The annual ceremony to honour the incredible bravery of sailors and commandos who set off from Falmouth on a daring raid during World War Two has been held in the town.

Falmouth Packet: The band of HMS Seahawk lead the parade to the memorial on Prince of Wales PierThe band of HMS Seahawk lead the parade to the memorial on Prince of Wales Pier (Image: Jory Mundy)

Military personnel, council officials and members of the public gathered at the St Nazaire memorial on Prince of Wales Pier on Sunday April 2, to pay their respects to the courage and valour shown on what was considered a certain suicide mission.

Falmouth Packet: The deputy mayor pays her respectsThe deputy mayor pays her respects (Image: Jory Mundy)

They paraded to the memorial of the raid on Prince of Wales Pier which was officially rededicated by the then Prince of Wales and Camilla in 2008.

Falmouth Packet: Paying respectsPaying respects (Image: Jory Mundy)

Those attending the service commemorating the 81st Anniversary of Operation Chariot were the chair of the St Nazaire Society Ann Mitchell MBE and president Nick Beattie and family.

Also there was Dave Johnson, the son of raid ‘charioteer’ ‘Johnny’ Johnson, as well as Robin Montgomery, the son of the Lt Colonel Bob Montgomery who led the demolition team and died in 2016.

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They were joined by the mayor of Falmouth Cllr Steve Eva, deputy mayor of Falmouth Kirstie Edwards, the mayor of Penryn Julia Tucker and local MP Cherilyn Mackrory.

Operation Chariot on March 28, 1942, led to the deaths of 168 of the 622 men who left Falmouth and the capture of many more. It also resulted in 89 decorations being awarded for the raid, including five Victoria Crosses.

Falmouth Packet: Prayers were saidPrayers were said (Image: Jory Mundy)

HMS Campbeltown accompanied by 16 motor launches packed full of Commandos and escorted by two destroyers, departed Falmouth with the intention of blocking the St Nazaire dock, rendering the port unusable by the German Navy and the Battleship Tirpitz for maintenance and repairs.

Falmouth Packet: The services prepare to lay wreathsThe services prepare to lay wreaths (Image: Jory Mundy)

HMS Campbeltown was rammed into the docks at St Nazaire The raid was successful and Campbeltown, packed with explosives, rammed the dock and exploded, destroying the gates and knocking the giant dry dock out of action for the rest of the war.

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Ensuring that the large German warships, that were attacking allied trade routes would have to rely on bases in North Germany, thus leaving them vulnerable to attack whilst going through the narrow entrance to the Baltic.