RSM Alan Moss No.2 Commando kia St. Nazaire

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 28/03/2013 14:28:21

I have found a few words written by my father which I would like to add to the site regarding RSM Alan Moss who was killed in action on Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire. 28th/29th March 1942. Against a photo of him my father wrote

RSM Alan Moss 2 Commando "The Best"

The photo is not the best quality so I have attached one here that we already have

In another type written document listing the names of the Liverpool Scots who were in No.4 Ind. Coy. and who later joined 5 troop No.2 Cdo, against the name of Alan Moss, my father adds

4 Ind. Coy in Norway;became the first RSM of 2 Commando;was killed at St nazaire and would most certainly have been highly decorated if he had lived. MiD St Nazaire.

I hope one day one of his relatives may check the site and see how much respect my father had for him.

In Memory of Warrant Officer Class 1, 2930992 ALAN MOSS
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and No. 2 Commando
who died on 29 March 1942 at St Nazaire age 32
Remembered with honour at ESCOUBLAC-LA-BAULE WAR CEMETERY

We will remember them

im in awe of all who took part in the raid .You must be very proud Pete

This message was edited 8 times. Last update was at 22/09/2011 10:54:02

For the information of others I am pleased to say that the Grandson of RSM Alan Moss has been in touch after finding this entry. I have been able to provide him with some information about his grandfather and we have had an exchange of emails.

Extract from my reply giving more detail about RSM Alan Moss:

Your Grandfather was in No. 2 Commando and became Troop Sergeant Major (TSM) of 5 troop which at the time was known as the Liverpool Scottish troop for obvious reasons. Again my father and uncle were both in 5 troop. No.2 Commando was then involved primarily in a lot of training in Dumfries and Ayr with some small sections or groups assisting in operations but not the whole Commando. At some point your Grandfather was promoted and became the Regimental Sergeant Major ( or Warrant Officer 1 ) of the whole of No.2 Commando. This rank reflected his abilities as a soldier and leader, and the respect he was held in by Officers and Ordinary Ranks.

On the 28th March 1942 your Grandfather along with almost all of No. 2 Commando and demolition teams from other Commando Units, took part in Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire. He was on board Motor Launch (ML) 267. These were small wooden ML's and for the journey they carried extra fuel tanks unprotected on the decks ! My father was on ML443. Your Grandfather's squad was to be a small HQ reserve for Lt. Col. Newman. However in the chaos of the action as the ML's tried to land their Commandos, ML267 came under heavy fire and the ML began to burn. They were ordered to abandon ship which they did. There is an account on Page 186 of the book Storming St Nazaire by James Dorrian which details how your Grandfather died. He and others had managed to get out of the water onto a carley float ( a liferaft). However on seeing a young Pte Diamond from 4 troop struggling in the water your Grandfather gave up his place in the raft for him and slid into the water. Whilst helping to negotiate the liferaft towards the harbour wall your Grandfather was then shot and killed. Out of the 11 Commandos on his launch 8 were killed, including Pte Diamond.

The above detail explains why my father wrote

Would most certainly have been highly decorated if he had lived. MiD St Nazaire.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7665336

We will remember them