 The Special Operations Executive were approached to see if its agents could destroy the dock gates . They decided that the mission was beyond their capabilities because the weight of explosives required would have needed too many agents to carry them . The Royal Navy was also unable to mount an operation , as St Nazaire is 8 km ( 5 miles ) up the Loire estuary . Any naval ships large enough to cause sufficient damage would be detected well before they were within range . 
 The Special Operations Executive <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> approached to see if its agents could destroy the dock gates . They decided that the mission was beyond their capabilities because the weight of explosives required would <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>have</mark></a> needed too many agents to carry them . The Royal Navy was also unable to mount an operation , as St Nazaire <a href='drop_aux' title='3'><mark>is</mark></a>8 km ( 5 miles ) up the Loire estuary . Any naval ships large enough to cause sufficient damage would be detected well before they <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> within range . 
Da Special Operations Executive was approached to see if its agents could destroy tdadock gates . They decided dat thdaission was beyond their capabilities becuz the weight of explosives required would done needed too many agents to carry em . Thedayal Navy was also unable to mount an operation , as St Nazaire 8 km ( 5 miles ) up the dare estuary . Any naval ships large enough to cus sufficient damage would be detected well before they was within range .