The Greatest Raid

The definitive account of one of the most desperately heroic missions launched during World War Two.

In March 1942, at perhaps the darkest moment of World War Two for the Allies, Britain launched a nearly suicidal raid on the Nazi-occupied French port of St. Nazaire, which the German Navy was using as a dry dock for ship repairs (the Tirpitz, the sister ship of the Bismarck, was scheduled for repairs there). Destroying it would hinder the U-boat campaign and force German ships to return hundreds of miles to home ports. The plan was for British commandos to attack the port and simultaneously to use an explosives-laden, American-built ship dating from World War One, the Campbelltown, as a gigantic torpedo, launching it into the docks. The first element of Operation Chariot went disastrously. The second proved spectacularly successful. The detonation of the Campbellown put the St. Nazaire dry dock out of commission for the war's duration.

To be published on the 80th anniversary, Giles Whittell's book will offer the definitive account of the raid, which was undertaken by Royal Navy and British commandos, most of whom were killed or captured. The Greatest Raid provides a gripping and authoritative narrative of one of the most daring military operations ever undertaken.

“"Shining a bright light on a lesser-known action of World War II, Giles Whittell's The Greatest Raid: St. Nazaire, 1942 is a must read for any aficionado of World War II history." -- Chris Patsilelis, Midwest Book Review "Churchill called St Nazaire 'a deed of glory intimately involved in high strategy.' This vivid and moving book shows why." -- David Reynolds, author of Island Stories: An Unconventional History of Britain "A spellbinding account of one of the most astonishing episodes of the whole war. Thrilling and tragic in equal measure, it is a story of self-sacrifice, comradeship and courage on an unimaginable scale." -- Julia Boyd, author of Travelers in the Third Reich "Giles Whittell's account of Operation Chariot is a compelling page-turner, the work of a master story-teller. The drama of the March 1942 operation is cinematic in its sweep and detail--and Whittell's detective work on the real reasons for the raid is extraordinary. It is also beautifully written." -- Matthew d'Ancona, author of In It Together”

"Shining a bright light on a lesser-known action of World War II, Giles Whittell's The Greatest Raid: St. Nazaire, 1942 is a must read for any aficionado of World War II history." -- Chris Patsilelis, Midwest Book Review

"Churchill called St Nazaire 'a deed of glory intimately involved in high strategy.' This vivid and moving book shows why." -- David Reynolds, author of Island Stories: An Unconventional History of Britain

"A spellbinding account of one of the most astonishing episodes of the whole war. Thrilling and tragic in equal measure, it is a story of self-sacrifice, comradeship and courage on an unimaginable scale." -- Julia Boyd, author of Travelers in the Third Reich

"Giles Whittell's account of Operation Chariot is a compelling page-turner, the work of a master story-teller. The drama of the March 1942 operation is cinematic in its sweep and detail--and Whittell's detective work on the real reasons for the raid is extraordinary. It is also beautifully written." -- Matthew d'Ancona, author of In It Together

Giles Whittell is the author of Bridge of Spies (Broadway Books/Crown), and Spitfire Women of World War II. He has worked as a Times (UK) correspondent in Los Angeles, Moscow and Washington, was the Times' chief leader writer for three years. He is World Affairs Editor at Tortoise Media, based in London.

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