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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
No. 1 Section
No. 2 Section
No. 3 Section
Axis Forces
29. Panzergrenadier-Division
90. Panzergrenadier-Division
1. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Operation
Operation Blimey is planned for the same region as Operation Galia, though by this time, Lett has been extracted and replaced by John Henderson of the Special Operations Executive. Captain Alan P. Scott is assigned command of the Special Air Service detachment of No. 3 Squadron, leading one section, while Lieutenants John Wilmers and Pepper command the other two.
April 6th, 1945
24 men parachute successfully into the valley. However, after this initial success, the mission stagnates. Henderson focuses his efforts on constructing a mountaintop airstrip, which remains incomplete when hostilities cease.
April 14th, 1945
Meanwhile, Scott’s men carry out a raid on the La Spezia-Aulla road, south of Rossano.
April 15th, 1945
The following night, a joint operation against Pontremoli fails, with the Special Air Service stick supporting the assault forced to abandon all heavy weapons under unclear circumstances.
April 20th, 1945
Discontent grows over the lack of operational progress, Captain Walker-Brown, the commander of Operation Galia, is ordered to parachute in and assume command in place of Scott, but this does not materialise. By this time, the Allied Fifth Army’s offensive, Operation Craftsman, is well underway. American forces reach the northern edge of the mountains surrounding Bologna, while on the coast, the U.S. 92nd Division advances steadily. Major Gordon Lett drives into La Spezia from the south
April 25th, 1945
U.S. troops push north from La Spezia, liberating the Blimey operational area.
Aftermath
Captain Scott’s leadership fails to impress his superiors, leading to his removal and return to his original unit, the standard outcome for Special Air Service personnel deemed underperforming. Some of the responsibility also lies with Henderson, whose reluctance to engage the local population undermines the mission, an essential factor in any successful operation in the region. Furthermore, the rapid success of the final Allied offensive shortens the mission, denying Captain Scott the time necessary to establish an effective operational presence.
