HQ SO (M) FORCE 399

Discussion in 'SOE & OSS' started by Sfsg, Jan 18, 2021.

  1. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    IMG_20220531_110656.jpg Hello, I am trying to find any Vets (unlikely) or if anybody knew someone who served in Force 399, Balkan Air force which had US, British, Russian and Polish pilots. Or any mentioned below. My grandad was a Royal Army medical corps Airborne medic he served in the BEF, ME, CMF. From September 38 Till September 1945. He joined HQ SO (M) then SOE Force 399 to jump in to the Balkans and work with the J.A.N.L then with the Italian, Greek Partisans, No 1 Special Force and 2nd independent parachute brigade. MY Nan said they were missing a few times but the former Yugoslavia was the worst 2-3 months hiding in caves with no radio use as SS were trying to find their position. I have his Ohms wounded missing or taken prisoner of war tag for his belongings with HQ SO(M) on it, unsure which op it's from. Also The British Military Mission to Jucoslav Army of National Liberation ops papers they were issued with in Bari. MY grandad died in 1948 aged 28 of tuberculosis which he contracted on ops in the caves. I found all these 70 years after his death in a hidden pouch in his leather document bag along with photos of him throughout the war with Partisans, his unit dressed in German desert uniforms arm in arm smiling,Ustashe currancy and movement orders. I've collected every book and logged every National Archives reference over the years so I am after the people enolved or people who knew them, hope your out there. I owe this to my grandad and his 2 brothers who gave their lives for the freedom of many nations. Thank you for reading this. OVER.
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2022
  2. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Welcome aboard. PM in a moment and try the other threads here via: "force 399" ww2talk.com site:ww2talk.com

    Have you read 'Eastern Approaches' by Fitzroy Maclean? There is a chapter or two on his time in Yugoslavia.

    Your profile refers to:
    It would help to add their full names and what you know about them openly here. Then others can help.
    You should apply for your grandfather's service record (as detailed on PM) and then display that as sometimes the writing, abbreviations etc defy easy understanding.
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2021
  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    If you do not already have his official service record I would suggest obtaining it from the MOD - forms are here - Request records of deceased service personnel this should tell you what units he was with, when he was with them and where they were.

    Knowing this will allow you then to hopefully obtain the War Diaries for those units

    There is also The National Archives which has a number of files you may be interested in but you would need to look through them to - search is here - Search results: force 399 | The National Archives
    You could also use the same search page to check out the relevant files for the Military Mission in that area

    TD
     
  4. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi

    Any chance you could give us his name?

    2nd Ind Para Bde were in Greece from 14 October 1944 to 29 January 1945.

    A small number of Special Forces including some from 4 Para Btn (part of 2nd Ind Para Bde) and under the command of Colonel Jellicoe were parachuted into Greece a month earlier to 'prepare the ground' and were supported by Greek Partisans. Jellicoe's forces harassed he Germans all the way to the boundary with Yugoslavia but never entered and were called back to Athens in late Nov to help counter the mounting ELAS insurgency.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     
  5. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

     
  6. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Sfsg,

    Hopefully the above post will get what is missing! I note your profile has:
     
  7. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    Hi mate my Grandads name was Cpl Dennis T Gaul 7264662 parent company R. A. M. C. I have the war diaries for 2nd independent parachute brigade for Dec and Jan but it doesn't mention any attachments to them, my grandad spent the latter part of the war working mainly with Partisans Forces in Yugoslavia under Force 399 then Italy and Greece and Austria. Haven't been on this site for a while. Cheers mate.
     
  8. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    IMG_20220821_213133.jpg Dennis Thomas Gaul HQ SO(M)
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2022
  9. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    IMG_20220821_132106.jpg Payslip HQ SO(M)
     
  10. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    Middle East Forces. 3a.jpg
     
  11. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    Address IMG_20220821_215838.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2022
  12. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    IMG_20220821_223217.jpg IMG_20220821_221537.jpg Nb above all ranks is Legitimate British Forces in one of the Yugoslav dialects.
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2022
  13. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    With wings so proudly displayed on the chest, denotes the fact that they are the best. Pest control in September.
    IMG_20220821_223048.jpg
     
  14. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    Well earned session
    IMG_20220821_001747.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2022
  15. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    HQ SO(M) Liason IMG_20220821_001646.jpg
     
  16. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    Happy Crimbo Den. IMG_20220821_223356.jpg
     
  17. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    No 1 Special Force. IMG_20220821_230547.jpg
     
  18. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    IMG_20220821_230929.jpg Jedburgh in Judenburg? . Is this a field agent in luftwaffe uniform ?. Mmm HQSO(M), Force 399, No 1Special Force, Austria.Same pattern. The 4th September 1944 and Liberator KH151/S flown by Flight Officer Kleydor comes to mind but who knows.
     
  19. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    IMG_20220821_223300.jpg Rear of luftwaffe fancy dress. Photo was Dennis Gauls.
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2022
  20. Sfsg

    Sfsg Member

    Key
    IMG_20220821_234253.jpg
     
    ZimOzJohn likes this.

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