. This raid should be better remembered. I'll never forget it.
Nor will I Roger. I live in France and every time I fly from Nantes to the UK the plane flies over St Nazaire and I always look down at that dock and marvel at what those brave men did. R.I.P.
What a damn shame there is no significant Memorial to these brave men in the UK or indeed in France itself. I’m proud to be born British.
There is a memorial, it's at Falmouth on the Prince of Wales Pier Landing.
There's the Commando Memorial near Spean River Bridge 10 miles north of Fort William
Last time I visited St Nazaire there was a plaque and i found the French people felt rather proud to have had their dock attacked by these brave men. The U boats pens are open to the public & worth seeing. There is also a memorial to the ship Lancastrian sunk by dive bombers while evacuating troops after Dunkirk. No one knows for sure how many men died with the Lancastrian, most estimates are between 6 & 8 thousand. A tragedy that makes the Titanic sinking look like almost trivual.
There is a small memorial with a plaque at the location. You can find a picture of it on Google Maps. There is a map display there describing the layout of the event. The memorial has a gun barrel from the destroyer on top of it. It is on top of the submarine museum right next to the dry dock.
It's just as well. Our leaders would surely have it seen to that it be destroyed like the rest of our culture.
I love it when Jeremy Clarkson presents something. It seems like to me he is genuinely interested in the subject. This is no exception IMO.
..he'll be gone before Long ...-replaced by a Black person . . . . . .
@@krishnan-resurrection714 Absolutely unnecessary 🙄
@@krishnan-resurrection714 Absolutely unnecessary 🙄
Thanks mr. Jeremy Clakson, your telling of this story made me feel like I was there with these brave commandos. Brave men whose sacrifyice means a lot.
The greatest generation. We should all really appreciate their sacrifice.
Not quite. My father served in WW2 and the most telling remark he made was how incredibly third-rate and botched most of what he experienced first-hand was. In the light of all that, he was amazed that we still won the war. His conclusion: the opposition must have been even more incompetent than us!
What is true however is that a few really did shine, and surely those on the St Lazaire raid must be counted among them. We *_do_* owe an incredible debt of gratitude to that generation, a debt we can never repay, indeed we owe our freedoms to them, but they were flawed just like us.
@@Muddy283 mate even if they were flawed just like us there generation is one of the bestest let’s be honest if a world war came around now I guarantee no one would even enlist due to how many people in this generation who are pure snowflakes.
@@LWQ15881 Well, you're certainly entitled to your point of view. But it is not one shared by arguably one of the greatest Western military wartime leaders we have seen in the last 50 years: ua-cam.com/video/8-aytw--YUY/v-deo.html. It is my opinion that great persons will always arise in times of national and/or international existential crises.
Anyway my intention was not to enter into a UA-cam spat with you, merely to express a point of view illuminated somewhat by my late father's firsthand experience of that terrible war. Hopefully, we can agree to differ.
@@Muddy283 haha don’t worry mate I’m not angry over a UA-cam comment don’t worry it’s 2021 mate that’s all history it isn’t something to be angry about. And yes yes I guess I can see where you are coming from but I also see the only reason why I am entitled to an opinion is because of them.
@@Muddy283 but when I think about what you said more I also believe that no generation of humans was ever perfect anyway so your opinion is accepted.
Thank you, SIR!! It seems that Brit historians are better at this than anyone in the world. As a recently retired (Science) teacher, I can only say that I GENUINELY appreciate videos like this. A shame I never had them growing up, in the old 'printed-material', pre-computer days...(but then again, if I'd had them I'd have never left the house... lol)
Fantastic vid, and I thank you for compiling and sharing such a great piece of historical documentation. Cheers!!
One of the greatest stories of WWII told by one of the greatest storytellers of all time.
“Knock him down, spoil his prospects, pinch hit weapon, (and his gold watch if he has one) and carry on”.... friggin LOVE it! LMAO
Stiff upper lip... jolly good!
They need to make a movie about this. The operation hasn't even started yet and I'm at the edge of my seat.
"Attack on the Iron Coast" starring Lloyd Bridges
@@invisiblepants6477 An American, there werent any there
@@malcolmfannon4589 He's an actual Canadian frog man playing a Canadian naval officer.
Although not a direct film about the St Nazaire Raid the latter part of the 1952 film The Gift Horse starring Trevor Howard and Richard Attenborough is based upon the raid.
I mean you could always read a book about it - remember books?
This combined my two favorite things. Lesser known ww2 stories and Jeremy clarkson.
"Well.. so I said: 'Hande hoch to you, too!' "
Bloody brilliant! :-D
noted Andy Wilman directed this. Great team Jeremy and Andy. Shall we never forget on this Anzac day all those that gave so much.
A wonderful reminder to us of these brave men who gave their lives to give us freedom which we take so much for granted today. Let's always remember their bravery which definitely spurs us on. May our prayers be with all of them and their families. Thank you for this documentary of great remembrance.
The bravery and Patriotism of these Commandos is truly inspirational.
Emotional stuff. What fine chaps.
We owe people like them everything.
Excellent docu, Clarkson can be very proud of this!
Op Market Garden, The Raid on St Nazaire, few others like Al Almin, etc are taught even today in Indian Military Acadamy, and OTSs' along with many post 1947 battles.
Two important World War II battles were fought in the area:
At the First Battle of El Alamein (1-27 July 1942), the advance of Axis troops on Alexandria was blunted by the Allies, stopping the German Panzers that were trying to outflank the Allies position.
At the Second Battle of El Alamein (23 October - 4 November 1942), Allied forces broke the Axis line and forced them all the way back to Tunisia. Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister at the time, said of this victory: "Now this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." After the war, he wrote: "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein, we never had a defeat."
"how not to use paratroopers" should be taught everywhere i think
if anything that should be learned, its how Winston Churchill got alot of people killed in suicidal "miracle" operations by approving them and Montgomery by conducting them
Canadians are still bitter about it and the lesson they learned from it is that they will never allow British generals to fully take charge of Canadian troops again
@@xGoodOldSmurfehx What operations are you referring to? Apart from Dieppe, I am not aware of any operations where Canadians were put in suicidal situations more so than British troops. I'd also add that Montgomery had one of the best track records of any WWII general for keeping casualites to a minimum. You should watch his interview while he was in Canada ("Field Marshall Montgomery Lord Taylor Interviewing"). He clearly states that his focus was on reducing casualties wherever possible and winning battles through preparation.
@@johnrhodes3350 you are forgetting one tiny detail. The Americans were in it now. The British army was a shadow of its self.
"One very import thing to us, was what the French Prime Minister said to us, you were the first who give us hope". Thank God for these guys who stuck two fingers up to the 'impossible' and gave the world hope! My sincere gratitude to you all!
I only know Jeremy from Top Gear and The Grand Tour, so it was initially a surprise to see him presenting this doc.
Then I think about some of the Top Gear episodes, and I remember how he and May would geek out on old tanks and Soviet era jets. Meanwhile, Hammond's looking like a miserable teenager while his mom and grandmother are meandering up and down every aisle, checking the prices of every single item at the crafts store. (Sorry, I had a flashback there)
I guess thinking of those episodes made me realize the man really likes history, especially war history. I'm in the same cigarette boat, particularly for WWII.
He does a couple more, one on the Victoria Cross and another great on on Convoy PQ17.
God Bless the Commandos, with Love from Good Ol New Zealand
Men called to duty by their country. May their souls Rest in Peace.
Amen
That was absolutely excellent. I am very pleased to know this story and salute all the men who took it on. It's untold stories like this, true ones, that made real history. It brought tears to my eyes of pride in that very special generation of men that fought WW2. There will never be a generation like them again.