Beach Recce Ops

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by COMMANDO, Dec 21, 2008.

  1. COMMANDO

    COMMANDO Senior Member

    As far as I know, Combined Operations did send out teams to do recce's on several beaches along the German occupied cost...

    Does anyone know if this was done by one particulair (commando?) uit ????
     
  2. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    I think you will find it was done by COPPs (Combined Ops Pilotage Parties).
    I am not sure of any references for War Diaries but presumably they come under Combined Ops.

    Have a look at this site for details of awards/roll of honour

    COPP - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour

    regards

    Andy
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

  4. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    I think that the SBS was also involved in Beach Recce and sand samples.
    I have seen a documentary of this kind of recce and at least one soldier was captured and was actually spoken to by Rommel and was not executed as per Hitlers standing order.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  5. COMMANDO

    COMMANDO Senior Member

    Thanks guys,
    Was the Small Scale raiding Force (SSRF) also involved ?
     
  6. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    I dont think so, I think they operated in the Med as part of a harrying force, under the command of SAS/SBS HQ.
    They did small raids on enemy coastline but I think the COPPS did the recconaissance for the major landings, like sicily. italy, normandy, and the far east

    Andy
     
  7. COMMANDO

    COMMANDO Senior Member

    I have spitting around a bit and come also across Layforce II (Hardtack, and Manacle operations) and Forfar Force (for the Forfar operations). Forfar Force was a small group after reorganisation and was a continuation in a new form of the SSRF.
    Forfar was formed from men of 2 SBS and No.10 IA Commando, while for the hardtack ops French Trop of 10 IA Commando (and No4 Commando provided men for the Manacle ops.
    In May 44 also a series of ops were undertaken known as 'Tarbrush' About 11 in total, also carried out by the French of 10 IA Commando
     
    Philip Reinders likes this.

Share This Page