"Into the Jaws of Death " Topic

"The British Commando raid on the French port of Saint-Nazaire in 1942 is one of the most audacious military actions in history, and arguably on a par with the famous Dambusters raid of the following year. However, unlike the Dambusters, the exploits of the British Commandos at Saint-Nazaire is perhaps not quite so well known today. Lyman's book goes some way in bringing this extraordinary story of human courage and sacrifice back to public attention where it deserves to be.

As one might expect the author sets the scene by briefly considering the decision to create the British Army Commandos followed by an account of their somewhat unorthodox training. There is a thorough examination of the equally thorough planning for Operation Chariot, the official name given to the raid, including an in-depth look at the use of HMS Campbeltown and the nature of combined operations during this point of the war. Here the author also makes his analysis as to why the raid was planned and what he believes its true aims were, both politically and militarily. The raid itself is of course covered in detail as well as the ensuing escape and aftermath.

From the beginning of the book the author gradually introduces the reader to the principal characters, such as Robert Ryder and Augustus Newman, and the parts they played in the story. There are the traditional image pages showing interesting black and white photographs from the immediate aftermath of the raid as well as portrait images of a number of the key protagonists. However, the maps that are included are very good in assisting the reader to gain greater clarification of how the raid unfolded…"

Full review here.
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Amicalement
Armand