Operation Jonquil

Allied Forces

Axis Forces

Operation

September 26th, 1943

Major Symes reports to Lieutenant-Colonel Simonds of A Force. Two troops of the 2 Special Air Service Regiment are placed under Simonds’ command. A plan is developed to rescue escaped Allied prisoners of war. The coast between Ancona and the front line is divided into four operational areas. Each area is to receive two parties. One is seaborne, forming a beach party to receive escapees. The other is inserted by air to search for and guide the escapees to the coast.

In Area A, which extends from Ancona to Civitanova, the beach party consists of SSM Marshall and six men. The search party is drawn from the Airborne Division.

In Area B, from Civitanova to San Benedetto, the beach party is led by Captain Power with six men. The search party is again provided by the Airborne Division.

In Area C, from San Benedetto to Pescara, Lieutenant Hibbert leads a seaborne team of six men. The airborne group is also from the Airborne Division.

Area D, from Pescara southwards, includes two airborne elements. Lieutenant McGregor leads six men. He is joined by an Office of Strategic Services unit under Lieutenant Borrow with twelve men. The seaborne team is led by Captain Baillie with six men. Additionally, Captain Lee commands a protection party of seventeen men.

October 2nd, 1943

All airborne parties are dropped from Albemarle aircraft. A navigation error causes both Area A and Area B parties to be dropped at the same location. The Area C party is dropped thirty minutes early and in full daylight, compromising their mission.

October 4th, 1943

All seaborne parties assigned to Area D are landed by a schooner at Punta del Moro. This is 11 kilometres south of their intended landing point at the mouth of the River Foro. Meanwhile, recent events at Termoli necessitate a change in the overall plan. The harbour at Termoli is no longer secure for schooner operations. Additionally, daylight use of schooners off enemy-held coasts is no longer deemed viable.

Landing Craft Infantry are substituted for schooners. Their limited speed makes it impossible to reach A Beach and return during darkness. The A Beach operation is therefore abandoned. Instead, both A and B parties are instructed to land together at B Beach.

During the night of October 7^th, 1943, A, B, and C parties are planned to land from Landing Craft Infantry. The planned and actual landing points differ.

A and B parties are scheduled to land at the mouth of the River Pinocchio but come ashore at Grottammare, four miles to the south. C party aims for the mouth of the River Salinello but lands just north of the River Tronto, eight miles away.

That same night, the first rendezvous is attempted at the D area beach. No lights are visible from the waiting craft. Captain Baillie sends a signal and hears the boat’s engines. Yet, no contact is made.

October 7th, 1943

On the night of 6/7 October, A and B parties land together at Grottammare. On 9/10 October, signals are sent to the boat at the River Pinocchio. However, no former prisoners have yet been guided to the coast by the inland party.

The boat departs without embarking any escapees. The seaborne party splits into four groups and begins independent searches inland. The airborne teams appear unable to operate effectively.

A new rendezvous is arranged for 22 October. A rear guard remains under SSM Marshall. Naval craft are due to return on the night of 24/25 October.

On 21 October, a large German force searches the area around the base. Private Cook and Private Fitzgerald are captured, despite SSM Marshall killing two Germans during the encounter.

On 24 October, all parties return to the rendezvous. They bring with them between 300 and 400 escaped prisoners of war.

As the group prepares to cross the road to the beach, German patrols open fire at random. The prisoners panic and flee back into the hills. Despite the confusion, many could still have reached the boats unobserved.

The Special Air Service party and 23 prisoners embark and return to Termoli on 25 October. Captain Power, Tong, and Private Maybury remain behind.

Private Maybury later returns to Termoli by schooner on 12 November with nine prisoners. Captain Power and Tong return by schooner on 20 November after contacting Captain Derek Miller and retrieving five additional escapees.

The total number of escaped prisoners evacuated by A and B parties is as follows:

Twenty-three by SSM Marshall.
Nine by Private Maybury.
Five by Captain Power and Tong.

C Party

C Party is landed on the night of 6/7 October. The team comes ashore just north of the River Tronto rather than the intended River Salinello.

They move inland, then southwards, and finally turn back toward the coast, aiming for the original landing point.

Lieutenant Hibbert successfully links up with the airborne party and locates 75 escaped prisoners of war.

On the night of 9/10 October, no contact is made with the naval craft. Most prisoners scatter.

On the night of 11/12 October, the SAS and airborne groups, along with a number of escapees, return to Termoli by schooner.

D Parties

D Parties land on the night of 3/4 October at Punta del Moro, as previously described. Captain Baillie leads his men north toward the rendezvous at the River Foro. Captain Lee and his protection party move inland.

Captain Baillie sends signals on the nights of 5/6 and 8/9 October but receives no reply.

By 10 October, around 200 escaped prisoners have been gathered. Captain Lee’s group also returns to the rendezvous point.

Three hours before the scheduled rendezvous, a bright light appears offshore. It comes from a vessel resembling a motor torpedo boat. A signal is exchanged between shore and sea, arousing suspicion.

Captain Lee investigates and finds a motor-boat at the beach with three Germans. He kills all three.

The torpedo boat then shines its searchlight on the beach for several seconds and departs north at high speed.

With no safe extraction possible, the prisoners are told to disperse.

Following the failed evacuation, Captains Baillie and Lee lead their parties separately to the Cugnoli area. Private Fawthorpe, injured, is left in a farmhouse but later makes his way back on 24 December. His report is attached.

From Cugnoli, the party moves to Villa Cellars. Contact is made with Lieutenant McGregor on 15 October.

Captain Baillie and Lieutenant de Sablet conduct a raid on the Carabinieri headquarters in Civitella. The Carabinieri are disarmed and sent home.

As a result of this raid, enemy troops search the area. The search is led by the Carabinieri Marshal, who was absent during the raid.

Baillie’s and Lee’s parties relocate to Silvi.

Captain Lee departs Silvi by schooner with several prisoners from 1st SAS Regiment. He reaches Termoli on 24 October, promising to return shortly for the others.

Three nights later, Lieutenant Lyte and Sergeant Scott land. Scott is one of the ex-prisoners previously evacuated by Captain Lee. Lyte is ordered to leave Scott near the coast and proceed inland, north of Villa Cellars, to contact Major Gordon. He is then to return to Silvi and await Lee’s return.

The situation becomes more complex the following night with the arrival of Lieutenant Caddell’s party. Their rubber boats overturn in heavy surf. They land wet and without equipment.

On 1 November, Lieutenant de Sablet and his French party depart Silvi for Termoli in a fishing boat. At the same time, Lieutenant Lyte and several prisoners return from the interior.

On the night of 2/3 November, an Italian motor-sailing vessel carrying Captain Lee is hit by heavy machine-gun fire from the shore. The boat explodes.

Captain Lee, Lieutenant Calf RN, and Midshipman Draper swim ashore and join Captain Baillie’s group.

On the night of 6/7 November, Captain Baillie, Lieutenant Lyte, Lieutenant Caddell, and their men return to Termoli.

Sergeant Scott, Captain Lee, and Soldat Ken remain behind. Lee’s injuries make movement slow.

They later link up with Major Gordon. On 12 November, they return to Termoli with him, an Italian officer, and four escaped prisoners of war.

Further Party in D Area

A new group under the command of Major Symes, comprising eight men, is landed on the night of 15/16 October at Punta del Moro.

By this time, German troop presence in the area has increased significantly. Both movement and concealment become extremely difficult.

Two patrols are dispatched inland toward Caboli and Chieti to establish contact with escaped prisoners and SAS units. By 21 October, around 30 ex-prisoners have reached the vicinity.

As German soldiers begin moving dangerously close to the hiding area, Major Symes decides to relocate the group to a quieter inland position.

On the night of 22/23 October, Major Symes attempts to signal the extraction boat. Engine noises are heard offshore, but two German soldiers approach his position. The evacuation is immediately cancelled.

On 25/26 October, 50 prisoners are assembled, but no boat responds to signals.

On 26/27 October, 120 prisoners are present. As Major Symes begins preparing them for movement to the beach, a warning is received that German troops are lying in ambush.

A reconnaissance confirms the threat. The prisoners are instructed to return to their temporary shelters in the local houses.

By 4 November, repeated signalling attempts have failed. Major Symes decides to attempt a return through the front lines on foot. He advises the prisoners to do the same.

That same day, an Italian offers the use of a small boat for 10,000 lire. It can carry only ten men. Major Symes accepts the offer.

He embarks with thirteen men in the boat, just 50 metres from a German sentry.

They reach Termoli safely on 6 November.

Summary of Operation

The party under the command of Lieutenant McGregor takes part in the October 1943 operation for the evacuation of escaped prisoners of war. The operation is directed by ‘A’ Force and later documented in the Jonquil file.

Eight teams conduct the mission, working in pairs. Airborne units are tasked with locating and guiding prisoners to designated beaches, where seaborne parties prepare evacuations.

Lieutenant McGregor’s party is inserted into Area D, near Chieti, on 2 October 1943. Despite being dropped in daylight and pursued by enemy forces, the team lands with all containers intact.

The operation proceeds in five phases:

1. Guiding of prisoners to the beachhead

After remaining concealed for two days, the group splits up to cover more ground. From 4 to 12 October, the team directs around 300 escaped prisoners to the beach party.

2. Redirection of escapees to Alfedena

With no further landings expected after 12 October, Lieutenant McGregor identifies and reconnoitres an alternative escape route. A significant number of prisoners remain in the area. He directs them through Popoli and Scanno to Alfedena. Around 250 are set on this path, many of whom eventually reach Allied territory.

3. Distraction of SS forces

Around 20 October, German SS troops arrive in the Chieti region and begin active searches for escaped prisoners. Lieutenant McGregor initiates ambushes on road convoys to divert attention from the escapees. Two enemy convoys are attacked, resulting in six Germans killed and seven wounded.

4. Disruption of Fascist collaboration

At the start of November, worsening weather leaves escapees without warm clothing. Lieutenant McGregor targets local Fascists known to inform on Allied escapees. During visits to their homes, clothing and money are taken and distributed to the prisoners. This enables many to survive the winter and continue their journey. At least three active informants are executed.

5. Return to Allied lines

In early January, the group prepares to return. Before departure, they are attacked by a large German force. Following a pre-arranged plan, the party splits up.

Lieutenant McGregor and Private McQueen escape by rowing 65 kilometres in a small boat. There is no indication that any other team members are captured or killed. No reports emerge, despite operating in an area where local news spreads rapidly.