HMS Campbeltown and Sant-Nazer, a special memory

The sailors of the frigate HMS Campbeltown will keep a special memory of their visit to Sant-Nazer. On March 30th, 2011, HMS Campbeltown left the Breton harbour for a one-way journey. If the Campbeltown, first of this name, broke the door of the Joubert dock on March 28th 1942, the frigate, which bears her name as a tribute, will be disarmed soon. After 22 years of good and loyal service, how sad it is to see this beautiful ship end up « in razor blades » as the British guests said with humour tinged with bitterness.

The commander had planed a surprise for his Nazairians hosts: as an echoe to Amazing Grace and Highland Cathedral played by a Breton bagpiper at the commemoration ceremony of Operation Chariot on Monday March 28th (voir notre article), a piper of the Royal Navy accompanied the departure of HMS Campbeltown, since the manoeuvres in the dock to the exit of the lock. Tunes of different Celtic nations have comforted Bretons and British who were facing heavy rain under a typical Breton wind.

With a touch of “so British” humor, the captain shouted to Nazairians attending the departure and dripping of iodized water: « You are brave under the Breton sun! ». The British sailors were very touched by the gesture of friendship from the Nazairians who accompanied them and said farewell with their Breton, Interceltic and Nazairian flags along the lock till the ship went away. As the ship is named after a small harbour in Scotland, Jakez Lhéritier from the CREDIB asked the piper to play Flower of Scotland. The piper, overhanging the crew, all standing stoically in the rain, answered brilliantly to the request of the Breton.

Hats off to the Royal Navy, who shows respect for the identity of the nations which make up Britain. Before exiting the lock, Captain Keri Harris called out several vibrating « Kenavo », which were enthusiastically taken up by many Nazairians. Then the foghorns of the tug boats sounded in the harbor with a strength that reminded us of the departure of Queen Mary 2 in December 2003.

Before entering the Loire estuary, the Campbeltown fired eleven gun shots, which resonated through the whole naval city. This gesture of the Royal Navy was a final tribute to Nazairians, who keep alive the memory of the heroes of Operation Chariot or [[[Saint-Nazaire Raid]]].

Many thanks to Captain Keri Harris for his kindness, his excellent French and his numerous friendly gestures towards the Bretons and their identity.

Kenavo Campbeltown!

Hubert Chémereau, president of the CREDIB

Translation Maryvonne Cadiou from (voir notre article)

(voir le site) of the CREDIB, article on April 1st 2011.