Operation Pistol

Allied Forces

• 8 Special Air Service parties from 2 Special Air Service

Axis Forces

• German Garrisson

Operation

Operation Pistol is planned with the objective of disrupting enemy road and rail communications running eastwards from the front between Metz and Nancy, particularly in the approaches to the Rhine Plain. At this time, an advance by American forces appears imminent.

The plan involves the insertion of four parties, each of which is to divide into two separate groups upon landing. The designated operational areas for each party are as follows:

Party Pistol A1 is to operate south-west of Saint-Avold, Party Pistol B1 west of Ingwiller, and Party Pistol C1 within the Zabern Gap. Party Pistol A2 is assigned to the Benestroff area, Party Pistol B2 to the Saargemünd region, and Party Pistol C2 south-west of Saarburg. Party Pistol D1 and Party Pistol D2 are to operate along the Gérardmer–Colmar and Bussang–Thann roads, respectively.

September 16th, 1944

All parties depart from Keevil Aerodrome in Stirlings on the night of Parties A, B and C are successfully dropped. Party D is forced to return as ground fog obscures the Drop Zone. Three become airborne, but all are unsuccessful due to poor visibility.

Party	Deviation	Drop Altitude	Comments
Pistol A	1.6 km	150 metres	One torch flashing observed by aircraft. Stick breaks in two. Enemy present on Drop Zone.
Pistol B	11.3 km	245 metres	Dropped through cloud at Stick Commander’s discretion. Stick divides into prearranged halves.
Pistol C	24.1 km	245 metres	Panniers not released due to absence of ground signals. Stick is widely scattered.
Pistol D	–	–	Parties are not dropped due to fog and clouds.

Operation Pistol A1

The party of operation Operation Pistol A1 consists of Lieutenant G.N.M. Darwall and five men.

September 15th, 1944

At approximately 21:30, the Stirling departs from Keevil Aerodrome as part of a twelve-man special operation targeting the area around Saint-Avold, France.

September 16th, 1944

Private Frost, who jumps as No. 3, observes a Tiger tank before landing approximately 275 metres away in a tree beside the road. He descends safely, retrieves his kit, and links up with Darwall. After gathering most of the group, except for Corporal Edwards (Fedosseff), they proceed to the woods. Darwall sustains a knee injury during his landing at a road junction.

Lieutenant Darwall sustains a knee injury on landing and returns with Frost to recover his kit and search for Corporal Edwards, but without success. They suspect Edwards may have joined Williams’ missing men. On their return, they hear German voices issuing challenges, likely directed at Private Mace.

Sergeant Williams exits the aircraft in position seven, with Private Haeberle following in position eight. Haeberle observes Williams’ parachute deploy in mid-air but is unable to locate him on the ground. The night is extremely dark. Private Mace lands within 20 metres of a sentry, who challenges him. Private Mace discards his equipment and takes cover behind a barn. Mace later links up with Private Keeble, and together they find Privates Williams, Sheville, and Haeberle.

Following a compass bearing of 135 degrees, previously given by Sergeant Williams, they move towards a nearby wood. As they approach, a machine gun opens fire overhead. Moments later, single shots and shouting are heard, though the language cannot be distinguished. One man has sustained an injury after landing on his kit bag and is unable to continue marching. The party is therefore compelled to take cover in the wood.

At approximately 13:00 hours, they hear dogs barking and movement nearby. A fox passes through the undergrowth, followed by guttural voices and the sounds of German troops searching the area. The party hides their packs and retreats to the edge of the wood, locating a drainage ditch filled partially with water and covered with bracken. While concealed, they observe a German officer and three soldiers pass within three metres. Fortunately, they do not detect the party and enter the wood instead.

Several SS troops in black uniforms later pass nearby. Two are overheard debating whether to search the ditch, but opt instead to continue their search in the wood. The party remains submerged in the ditch for six hours. During this time, German troops cross directly over it on multiple occasions. By 18:00 hours, the enemy appears to believe the fugitives have escaped northwards. Nonetheless, the presence of children herding cattle and a cow grazing near the cover prevents them from moving. A dog pauses nearby but does not alert the searchers, likely a domestic farm animal.

At dusk, the party withdraws in a south-easterly direction. Though they had planned to retrieve their rucksacks, Private Haeberle reports hearing German troops planning an ambush in that location. They abandon the kit and their remaining food. With Sergeant Williams still unaccounted for, Haeberle assumes command.

Meanwhile, during the descent, Corporal Edwards collides with a window on a farmhouse and injures his back. He lands in a garden and remains immobile for about one hour. Although someone looks out of the window, no one exits the house to investigate.

At approximately 00:40 on September 16^th, 1944, Corporal Edwards hears machine-gun fire roughly 50 metres away, followed by intermittent rifle fire. Shortly afterwards, a small German lorry crosses the road nearby. Gathering his rations and Sten gun, Edwards withdraws from the vicinity of the firing and seeks concealment, intending to reach the designated rendezvous point.

By 04:00, German troops in a truck begin searching the surrounding area. Corporal Edwards retreats into a nearby woodland. German patrols begin sweeping the area, but heavy rain hampers their efforts.

September 17th, 1944

Lieutenant Darwall detaches Corporal Bovio and Private Frost from his party and assigns them to Williams. At approximately 23:00 hours, Williams leads the new party south, while Darwall, with his remaining men, moves north.

Darwall’s party advances South and then rests there during daylight. They later shift position with the intention of sabotaging a railway bridge. They remain in the vicinity for three days but do not act, as only marked Red Cross trains are observed using the line.

By first light, the Mace, Keeble, Williams, Sheville and Haeberle party reaches a small wood south of Hinsing. Rain falls throughout the day, and the group consumes the contents of their emergency RAF ration packs. The area is quiet and devoid of military presence. That evening, they set off for the forests near Finstingen, crossing an unguarded railway line en route.

Corporal Edwards remains concealed in the forest until the late evening September 18^th, 1944

September 18th, 1944

Sergeant Williams’s party locates a disused French pillbox near the edge of a wood and uses it for shelter during the day. That evening, they move south to the main road near Hellimer but observe little movement. After two hours, they relocate to a nearby wood and attach 24-hour time pencils to two telegraph poles. These detonate approximately one hour later.

The night’s march is uneventful, and the Mace, Keeble, Williams, Sheville and Haeberle Party reaches the corner of a wood by morning. They conduct reconnaissance but find no sign of Sergeant Williams or other Allied personnel. The surrounding countryside is deserted.

September 19th, 1944

Overnight, the Wiliams group turns north after hearing what they believe to be Special Air Service units engaged in combat. They return to a clearing and remain there through the night in the hope of reuniting with other separated members.

The Mace, Keeble, Williams, Sheville and Haeberle Party moves westward but makes limited progress due to fatigue and exposure after which they halt. The following day remains quiet, aside from a distant shepherd approximately one kilometre away. A train is observed passing along the nearby railway line, but the party has no explosives, having abandoned them with their packs.

That same night, Corporal Edwards moves into an adjacent wood, where German patrols continue to operate near the farmhouse. Still unable to walk properly due to his back injury, he lies low for a further three days.

During this time, he overhears a local farmer asking a German soldier whether all the parachutists have been captured. The soldier replies that nearly all have been taken.

Once able to walk, Edwards sets off to reach Allied-held territory. Prior to departure from England, reports indicated that American forces are present in Château-Salins. He proceeds via Brulange to Marthille, travelling cautiously in short stages.

September 20th, 1944

The Mace, Keeble, Williams, Sheville and Haeberle Party resumes movement at twilight. After approximately one hour, they cross another single-track railway. Half an hour later, they notice lights, which they assume mark a farm. Private Haeberle and one other proceed to investigate, reaching a farmhouse in Kutzeling.

Haeberle knocks at the door, and a man responds from behind closed shutters. Haeberle claims, in fluent German, to be a lost soldier. After a brief exchange, a woman, around 60 years of age, invites him inside. When questioned about his unit, Haeberle identifies himself as a White Russian in German service. As the conversation progresses, he senses the woman’s anti-German sentiment and reveals that they are British parachutists. She is elated and wakes her son, who initially doubts the claim due to their uniforms, identical to those worn by German raiding troops. Eventually convinced, the son provides food and cigarettes, which Haeberle shares with the rest of the party. The woman requests French francs, stating that Reichsmarks are becoming worthless. Haeberle provides her with the requested currency.

Returning to the wood, the party continues marching until dawn, reaching the Dieuze–Morhange road. The farmer’s wife had said Dieuze was held by American forces, and the party hopes to make contact. Instead, they observe a Luftwaffe lorry, followed by a motorcycle and a commandeered civilian vehicle. They withdraw to the track and head westward.

Later that day, they encounter a mined trail and divert to a vantage point overlooking a valley and a farm. At approximately 14:00 hours, heavy artillery fire begins, passing overhead. The barrage ceases around 17:00 hours, and the farmer is seen repairing a fence outside his home roughly one kilometre away. Haeberle approaches and requests food, also asking about American troop movements. The farmer, speaking only French, says that tanks from both sides have been passing through the village alternately. He also reports that five German soldiers had recently visited the property. He agrees to prepare food for five men, which will be ready at dawn.

The group maintains surveillance of the farmhouse to ensure the farmer does not alert the authorities. At the agreed time, they approach and are served a full meal. A woman in the house tells Haeberle that a wounded British staff sergeant from 2 Special Air Service had been captured and taken to the hospital in Dieuze. She adds that a German officer recently declared that all night parachutists, “Nachtfallschirmjäger”, would be summarily executed upon capture.

Later that evening, one of the farm labourers leads the party to the village of Haraucourt, which is reportedly free of both Allied and German troops. They find an abandoned house that had previously served as a German officers’ mess and remain there overnight. Light artillery fire is heard during the night.

September 21st, 1944

During the night, Wiliams team demolishes a concrete pylon carrying high-tension cables. They continue south through the village of Francaltroff, reaching a wood beyond the railway line. From this position, they conduct observation over three days. Four trains are seen passing in each direction nightly. A plan is made to sabotage the line.

In the morning, The Mace, Keeble, Williams, Sheville and Haeberle group continues westward along the main road. After covering approximately 1 kilometre, they hear an approaching vehicle and take cover in a roadside ditch. The vehicle proves to be American, and they signal to stop it. The group is taken to the command post of the 25^th Cavalry Squadron, 4^th U.S. Armoured Division.

September 23rd, 1944

Sergeant Williams team identifies a cutting as a key point where two trains pass at 19:45 hours. While placing charges, they are disturbed and forced to retreat. The trains pass before they can resume, but the charges are left in place for subsequent trains. An explosion is later heard. Although the damage is not observed directly, later intelligence confirms that a cattle train, used for transporting livestock to Germany, has been destroyed. Within two days, the line is operational again and patrolled by sentries spaced every 45 metres.

September 24th, 1944

Williams party marches south and locates an abandoned structure. Here, they dry their clothing and forage for mushrooms to sustain themselves.

September 25th, 1944

Party A receives its scheduled drop on the nigh. Fifteen containers are released from an altitude of 180 metres. Although no signal lights are observed on the ground, the aircraft proceeds with the drop. The drop is ultimately ineffective due to equipment failure. Their wireless sets are damaged during the initial parachute drop, preventing receipt of the resupply signals. As a result, containers are released without confirmed ground contact, effectively blind drops.

Lieutenant Darwall’s group relocates, intending to reach the railway line. However, due to the presence of significant German forces in the area, they are forced to withdraw.

September 26th, 1944

Williams group moves towards the railway near Nebing and observes the line for several hours. It is determined to be disused and in poor condition.

September 27th, 1944

Sergeant Williams group moves west, crossing the main road to Dieuze, and discover a single-track railway line, also inactive. They spend the night in a nearby wood.

September 28th, 1944

Continuing south in search of more valuable targets, the Williams party reaches a farm. The residents provide shelter and sell food. While staying at the farm, the party receives confirmation that the train destroyed on September 23^rd, 1944, was indeed the one they targeted. The household includes three sons, recent deserters from the German Army, two from the Eastern Front, and one from Metz. The family speaks both German and French, and a fourth son, residing in Vergaville, brings further intelligence.

According to local sources, a German Panzer Division is deployed in the vicinity, and approximately 1,000 low-quality troops under a general are garrisoned in Vergaville. Prior to the party’s arrival, a German unit from Metz is billeted locally but immediately redeployed to the front.

In need of food, the Lieutenat Darwall’s party approaches a house in Varsberg. An elderly resident warns them that the village is occupied by SS troops, prompting an immediate withdrawal. They enter a woodand later move South, where they remain hidden throughout the day.

September 29th, 1944

Attempts to reach a railway line are again thwarted by heavy enemy presence. The party diverts twice.

September 30th, 1944

The Williams party moves west through forest, where they observe artillery activity. German forces fire into bushes and likely hiding places in search of them. Earlier that day, the team attempts to disable enemy vehicles with tyre-bursting charges, but these are prematurely triggered by tanks.

October 1st, 1944

Corporal Edwards reaches Marthille at approximately 02:00. Throughout the journey, he avoids contact with civilians, as the area is believed to be populated with German sympathisers. He survives on one 24-hour ration pack, supplemented by apples and carrots taken from the fields.

Upon arrival, Corporal Edwards finds Marthille partly deserted. He conceals himself in a barn, hiding atop a straw stack. Around 04:00, a German supply column arrives and parks two lorries inside the barn. German personnel remain in the building throughout, preventing any chance of escape.

October 2nd, 1944

In the evening, the Williams group discovers Special Air Service boot prints in a lane near a farm and follows them in the hope of linking up with friendly forces. On approach, they see two German soldiers eating and withdraw to cover until they depart. Inside, the farm occupants confirm that Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alcock and his team visited two days earlier. After being fed, Williams’ group resumes its movement and crosses German lines, coming under enemy fire. They advance toward American positions but are also fired upon before taking shelter in a hut midway between the opposing lines.

The Darwall Group has been without food for several days by now, and efforts to locate provisions prove unsuccessful.

Corporal Edwards manages to speak with a Ukrainian labourer assigned to the German soldiers. Claiming to be a Russian prisoner of war attempting to reach Allied lines, he requests assistance. The Ukrainian, serving as batman to a German lieutenant, agrees to help and supplies him with a civilian suit and shares his food ration daily.

The Ukrainian informs a Russian labourer, living in the village and brought from the Soviet Union in 1943, about Edwards’ presence. Once the Germans depart, the Russian introduces him to a local farmer, who proves sympathetic and offers him shelter under the pretence of being a labourer.

October 3rd, 1944

At 08:00 hours, Sergeant Williams, Corporal Bovio, and Private Frost make contact with American forces.

The night after Edwards arrives at the farm, German forces conduct a large-scale search of Marthille in response to sabotage (a destroyed bridge and severed telephone lines). All young men, including Corporal Edwards, are detained.

At the Kommandantur, he claims to be a Russian labourer from Château-Salins whose father has been captured by American forces. He states that his village was bombed, causing him to flee and lose his papers.

October 4th, 1944

The Darwall party finds shelter in an abandoned hut within a wood, where they remain for four days.

October 4th, 1944

A farmer encountered on the edge of the wood agrees to assist the Darwall Team. He is already hiding two Frenchmen but promises to find another farmer willing to shelter the party. That same day, he brings them their first substantial meal in thirteen days.

October 8th, 1944

In the evening, the assisting farmer of the Darwall Team introduces a friend from Haute-Vigneulleat a meeting point. This man leads the party to his farm. There, the group is able to dry their clothing, eat, and sleep in proper beds for the first time in weeks. The farmer is identified as Pierre Nagel, approximately 40 years of age, 1.60 metres tall, bespectacled and with artificial dentures. He lives with his wife and four-year-old child.

The Germans accept the account and issue an identity card for Corporal Edwards. The farmer successfully petitions for Edwards’ return, stating he requires workers. The Kommandant releases Edwards to the farm under the condition that the farmer accepts full responsibility for him.

During the following period, he receives a second identity certificate classifying him as a Polish foreign labourer and later obtains a French identity card.

While at the farm, Corporal Edwards performs various tasks including maintenance of a threshing machine and woodcutting. German troops and officers are billeted nearby. Approximately three weeks prior to the arrival of American forces, the threshing machine is transported to Dalhain. On two Saturday nights, Edwards attempts to cross the lines but is unsuccessful.

October 11th, 1944

After three days, SS troops arrive in the village and are billeted in every household. The Darwall party is moved into the attic of Nagel’s home, where he continues to supply them with food and news. Due to the constant presence of the SS, they are unable to move for nearly two weeks.

October 23rd, 1944

Farmer Pierre Nagel informs the Darwall group that the SS are now actively searching for F.F.I. elements. At 20:00 hours, they cautiously depart the house and return to their hut. They remain there for eight uneventful days.

October 31st, 1944

The Darwall group attempts a southerly movement with the aim of reaching Château-Salins. Progress is blocked by a static German line, forcing them to shelter in a wood.

November 1st, 1944

The Darwall party returns to the hut. Over the following weeks, several attempts are made to cross the German line in various directions, all unsuccessful. During this time, Farmer PIerre Nagel continues to bring food and intelligence updates.

November 8th, 1944

The American offensive in the Metz sector commences. Dalhain comes under artillery fire. Local German settlers panic and flee. Corporal Edwards returns to the Marthille farm and assists the farmer in constructing an air-raid shelter in the cellar.

November 12th, 1944

Twelve German soldiers, including an officer, arrive at the farm and hide in the cellar. They express their disillusionment with the war and await surrender.

November 13th, 1944

At 13:30, American troops enter the village. Edwards leads them to the twelve Germans, who are taken prisoner. Initially, the Americans are sceptical of his claim to be a parachutist. He is taken to a colonel, to whom he provides intelligence regarding German positions and mine locations.

Edwards is transferred to a prisoner-of-war holding facility at Château-Salins, then on to American headquarters in Toulon, and finally to Paris on 16 November. On 18 November, he is flown back to Croydon. No formal interrogation is conducted in France, except by the American troops in Marthille.

November 21st, 1944

In the evening, Farmer Nagel reports that American forces are only a few kilometres away. The group decides to split up. Private Malicki moves alone, while Lieutenant Darwall and Corporal Melvin proceed together. Failing to locate American troops at the designated point, Malicki retraces his steps and encounters Piere Nagel. Together, they proceed to the edge of the wood. From nearby hill, mortar fire is directed at them, Malicki believes this may be the location where Darwall and Melvin were heading. He searches the wood throughout the day but finds no trace of them.

November 12th, 1944

Malicki reaches Fletrange, where he unexpectedly makes contact with American forces. Possessing false identity papers, he is initially disarmed and placed among prisoners. After three days of interrogation, his account is accepted and he is released.

Operation Pistol A2

The party of Operation Pistol A2 consists of Sergeant Williams and five men.

September 15th, 1944

At approximately 23:30, the team parachutes from a height of approximately 215 metres.

September 16th, 1944

Sergeant Williams exits as No. 7. During descent, only the man in front is visible; no one is seen following. While descending, he narrowly avoids a German Tiger tank moving along a nearby road and lands.

Dragging his leg kit bag into a roadside ditch, he hears several men approaching. Unable to scale a 1.5-metre-high barbed wire fence undetected, he begins cutting open the kit bag. Taking his machine gun and rucksack, he moves a short distance along the ditch to seek cover. One of three approaching individuals comes within five metres and issues repeated challenges. Williams does not respond. The enemy opens fire on his parachute, assuming he is lying beneath it. He returns fire, killing the nearest German and wounding the remaining two. After recovering his equipment, he crosses the fence and enters a nearby wood in an attempt to locate his party.

At the wood’s edge, he is challenged with the password “Fish”, the prearranged code from Lieutenant Darwall. Responding with “Chips”, he is identified by Darwall and four of his men. None of Williams’ original team have arrived. Sporadic gunfire heard at the drop zone suggests they are being pursued. Williams leaves to search for them along the wood’s perimeter but returns without contact and joins Lieutenant Darwall’s group. Darwall’s party moves to a wooded area designated as a rally point in case of separation after the drop.

September 17th, 1944

Lieutenant Darwall assigns Corporal Bovio and Private Frost to Williams. At approximately 23:00, Williams’ group moves south while Darwall leads the remainder northward.

September 18th, 1944

The group discovers a disused French pillbox near the woodland edge. They shelter there throughout the day, protected from the rain and cold. That night, they move south to the main road near Hellimer. Minimal traffic is observed over two hours. They then shift to nearby woodland to lie up. Before leaving the road, 24-hour delay pencils are placed on two telegraph poles. Unexpectedly, they detonate after only one hour.

September 19th, 1944

Following the sound of small arms fire, the group moves north at night, believing Special Air Service forces may be engaged. They eventually return to a clearing between woodlands and remain there overnight, hoping to re-establish contact with missing members.

September 21st, 1944

During the night the group destroys a concrete pylon supporting high-tension power cables. Continuing south, they pass through Francaltroff and enter the wood beyond the railway. Over the next three days, they observe significant night-time rail traffic, with four trains in each direction.

September 23rd, 1944

A cutting is selected as a target site, where two trains cross each evening at 19:45. During placement of charges, the group is disturbed and forced to withdraw. The trains pass before a second attempt is possible. Charges are laid for the next evening.

September 24th, 1944

An explosion is later heard, but results cannot be confirmed. Due to the high presence of SS troops and dog patrols, no visual confirmation is attempted.

Subsequent intelligence confirms that a cattle train has been destroyed. The livestock had been assembled in Benestroff for transport to Germany. Two days later, the railway is cleared and placed under double sentry patrols at 45-metre intervals.

The group heads south and finds a deserted structure. Clothing is dried, and mushrooms are foraged from nearby fields to supplement rations.

September 25th, 1944

Party A receives its scheduled drop on the nigh. Fifteen containers are released from an altitude of 180 metres. Although no signal lights are observed on the ground, the aircraft proceeds with the drop. The drop is ultimately ineffective due to equipment failure. Their wireless sets are damaged during the initial parachute drop, preventing receipt of the resupply signals. As a result, containers are released without confirmed ground contact, effectively blind drops.

September 26th, 1944

Movement towards the main railway near Nébing reveals that the line is inactive. Close inspection confirms it is in poor condition and out of service.

September 27th, 1944

The team advances westward, the team crosses the main Dieuze road and discovers a single-track spur into town. It is unused and rusted. They take cover in a wood for the night.

September 28th, 1944

Heading south in search of a higher-value target, the group reaches a farmstead. The residents provide shelter and sell food. During the stay, information is obtained about the sabotage success on the 23rd. The family has three sons, deserters from the German Army, two from the Eastern Front, and one from Metz. The parents speak only German, but the sons speak both French and German. A fourth son, living in Vergaville, visits and provides intelligence: a Panzer Division is stationed locally, alongside approximately 1,000 poorly rated troops under a general’s command. A German unit intended to billet in the village is redirected to the front before the team’s arrival.

September 30th, 1944

The team moves west and lies up and observes artillery exchanges. An attempt to damage enemy vehicles using tyre-bursting devices fails, as the devices are triggered prematurely by tanks. The enemy responds with fire into likely hiding places.

October 2nd, 1944

In the evening, the group moves south and identifies Special Air Service boot prints on a track leading to a farm. Hoping to locate friendly forces, they follow the trail. Two German soldiers are seen eating near the farmhouse, prompting the group to hide until they leave. Upon entering the farm, the residents report that Squadron Quarter Master Alcock and his men were there two days earlier. After receiving food, the group crosses the German lines. They come under fire but reach a hut located between the enemy and Allied positions, where they lie up overnight.

October 3rd, 1944

At 08:00, Sergeant Williams, Corporal Bovio, and Private Frost reach American lines and establish contact.

Operation Pistol B1

The team of Operation Pistol B1 consists of Lieutenant R.J. Birnie and 7 men.

September 15th, 1944

The detachment departs England at 20:40. They arrive over the designated drop zone at 23:40, but low ground mist impairs visibility, making map reading difficult for the Royal Air Force crew. Despite the uncertainty, Lieutenant Birnie decides to proceed with the jump, believing they are close to the intended area. The men exit the aircraft from an altitude of 240 metres.

Six members of the eight-man team land successfully, although most fall into trees. Privates Nicols and Corporal Voisin, who jump last, are missing when the group regathers. The remaining men conceal themselves in woodland until dawn.

September 16th, 1944

Lieutenant Birnie and Private Wertheim conduct a reconnaissance and encounter two local woodcutters, who confirm that the group has, by good fortune, landed within the operational area. Lieutenant Birnie brings the men back and instructs Private Clowes to remain behind to guard the equipment, while the others dispose of parachutes and recover the food pannier with the woodcutters’ assistance.

Later that day, the woodcutters travel to Wimmenau and return with three more companions and several bottles of beer. They report that approximately 300 German soldiers are stationed in Tieffenbach, and only one French civilian is guarding the entrance to the railway tunnel, one of the group’s objectives, on the Wimmenau–Wingen line. The Frenchmen depart with the intention of returning later.

When the food fails to arrive, Lieutenant Birnie grows suspicious. He orders the group to move deeper into the woods. They sleep with a sentry posted until 05:00.

September 17th, 1944

The team moves north, where they have breakfast. Lieutenant Birnie and Private Wertheim descend towards the Wingen area to observe rail traffic. On their return, children and civilians appear, having followed the party’s tracks. Lieutenant Birnie instructs Wertheim to divert them while the others pack. Among the group is a German policeman who becomes suspicious, then flees. He later reappears uphill, appearing to count the number of operatives. Lieutenant Birnie, Wertheim and Private Clowes pursue him, but he escapes to the village.

The group hides their heavy rucksacks in a thicket, taking only U.S. haversacks containing food, explosives, and gas capes. Upon reaching the ridge, Lieutenant Birnie decides to lie low until a likely German patrol passes. Private Clowes leads the team to a well-concealed position, carefully avoiding any sign of passage. Once secure, the group discusses their situation. Private Clowes is posted to observe the road below.

Lieutenant Birnie outlines his intention to derail a train within the tunnel before heading north to link up with Allied forces. He selects himself, Wertheim, and Lance Corporal Davidson to plant the charge, and instructs the others to regroup later. When Private Clowes asks for a rendezvous point, Birnie names the summit of Grosse Vorberg on Thursday the September 21^st, 1944, but provides no specific time or grid reference. As Corporal Birkenshaw expresses satisfaction with the plan, Private Clowes accepts the arrangement without further question.

Private Clowes accompanies Lieutenant Birnie, where they conduct a resection of their position before returning to camp. Goodfellow takes over sentry duties.

The demolition charge is assembled using two 0.45 kg cutting charges and one 0.9 kg lifting charge. Two methods of detonation are employed: a fog signal and a pressure switch. As the Non-Commsioned Officers possess no explosives, most of the components are drawn from Private Clowes’s own supply.

At 14:00 hours, the sentry reports the arrival of German troops by truck in the village. Lieutenant Birnie departs with his sabotage team to carry out the tunnel operation that night. Corporal Birkenshaw unexpectedly announces his departure but states that the others may remain and meet him again at the planned rendezvous. He takes Goodfellow with him, and Private Clowes remains with Private Nicols.

Shortly after their departure, a German challenge is heard, followed by a single gunshot. A German patrol, estimated at 300 men, deploys noisily, cocking rifles, blowing whistles, and shouting, but does not conduct a thorough search. Two more distant shots are later heard, possibly related to Corporal Birkenshaw, though Private Clowes suspects there is no direct engagement. The patrol withdraws to Tieffenbach around 20:30 hours. Rain continues throughout the night, and the two soldiers attempt to sleep under their gas capes.

September 18th, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols recover their rucksacks in the morning and remain hidden during daylight, drawing water at dusk. No train traffic is observed on the railway.

September 19th, 1944

Private Clowes proceeds alone to the rendezvous point in the hope of locating Corporal Birkenshaw, but finds no one.

September 20th, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols prepare a 1.8 kg charge to sabotage a railway line. Rations are limited to one meal per day over four days. They depart towards the rendezvous.

September 21st, 1944

After thorough resections, Private Clowes and Private Nicols confirm they are at the correct location. Having heard no trains on the targeted line, they assume Lieutenant Birnie’s sabotage mission was successful. However, Corporal Birkenshaw and Private Goodfellow have not retrieved their gear from the thicket, raising concerns.

At dusk, Private Clowes proposes sabotaging the Bouxwiller–Zarbern line. They leave the rendezvous and halt for rest.

September 22nd, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols continue at first light, travelling through woods and halt by 16:00 hours. There they observe individual engines moving southwest. At dusk, determining the Niederwald wood to be too dangerous, they move cross-country to reach the line. Marching along the track, they lay a charge, incorporating both a pressure switch and fog signal. While continuing along the edge of the wood, they nearly encounter a German post. Startled, a sentry calls out, but the pair slips away undetected in the darkness and returns to their previous hideout at Zittersheim. No explosion is heard, but train activity ceases the following day.

September 23rd, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols continue their movement throughout the day in heavy rain and until they encounter a local gamekeeper. Determining him to be harmless, they question him about German troop positions and the railway before allowing him to leave. They return to their previous camp at Zittersheim. In line with Lieutenant Birnie’s instructions, they do not ambush road traffic until Allied forces, then some 64 kilometres away, move closer.

September 24th, 1944

The rain persists, and Private Clowes and Private Nicols remain soaked.

September 25th, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols inspect the stashed rucksacks of the absent party members, but nothing has been moved. They lay tyre-bursters on the road, but remove them again after no enemy vehicles pass.

Party B is resupplied, during the night. Fifteen containers are dropped from an altitude of 300 metres. One torch signal in the form of a ‘U’ is reportedly seen from the aircrew, confirming the drop zone.

September 26th, 1944

With rations depleted and Private Clowes and Private Nicols still wet, they observe trains running again on the Ingwiller–Saargemünd line. Determined to act, they prepare their final 0.9 kg of PHE and depart at dusk. At approximately 21:00 hours, they reach a point, where they observe a heavily laden train transporting Sherman tanks and U.S. lorries into Germany, followed by another train of boxcars. Convinced that a retreat is under way, Private Clowes plants the charge on the same line.

Unfortunately, within thirty minutes, two additional trains pass on the western track. The pair waits until midnight before moving out, leaving the charge in place.

September 27th, 1944

Shortly after midnight, Private Clowes and Private Nicols collect their gear and head west, reaching their objevtive by morning.

September 28h, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols remain hidden during daylight. At dusk, they approach a sawmill seeking information, but without success.

September 30th, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols continue and place tyre-bursters on the Schalbach–Rauwiller road. The devices detonate, followed by audible German shouting.

October 1st, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols lie up, attempting to dry their clothing.

October 2nd, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols visit a flour mil in search of food. The door is opened by a German in uniform. Nicols speaks in German, asking whether any parachutists are present. The German replies in the negative and repeatedly invites them inside. Sensing danger, and believing the German does not identify them as British soldiers due to the dark conditions and recent exposure to indoor lighting, they quickly withdraw without being followed.

The pair moves west. Several failed attempts to cross the river near the Min. de Schney, guarded and used as a tank depot, force them to use the main bridge, which they cross undetected. They lie up for the day.

October 3rd, 1944

While moving Private Clowes and Private Nicols, pass a German repair workshop and petrol dump. The area is heavily guarded and populated with Panzer III tanks.

October 4th, 1944

While washing in a nearby stream, Private Clowes and Private Nicols spots two unarmed Germans in ragged uniform. Their weapons lie several feet away. One of the Germans attempts to arrest them, prompting Nicols to grab his firearm. One German flees; the other, aged around fifty and likely from a labour corps, surrenders and pleads for his life. Fearing pursuit, Clowes and Nicols leave the man behind and move deeper into the woods. A German patrol later arrives to search the area they vacated.

October 5th, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols, cross a canal at the first lock above the bridge. They pass through incomplete trenches and apron wire.

October 6th, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols receive news that American troops are at Arracourt and proceed in that direction.

October 7th, 1944

They dry their clothing and rest. The village of Alteville houses German repair facilities, a petrol store, and a blacksmith. The road from Alteville to Dieuze is heavily used. On their way, they identify a German headquarters.

October 12th, 1944

Efforts to locate the American front yield conflicting reports. In the previous days, Private Clowes and Private Nicols chart German artillery positions and note key targets to share with advancing forces. They lay tyre-bursters and disable a truck.

October 13th, 1944

Private Clowes and Private Nicols place additional tyre-bursters and disable another truck. They then pass through artillery positions, observing no infantry presence, where they estimate the front line based on incoming shellfire.

October 14th, 1944

Around 21:00 hours, Private Clowes and Private Nicols reach an American outpost roughly five kilometres inside Allied lines.

Operation Pistol B2

The group of Operation B2 consists of Lieutenant Castellain and 5 men.

September 15th, 1944

The party, commanded by Lieutenant Castellain, drops at approximately midnight. Upon landing, Corporal Laybourne locates Private Wrobel. After approximately forty-five minutes, they find Lieutenant Castellain. Roughly two hours later, while searching for the food pannier, Privates Arnold and Stainton approach from the western side of the Hinsbourg–Frommal road. Private Ashe is never seen by any member of the party.

September 16th, 1944

The group lies up. At approximately 1700 hours, they split into two sections and begin moving towards the lake, where Lieutenant Castellain intends to draw water. Corporal Laybourne is paired with Private Arnold, with orders to avoid all contact, including with civilians.

Lieutenant Castellain’s group sets off first. When Corporal Laybourne attempts to follow, a number of civilians are observed moving cattle along the roads, making it impossible to cross in daylight. Noise from movement through undergrowth and saplings causes the civilians to shout on two occasions.

Corporal Laybourne and Private Arnold remain hidden until nightfall.

As Lieutenant Castellain, Private Wrobel, and Private Stainton become separated from the rest of the party, they believe the others are following, as the intended destination is known to all members.

After dark, the three men set out in the forest to place demolition charges on the Enchenberg–Lemberg railway line. Lieutenant Castellain has observed significant rail traffic on the line using binoculars the previous day.

They place two 1.1 kg plastic explosive charges fitted with time pencils at and withdraw into the forest without waiting to observe results. Approximately ninety minutes later, while returning, they hear a loud explosion, presumed to be the detonation.

While making their way back to the rendezvous with the rest of the party, the group encounters a German soldier in a field. He issues a challenge, but Private Wrobel responds in German, and the sentry appears satisfied that they are part of a German patrol.

September 17th, 1944

During the night, Corporal Laybourne and Private Arnold proceed to the lake, which they locate early on the morning. However, Lieutenant Castellain is no longer present.

Aware of Lieutenant Castellain’s intended lie-up point, Corporal Laybourne and Private Arnold head north, but are unable to reach the position before nightfall. They therefore fall back and lie up.

September 18th, 1944

Corporal Laybourne and Private Arnold return to the lake in the hope that Lieutenant Castellain might return, despite no prior indication that he plans to do so.

September 21st, 1944

After three days, Lieutenant Castellain and Private Wrobel pass along a path near the hut where Corporal Laybourne and Private Arnold are concealed, and contact is re-established. Lieutenant Castellain confirms the railway has been sabotaged to the north but does not specify the exact location.

September 22nd, 1944

The party of Lieutenant Castellain begins moving to establish contact with the commanding officer in the Loyton area. Travelling westward through woodland during daylight, they reach the vicinity of Thomasthal Farm by nightfall. Lieutenant Castellain and Private Wrobel approach the farm and receive food. At approximately 22:00 hours, Corporal Laybourne, Private Stainton, and Private Arnold also visit the farm and are fed. The group remains overnight.

September 23rd, 1944

The party move on and lies up for the day. Poor weather conditions, including wading through the La Zintzel du Sud, leave the men soaked.

September 24th, 1944

They march during the night and lie up in the right-hand of two tunnels on the Zarbern–Saarburg rail line. Though there are stacks of replacement rail nearby, Lieutenant Castellain opts not to sabotage the line due to extensive clearance of vegetation around the track, leaving insufficient cover.

September 25th, 1944

The party proceeds to a forester’s house and remains there overnight.

Party B is resupplied, during the night. Fifteen containers are dropped from an altitude of 300 metres. One torch signal in the form of a ‘U’ is reportedly seen from the aircrew, confirming the drop zone. It is unclear if the drop is really succesful.

September 26th, 1944

Persistent rainfall keeps the party indoors at the forester’s house, where they lie up for the day and sleep again that night.

September 27th, 1944

The group skirts south of Dabo, observing Germans working at the sawmill. They move rapidly west and then south, where they lie up.

September 28h, 1944

By midday, they they lie up. Lieutenant Castellain and Private Wrobel proceed on a food reconnaissance and eventually secure supplies from a forester’s house. While in a hut some 400 metres distant, they receive information that the forester has discovered Special Air Service-style boot prints. He accurately describes the men’s appearance, including their gaiters, and mentions that the party includes a tall, thin officer who speaks fluent French and another individual capable of speaking German.

September 29th, 1944

The party departs at approximately 13:00, skirts around the eastern side of Le Donon, and reaches Malplaquet Farm.

September 30th, 1944

In the early morning, Lieutenant Castellain and Private Wrobel revisit the forester’s house in search of food but are warned by the forester’s wife that her husband is pro-German. They withdraw quickly and receive food at a nearby farm. The party then marches west in an attempt to contact the Loyton base, having reached its expected area of operations. However, they are unsuccessful in locating it and lie up near Moussey.

October 1st, 1944

Information is received indicating that the commanding officer is located at a reservoir not shown on the map. The group moves west to Col du Hantz and identifies a farm from which some of their comrades departed the previous evening. That night, Corporal Laybourne receives a radio message from his mother.

October 2nd, 1944

The party successfully makes contact with the Loyton base and remains in place until orders are received to exfiltrate through enemy lines.

Operation Pistol C1

The team of Operation Pistol C1 consists of Captain M.W. Scott and Lieutenant L. Grumbach and 4 men.

September 16th, 1944

The aircraft approaches from the south-east and exits to the north-west. Upon landing, Hill links up with Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alcock and Corporal Hannah. Search parties sent out shortly after establish contact with Privates Fawthorpe and Edwards, who later locate Captain Scott, Lieutenant Grumbach, and Privates Cockburn and Edwards. Despite the correct ground signal, D for Drop, the aircraft does not return to release panniers as planned.

The assembled party comprises Captain Scott, Lieutenant Grumbach, Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alcock, Corporals Hill and Hannah, Privates Fawthorpe, Edwards, Cockburn, and later Marczak. Several personnel from Alcock’s original stick remain unaccounted for.

Captain Scott instructs Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alcock to conduct another sweep of the drop zone in search of missing men. Meanwhile, Scott’s group, now deemed complete, prepares to move. Captain Scott is unable to carry his kit due to a severe ankle sprain; his equipment is distributed among the team. Despite assistance, he struggles to move and is in significant pain.

The group advances to the railway line, but Captain Scott cannot cross. They return to a lying-up position near a previously crossed ditch. During the return, Private Fawthorpe locates Private Marczak, another member of Alcock’s stick.

September 17th, 1944

The party sleeps at this location. Around 06:00, Privates Bancroft and Wheeler arrive, having been recognised and whistled over by Captain Scott.

Now numbering nine, the party remains in position throughout the day. That evening, they relocate to woodland. Heavy rainfall continues throughout the night. The following morning, they shift deeper into the woods. During the night, approximately twelve trains are heard passing on the nearby railway line; two small passenger trains are observed in daylight. Captain Scott’s ankle is severely swollen and discoloured. Private Fawthorpe binds the injury with adhesive tape.

September 18th, 1944

During the night, Lieutenant Grumbach, Private Fawthorpe and Private Marczak are sent to identify the nearest village, as the group suspects they are outside the intended operational area. The inhabitants prove frightened and uncooperative, refusing to answer questions. The reconnaissance team returns; the village is later identified as Hazenbourg. The group endures another wet night in the woods.

September 19th, 1944

Reconnaissance on reveals tank traps and slit trenches under construction. A pillbox is identified, facing north and west. The morale of the labourers appears high; singing is audible throughout the night.

That evening, the party relocates and lies up through the day. Rations are now critically low, consisting only of remnants from their original 24-hour escape packs. Captain Scott decides to divide the party into two operational elements:

• Group 1 (northbound): Captain Scott, Lieutenant Grunbach, French Lieutenant Lionel George, Privates Cockburn, Marczak, and Edwards
• Group 2 (southbound): Corporal Hill, Privates Fawthorpe, Bancroft, and Wheeler

Scott’s group targets the northern railway lines, while Hill’s group moves south to identify demolition opportunities.

September 20th, 1944 – October 6th, 1944

Over the following two days, they remain in woodland while Captain Scott formulates a plan to sabotage a railway line. Although preparations are made, the plan is ultimately abandoned, and the group heads north.

While in a forest, they encounter a farmer who offers assistance. The group stays concealed in the woods for approximately six days, during which the farmer supplies them with food.

In early October, the group moves south again, nearing Benestroff. Another farmer provides food for two days and offers the group replacement underwear. He also guides them part of the way towards Saint-Médard. En route, they stop at the home of a second farmer, an acquaintance of their previous host. His name is not known. The group sleeps that night in the woods and proceeds further south the following day, taking shelter in a barn. That night, they attempt unsuccessfully to cross into Allied lines and come under enemy fire. The operation is aborted.

They return to the forest and spend a day recovering. A forester assists by drying their clothing. The next day, the group moves closer to Saint-Médard.

September 25th, 1944

Party C1 is scheduled for a two-phase drop. On the first attempt during the night, the drop zone is not located.

September 26th, 1944

During the second resupply attempt, cloud cover is complete (10/10), but the aircraft proceeds to drop the fifteen containers regardless, although the precise positioning remains uncertain. The drop is ultimately ineffective due to equipment failure. Their wireless sets are damaged during the initial parachute drop, preventing receipt of the resupply signals. As a result, containers are released without confirmed ground contact, effectively blind drops.

October 7th, 1944

The party separates, having previously arranged a rendezvous. Captain Scott, Private Edwards are surprised by an enemy patrol. Under fire, they scatter for cover. Captain Scott is wounded. Local civilians later inform Edwards that a captured officer matching Scott’s description has been taken prisoner.

October 8th, 1944 – November 12th, 1944

The remaining three men return to the home of the farmer who previously sheltered them near Benestroff. They remain there in hiding elements of the U.S. 4^th Armored Division reach the area.

November 12th, 1944 – November 12th, 1944

The group is escorted to Château-Salins, where they are debriefed by an American officer on matters of military intelligence. They are subsequently transported to Nancy, Tours, and Paris.

November 19th, 1944

The group departs Paris and returns to Great Britain.

Operation Pistol C2

The party of Operation Pistol C2 consists of Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant J. Alcock and six men.

September 16th, 1944

The aircraft approaches from the south-east and exits to the north-west. The C team parachutes into open countryside, grassland with scattered trees and bushes, from a height of approximately 245 metres. The drop zone is considered good. However, the stick becomes scattered during descent. Upon landing, Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alcock makes contact with Corporal Hill, then Privates Fawthorpe, Cockburn, and Edwards. Corporal Hannah joins them shortly afterwards. The group proceeds to an isolated tree, from which they fan out in pairs to search for the remainder of the stick.

Private Fawthorpe reports locating Captain Scott and Lieutenant Grumbach near the edge of a shrubbery. Captain Scott has injured his ankle. The reunited members proceed southeast as one party; however, five members remain missing from the original stick.

Captain Scott instructs Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alcock to conduct another sweep of the drop zone in search of missing men.

Meanwhile, Scott’s group, now deemed complete, prepares to move. After covering approximately 275 metres, Captain Scott finds his injury too severe to continue. He attempts to bandage the ankle but ultimately instructs Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alcock to take those of his stick who are present and continue the mission. Captain Scott is unable to carry his kit due to a severe ankle sprain; his equipment is distributed among the team. Despite assistance, he struggles to move and is in significant pain. Despite the correct ground signal, D for Drop, the aircraft does not return to release panniers as planned.

The group advances to the railway line, but Captain Scott cannot cross. They return to a lying-up position near a previously crossed ditch. During the return, Private Fawthorpe locates Private Marczak, another member of Alcock’s stick.

September 17th, 1944

The party sleeps at this location. Around 06:00, Privates Bancroft and Wheeler arrive, having been recognised and whistled over by Captain Scott.

Now numbering nine, the party remains in position throughout the day. That evening, they relocate to woodland. Heavy rainfall continues throughout the night. The following morning, they shift deeper into the woods. During the night, approximately twelve trains are heard passing on the nearby railway line; two small passenger trains are observed in daylight. Captain Scott’s ankle is severely swollen and discoloured. Private Fawthorpe binds the injury with adhesive tape.

Meanwhile Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alcock and Hannah continue south-east, soon encountering Corporal Holden and Private Lyczak, who are in the process of disposing of their leg bags. The three missing members of their stick have not been seen. The group marches east along the north side of a stream and crosses to the southern bank near a small village. They proceed to the railway and road at Audviller, cross both, and then pass a tank ditch before laying up for the day in a copse.

September 17th, 1944

At first light, they observe a pillbox south of Audviller station, covering the anti-tank ditch. German working parties are seen in the Unterwald and return to Audviller each evening, suggesting they are billeted there. Fortification activity appears ongoing, supervised by German officers.

The party remains concealed through the day and again on the next day.

September 18th, 1944

Before departing that night, they abandon their soaked sleeping bags. They head west, recross the railway and tank ditch, and reach the stream flowing from Kappelkinger to Nelling. Unable to cross due to depth and width, and suspecting observation from a nearby farm, they move southeast toward the main road between Insming and Kappelkinger, taking cover in a pear tree.

From this position, they observe the road being used heavily by SS and SA cyclists. Two local children discover them in the tree, exclaiming “Russian soldiers!” before fleeing. Concerned about exposure, the group moves again.

They cross the road and railway to a copse amidst cultivated land, where they remain for the rest of the day. A farmer is approached for food, which he provides. That evening, two more civilians bring supplies, one speaking German, the other French. The civilians report that trenching is taking place under threat of machine-gun fire near Insming.

Two goods trains are heard passing on the Insming line overnight. The group decides to sabotage the railway the following night.

September 19th, 1944

After observing no trains during the day, they lay a charge around 21:00. At 23:00, the device detonates beneath a train consisting of an engine, tender, and single truck. The engine and tender derail to the left, while the truck falls across the right-hand track.

The C2 party withdraws south-south-west, skirting around the south of Albestroff and confirming reports of entrenchments along the woods’ edge. They then cross the Torcheville road and lie up in a wood.

September 20th, 1944

After resting during the day, the group moves west again that night, crossing the Insming–Benestroff railway.

September 21st, 1944

At dusk, they witness an artillery convoy moving south from Neufvillage. They receive food and shelter at Besuelle Farm that night. The farmer reports five parachutists passed.

September 22nd, 1944

The C2 party moves to the wood’s corner, crosses two railway lines, and observes a depot, believed to be an engine shed now repurposed.

September 23rd, 1944

The group stays overnight at Ferriendel Farm, where the farmer identifies the depot as a German machine-gun repair workshop staffed by White Russian labour. A man named Lucille Thilly, evading the Gestapo, is also hiding there. Fluent in German and familiar with the area, Thilly asks to join them, and Alcock consents.

September 24th, 1944 – September 25th, 1944

The group follows the forest edgeand witnesses the conclusion of a tank engagement. Around 20 tanks withdraw into the woods west of Blanche-Église and do not re-emerge.

Uncertain of the front line’s position, the group attempts to locate it. Corporal Holden, suffering from malaria after being soaked, prompts a temporary return to the farm for recovery.

September 26th, 1944

With Holden improved, the group moves west through the woods. Corporal Hannah and Thilly encounter two Polish civilians, who lead the party to a farmhouse in Koecking Bois. Two teenage girls inside prepare coffee and help dry their clothing. Private Lyczak confirms the civilians’ credibility in Polish.

Around 13:00, a German patrol arrives. Two soldiers enter the house while others remain outside. The girls distract the Germans while the party retrieves equipment. With the house surrounded, Alcock plans to take the two rear Germans prisoner if they enter. However, the Germans regroup at the front, allowing the group to escape into the woods.

Realising a glove and a carbine magazine have been left behind, the Germans pursue. The group opens fire, wounding or killing all but one, who retreats. Hearing further transport arrive, they withdraw southeast, cross the road, and observe a truck being loaded with artillery ammunition. This appears to be a tank field repair site.

They continue to Berange Farm, noting tank harbour positions en route. Here they spend the night.

September 27th, 1944

They move through the forest road, where a shepherd confirms German presence in Marsal, Moyenvic, and Xanrey. They observe 10 Germans moving to Salival Farm. Corporal Holden challenges them, and the Germans, revealed to be Serbs, surrender, claiming the Americans are 6 kilometres away. To avoid the burden of prisoners, the group advises them to flee.

They retrace steps to the shepherd’s location, cut several signal lines near what appears to be a brigade Headquarters, and shift to the eastern forest edge. At Voitrebolle Farm, they stay overnight. Locals mention a five-man team passed through eight days earlier, likely Sheville’s group.

September 28th, 1944 – September 30th, 1944

Alcock and Thilly dress as civilians and work fields north of Haraucourt. They observe little German movement and heavy Allied bombardment on Marsal, confirming American positions west of Juvrecourt. They return to the farm for the night.

They move into the woods the next day, planning to cross the lines early one day later. Before departing, they learn two Polish civilians, recently evacuated from Moyenvic, are staying at the house. Moyenvic is now fortified and held by enemy troops.

October 1st, 1944

At 02:30, the group sets off south, skirting Haraucourt and crossing the canal. They cut an artillery communication line but come under friendly fire from American mortars. Navigating between German positions being prepared for machine-gun use, they pass within 180 metres of enemy troops.

At first light, they approach a small hill and take cover in a bush near freshly dug positions. Observing an enemy observation post manned by two soldiers, they plan to capture it. While executing the flanking manoeuvre, Corporal Hannah challenges early and discovers the occupants are American.

Debriefing

The group is taken to Colonel Clarke of the U.S. 4^th Armoured Division, who interrogates them and expresses appreciation for detailed intelligence on German headquarters and tank harbour locations.

Operation Pistol D

Operation Pistol D consisted of two parties. Party D1 lead by Captain R. J. Holland and Lieutenant F. Cooper and four men. Party D2 is led by Lieutenant Denison and five men.

Between September 12^th, 1944, and September 17^th, 1944, five attempts are made. Unfavourable weather reports permit only three flights, all of which prove unsuccessful. Ground fog and persistent cloud cover make it impossible to identify the designated drop zone, particularly as the aircraft are flying at altitudes necessary to clear the summits of the Vosges Range.

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