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As the Nazi forces of fascist Germany ravaged Europe, Britain and the commonwealth stood alone upholding the ideas of freedom, until the USA entered the war on December 7, 1941, against Japanese imperialism and European fascist brutality, after the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor.
Britain then curtailed Hitler’s plans to invade Britain (Operation Sea Lion), by defeating the German air force (Luftwaffe) over the skies of Britain in what has become known as the Battle of Britain.
Great Britain and the Commonwealth continued the fight against Nazi terror, across a broad front in large and small-scale actions. Some were to protect oil supplies and reserves like the North African campaign, while other military ventures were purely to offer resistance against the Nazi threat while Great Britain continued to rearm after the lack of military spending between the two great wars.
Winston Churchill, Britain’s prime minister, was always adventurous and a risk taker promoting bold action, whereas, the higher echelons of the military believed large-scale well-planned campaigns were the only way to defeat the Nazi threat.
However, Winston Churchill, understood that it was impossible to stand by as Nazi Germany terrorized Europe while Britain took time to rearm. With this in mind he ordered the instigation of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), with orders to set Europe ablaze, the Commando forces, the fledgling Airborne units and the combined operations organization, which was tasked with coordinating specialist tasks and raids against occupied Europe.
Combined operations coordinated missions by gathering the appropriate force required from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Airforce, the Airborne units, in addition to the Commando forces. Note:- From 1942 onwards Royal Marines progressively trained as commandos and are Great Britain’s elite commando force to this day.
These small-scale raids caused the German occupation forces disproportionate disruption and vast logistical headaches, that eventually prompted Adolf Hitler to issue his infamous Commando order, due to the success of this form of warfare. See notes at the bottom.
Behind all the tumultuous events of the war from large-scale action to small-scale raids, the first electronic warfare race was underway between Great Britain and Germany, who had competed for nearly a decade at this point to develop and improve radar. This technology had already aided the Royal Air Force in the defeat of the German Luftwaffe, in the Battle of Britain, developed from the early work carried out by Robert Watson-Watt.
However, the Germans had also developed an extensive radar network along the French coast, providing them with early warnings of Allied air raids. One such radar installation was located near the small village of Bruneval, on the Normandy coast. Intelligence reports suggested that this site housed a Freya and Würzburg radar array, a sophisticated system that the Allies still did not fully understand.
R. V. Jones, a British scientist tasked with researching how advanced German radar was in comparison to Britain’s system, was not only able to convince doubters that the Germans had radar but had two types of radar. This radar system consisted of the Freya array and a second part of the Freya set-up, referred to in Enigma decrypts as Würzburg.
Freya was a long-range early-warning radar system but lacked precision; whereas, Würzburg had a much shorter range but was far more precise. So that Jones and his team could develop countermeasures for the Wurzburg system they needed to study one of the systems or at least the more vital pieces of technology of the system.
The British War Office recognized the critical importance of acquiring detailed information about the Würzburg radar. If the Allies could capture and study this technology, it would significantly enhance their countermeasures against the Luftwaffe. Thus, the idea of a commando raid to seize the radar components and gather intelligence was conceived. The responsibility for planning and executing this daring mission fell to the newly formed Combined Operations Headquarters, under the command of Vice-Admiral Louis Mountbatten (Commodore at that time).
It is against this backdrop of indirectly linked events that Operation Biting (the Bruneval Raid) was proposed in 1941, as the German air defenses started to become more effective against the Allied bombing campaign waged on Germany, due to their radar capability.
Planning the Raid
Operation Biting was meticulously planned, with careful consideration given to every detail. The operation required a combination of precise military action, technical expertise, and logistical coordination, in addition to, intelligence.
This intelligence not only came from enigma decryptions but human intelligence, in the form of the French resistance coordinated through the Free French forces located in London, England, sponsored by both British SIS and SOE. Human intelligence was gathered by Gilbert Renault, known to the British by the code-name ‘Rémy’, by several members of his resistance network.
Major John Durnford-Slater (Breveted Lieutenant Colonel), an experienced and resourceful officer, was chosen to lead the raid. Durnford-Slater was the commanding officer of No. 3 Commando, an elite unit specially trained for such operations.
Although designated No. 3 Commando, No.1 and No. 2 did not exist at the time of raising the Commando unit the intention was to raise these as airborne units and as such Durnford-Slater’s unit was the first commando unit raised during the Second World War, therefore, Durnford-Slater is considered to be the first British commando of the war.
However, due to the extensive coastal defenses erected by the Germans to protect the installation from a seaborne raid, the British believed that a commando raid from the sea would suffer heavy losses while giving the German defenders sufficient time to destroy the installation.
Therefore, the planner decided on a night-time airborne assault, a method chosen for its element of surprise and the ability to insert troops directly into the vicinity of the target. This type of mission was well suited for glider-borne assault; however, the glider force was even more embryonic than the parachutists.
Needless to say, the final choice of assault troops was parachute insertion to be led by Major John Frost OC, of C Company, 2nd Battalion (2 Para), 1st Parachute Brigade, tasked with carrying out the airborne phase of the operation. Frost, who would later gain fame for his role in the Battle of Arnhem, was a seasoned and respected officer with a reputation for bravery and tactical acumen.
The Execution of the Raid
On the night of February 27-28, 1942, the operation commenced, as a fleet of Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bombers, modified for paratroop deployment, took off from RAF Thruxton, carrying the raiding party. The aircraft flew across the English Channel under the cover of darkness, navigating carefully to avoid detection by German radar.
As the planes approached Bruneval, the paratroopers prepared for the jump. The landing zone was a field near the radar site, carefully selected for its proximity and relative isolation. Despite challenging weather conditions and the inherent risks of a night jump, the paratroopers landed with remarkable precision. They quickly regrouped and moved towards their objective.
The raiding party encountered immediate resistance from German troops stationed at the radar site. A fierce firefight ensued, but the airborne troops utilizing their training, aggressive fighting spirit and superior tactics, managed to overcome the defenders. During the engagement, the paratroopers captured several German personnel, including a radar technician who would later provide valuable intelligence.
Capturing the Radar
With the site secured, the technical team, led by Flight Sergeant Charles Cox, set to work dismantling the Würzburg radar. This was a delicate and complex task, requiring both technical skill and speed. Cox and his team managed to extract the most crucial components, including the radar dish and its associated equipment, all while under the threat of counterattacks and the ticking clock.
As dawn approached, the raiding party signaled for the extraction phase. Landing craft and Royal Navy Motor Gun Boats (MGBs) plus Motor Launches (MLs), under the command of Commander F. N. Cook of the Royal Australian Navy, were positioned offshore to evacuate the raiders. The airborne raiders made their way to the extraction point on the beach, carrying the valuable radar components and escorting their prisoners.
The evacuation was fraught with danger, as German reinforcements were rapidly approaching, landing craft hit the beach with the covering troops opening fire on the German soldiers gathering at the top of the cliff, while the radar equipment, German prisoners and all but six of the raiding force were embarked and transferred to motor gunboats.
The raiding force then withdrew under the cover of naval gunfire. By the time the Germans reached the beach, the raiders were already en route back to England, escorted by a Royal Naval destroyer and Royal Air Force Spitfires.
The Aftermath and Impact
Operation Biting was hailed as a resounding success. The captured radar components and the intelligence gleaned from the raid provided the Allies with crucial insights into German radar technology. This knowledge enabled the development of effective countermeasures, helping diminish the effectiveness of the German radar network.
The raid also had a profound psychological impact, demonstrating the capability and determination of Allied elite Special Forces, boosting morale and showcasing the potential of combined operations. For the Germans, it was a stark reminder of the Allies’ ability to strike with precision and impunity, even in seemingly secure locations. Additionally, this operation helped secure the validity of airborne forces for specialist raids.
In conclusion, Operation Biting stands as a showcase for the courage, ingenuity, and determination of the Allied forces during the Second World War. The successful execution of the Bruneval Raid not only provided vital intelligence but also demonstrated the effectiveness of combined arms operations and elite Special Forces. The legacy of the raid and its commanders continues to inspire military strategists and historians, highlighting the enduring importance of adaptability and innovation in warfare.
The success of the raid prompted the War Office to expand the existing British airborne forces, setting up the Airborne Forces Depot and Battle School in Derbyshire in April 1942, and creating the Parachute Regiment, in addition to, converting several infantry battalions into airborne battalions in August 1942.
The Bruneval Raid remains a shining example of what can be achieved when meticulous planning, exceptional leadership, and unwavering bravery converge on the same goal. Thereby, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who undertook such perilous missions, and the profound impact these operations had on the course of history.
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Note:
SOE operated independently until the successful Royal Marine raid on the port of Bordeaux, known as Operation Frankton, between the 7th to the 12th of December 1942. Due to both combined operations utilizing the Royal Marines and SOE mounting duplicate missions on the same target independently. a clearing house for special operations was set up, to prevent further duplication of mission. A policy that is now standard practice for all NATO member countries today.
Even though the mission was highly successful, some Royal Marines were executed by the Germans under the commando order. Yet the Germans said Operation Frankton was the most courageous raid of all time.
Decorations and awards
19 decorations were awarded including a Military Cross (MC) for Major John Frost, Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Commander F. N. Cook, and Military Medal, (MM) for Flight Sergeant Cox.
2 additional Distinguished Service Crosses, DSCs
2 further Distinguished Service Medals, (DSM)
Another Military Cross, (MC)
2 further Military Medals, (MMs)
9 Mentions in Dispatches (MiD)
In addition to these awards, a bar to the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), for Wing Commander Percy Charles Pickard, of No. 51 Squadron Royal Air Force provided the aircraft and aircrew needed for the operation.
The Commanders and Their Legacies
Major John Frost, who led C Company, 2nd Battalion (2 Para), the 1st Parachute Brigade during the raid, continued to distinguish himself throughout the war. He played a pivotal role in the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden in 1944, where his leadership and tenacity earned him widespread admiration. Despite being captured and enduring the hardships of a prisoner of war, Frost’s legacy as a courageous and skilled leader remained intact.
After the war, he continued to serve in the British Army, eventually retiring as a major general. His memoirs, “A Drop Too Many,” provide a detailed account of his wartime experiences and the Bruneval Raid.
Major John Durnford-Slater, the commander of No. 3 Commando, also had a distinguished military career. He led his unit in several other successful operations, including the St. Nazaire Raid, known as the greatest raid of all time.
Durnford-Slater’s leadership and innovative tactics helped shape the future of British Special Forces, along with several other figures. After the war, he retired from the military and wrote “Commando: Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in World War II,” which remains a seminal work on commando operations.
Once the war was war over, he reverted to the rank of Captain, before being promoted to Major in January 1946, retiring a month later with the honorary rank of Brigadier. He maintained his contact with the military, however, and in 1947 went on to the Reserve list, until 1964 when he reached mandatory retirement age.
The German commando order
The order itself stated:
1. For a long time now our opponents have been employing in their conduct of the war, methods which contravene the International Convention of Geneva. The members of the so-called Commandos behave in a particularly brutal and underhanded manner, and it has been established that those units recruit criminals not only from their own country but even former convicts set free in enemy territories. From captured orders, it emerges that they are instructed not only to tie up prisoners, but also to kill out-of-hand unarmed captives who they think might prove an encumbrance to them, or hinder them in successfully carrying out their aims. Orders have indeed been found in which the killing of prisoners has positively been demanded of them.
2. In this connection, it has already been notified in an Appendix to Army Orders of 7.10.1942. that in future, Germany will adopt the same methods against these Sabotage units of the British and their Allies; i.e. that, whenever they appear, they shall be ruthlessly destroyed by the German troops.
3. I order, therefore:— From now on all men operating against German troops in so-called Commando raids in Europe or in Africa, are to be annihilated to the last man. This is to be carried out whether they be soldiers in uniform, or saboteurs, with or without arms; and whether fighting or seeking to escape; and it is equally immaterial whether they come into action from Ships and Aircraft, or whether they land by parachute. Even if these individuals on discovery make obvious their intention of giving themselves up as prisoners, no pardon is on any account to be given. On this matter, a report is to be made on each case to Headquarters for the information of Higher Command.
Should individual members of these Commandos, such as agents, saboteurs etc., fall into the hands of the Armed Forces through any means – as, for example, through the Police in one of the Occupied Territories – they are to be instantly handed over to the SD, to bold them in military custody – for example in P.O.W. Camps, etc., – even if only as a temporary measure, is strictly forbidden.
1. This order does not apply to the treatment of those enemy soldiers who are taken prisoner or give themselves up in open battle, in the course of normal operations, large-scale attacks; or in major assault landings or airborne operations. Neither does it apply to those who fall into our hands after a sea-fight, nor to those enemy soldiers who, after air battle, seek to save their lives by parachute.
2. I will hold all Commanders and Officers responsible under Military Law for any omission to carry out this order, whether by failure in their duty to instruct their units accordingly or if they themselves act contrary to it.