Churchill's Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII
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In truth, immediately after the war the then ex-Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, became the chairman of a secret association that kept the SAS/SBS alive until it could be formally and officially refounded in 1953. During that underground period, the SAS/SBS/SOE formed a deniable unit based in France but run from London, tasked with hunting down Nazi war criminals, and in particular those responsible for executing former members of British Special Forces on Hitler’s orders. The Nazis they tracked down were not to be brought to justice. They were to be given the same rights as our own had been, and wiped out.
This reflected Churchill’s passion for, and his unshakeable loyalty to, the Special Forces that he founded, a commitment that remained undimmed until the end of his days. No doubt Gus March-Phillipps, Geoffrey Appleyard, Graham Hayes and Anders Lassen would have approved wholeheartedly of keeping a secret SAS active, and of its post-war missions, had they lived to see the war’s end.
Danish Viking. Anders Lassen VC, top right, the fearsome raider-commander, with Stephan Cassuli, lower left, at their secret Turkish ‘pirate base’.
Tools of the trade. A raider, with American M1 Carbine, pistol and lethal, 7-inch-bladed, Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife: ‘It never runs out of bullets.’
Who do you think you are kidding, Mr Hitler? A patrol shows off a picture of the Führer; Hitler had ordered that any raider, if captured, face torture and execution.
The Maid Honour, a covertly armed Q Ship.
Graham Hayes MC, Maid Honour crewman, in typically dashing form.
The crew of Maid Honour.
Geoffrey ‘Apple’ Appleyard MC, Free Frenchman Andrew Desgranges and Gus March-Phillipps DSO.
The crucible. Santa Isabel Harbour, Fernando Po, showing the 7,872-tonne Duchessa d’Aosta – the raider’s chief target – moored close to shore.
Lord Jellicoe, left, on the bridge of the Tewfik, their HQ ship when in Turkish pirate waters, together with a captain of the Greek Sacred Squadron, motto: ‘Return victorious or dead.’ Note the ever-present massive pot of tea.
A force of the Long Range Desert Group and SAS – those who were urged by Churchill to ‘recreate at sea the fame they had won on the sands of the desert’.
Mission accomplished. Reconnaissance photo from the German Federal Archive, showing Kastelli Airbase, Crete, the target of Lassen’s devastating June 1943 raid. Damaged aircraft lie scattered about the airfield.
Bad hair day. On a Motor Torpedo Boat after the return from a successful mission, with a good half of the patrol dressed in items of captured German uniform.
Bad beard day. Mixed Greek partisans, Greek Sacred Squadron fighters, plus Special Forces. On the far right, second row is Jack ‘Zucky’ Mann, veteran radio operator with Churchill’s raiders.
Dog of war. An SBS comrade with puppy. Andy Lassen’s Irish patrol had a motley collection of camp followers – dogs first and foremost. Lassen even took his favourite, a Maltese terrier called Pipo, on raiding missions. He proved as fierce as a lion!
A typical raider ship. SAS/SBS crew prepare to attack a German-held island, sneaking past the enemy by posing as local fishermen.
Lassen’s Irish Patrol set sail for the notorious raid on the German force garrisoning Santorini – what became known as ‘Andy Lassen’s Bloodbath’.
Sergeant Jack Nicholson DCM, MM – a tireless Scott, who became Andy Lassen’s right-hand man. He was once cautioned by his commanding officer to: ‘Keep an eye on Lassen. Restrain him.’ As if that were ever possible!
Prizefighter. Douggie Pomford being treated for a grenade wound. He ran away to the circus with only his dog for company, and went on to win Britain’s Golden Gloves middleweight amateur boxing championship: it was a perfect résumé to join the Special Forces raiders.
Hot-tub. Porter ‘Joe’ Jarrell, the American medic-turned-raider. When asked whether he killed or cured people, he’d answer: ‘A bit of both, actually.’
Armed and dangerous. Dick Holmes, right, with weapon at the ready, amongst typical terrain. He’d liken their Mediterranean raids to ‘terrorism’.
Major Anders Lassen MC and two bars, VC, discussing the forthcoming Lake Comacchio raid, in which he and his men were tasked to cross impossible terrain, so spearheading the Allied breakthrough in Northern Italy.
Wounded during the fateful Comacchio raid: back row, left to right: Unknown, Hank Hancock, Mick ‘Gippo’ Conby, Trooper Randal. Front row: Unknown, Corporal Pollock, plus Sergeants Ronald Waite, Sean O’Reilly (Lassen’s ‘bodyguard’) and Patsy Henderson.
Bibliography and Sources
Books and Academic Papers
Amphibious and Special Operations in the Aegean Sea 1943–1945. Panagiotis Gartzonikas, December 2003, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California.
Anders Lassen Krig – 9 April 1940–9 April 1945. Thomas Harder, Informations Forlag, 2010 (provisional translation by Thomas Harder, 2013, as Anders Lassen’s War).
A History of the SAS Regiment. John Strawson, Secker & Warburg, 1984.
‘Andy’ – a Portrait of the Dane, Anders Lassen. Mogens Kofod-Hansen, Frihedsmuseets Venners Forlag – Friends of the Freedom Museum, 1991.
Commandos and Rangers of World War II. James Ladd, McDonald & Jane’s Limited, 1978.
Dust Upon the Sea. W. E. Benyon-Tinker, Hodder & Stoughton, 1947.
Ian Fleming’s Commandos: The Story of 30 Assault Unit in WWII. Nicholas Rankin, Faber & Faber, 2011.
Ian Fleming and SOE’s Operation Postmaster – the Untold Top Secret Story. Brian Lett, Pen & Sword, 2012.
Operation Albumen. Anne E. Jensen and Ole Christensen, Imprint Grafisk, 2010.
The Filibusters: the Story of the Special Boat Service. John Lodwick, Methuen, 1947.
The Invisible Raiders. James D. Ladd, Arms and Armour Press, 1983.
The Regiment – The Real Story of the SAS. Michael Asher, Viking, 2007.
The SBS in World War II – An Illustrated History. Gavin Mortimer, Osprey Publishing, 2013.
The Second World War, Vol. VI: Triumph and Tragedy. Winston S. Churchill, Cassell, 1954.
Unearthing Churchill’s Secret Army: The Official List of SOE Casualties and Their Stories. John Gehan and Martin Mace, Pen & Sword, 2012.
Wine Dark, Blood Red Sea: Naval Warfare in the Aegean, 1941–1946. Charles W. Jr. Koburger, Praeger Publishers, 2000.
Appendix One
Gus March-Phillipps – Decorations
Citation for Gus March-Phillipps Bar to his D.S.O.
MOST SECRET
Special Service Brigade
Unit: Small Scale Raiding Force
Army No. and Rank: 99184 – Major
Name: MARCH-PHILLIPPS, Gustavus Henry, D.S.O., M.B.E.
Honour or Reward: Bar to D.S.O., Posthumous Mention in Dispatches
NOTE: These raids for operational reasons have not been announced to the press and the above citation is on no account to be published
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Major March-Phillipps was responsible for the original conception of the S.S.R.F. and was its first Commander. He formed and trained the force, and due to his energy and personality the force was ready for its first operation within six weeks of the directive authorizing the formation of the force being signed. The first operation (the first attempt at ‘DRYAD’) was unsuccessful owing to fog.
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In a period of less than three weeks Major March-Phillipps planned and executed three successful small scale raids, all of which he commanded himself, both from the Naval and Military side. In the first of these, Operation ‘BARRICADE’, a coast defence installation on the East side of the Cherbourgh peninsula was attacked, and a number of casualties caused to the enemy with bombs and small arms fire. The second operation, ‘DRYAD’, resulted in the capture of the CASQUETS lighthouse from which seven German Naval prisoners were taken together with valuable code books and other papers. The third operation was a reconnaissance in a particularly difficult part of the Channel Islands, and was in every way completely suc
cessful. The S.S.R.F. suffered no casualties in any of the operations.
On three other occasions a force commanded by Major March-Phillipps put to sea in M.T.B. 344, but owing to weather conditions having changed on arrival the other side of the Channel the operations had to be abandoned.
He has been at all times an inspiring leader to his force, with a complete disregard for personal danger or hardship, and has in every way shown himself to be a most vigorous and determined Commander.
Major March-Phillipps is reported missing after operation ‘AQUATINT’ and is believed to have been killed. In the event of his survival and return to allied occupied territory, he is strongly recommended for a bar to his D.S.O. If he is subsequently reported as killed, it is recommended that his name should be mentioned posthumously in dispatches.
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Louis Mountbatten
Chief of Combined Operations
12th November 1942
Appendix Two
Geoffrey Appleyard – Decorations
Citation for Geoffrey Appleyard’s D.S.O.
MOST SECRET
Special Service Brigade
Unit: Small Scale Raiding Force
Army No. and Rank: 86639 – Captain A/Major
Name: APPLEYARD, John Geoffrey
Honour or Reward: D.S.O.
NOTE: These raids for operational reasons have not been announced to the press and the above citation is on no account to be published
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Major Appleyard has taken part in five raids carried out by the S.S.R.F. between the 5th August and the 15th October. During all these Operations he has acted as Navigator on Raiding Craft M.T.B. 344 and as Second in Command on the other four. The success of these Operations has been largely dependent on his courage, determination and great skill in navigation. On all occasions M.T.B. has proceeded unescorted and has often passed through enemy minefields.
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On an operation at CAP BARFLEUR which took place on the night of the 14th/15th August, he went ashore with the landing party which escaped undetected after killing and wounding several Germans. On an operation against the CASQUETS which took place on the night of the 2nd/3rd September, he went ashore with the landing party which returned with seven prisoners. This operation was carried out with a wind force 3 rising to force 5 and the landing and re-embarkation took place from a Goatley boat on a very rocky island. It was largely due to his skill that this very difficult Operation was successfully accomplished. During a raid at ST. HONORINE on the night of 12th/13th September he remained in the landing craft due to injuries received on the previous operation. The landing party got into difficulties and he kept the M.T.B. close inshore under heavy enemy fire until eventually forced to turn seawards by direct fire over open sights. He then evaded enemy patrol boats and as quickly as possible returned and scoured the coast on the chance of picking up any of the landing party. During this time he was again under fire and only one engine of the M.T.B. was working. Only when all chances of picking up the raiding party had disappeared did he turn back and successfully navigate the M.T.B. with one engine out of action, through enemy minefields to the home port. He commanded the raid against SARK on the night of 3rd/4th October and led the landing party which spent 3 to 4 hours ashore, capturing one prisoner and killing three enemy, without any casualties to his own force.
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Louis Mountbatten
Chief of Combined Operations
12th November 1942
Appendix Three
Anders Lassen – Decorations
Major Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau Lassen was awarded, both before and after his death, the following honours and decorations:
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King Christian X Memorial Medal
The Victoria Cross
The Military Cross and two bars
The Greek War Cross
The 1939–45 Star
The Africa Star
The Italy Star
The Defence Medal
The War Medal
Citation of Anders Lassen’s Military Cross
Second-Lieutenant Anders Frederick Emil Victor Schau LASSEN
(234907) General List
Second-Lieutenant Lassen has at all times shown himself to be a very gallant and determined officer, who will carry out his job with complete disregard for his own personal safety. As well as, by his fine example, being an inspirational leader of his men, he is a brilliant seaman possessed of sound judgment and quick decisions. He was coxswain of the landing craft on an operation and effected a landing and subsequent re-embarkation on a dangerous and rocky island with considerable skill and without mishap. He took part in a further operation on which he showed dash and reliability. He recently took part in another highly successful operation in which he was the leader of the boarding party. Regardless of the action going on around him, Second-Lieutenant Lassen did his job quickly and coolly and showed great resource and integrity. Second-Lieutenant Lassen also took part in another operation, as bowman on landing, and then made a preliminary reconnaissance for a reported machine-gun post.
Citation of Anders Lassen’s Second Military Cross
Unit: Special Boat Squadron, Raiding Forces, Middle East
Regtl No. 234907
Rank and Name: WS Lieut Anders Frederick Emil Victor Schau LASSEN, MC (Danish Subject)
Recommended By: (Sgd) Captain D. G. C. Sutherland, MC, Commanding Special Boat Squadron, Raiding Forces, Middle East; (Sgd) Ronald M. Scobie, Lt.-Gen. GCS 21Jul. 43; (Sgd)
H. M. Wilson, General, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East Forces
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HONOUR OR AWARD: Immediate Bar to MC
ACTION FOR WHICH COMMENDED
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The officer was in command of the patrol which attacked Kastelli Pediada aerodrome on the night of 4th July. Together with 1469628 Gnr. Jones, J. (RA), he entered the airfield from the West, passing through formidable perimeter defences. By pretending to be a German officer on rounds he bluffed his way past three sentries stationed 15 yards apart guarding Stukas. He was, however, compelled to shoot the fourth with his automatic, and in so doing raised the alarm. Caught by flares and ground searchlights he was subjected to very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire from close range and forced to withdraw. Half an hour later this officer and other rank again entered the airfield, in spite of the fact that all guards had been trebelled and the area was being patrolled and swept by searchlights. Great difficulty was experienced in penetrating towards the target, in the process of which a second enemy sentry had to be shot. The enemy then rushed reinforcements from the eastern side of the aerodrome and, forming a semi-circle, drove the two attackers into the middle of an anti-aircraft battery, where they were fired on heavily from three sides. This danger was ignored and bombs were placed on a caterpillar tractor which was destroyed. The increasing number of enemy in that area finally forced the party to withdraw. It was entirely due to this officer’s diversion that planes and petrol were successfully destroyed on the eastern side of the airfield since he drew off all the guards from that area. Throughout this attack, and during the very arduous approach march, the keenness, determination and personal disregard of danger of this officer was of the highest order.
Citation of Anders Lassen’s Third Military Cross
Unit: General List while with the Special Boat Sqn, 1 SAS Regt.
Regtl. No: NYA
Rank and Name: WS Lieut LASSEN, Anders Frederick Emil
Victor Schau
Recomended BY: (Sgd) D. J. T. Turnbull, Colonel, Commanding
Raiding Forces; (Sgd) D. F. Anderson, Lt.Gen., Commanding 3
Corps; (Sgd) H. M. Wilson, General, Commander-in-Chief,
Middle East Forces. 19.11.43
Honour or Award: Second Bar to MC
Action for which Commended:
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This officer, most of the time a sick man, displayed outstanding leadership and gallantry throughout the operations by X Det in Dodecanese, 13 Sep. 43 to 18 Oc
t. 43. The heavy repulse of the Germans from Symi on 7 Oct 43 was due in no small measure to his inspiration and leadership on the one hand, and the highest personal example on the other. He himself, crippled with a badly burned leg and internal trouble, stalked and killed at least 3 Germans at close range. At that time the Italians were wavering and I attribute their recovery as due to the personal example and initiative of this Officer. He continued to harass and destroy German patrols throughout the morning. In the afternoon he himself led the Italian counter attack which finally drove the Germans back to their caiques, with the loss of 16 killed, 35 wounded and 7 prisoners, as against a loss on our side of one killed and one wounded.
Citation of Anders Lassen’s Victoria Cross
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of a Victoria Cross to:
Major (temporary) Anders Frederick Emil Victor Schau LASSEN, MC (234907) General List.
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