A MODEL of a new memorial honouring those involved in a daring World War Two raid has been unveiled.
The design is being created by artist Joanne Risley for the new feature at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The Operation Chariot memorial will feature a representation of HMS Campbeltown, which was used in a mission to ram docks at Saint-Nazaire in a bid to restrict the use of the German battleship Tirpitz during the war.
Disguised as a Nazi torpedo boat and loaded with explosives, the ship was accompanied by a flotilla of small boats used to evacuate the troops on board before the payload was detonated.
The memorial has been commissioned by the St Nazaire Raid Memorial Trust and depicts HMS Campbeltown resting on the caisson after the ramming.
Artist Joanne said:
“Two short sections of the inner wall of the dry dock will be recreated to form an area for viewing and wreath laying, as well as the outer dock walls on the Atlantic side.
“The viewing area will be accessed via a grass slope, taking visitors below ground level – representing sea level – with the rear of the ship disappearing below the water line. Mixed grasses and mound shaped planting will create the form and motion of waves.
“The ship will be over six metres in length and the five metre wide caisson will incorporate Operation Chariot in raised stainless steel letters in the style of Army kit stencils.”
The trust hopes to be able to start work on the full scale creation of the memorial later this year after planning permission was granted by Lichfield District Council.