SAS/SBS/Raiding Force in the Med 1943

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by Phaethon, Dec 30, 2011.

  1. Phaethon

    Phaethon Historian

    Hello, anyone out there fammiliar with ww2 special forces files at TNA? This has been on my mind for a while since my last visit a few months back, but I only just remembered that the issue remains unresolved.

    I have an Unknown raiding party from one of the forces from the above, hiting the island of Lampedusa in april-may 1943, for which two men were killed. But when I went to have a look at the special forces section, I found it inadequately filed. Loose sheets out of order and a jumble between the three forces, which a huge gap missing for actions in 43... with the exception of sardinia and sicily which had a small section each.

    Can anyone help me get some info on the raid? Or let me know if there are any war diaries out there?
     
  2. Jedburgh22

    Jedburgh22 Very Senior Member

    Hi I've just found a Narrative Account of Raiding Forces in the Adriatic and Aegean very interesting as the British Forces came under Force 133 - the operations included use of Artillery behind enemy lines and even the use of the RAF Regt in a ground raiding role. Apart from the SBS, LRDG and RSR - a Field Regt RA was involved as were 2 Cdo and 2HLI.

    PM me your snail mail address and I'll send it you on CD

    Steven
     
  3. Phaethon

    Phaethon Historian

  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello, anyone out there fammiliar with ww2 special forces files at TNA? This has been on my mind for a while since my last visit a few months back, but I only just remembered that the issue remains unresolved.

    I have an Unknown raiding party from one of the forces from the above, hiting the island of Lampedusa in april-may 1943, for which two men were killed. But when I went to have a look at the special forces section, I found it inadequately filed. Loose sheets out of order and a jumble between the three forces, which a huge gap missing for actions in 43... with the exception of sardinia and sicily which had a small section each.

    Can anyone help me get some info on the raid? Or let me know if there are any war diaries out there?

    Look in the research section of the forum Adam. Andrea put all the SF war diaries on Excel so you can browse through them all.

    Just shout if you want the link etc.

    A
     
  5. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Phaethon,

    Here is the number you need WO 218/97 this covers 1943 from Jan to April... If it helps thats the number for 1 SAS might be France not sure.. If this does help you pm and will get you a copy done....

    Cheers
    Tom
     
  6. Phaethon

    Phaethon Historian

    Hi Lads, I am familiar with those links, and was hoping for something I had missed or for someone who knew the files a bit better or have books on th subject.

    Unfortunately WO 218/97 does not cover the dates, the closest it gets is a sentance to the effect of "The unit conducted many raids in the Med during the summer of 1943" without mentioning any of them... Im not even sure 1 SAS is appropriate, thats how vague it is. It has been my assumption that reports have been ommitted or witheld, hence the original post.
     
  7. Jedburgh22

    Jedburgh22 Very Senior Member

    Within SF at the time many of the raids were carried out by an amalgam of SF Units, there was much interchange of personnel in 'Raiding Forces' all in all a period of great flux before the units settled down again. Also in the med raiding activities were carried out in conjunction with SOE's Para-naval forces. To find out the actual records of the raid it is necessary to find out who the sponsoring HQ were and thus the chain of command for mission reports - to the WO or to SOE. Several of these missions were carried out as joint enterprises.
     
    ash0212 likes this.
  8. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

  9. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    This will probably confuse things but....
    The first important raid by allied forces in the Italian area was to try to destroy Luftwaffe radar in the isle of Lampedusa. This mission was completed by french squadron and a commando group. In may 1943 a second mission is given to french squad: raid on Pantelleria. Immediatly after it was "hawthorn" operation. At this time the S.A.S operated for the Italy battle... The french squadron is now in Italy. With the Roy Farran Squadron, the french fight against the axis-forces who retreat. The fights are strong. Foggia where the SAS are the first...Lucera...San-Severo. The Battle for Termoli, World War II
     
  10. Phaethon

    Phaethon Historian

    I have a few details of the operation in question ... incidentally I had seen the news cuttingsp it was what peaked my interest in the first place. There are a few more from other news websites. I even have an italian account of the battle. But it seems that all are somewhat unrealistic...

    What actually happened was that on approach the Folbots were illuminated in a searchlight before they could land and the craft machingunned, one being hit and sinking. Not quite the grand assault the Germans were reporting. The Commandoes returned with the misson uncompleted and the landing aborted.

    But I have no details of the actual operation from the men, who lead it, who ordered it, how many men were involved, which ships ferried the men out where the landings took place (it was the north shore somwhrere) etc etc. I understand that it was to seize the radar installation (reasons given corkscrew are obvious), but details are scarce without any form of first hand account or primary source. More oddly the Italian account suggests that 'commandos' sheltered in caves after the raid for a number of days, although (and Im not suggesting anything here) how they would know this when no men were captured is something of a mystery.

    So I guess my question is.... is WO 218/97 all there is for the units that may-may not have been involved or should I have been looking somewhere else?
     

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