Who were the "SOE" at Dieppe?

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 06/10/2007 21:09:50

Hello :D

During my research I have come across this addition to the numbers of units involved at Dieppe :wink:

With No.3 and No.4 Commando were 13 men of the French Troops No.10 (IA) and 5 men of X Troop No.10 (IA). 6 Men of the SOE?s Small Scale Raiding Force escorted 3 SOE agents and a radar expert to search and seize the Town Hall and the Freya German Radar Installation for documents :shock:

(SOE)Special Operations Executive 8)

Were the SOE?s Small Scale Raiding Force made up of Commandos :?:

Thanks :-)

Colin

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 21/10/2007 14:14:02

Hello :D

The radar expert mentioned, Flt-Sgt Jack Nissenthal, returned safely to England with 4 Cdo after the raid.

Luckily for him, as the SOE bodyguard had orders not to let him be captured alive :shock:

Jack Nissenthal had a cyanide tablet with him but just in case, he was to be shot by his guards if there was a chance he would end up in enemy hands.

Tough choice to make but that's war.

Colin

Colin Russell wrote:Hello :D

Jack Nissenthal had a cyanide tablet with him but just in case, he was to be shot by his guards if there was a chance he would end up in enemy hands.

Tough choice to make but that's war.

Colin

Obviously Flt Sgt Nissenthal knew about the cyanide pill but I wonder if he knew about the escorts' orders to shoot him to prevent him being taken alive!

Not an easy propect for the escorts either as, presumably, they'd got to know Jack both before and during the raid.

Yes, these are tough choices but, as you say, that is war - makes one wonder why there still are wars (and I'm ex-military myself).

I dread to think how often that situation may have occured for "operational reasons and expediency" in other missions that we know very little about 8)

I wonder how his family would have been informed, if it had gone the wrong way......KIA :?:

Colin

Strangely enough this sounds just like the script of the new "C" movie Age of Heroes. Same story, but in Norway. It's a movie for a very boring and rainy day.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 12/07/2011 20:07:19

Only had a chance to skim read it, but there's what seems a good overview of the SSRF at:
http://www.combinedops.com/SSRF.htm

Edit to add: And someone recently discussed on here was also involved with them, apparently: http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/2902.page

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 12/07/2011 20:42:36

I have recently added a gallery for the SSRF which can be seen here courtesy of Chris Rooney. He has also sent me some documents which I have yet to post but they do not cover the Dieppe Raid:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/SSRF/

Given that Nissenthal was with the South Saskatchewan Regiment it seems very unlikely that he would return with 4 Commando. Is there any evidence of this, please?

Dieppe 19 August 1942 ? No 4 Commando

The Following pages contain the names, ranks and numbers of the officers and men of No4 Commando who attacked and destroyed the Hess Battery at Varengeville near Dieppe, on Wednesday the 19th of August 1942.
The list is the result of well over three years research and was begun solely because no record of the names of those involved in the action existed. Somewhere in the region of five hundred letters were sent to newspapers here in the UK, then Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The ensuing response was very good; contact was made with at least ninety Commandos as well as next of kin of those who are no longer with us. Each contributed with names of those they could recall as having been with No 4 Commando at Varengeville.
A number of names of those involved were already documented, the remainder, some two hundred names are the product of a consensus of opinion among the Commandos who were contacted. However, I wish to point out that opinions were not always unanimous; this was, quite naturally, to be expected but eventually sheer volume of opinion allied to personal memories persuaded me that the names submitted were clearly the names of those who were involved in ?Operation Cauldron?. The men of No 4 Commando were asked to delve deeply into their memories and recall an event that occurred forty eight years ago, this could not have been easy, their response was excellent and the rapport and teamwork which quickly materialised between us had to be experienced to be understood. Men whom I had never met became companions in the task, their constant message of advice and encouragements became the spur which enabled me to continue with what, at time was a frustrating task.
I can but once again thank each and every one of these Commandos for their inestimable assistance.
At the risk of being considered invidious I must mention the name of one person without whose help this list could not have been completed with accuracy and attention to detail such as numbers and regiments Etc. The General Secretary of the Commando Association Mr Ron Youngman proved to be a tower of strength, his patience and goodwill in the face of my interminable enquiries was exemplary.
Finally, I accept full responsibility for any errors but as Queen Victoria once remarked ?History is not what actually happened but what you believe happened?. Thus, I believe that within these pages are the names of all the men who fought and died at Varengeville.

E.W. Jones Rhosllanerchrugog, Nr Wrexham, Clwyd.

July 1990.

Officers of No 4 Commando: ?Operation Cauldron?:
Varengeville August 19th 1942.

Commanding Officer.

44718 Lt. Col. The Lord Lovat MC. Lovat Scouts.

Second in Command.

69334 Major Mills-Roberts D. D. Irish Guards.

112893 Capt. Boucher-Myers B.W.S. East Lancs.
130068 Capt. Dawson R.W.P. Loyals.
122040 Capt. Walker R.J. R.A.M.C. *
* Medical Officer
730333 Capt. Porteous P.A. R.A.
132780 Capt. Dunning-White J. V111Hussars.
120922 Capt. Pettiward R.G.P. Beds. & Herts.
130201 Capt. Smith A.D.C. Intel. Corps.
126230 Capt. ` Webb G.G.H. MC. R.A.

93310 Lieut. Ackernley M.C. R.Corps. Signals
155073 Lieut. Coulson L. Durham L.I.
106677 Lieut. Carr E.L.K.A. R.A.
71766 Lieut. Style D.C.W. Lancs. Fus.
90629 Lieut. Gilchrist D.J. Camerons.
15148 Lieut. MacDonald J.A. 1STDragoons
(R.A.C.)
199623 Lieut. McKay D.B. R.E.
53193 Lieut. Ennis J. R.A.
149347 Lieut. Veasey A.F. Worcesters.

All awards shown are those held on August 19th 1942.

NCOs and other ranks of No 4 Commando:
?Operation Cauldron? August 19th 1942.

5183147 Sgt. Adlam W. Glosters.
3249930 L/Cpl. Aitken J. Camerons
6918457 Pte. Allan W. S. Staffs.
T/71345 Sgt. Allsop W. R.A.S.C.
7017211 Rfn. Anderson R.J. R.U.R.
3965128 Pte. Andrews V.W. Welch Rgt.
1504772 Sgt. Austin A. R.A.

3319294 Pte. Bagdonas E. H.L.I.
3445730 Pte. Banks A. Lancs. Fus.
5345368 Pte. Barnes W. R. Berks.
7662631 Fus. Barnett G. R. Fus.
5382464 Pte. Bateman L. Ox & Bucks.
5389646 Cpl. Batty R. Ox & Bucks.
7901939 Sgt. Bend F. R.A.C.
7013529 Cpl. Birmingham C. R.U.R.
5674696 L/Cpl. Bishop J. Somerset L.I.
6905806 Cpl. Blunden G. Rifle Brigade
3187064 Pte. Bowskill W. K.O.S.B.
6980161 Fus. Boyd J.M. R. Irish Fus.
5389958 Pte. Bradbury G. Ox & Bucks.
6297735 Pte. Bradshaw S. Buffs.
4206261 Fus. Bramwell T. R.W.F.
5619678 Pte. Brooking A. Glosters.
3134093 Pte. Bryne C.W. Borders.
6292500 Pte. Burnett J. Buffs.
3317331 Pte. Burrell J. H.L.I.
6087599 Fus. Burrows P. R. Fus.
4346042 Pte. Burrows C. East Yorks.
2719257 Gdsm. Byrne P.J. Irish Guards

3313393 Pte. Campbell T. H.L.I.
3194284 Pte. Carlin J. K.O.S.B.
2618377 Gdsm. Chamberlain P. GrenadierGrds
53811205 Tsm. Chattaway L. Ox & Bucks.
6850530 L/Cpl. Chitty J. K.R.R.C.
5880377 Pte. Clark M. Buffs.
6028720 Pte. Clement D.R. Suffolks.
5186173 L/Cpl. Cleveley E. Glosters.
2619831 Gdsm. Clewes J.D. GrenadierGrds
4206488 Fus. Cook G. R.W.F.
6292556 Pte. Coote A. Buffs.
3248703 Pte. Craig G. Camerons.
4036812 Sgt. Cross E.W. K.S.L.I.

5953035 Pte. Dale J. Beds & Herts.
868384 Gnr. Davies B.K. R.A.
2734604 Gdsm. Dennis A. Welsh Guards.
6340886 Sgt. Desmond M. R. West Kents
6291999 L/Cpl. Diplock A. Buffs.
4914037 Sgt. Dobbs A. S. Staffs.
4914036 Pte. Dobbs C. S. Staffs.
3962136 Pte. Doubler C.A. Welch Rgt.
364981 Pte. Donkin H. S. Lancs.
6293173 Pte Duhig J. Buffs.
7893672 Tsm. Dunning J. R.A.C.

3673408 Pte. Elliot G. Somerset L.I.
4031772 Sgt. Evans J. K.S.L.I.
889636 Gnr. Evans H. R.A.

5957221 Pte. Farnborough F. Beds & Herts.
7903742 Tpr. Finney W. R.A.C.
3858160 L/Cpl. Fletcher A. Loyals.
5342083 L/Cpl. Flowers D. R. Berks.
3199275 L/Cpl. Flynn J. K.O.S.B.
S/7896 Cpl. Ford V.E. R.A.S.C.
5347572 Pte. Fraser E.L. R. Berks.
2737968 Gdsm. Fraser L.J.E. Welsh Guards.

1642259 L/Sgt. Garnett C.V. R.A.S.C.
3854009 Pte. Garthwaite W.O. Loyals
5111581 Pte. Goff S. Warwicks.
6145770 L/Cpl. Gooch F.M. E. Surreys.
3969776 Pte. Grace G. Welch Rgt.
4350446 Cpl. Graham G. E. Yorks.
2619786 Cpl. Grocock W. GrenadierGrds

1426804 Sgt. Halliday J. R.A.
876901 Gnr. Halmshaw A. R.A.
5186589 Sgt. Ham F. Glosters.
1398036 Gnr. Hampton H. H.A.C.
3861617 L/Cpl. Hampton G. Loyals.
3601406 Pte. Harris G.F. Borders.
8271943 Gnr. Harvey W. R.A.
3965370 Sgt. Heaynes L. Welch Rgt.
5344513 L/Cpl. Heckman E.P.H. R. Berks.
7010953 Rfn. Heggarty J. R.U.R.
7264010 Cpl. Henry A. R.A.M.C.
2931557 Pte. Hesketh G. Liverpool Scottish
3534999 Pte. Hibbert J. Loyals
2735047 Gdsm. Hill S. Welsh Guards
2077980 Cpl. Hinton M. R.E.
2619941 Gdsm. Hodgson T. GrenadierGrds 6478881 Pte. Hoodless D.S. R. Fusiliers.
6297771 Pte. Hooper O. Buffs.
5118341 Pte. Horne F.J. S. Staffs.
5948229 Sgt. Horne G. Beds & Herts.
889681 Bdr. Howat G. R.A.
2734873 Gdsm. Howells G.T. Welsh Guards.
5111985 Sig. Hughes C.J. R. Warwicks.
2927941 Cpl. Hughes A.H. S. Lancs.
2621891 Gdsm. Humphreys H. GrenadierGrds
2620946 Gdsm. Hurd A.E. GrenadierGrds
4983150 Pte. Hydes F. Sherwood Foresters

4337783 Pte. Ibbotson J. E. Yorks.
1398027 Gnr. Iveson G.H. R.A.

5111228 L/Cpl. Jackson J. R. Warwicks.
915014 L/Cpl. Johnson F.C. R.A.
5110959 L/Cpl. Johnson J. R. Warwicks.
79055832 L/Cpl. Jones G.E. R.T.R.

6854309 Pte. Keeley J. K.R.R.C.
7012717 Rfn. Keenan J. R.U.R.
4694937 Pte. Keighley J. K.O.Y.L.I.
3968414 Pte. Kendall G. R. Warwicks.
5336379 Pte. Kendrick P.G. R. Berks.
5781656 Sgt Kennedy S. R. Norfolks.
20733019 Spr. Kennet K.K. R.E.
3864762 Pte. Kerr R. Loyals.
2620144 Gdsm. King C. GrenadierGrds
6297700 Pte. Knowles M. Buffs.

3604647 Pte. Lane J.E. Borders.
2765791 L/Cpl. Laing D. Black Watch.
5675016 Sgt. Langlands G. Somerset L.I.
3968864 Pte. Lansley F. R. Warwicks.
884501 L/Bdr. Larment H. R.A.
4546257 Pte. Leach C. W. Yorks.
3970069 Sgt. Lewis E.J. Welch Rgt.
5494647 Pte. Le Maitre W. Hampshires.
6291391 Cpl. Lilley J. Buffs.
2073383 Sgt. Lillicoe R.E. R.E.
4345289 Sgt. Lindley H. E. Yorks.
5730322 L/Cpl. Long E. Dorsets.
2733639 L/Cpl. Lloyd C.L. Welsh Guards.

5344652 L/Cpl. Mann R. R. Berks.
2614151 Gdsm. Marchant J. GrenadierGrds
5435059 Pte. Martyn L.S. D.C.L.I.
2621497 Gdsm. Marshall E. GrenadierGrds
26199554 Gdsm. Marshall R. GrenadierGrds
4350439 Pte. Mather B. E. Yorks.
10503256 Gnr. Maund F. R.A.
5111136 Pte. May J. R. Warwicks.
2621526 Gdsm. Maybury J. GrenadierGrds
3775704 L/Sgt. McCarthy F. Kings Rgt.
9426250 Gnr. McCartney J. R.A.
828757 Gnr. McCormack J. R.A.
3310783 Pte. McDermott J. H.L.I.
4390628 Gnr. McDonic J. Green Howards.
2198211 Gnr. McDonough T. R.A.
3653925 Pte. McGann S. S. Lancs.
3778700 Pte. McGlory J. Kings Rgt.
7516695 Pte. McLean J. R.A.M.C.
5341993 Pte. McLoughlin W.J. R. Berks.
3853876 Cpl. McVeigh P. Loyals.
2693943 Pte. Mellis J. Lovat Scouts
3773037 L/Cpl. Mercer D.T. Kings (Liverpool)
7902963 L/Cpl. Middleton F. R.A.C.
3777204 L/Cpl. Mills A. S Lancs.
2661694 Gdsm. Moore J.O. Coldstream Guards
7878047 Rsm. Morris W. R.A.C.
3850897 Pte. Moss J. Loyals.
3771020 Pte. Mullaniff J. R.A.C.
2075499 L/Cpl. Mullen B.J. R.E.
2721240 Gdsm. Moloughney J. Irish Guards.

5123514 Cpl. Nankivell J. R. Warwicks.
3189059 Pte. Notman J. K.O.S.B.
805120 Gnr. Norris A. R.A.

3319042 Pte. O?Donnell R. H.L.I.
5833286 Pte. Ong R. Suffolks.
2718837 Gdsm. Orr J. Irish Guards.
5111978 Pte. Overbury T. R Warwicks.

5342934 Pte. Paget E. R. Berks.
7597121 Pte. Pardoe D. S. Staffs.
3709917 Pte. Park J. R.A.O.C.
7262386 Pte. Pasquale Jim. R.A.M.C.
7359503 Pte. Pasquale Joe. R.A.M.C.
5618281 Pte. Patey F.S. Devons.
843165 Pte. Payne W. R.A.
1427522 Bdr. Pike H.J. R.A.
1870112 Sgt. Portman I. R.E.
2617353 Gdsm. Powell J. GrenadierGrds
5110316 Pte. Price J.E.D. R. Warwicks.
947113 Gnr. Price J. R.A.

3970880 Pte. Richards N. Welch Rgt.
4469318 Pte. Richards T. Durham L.I.
7013052 Rfn. Rogers W. R.U.R.
3600232 Pte. Rudd R. Borders.
11000189 Pte. Ruskin L.J. R.A.
1509732 Gnr. Ryan F.J. R.A.

6850526 Rfn. Seal A. K.R.R.C.
6142679 L/Cpl. Sellars W. E. Surreys.
7386392 L/Cpl. Scanlon G. R.A.M.C.
6144649 L/Cpl. Skerry J.C. E. Surreys.
5672383 L/Cpl. Skinner B. R. Berks.
2616557 Gdsm. Smith S.R. GrenadierGrds
T/99352 L/Cpl. Smith E.A. R.A.S.C.
3188233 Pte. Somers J. K.O.S.B.
2616669 Cpl. Spearman W.J. GrenadierGrds
6910706 Tsm. Stockdale W.R. Rifle Brigade
4347101 Pte. Sutton G.H. E. Yorks.
6291136 Pte. Swailes G. Buffs.
4038517 Pte. Swinson T. K.S.L.I.

815495 Pte. Taylor T. R.A.
6297957 Pte. Tilly S.V. Buffs.
2615853 Gdsm. Tombs P.G. GrenadierGrds
2586214 Sig. Tucker G.A. R. Corps Signals
7903221 Tpr. Thompson J. R.A.C.

5343090 Pte. Vestey J. Worcesters.
1891290 Spr. Vickers G. R.E.
180262 L/Cpl. Vowles G. R.A.S.C.

6291393 Pte. Waddington C. Buffs.
3657617 Pte. Walker A. S. Lancs.
889072 L/Cpl. Wall D. R.A.
8835093 Cpl. Wallace J. Suffolks.
7014930 Rfn. Wallis F. R.U.R.
4346253 L/Cpl. Walsh J.W. E. Yorks.
2620747 Gdsm. Walters K. GrenadierGrds
7012390 Rfn. Watters J. R.U.R.
5946788 Sgt. Watkins S. Beds & Herts.
53365587 Pte. Webb D.H. R. Berks.
2619850 Gdsm. Webster L.G. GrenadierGrds
5958490 Pte. Wells P. Beds & Herts.
5387562 L/Cpl. Whatley J. Ox & Bucks L.I.
3387224 Sgt. Wharf J. E. Lancs.
2620598 Gdsm. Whitaker J. GrenadierGrds
5831129 Pte. White M. Suffolks.
5338629 Pte. Whitling W. R. Berks.
60097739 Tsm. Williams C. Essex Rgt.
7903178 Cpl. Woodward L. R.A.C.
5388317 Sig. Woodyer K. Ox & Bucks L.I.

Military decorations for ?Operation Cauldron? were awarded to the following:

Lt. Col. The Lord Lovat MC. The Distinguished Service Order.
Major. D Mills-Roberts. Military Cross.
Capt. P.A. Porteous. The Victoria Cross.
Capt. G.G.H. Webb. Bar to Military Cross.
Capt. B.W.S. Boucher Myers. Mention in despatches.
Lieut. D.C.W. Style. Military Cross.
Lieut. J. Ennis. Mention in despatches.

Tsm. W.R. Stockdale. The Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Sgt. I. Portman. Military Medal.
Sgt. F McCarthy Military Medal.

Cpl. G. Blunden. Military Medal.
L/Cpl. R Mann. Military Medal.
L/Cpl. J.C. Skerry. Mention in despatches.

Tpr. W. Finney Military Medal.
Gnr. T. McDonough. Military Medal.
Pte. F.J. Horne. Mention in despatches.
Pte. J. Dale. Mention in despatches.

Cpl. F.M. Koons Military Medal
(American Rangers Detachment)

Roll of Honour

L/Cpl. L. Bishop. Somerset Light Infantry.
Pte. W.O. Garthwaite. The Loyal Regiment. (North Lancs.)
L/Cpl. F.M. Gooch. The East Surrey Regiment.
L/Cpl. E.P.H. Heckman The Royal Berkshire Regiment.
L/Cpl. J. Keenan. The Royal Ulster Rifles.
Lieut. J.A. MacDonald. 1st Royal Dragoons. (R.A.C.)
Pte. S. McGann. The South Lancashire Regiment.
L/Cpl. D.T. Mercer. The Kings Regiment (Liverpool.)
L/Cpl. A. Mills. The South Lancashire Regiment.
L/Cpl. J. Moss. The Loyal Regiment. (North Lancs.)
Capt. R.G. Pettiward. The Beds & Herts. Regiment.
Pte. G.H. Sutton. The East Yorkshire Regiment.
Sigmn. G.A. Tucker. The Royal Corps. of Signals.
Rfn. J. Watters. The Royal Ulster Rifles.
L/Cpl. J. Whatley. The Oxford & Bucks. Lt. Infantry.
Gdsm. J. Whittaker. Grenadier Guards.

The following Commandos were taken prisoner:

Pte. G. Cook. ?F? Troop.
L/Cpl. A. Diplock. ?A? Troop.
Pte. C.A. Doublair. ?A? Troop.
Sgt. G. Horne. ?F? Troop.
Gnr. G.H. Inverson. ?B? Troop.
Pte. J. Pasquale. ?HQ?
Pte. W. Rogers. ?A? Troop.
L/Cpl. G. Vowles. ?F? Troop.

?Operation Cauldron? Allied personnel attached to No 4 Commando:

First American Ranger Battalion.

Cpl. William R. Brady.
Cpl. Franklin M. Koons.
Sgt. Kenneth D. Stempson.
Sgt. Alec J. Szima.

Free French.

Baloche.
Rabouhans.
Taverne.

Two signallers of the South Saskatchewan Regiment were landed on Orange One Beach with ?C? Troop; their task was to provide a lateral link between the two units, the other unit being the Canadians who landed at ?Green Beach? Pourville.

Pte. Michael Faille.
Pte. Paul J. Karesa.

Three men from the ?Phantom? group of signallers were also at Orange Beach One.

Capt. A.R.M. Sedgwick. R.T.R
Tpr. B. Randell. The Royal Scots.
Fus. C. King. The Royal Fusiliers.

The names of the four German prisoners brought back to the UK:

Bronislaw Wesierski.
Max Kussowski.
Otto Samuelowitch.
Leo Marsiniak.

Bill
This is exceptional. I concur with the thoroughness of Ron Youngman - who helped me a great deal with my academic studies and who always displayed great rigour in verifying his own findings and opinions. As well as providing sound guidance and advice.
Mike