Commissioned 20th January.
 

Hello,
Famous ship commissioned on 20th January.
USS Buchanan
Famous Dock raid .
Airial attack prior to the raid was smaller than planned.
Why was this ?
Alex

Re: Commissioned 20th January.
 

According to this link: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk...on-st-nazaire/

"Documents from the time show that senior ranks in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force were less than enthusiastic in their support for ‘Operation Chariot’. The RAF’s part in the plan was to bomb St. Nazaire as the ‘Campbeltown’ steamed to the gates. Senior RAF officers were unwilling to provide the operation with the 100 bombers that Mountbatten wanted. The RAF eventually agreed to supply 35 bombers for the diversionary raid. Ironically, it was the attack by these bombers that alerted the German defenders that something might be ongoing. However, there was little confidence in the RAF that the bombers used would be effective. Air Vice Marshal Saunby wrote that the bombers were “to hang around overhead and drop the occasional bomb.”"

Re: Commissioned 20th January.
 

Hello,

For the latest (2016), and most authoritative account of "Operation Chariot", I suggest you get a copy of the following book:

Winged Chariot A Complete Account of the RAF's Support Role during the Audacious Commando Raid on St Nazaire, March 1942.
Lush,Peter.
London:Grub Street,2016.
ISBN-13: 9-781-910690-24-6

It fully explains, and debunks the popular misconception, that the RAF bungled the whole affair. The book has detailed appendices explaining The RAF participation, including; A Summary of Sorties Flown, The Combined Plan, Bomber Command Operation Order No.141 and G/C A.H. Willetts' Report. It has a decent index and an adequate bibliography, plus a listing of archival sources.

Col.

Re: Commissioned 20th January.
 

Hello Rolland and Colin,

Many thanks for your replies, both from far away :)

I will first try the library for a copy of the book.
Being a local event they may hold a copy .

Many thanks
Alex