Operation Hardtack (commando raid)

Operation Hardtack was the name of a series of British Commando raids during the Second World War. The operation was conducted by No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, No. 12 Commando and the Special Boat Service, and took place on the Channel islands and the northern coast of France in December 1943. Most of the raids consisted of ten men of various ranks, carried by Motor Torpedo Boats and dories, except for one operation, which was an airborne landing. The raids were ended by order of Major General Robert Laycock because they caused the enemy to bring reinforcements, which could have been detrimental to the Allies' strategy.[1][2]

Operation Hardtack
Part of North West Europe Campaign
(Part of World War II)
Date24–28 December 1943
Location
Channel islands and Northern France
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
 France		  Nazi Germany

Raids
CodenameDateForceTargetObjectiveOutcome
Hardtack 4[3] 26/27 December 1943 No. 12 Commando
No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando		 Biville actually Criel-sur-Mer Reconnaissance and
capture prisoners		 The Commandos were forced to withdraw by German patrol activity having actually landed near Creil-Sur-Mer. Two soldiers climbed the cliffs and encountered a patrol of approx 15 Germans. The leader, Cpl (later Sgt) Douglas Nash was awarded the Military Medal for covering the withdrawal. DJ Nash citation.
Hardtack 5 26/27 December 1943 No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando Onival Reconnaissance and
capture prisoners		 One Commando was injured by an anti-personnel mine on landing; the rest spent four and a half hours ashore but did not see any Germans, just unoccupied strong points.[4]
Hardtack 7[3] 25/26 & 27/28 December 1943[5] No. 12 Commando
No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando		 Sark Reconnaissance and
capture prisoners		 On the first attempt the Commandos had to return to England when they were unable to scale the cliffs, the second attempt was abandoned when the Commandos entered a minefield setting off a number of S-mines, one was injured and two died, their bodies left in the minefield on Sark.[5][6]: 122 
Hardtack 11[3] 24/25 & 26/27 December 1943 No. 1 & No. 8 French troops, No. 10 Commando Gravelines Reconnaissance of beaches and sand dunes Landed safely, but the small dory was swamped and the commandos were stranded. One probably drowned, the rest made their way inland becoming separated and attempted to avoid capture, at least some of them managed to join the French Resistance.
Hardtack 13[3] 26/27 December 1943 No. 1 French Troop, No. 10 Commando
SBS		 Bénouville-Etretat, Seine-Maritime
Hardtack 21[3] 26/27 December 1943 No. 1 French Troop, No. 10 Commando Quineville Reconnaissance and
capture prisoners		 The raid gathered information on the defensive obstacles on what would become Utah Beach.
Hardtack 22[7] January 1944 (Cancelled) No. 10 Commando, later 2nd US Rangers Herm Reconnaissance and
capture prisoners		 Raid was cancelled at the planning stage.
Hardtack 23[3] 27/28 December 1943 No. 1 French Troop, No. 10 Commando Ostend Reconnaissance and
capture prisoners		 The raid was called off after their Motor Torpedo Boat transport ran aground.
Hardtack 28[3] 25/26 December 1943 No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando
No. 12 Commando		 Jersey Take sample of barbed wire and
capture prisoners		 Team of 8 landed safely at Petit Port; climbing the cliff, they failed to locate a German soldier. On returning to the beach, a mine was set off, seriously injuring Captain Ayton, who was taken to the beach and returned to England, where he died of his wounds.[6]: 121 
Hardtack 36[3] 24/25 December 1943 No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando Wassenaar Reconnaissance and
capture prisoners		 All the Commandos involved were killed after landing.

References
  1. (Anderson 2000)
  2. "Modern Day Commando". Archived from the original on June 22, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  3. (van der Bijl 2006, pp. 22–24)
  4. (Messenger 1985, p. 254)
  5. (Cruickshank 1975, pp. 243–244)
  6. Fowler, Will. The Last Raid: The Commandos, Channel Islands and Final Nazi Raid. The History Press. ISBN 978-0750966375.
  7. (Cruickshank 1975, p. 245)

Bibliography
  • Cruickshank, Charles (1975). The German Occupation of the Channel Islands. The Guernsey Press Co. Ltd. ISBN 0-902550-02-0.
  • Messenger, Charles (1985). The Commandos: 1940–1946. London: Kimber. ISBN 0718305531.
  • Anderson, Duncan (2000). The Fall of the Reich: D-Day to the Fall of Berlin. Zenith Press. ISBN 0760309221.
  • van der Bijl, Nick (2006). No. 10 Inter-Allied Commando 1942-45. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-999-1.

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