- Operation Hardtack (commando raid)
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Operation Hardtack Part of North West Europe Campaign Date December 1943 Location Channel islands and Northern France Belligerents 
United Kingdom
Nazi GermanyOperation Hardtack was the name given to a series of British Commando raids during the Second World War. The raids on the Channel islands and the coast of northern France carried out by No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, No. 12 Commando and the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) all took place over a short period of time in December 1943. Hardtack raids consisted of a small force of ten all ranks, transported by Motor Torpedo Boats, and dorys, apart from one operation, which was to be an airborne landing. The raids were finally abandoned on the orders of Major General Robert Laycock because they encouraged the enemy to reinforce their positions which, in the longer term, could be disadvantageous to the Allies.[1]
Contents
Raids
Hardtack 4
Hardtack 4 was a raid over the night of 26/27 December at Biville by 9 men of No. 12 and No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando. A German patrol forced them to withdraw.[2]
Hardtack 5
Hardtack 5 was a raid over the night of 26/27 December at Onival.
Hardtack 7
Hardtack 7 was a raid over the nights of 26/27 December on the Channel island of Sark. During the raid the Commandos five men from No 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando and No. 12 Commando had to return in England because it was too difficult to climb the cliffs.[2]
Hardtack 11
Hardtack 11 was two raids over the nights of 24/25 and 25/26 December at Gravelines. The raiders were seven men from No. 1 and No.8 French troops, No. 10 Commando. The MTB's transporting them diverted to attack a convoy and their dory sank with the death of one man the other six reached the shore and joined the French resistance.[2]
Hardtack 13
Hardtack 13 was a raid at Benouville over th enight of 26/27 December 1943 by eight men from No. 1 French Troop, No. 10 Commando and two men from the SBS.[2]
Hardtack 21
Hardtack 21 was a raid over the night of 26/27 December at Quineville. The raiders were six men from No. 1 French Troop, No. 10 Commando. The raid gathered information on the defensive obstacles on what would become Utah beach.[2]
Hardtack 23
Hardtack 23 was a raid over the night of 27/28 December at Ostend by six men from No. 1 French Troop, No 10 Commando the raid was called off after their MTB ran aground.[2]
Hardtack 28
Hardtack 28 was a raid on the Channel island of Jersey over the night of 25/26 December. The Commandos six men from No. 8 French TRoop, No.10 Commando and an officer From No. 12 Commando managed to successfully climb the cliffs: unfortunately they then entered a minefield which resulted in the death of two Commandos and the raid commander Lieutenant McGonigal being was wounded. The exploding mines alerted the German garrison and the Commandos had to return to the dinghy.[2]
Hardtack 36
Hardtack 36 was a raid over the night of 24/25 December 1943 at Wassenaar bi six men from No. 8 French Troop No.10 Commando. All were killed after landing.[2]
Notes
- ^ "The Fall of the Reich: D-Day to the Fall of Berlin". Zenith Press. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fWkMQ8Bg8d8C&pg=PA23&dq=COMMANDO+Operation+Hardtack&hl=en&ei=zRASTKDRO9iHOM2SxPEH&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCYQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 12 JUne 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bijl, p.23
British Commando raids of the Second World WarA Abstention · Agreement · Ambassador · Anklet · Archery · Aquatint · Aflame · Anglo · Amherst · Archway · Abercrombie · Acid Drop · Albumen · AstrakanB C D E ExporterF G H Hardtack · Huckaback · Hawthorn · Houndsworth
I J K L M N P R Rimau · Roast · Roundabout · Rumford
S T British Commandos · List of Commando raids on the Atlantic wall
Categories:- Conflicts in 1943
- World War II British Commando raids
- Battles of World War II involving the United Kingdom
- 1943 in France
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