Operation Candytuft - Special Forces in World War 2

October 27^th, 1943 – November 2^nd, 1943

Operation Candytuft

Objectives

to land by sea on the Adriatic coast between Ancona and Pescara. The operation aims to derail a train near a curved section of the coastal railway line. Naval craft are tasked with monitoring for visual signals during the first four nights of November. Extraction is to take place after the operation concludes.

Operational Area

Allied Forces

12 men, D Squadron, 2 Special Air Service
4 men, B Squadron, 2 Special Air Service

Axis Forces

Operation

Object

The objective is

Plan

Four groups of four men each are to be landed on the southern bank of the River Tronto. The designated map reference is 9377, approximately 40 kilometres north of Pescara.

Landing is scheduled for 2200 hours on the night of 27/28 October. Each party is to move inland by 6 to 8 kilometres and remain concealed until the following night.

On the night of 28/29 October, all parties are to rendezvous at the track junction located at map reference 9375, at 2100 hours. The central party is to attempt the train derailment by 0200 hours. If unsuccessful, attempts are to be repeated on the nights of 29/30 and 30/31 October.

Once a train is successfully derailed, one party is to destroy sections of the railway on both sides of the wreck. Another party is to place mines on the main coastal road. Telephone lines are to be cut.

If no derailment has occurred by the night of 31 October/1 November, all teams are to proceed with railway demolition and road mining regardless of enemy train movement.

Following demolition, all groups are to move southward to a hideout in the valley of the River Salinello. They are then to proceed by night to the extraction point at the mouth of the River Versacchie, at map reference 0045.

Visual signalling for naval pickup is to be conducted using torch flashes between 2359 and 0230 hours.

October 28^th, 1943

All teams land successfully from a motor torpedo boat during the night. Two rubber dinghies and a Goatley collapsible boat are used to ferry personnel ashore.

A German submarine is observed anchored in the mouth of the River Tronto, just 450 metres from the landing zone.

The personnel landed are as follows:

Captain Farran MC, D Squadron
Sergeant Clarke
Corporal Linton
Private McIntyre

Sergeant Hawes
Private Malcolm
Private Rudd
Private Holland

Sergeant Seddon
Private Richards
Private Roache
Private Hollands

Lieutenant Hibbert, B Squadron
Private O’Neil
Private Holden
Private Louis

Each party moves independently, travelling 6 to 8 kilometres inland along the south bank of the River Tronto. They remain concealed in cover for the rest of the day.