| Page Created |
| February 16th, 2025 |
| Last Updated |
| February 17th, 2025 |
| Great Britain |
 |
| Special Forces |
| 2 Special Air Service |
| December 27th, 1944 – April 24th, 1945 |
| Operation Galia |
| Objectives |
- To prevent German reinforcements moving from the western Gothic Line to Bologna and to slow any German withdrawal through the mountains should the Fifth Army attack.
| Operational Area |
| Allied Forces |
- 2 Special Air Service
- No. 3 Squadron
- 33 soldiers of A Troop
- No. 3 Squadron
| Axis Forces |
- 29. Panzergrenadier-Division
- 90. Panzergrenadier-Division
- 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division
| Operation |
After the Italian armistice, many Allied prisoners escape and join the Italian partisans, particularly in the mountainous Apennine regions. Among them is Major Gordon Lett, who establishes an ‘International’ partisan band in the Rossano Valley, situated between Genoa, La Spezia, and Parma. Despite repeated German and Italian Fascist attacks, by December 1944, Major Lett’s group is well established, maintains contact with Allied forces, and enjoys strong local support. He considers the Rossano Valley an ideal location for a Special Forces base due to its single minor access road, surrounding mountains, and proximity to key German supply routes.
By late 1944, the first Allied offensive against the Gothic Line is losing momentum. The Germans have been forced from most of their defensive positions but still hold the western sector near La Spezia. The last American assault towards Bologna ends on October 28th, 1944, though the British Eighth Army continues its attacks along the Adriatic coast. The Americans prepare another offensive towards Bologna before the year’s end.
In early December, SHAEF offers to deploy No. 3 squadron of 2 Special Air Service to Italy for operations behind enemy lines, codenamed Operation Galia.
| December 19th, 1944 |
By the time Special Air Service troops arrive in Brindisi, the mission’s objectives are set. Brindisi is a city located in the Apulia region of southern Italy. The Special Air Service will drop into the area north of La Spezia, join the partisans, and disrupt enemy supply lines. Their goals are to prevent German reinforcements moving from the western Gothic Line to Bologna and to slow any German withdrawal through the mountains should the Fifth Army attack. The mission is led by Captain Bob Walker-Brown, a former prisoner-of-war who had escaped to Allied lines and joined the Special Air Service.
The western flank of the Fifth Army is held by the US 92nd Infantry Division, a newly deployed unit with African-American troops and mixed white and black officers. By mid-December, concerns grow that the Germans might exploit the division’s inexperience and threaten the port of Livorno.
| December 22nd, 1944 |
Major Gordon Lett is informed of Operation Galia, and he agrees to secure a landing zone in the Rossano Valley.
| December 26th, 1944 |
One day before the Special Air Service drop, the Germans launch Operation Wintergewitter, a short-lived offensive against the U.S. division. Despite fierce resistance, the Americans are pushed back, but the German assault ends after two days.
| December 27th, 1944 |
Despite ongoing combat, five officers and 29 men under Captain Robert Walker-Brown carry out the planned daylight drop into the valley. The operation begins with a single aircraft dropping supply containers to confirm the area is secure. Three Special Air Service men then parachute in and signal that it is safe, followed by the main force. There are only minor injuries, and the Special Air Service are greeted with tea and food, an unusual welcome for troops landing behind enemy lines.
The Special Air Service splits into a headquarters group of seven and five active sections. Despite harsh winter conditions, they carry out raids, destroying German transport and mining key roads.
| December 30th, 1944 |
A six-man patrol is captured by Italian Fascists at Montebello di Mezzo. Their Italian guide is executed, but the Special Air Service men survive the war as prisoners. That same day, a supply aircraft crashes, killing seven Allied airmen.
The first attack takes place on December 30th, 1944, targeting the La Spezia–Genoa road near Brugnato and Borghetto. Walker-Brown’s unit ambushes a German convoy, destroying three vehicles and setting a fourth on fire before retreating.
| January 1st, 1944 |
The next target is is the small village of Borghetto di Vara, Tuscany, Italy itself.
| January 4th, 1945 |
A smaller team lays mines at Bottagna, destroying a German truck and killing twelve troops.
| January 6th, 1945 |
A team attacks a German staff car. Around the same time, two Special Air Service sections attempt to sabotage the railway tunnel at Pontremoli. Their tactics spread attacks across the region, misleading the Germans into believing a much larger force is in the area.
| January 11th, 1945 |
Borghetto di Vara is attacked again, resulting in 30 enemy casualties.
| January 12th, 1945 |
The following day, another raid kills 56 German and Italian troops. By now, the Germans prepare for a large sweep (Rastrellamento) with 2,000 troops stationed at Pontremoli.
| January 19th, 1945 |
Captain Walker-Brown pre-empts the assault, launching simultaneous attacks on Pontremoli, Aulla, and Borgo Val di Taro. The main force ambushes a German column outside Pontremoli but retreats when reinforcements arrive. Lett and his men evade capture by withdrawing to Monte Picchiara.
The Germans conduct a week-long sweep involving 6,000 troops, but the Special Air Service escape without losses. The partisans suffer casualties, and several civilians are executed for aiding them. The German effort demonstrates that Operation Galia is succeeding in tying down enemy forces. During the sweep, the Special Air Service loses radio contact.
| January 29th, 1945 |
Special Air Service commander Roy Farran authorises Operation Brake 2, sending reinforcements overland through German lines.
| February 2nd, 1945 |
A resupply drop provides weapons, supplies, and medical aid.
| February 7th, 1945 |
The Special Air Service resumes offensive actions, striking German convoys and camps.
| February 10th, 1945 |
Captain Walker-Brown receives orders allowing withdrawal. Recognising his men’s exhaustion, he decides to leave while conditions permit. The force splits into two groups, including one former German paratrooper who has switched sides. Heavy weapons are left behind for future partisan use.
| February 11th, 1945 |
The Brake 2 unit arrives in Rossano, just as as the men of Operation Galia are preparing to withdraw. Major Lett and his partisans remain behind, as does Brake 2, preparing for the next operation.
| February 15th, 1945 |
Captain Walker-Brown’s group reaches Allied lines
| February 20th, 1945 |
The second Special Air Service party of Operation Galia reaches the Allied Lines.
| Aftermath |
Captain Walker-Brown is awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership. The Special Air Service suffers six men captured and one left behind due to illness but otherwise completes the mission intact. Their operations inflict significant damage and divert thousands of enemy troops. Plans for a follow-up mission, Operation Blimey, begin but come too late to impact the war. By April, the Allies break into the Po Valley, forcing the Germans into full retreat. Operation Galia officially ends on April 24th, 1945, with its objectives successfully achieved.
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