Ep 5. Commando Do or Die

During World War II, commando raids would be organized to deceive and disrupt enemy forces. In season 1, episode 5 of WWII's Greatest Raids, viewers are taken through the thrilling events of one of these daring raids in the episode entitled "Commando Do or Die".

The episode begins by taking viewers back to the year 1942, when the Nazis occupied the French port of St. Nazaire. The port was a vital strategic location for potential allied forces and had been used by British ships to refuel before heading out to the open seas. As a result, the British launched Operation Chariot, also known as the St. Nazaire Raid, to destroy the port's dry dock, which would render the harbor useless to the Nazis.

Narrated by Robert Powell and with first-hand accounts from surviving commandos, the episode details the meticulous planning and execution of this dangerous operation. British commandos were selected from various units and trained extensively before venturing into enemy territory.

Led by Lieutenant Commander Campbell Hardy, the team's mission was to storm the St. Nazaire port with speed and precision. They would have to bypass heavy enemy fire, minefields, and other obstacles before planting explosives to destroy the heavily reinforced dry dock gates.

As they approached St. Nazaire under the cover of darkness, the commandos encountered fierce resistance from the Nazis. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, they fought bravely, taking out machine gun positions, setting explosive charges and taking care of any obstacles that came in their way.

One particularly heart-stopping moment in the episode comes when the commandos are pinned down on a narrow street with enemy forces firing at them from both sides. A medic bravely stands in front of his comrades, shielding them from the bullets with his own body.

The commandos were finally able to plant the explosives and make their way to the evacuation point. However, the situation quickly turned dangerous as one of the boats carrying the wounded was struck by German fire. The injured were forced to be left behind, and those who managed to escape the port were met with yet more hurdles, including being accidentally bombed by Allied Forces.

"Commando Do or Die" is a gripping account of a high-stakes mission that tested the limits of bravery and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. This episode of WWII's Greatest Raids gives viewers a firsthand look at what it meant to be a commando in World War II. From the intense training required to the harrowing realities of battle, it is a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice exhibited by those who fought for freedom.