THE World War II St Nazaire Raid took place 75 years ago today.

This was a successful British amphibious attack in German occupied Normandy on 28 March 1942. Over 600 men of the Royal Navy and British Army commandos took part in this bold and daring raid to put out of action the dry dock repair facilities at St Nazaire.

The loss of the dry dock would force any large German warship (such as Tirpitz) in need of repairs to return to its home waters by running the gauntlet of the English Channel or the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap in the North Atlantic where it would be at risk of ambush by the Royal Navy.

Five Victoria Crosses were awarded that day.

To mark this important anniversary the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock is hosting a talk on the evening on July 12 on the Raid by Nick Beattie, son of Lt Cdr Stephen Beattie VC who commanded HMS Campbelltown, the ship that was used to ram the St Nazaire dock gates that day.

This is a remarkable story and, as the county’s military museum, we are keen to find out if any Oxfordshire men took part in the Raid or if there are any descendants of the Raid now living locally who know of the raid through their family history and whom we hope might be able to join us on July 12.

Tickets for the Talk are available at £10 per head at www.sofo.org.uk or by contacting Ursula Corcoran, Museum Director on 01993 813832.

Space is limited so please book early.

DAVID INNES

Trustee, Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock