"What a story it is, straight out of a Commando comic book . . ."
Jeremy Clarkson tells the story of one of the most daring operations of World War II -- the Commando raid on the German occupied dry dock at St. Nazaire in France on 28th March 1942. It was an operation so successful and so heroic that it resulted in the award of FIVE Victoria Crosses and 80 other decorations for gallantry.
Y'all know I'm busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kickin' contest these days, but if you've got an hour to spare I think you'll really enjoy this story of bravery above and beyond during WWII, it also narrates a history of the first Commando units . . .
. . . plus the guy presenting punched Piers Morgan in the face!
Thanks to Special Agent SUPERFREAK
STORMBRINGER SENDS
Thanks for the heads up. Totally riveting watch. Those commandos had balls.
ReplyDeleteWell, "successful" in that they destroyed the dry dock using a Lend-Lease four-piper and applying the "P formula" but they got a little ambitious and lost a lot of good men killed, wounded and captured.
ReplyDeleteThis raid is one Bill McRaven used as an example in his book "SpecOps" which I highly recommend to anyone either in the community or wanting a good grounding in what is - and is not - a "Special Operation". We used to make it a basic requirement for folks coming in from conventional units - long before McRaven took command.
Boat Guy
Pity the couldn't award a VC for punching Piers.
ReplyDeleteOr at least a knighthood during Birthday Honors for service to the Empire...
Jeremy Clarkson, KCOBE sounds good.
ReplyDeleteOne of my biggest complaints about Jezza is that he didn't punch out Piers (spit) Morgan on video so we could all enjoy it on youtube.
ReplyDeleteClarkson also did a six or seven part series on the Victoria Cross and those who have won it that is excellent viewing.
Al_in_Ottawa