We are currently improving the navigational structure of the website. This might result in lost links. If you come across a lost link, Please let us know.

July 1943

Special Forces Operations in July 1943

July 3rd, 1943 – September 4th,1943
Operation Starkey
No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, Commandos, Special Boat Squadron
Raiding parties of around ten men, drawn from No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, No. 12 Commando and the Special Boat Squadron. Their mission is to simulate the preparations of an invasion in the Pas de Calais area in France by the end of September. Between thirteen and fourteen raiding operations are planned but only six raiding operations are confirmed to have taken place. Some sources speak of eight operations that would have taken place. The conformed operations were, Operation Forfar Easy, Operation Forfar Dog, Operation Forfar How, Operation Forfar Beer and Operation Forfar Item. The raiding party’s objective within operation Starkey is reconnaissance for a simulated invasion and draw the attention of the Germans. To that end the raiders leave behind letters for the enemy to pick up. The overall intention of Operation Starkey is drawing the Luftwaffe into an air battle with the simulated invasion threat.

The Germans fail to respond to the operation.

July 3rd, 1943 – September 4th, 1943
Operation Forfar
No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, Commandos, Special Boat Squadron
Operation Forfar is part of Operation Starkey. An operation to simulate a British/Canadian invasion in the Pas de Calais area in order to draw the German Luftwaffe into an air battle.

July 3rd, 1943 – July 4th, 1944
Operation Forfar Easy I
Commandos
Ten men party of No. 12 Command known as Hollins Force, led by Lieutenant Hollins, Motor Torpedo Boat. Their mission is a beach reconnaissance and prisoner-capture undertaking at Onival sur Mere in the Somme region in France.

The beach is reconnoitred but fail to make enemy contact and bring back some prisoners. They do bring back some barbed wire.

July 5th, 1943 – July 6th, 1943
Operation Forfar Beer I.
Commandos, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando
Ten men of No. 12 Commando and No. 1 French troop, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando known as Fynn Force commanded by Major Fynn, Motor Torpedo Boat. Their mission is a beach reconnaissance and prisoner-capture undertaking at Eletot in the Seine-Maritime region of northern France.

The operation is cancelled after the Motor Torpedo Boat which is transporting the Commandos is discovered on its way to France by a German Armed Trawler.

July 5th, 1943 – July 6th, 1944
Operation Forfar Dog
Commandos
Two officers and eight enlisted men of No. 12 Commando, Motor Torpedo Boat. Their mission is beach reconnaissance and prisoner-capture raid at Biville, east of Dieppe in France.

The raiding party lands unopposed and manages to scale the cliffs but must retreat when they run into an impenetrable tangle of barbed wire at the top.

July 5th, 1943 – July 6th, 1943
Operation Forfar How I
Commandos
Ten men party of No. 12 Commando. Their mission is a reconnaissance at Quend Plage in the Somme region in France.

The mission is aborted due to the heavy surf.

July 10th, 1943
Operation Husky
Commandos, Special Raiding Squadron
No. 2 Commando, No. 3 Commando, No. 40 (RM) Commando, No. 41 (RM) Commando and Royal Naval Beach Commandos, Special Raiding Squadron.

July 31st, 1943 – August 1st, 1943
Operation Forfar Easy II
Commandos
Ten men party of No. 12 Command known as Hollins Force, led by Lieutenant Hollins, Motor Torpedo Boat. Their mission is a beach reconnaissance and prisoner-capture undertaking at Onival sur Mere in the Somme region in France.

Mission is Aborted

July 31st, 1943 – August 1st, 1943
Operation Forfar Beer II
Commandos, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando
Ten men of No. 12 Commando and No. 1 French troop, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando known as Fynn Force commanded by Major Fynn, Motor Torpedo Boat. Their mission is a beach reconnaissance and prisoner-capture undertaking at Eletot in the Seine-Maritime region of northern France.

Mission is aborted