Chief of Combined Operations, Admiral Lord Mountbatten, proposed a raid against the radar station at Bruneval, near Le Havre, France.
The recently formed ‘C’ Company 2nd Parachute Battalion under the command of Major J D Frost, was selected to be dropped at night by the RAF. Its objective was to capture and hold the Bruneval station, while Flight Sergeant CW Cox, an RAF technician, dismantled the radar set. The technician with his liberated radar parts were to be brought safely to a nearby beach for a dawn evacuation by the Royal Navy.
Although the sea rescue was delayed by a German naval patrol operating nearby, the raid went according to plan and was a complete success, capturing not only the radar equipment but two German radar technicians.
The Bruneval Raid later became The Parachute Regiment’s first Battle Honour. It gave the nation a small but exciting taste of success at a time when the war was going badly. Importantly, it reaffirmed Churchill’s belief in the future of Airborne Forces, while muffling its critics.
Bruneval (Operation Biting)
27/02/1942 - 27/02/1942
Newsletter Signup
Donate
Donate
Make a donation to Airborne Assault ParaData to help preserve the history of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces
The Airborne Shop
The Airborne Shop
The Airborne Shop is the official shop of Support Our Paras (The Parachute Regiment Charity RCN1131977).
Profits from all sales made through our shop go directly to Support Our Paras, so every purchase you make with us will directly benefit The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces.
Latest Comments
There are currently no comments for this content.
Add Comment
In order to add comments you must be registered with ParaData.
If you are currently a ParaData member please login.
If you are not currently a ParaData member but wish to get involved please register.