The Greatest Raid: St Nazaire, 1942: The Heroic Story of Operation Chariot

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The Greatest Raid: St Nazaire, 1942: The Heroic Story of Operation Chariot Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Giles Whittell (Author), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 159 ratings
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Brought to you by Penguin.

From the author of Bridge of Spies: a dramatic and colourful new account of the most daring British commando raid of World War Two.

In the darkest months of the Second World War, Churchill approved what seemed to many like a suicide mission. Under orders to attack the St Nazaire U-boat base on the Atlantic seaboard, British commandos undertook 'the greatest raid of all', turning an old destroyer into a live bomb and using it to ram the gates of a Nazi stronghold. Five Victoria Crosses were awarded - more than in any similar operation.

Drawing on official documents, interviews, unknown accounts and the astonished reactions of French civilians and German forces, The Greatest Raid recreates in cinematic detail the hours in which the 'Charioteers' fought and died, from Lt Gerard Brett, the curator at the V & A, to 'Bertie' Burtinshaw, who went into battle humming There'll Always Be an England, and from Lt Stuart Chant, who set the fuses with 90 seconds to escape, to the epic solo reconnaissance of the legendary Times journalist Capt Micky Burn.

Unearthing the untold human stories of Operation Chariot, Bridge of Spies author Giles Whittell reveals it to be a fundamentally misconceived raid whose impact and legacy was secured by astonishing bravery.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 17 minutes
  2. Author
    Giles Whittell
  3. Narrator
    Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
  4. Audible release date
    March 17, 2022
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B09T5C4B68
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 17 minutes
Author Giles Whittell
Narrator Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
Audible.com Release Date March 17, 2022
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B09T5C4B68
Best Sellers Rank #505,333 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#444 in Naval Forces Military History
#476 in French History (Audible Books & Originals)
#3,020 in World War II History (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
159 global ratings

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There are 0 reviews and 3 ratings from the United States

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Mr Wrigley
5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Raid: St Nazaire, 1942: The Heroic Story of Operation Chariot
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Purchased this book before going on one of the ledger history tours to visit the site of the raid on St Nazaire. The guide confirmed that the book was an accurate account of the raid, and it was indeed a good purchase. One can only wonder at the bravery of the individuals who went on this raid. Its a pity school trips are not to places like this rather than things like skiing, as it would inform them of the sacrifices made by others.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Like a “boys own” adventure
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
True account of a WW2 gamble
One person found this helpful
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David E
5.0 out of 5 stars St Nazaire raid
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
Well written and informative book on an operation which deserves to be highlighted due to the extremely clever concept as it was delivered by some very brave individuals. Very much worth a read.
One person found this helpful
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Alex
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
A great read.
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Mr. D. P. O. Halloran
4.0 out of 5 stars You could watch “ The Gift Horse”
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
WW2 is one of my hobby horses. Well written, moves along apace. It’s a true storey.. but was it well planned..
Worth a peek
One person found this helpful
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