| Special Forces Operations in June 1941 |
| June 7th, 1941 – June 8th, 1941 |
| Operation Exporter. Litani River Raid I |
| Commandos |
| C Battalion (No. 11 Commando (Lieutenant Colonel Pedder), Landing Ship, Infantry (Large) H.M.S. Glengyle, light cruiser H.M.S. Coventry, destroyers H.M.S. Ilex and H.M.S. Hotspur. Their mission is to seize and hold the Qasmiye bridge, Syria until relieved by the 21st Australian Infantry Brigade. 23:50. The Battalion embarks in Assault Landing Craft (ALC) 00:38. The Landing force arrives off the mouth of the River Litani. 01:00. The Assault Landing Craft are lowered into the water. 01:30. The operation is cancelled by Captain Petrie, Royal Navy. He had received information from Lieutenant Potter, Royal Navy (Senior Beachmaster) and Sub-Lieutenant Colenut, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, a Palestinian Policeman from Haifa. The two men had reconnoitred the landing beaches on June 7th, 1941, and their observations, together with Colenut’s local knowledge of the coast, gave rise to concerns about the troops landing safely. With the current weather and tidal conditions, there is a substantial risk of the Assault Landing Craft would broach or even capsize. Despite the fierce resistance of C Battalion’s officers against the cancellation the Convoy returns to Port Said, Egypt. |
| June 9th, 1941 – June 10th, 1941 |
| Operation Exporter. Litani River Raid II. |
| Commandos |
| C Battalion (No. 11 Commando (Lieutenant Colonel Pedder), Landing Ship, Infantry (Large) H.M.S. Glengyle, light cruiser H.M.S. Coventry, destroyers H.M.S. Ilex and H.M.S. Hotspur. Their mission is to seize and hold the Qasmiye bridge until relieved by the 21st Australian Infantry Brigade. 03:00. The Assault Landing Craft are lowered and start approaching the landing area. 04:20 – 04:50. C Battalion lands in three separate places, the initial landing is almost unopposed due to the defenders being in combat against the Australian troops. Since the Commandos land late the Vichy French defenders have enough time to destroy the bridge. In the days that the unit is involved in the fighting and take heavy casualties. One of them is Lieutenant Colonel Pedder, the battalion commander. He is killed in an assault on the French barracks. He is succeeded in command by Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Keyes, under which command the Commandos are able to secure the river crossing. They do this by crossing the river in canvas boats with the help of the Australian troops. A Vichy counterattack using armoured cars is drive repelled and a pontoon bridge across the river is constructed. Even though the unit is equipped with ammunition and food to last eight hours they eventually are involved in 29 hours of fighting. At the end of the battle 130 Commandos are killed or wounded. |
| June 24th, 1941 – May 30th, 1941 |
| Operazione Malta 1 |
| Xa Flottiglia MAS |
| On June 24th, 1941, MAS 451 and MAS 452, carrying the MT pilots designated for the attack on Valletta harbour, conduct a coastal reconnaissance mission off the island, gathering intelligence on defences and approach routes. On June 28th, 1941, Capitano di Fregata Moccagatta leads an attack force consisting of MAS 451 and MAS 452, reinforced by MAS 509, MAS 556, and MAS 562. The operation includes a group of eight MT explosive boats and an MTS motor torpedo boat, commanded by Capitano di Corvetta Giorgio Giobbe. As the force prepares to launch the attack, an MT unexpectedly sinks due to an accident, while additional mechanical failures further disrupt the operation. With the mission compromised, Moccagatta orders a withdrawal, and the force returns to Augusta without engaging the target. On June 30th, 1941 at 15:00, the assault force departs Augusta once again. Strong winds and rough seas pose immediate challenges. Shortly after departure, an MT begins taking on water, forcing Moccagatta to order its return under tow by a MAS vessel. Despite the difficult conditions, he decides to press on, believing the weather will improve. However, the engine of the MT boat designated for the assault on the harbour’s surface obstructions soon fails. Still determined to proceed, Moccagatta continues the approach until one of the MAS vessels also suffers an engine failure. Given the worsening situation and the late hour, he finally orders a return to base, aborting the mission for a second time. |