The 2nd HLI was uniquely reformed as a Mountaineer Battalion over the winter of 1943-44. In around May,1944 it was moved to the island of Viz as part of 'Land Forces Adriatic'. This provided support to Yugoslav Partisans operating against German forces in the Dalmatian Islands and along Yugoslavia's Adriatic coast. I'm trying to find out more about several casualties that the Battalion suffered on 15 September,1944. I can't find any reference online to a raid that the unit mounted at this time, and I don't have access to the Battalion's War Diary. Would anyone know how these casualties might have been sustained ?
During September 1944 the battalion sent patrols and raiding parties to Solta, Brac and Korcula (September 14th-17th) Islands as well as the Peljasau Peninsula.
See: 2nd Highland Light Infantry, late 1943 onwards A 2010 thread and author is still active here. Note his post is alone, so might be worth asking him. A mention here (id'd using Korcula): 111 Field Battery, RA - Special Force role?
Thanks, Dryan. I found several operations online which took place in this period: German Operation Zirkus - 12-13 September 1944 - contested evacuation of Mljet and Korčula islands as well as the western part of the Pljesac peninsula Operation Brac III - 11-18 September 1944 - landing at Lucica Bay in an attempt to interrupt the evacuation of Brac Operation Geography - 12-13 September 1944 - reconnaissance in preparation for major Operation Aplomb against Kithera Operation Detained III - 17 September 1944 - attack on island garrison on Solta Operation Mercerised - 22 September-17 October 1944 - capture of Sarandë in southern Albania However only Brac III seems to overlap with 15 September, and I'm not sure whether the 2nd HLI were present. Do you have any details about casualties suffered by the Battalion in these operations ?
Thanks David. I'd seen both these posts before - I'm just disappointed that Gary Kennedy didn't get a reply. ;-) The operations from Vis certainly sound interesting - to be honest I knew nothing about them until I started looking into the 2nd HLI. In effect 'Land Forces Adriatic' was a Special Forces organisation and so a real handful. I found this IWM oral recording by a sniper who served with the 2nd HLI. Oates, James Lawrence Burgess (Oral history) Just in case you're interested. ;-)
Stirrick, I am not surprised that such a "sideshow" has such a low profile, add in being a SF operation. Let alone the politics of cooperation with Tito's partisans. Are there no memoirs from 2 HLI or the attached artillery battery? I will listen to IWM tape one day. Have you seen the threads that refer to the base at VIS? Cemetery & Memorial On Vis, Croatia Raiding Support Regiment A thread on the artillery: 111th Royal Artillery Field Regiment
Here are some of the September raids. It looks like Korcula is a likely candidate. Brac (11-19 September 1944) No. 43 Royal Marine Commando 1 Troop, The Raiding Support Regiment Kithera Island, Greece (16 September 1944) No. 9 Commando The Greek Sacred Regiment Korcula (14-17 September 1944) 2nd Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry 1 Battery, 111th Army Field Regiment, RA 1 Flight, Royal Air Force Regiment Solta (19-23 September 1944) No. 43 Royal Marine Commando 1 Battery, 111th Army Field Regiment, RA Corfu (22 September-8 November 1944) No. 2 Commando 2 Troops, The Raiding Support Regiment No. 40 Royal Marine Commando (Arrived 27 September) Queen’s Battery, 111th Army Field Regiment, RA The Royal Air Force Regiment Parachute Levies (Landed 6 October 1944) Araxos Airfield (23-26 September 1943) The Special Boat Squadron
Fabulous, thank you Dryan. It looks like the re-occupation of Korčula Island is the best bet. I was a bit worried about tying this whole thing together. Without a likely offensive operation, I was wondering if these soldiers had been wounded on Vis. Perhaps by a German air raid.
Just found this on-line regarding events on Korčula at this time. Eisbär (vi) | Operations & Codenames of WWII In case anyone is interested. ;-)
Hi My notes have 400 of 2 HLI arriving at Katakolon, in Greece on a LC(T) along with 2908 Squadron RAF Regiment on 26th September. This was part of Operation Towan Bucket. Detachments from 4 Para, RSR, SBS and LRDG were also involved. BUCKETFORCE's commander was Major Earl Jellicoe of SBS. Hope this helps Gus
Thanks Gus The casualties I am interested in had occured on 15 September. But this all adds to my knowledge about the activities of this unit. To be honest, having learned a little about it, I am amazed that 'Land Forces Adriatic' isn't better known.
Interested in the above post: John Yates, my father was posted missing , subsequently place of casualty Island of Brac dated 1.7.44, member of Raiding Support Regiment. Any light on activities would be appreciated
Possibly an outgrowth of this operation: Raid on Brac Island (2 June 1944)(Under HQ 2nd Special Service Brigade and 26th Partisan Division Y.A.N.L.) North Force 500 Partisans OP Force ‘C’ Company, 2nd Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry 30 Partisans East Force OSS Operational Group 700 Partisans Carrier Section, 2nd Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry Section, 101st Light AA Battery, RA (2 47/32 mm guns) Troop, The Raiding Support Regiment (4 75mm guns) Main Force HQ 2nd Special Service Brigade 1300 Partisans No. 43 Royal Marine Commando Heavy Weapons Troop, No. 40 Royal Marine Commando ‘Y’ Troop, No. 40 Royal Marine Commando Section, The Raiding Support Regiment Artillery 1 Troop, Partisan 75mm guns 1 Battery, 111th Army Field Regiment, RA (8 25-lbers) Reinforcements (3 June 1944) 3 Troops, No. 40 Royal Marine Commando 2 more 25-lbers Rearguard 50 men, No. 2 Commando