8x12 inch photo of HMS Campbeltown, shown rammed into the dock at St Nazaire, signed by Commando Bill Watson MC, a Lieutenant with No12 Commando on the raid.
Signed during a private signing at his home in 2011
Dr. Bill "Tiger" Watson (1921–2018) was a British Commando who earned the Military Cross for his gallantry during Operation Chariot, the legendary 1942 World War II raid on the German-held dry dock at St-Nazaire, France.
A 20-year-old Second Lieutenant in the Black Watch attached to No. 2 Commando, Watson was tasked with leading a protection party on Motor Launch ML 457. His mission was to clear the harbour mole of the enemy and secure or destroy a bridge to prevent German reinforcements from attacking.
Despite being severely wounded by enemy fire, Watson displayed immense bravery, leading to his award of the Military Cross. He was captured, spent the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War, and subsequently went on to build a successful medical career.
The St Nazaire Raid or Operation Chariot was a British amphibious attack on the heavily defended Normandie dry dock at St Nazaire in German-occupied France during the Second World War. The operation was undertaken by the Royal Navy and British Commandos under the auspices of Combined Operations Headquarters on 28 March 1942. St Nazaire was targeted because the loss of its dry dock would force any large German warship in need of repairs, such as Tirpitz, sister ship of Bismarck, to return to home waters by running the gauntlet of the Home Fleet of the Royal Navy and other British forces, via the English Channel or the GIUK gap.
The obsolete destroyer HMS Campbeltown, accompanied by 18 smaller craft, crossed the English Channel to the Atlantic coast of France and was rammed into the Normandie dock gates. The ship had been packed with delayed-action explosives, well-hidden within a steel and concrete case, that detonated later that day, putting the dock out of service until 1948.
A force of commandos landed to destroy machinery and other structures. German gunfire sank, set ablaze, or immobilised virtually all the small craft intended to transport the commandos back to England. The commandos fought their way through the town to escape overland but many surrendered when they ran out of ammunition or were surrounded by the Wehrmacht defending Saint-Nazaire.
Of the 611 men who undertook the raid, 228 returned to Britain, 169 were killed and 215 became prisoners of war. German casualties included over 360 dead, some of whom were killed after the raid when Campbeltown exploded. To recognise their bravery, 89 members of the raiding party were awarded decorations, including five Victoria Crosses. After the war, St Nazaire was one of 38 battle honours awarded to the Commandos. The operation has been called The Greatest Raid of All within British military circles
WE ARE UACC REGISTERED DEALERS NUMBER RD209
NOTE! We have noticed a few sellers putting the letters "UACC" in their item titles but failing to provide either a dealer or member number. You should view this practise or anything similarly vague with the utmost caution, any reputable dealer will provide this information on their listings directly without having to be asked. We are UACC Registered Dealer RD209