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Musketoon
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12'Operation Musketoon’
Location
Glomfjord
Norway
66° 51' 33.12" N, 14° 1' 36.48" E
Sunday, September 20, 1942
Glomfjord, Norway
Operation Musketoon was a raid on an electricity generating station at Glomfjord in German occupied Norway. Ten Commandos from No 2 Commando and 2 Norwegian corporals working for the SOE took part in the raid leaving thier home port on the 11th September. They were taken by submarine to a remote Fjord, completed a difficult overland route, approaching their target from the rear and successfully destroyed it. Seven were captured and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's infamous Commando Order.A Special Memorial Service for Sgt. Miller Smith
Extract from Commando Association newsletter 96 issued March 1993
Special Commando Memorial Service
ABRAM, Cyril
Rifleman Cyril Abram was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
This was a raid on an electricity generating station at Glomfjord in German occupied Norway. They were taken by submarine to a remote Fjord, completed a difficult overland route, approaching their target from the rear and successfully destroyed it. Seven were captured and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's infamous Commando Order.
BLACK, Graeme Delamere
Captain Graeme Black DSO, MC, was executed whilst a Prisoner of War. He was one of the seven Commandos of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
He was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations, against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.
CHUDLEY, William Henry Albert
Lance Bombardier William Chudley was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
CURTIS, Eric Gordon
Private Eric Curtis was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
FAIRCLOUGH, John
John Fairclough was one of the ten Commandos and 2 Norwegians who took part in Operation Musketoon. He held the rank of Guardsman at the time. Seven were taken prisoner and later executed. Gdsm. Fairclough evaded capture after the successful raid and made it back to the UK. He was awarded the MM for his actions during this raid.
JOHNSON-HOUGHTON, Joseph Blundell
Captain Joseph Blundell Johnson - Houghton MC was executed whilst a Prisoner of War. He is generally referred to as Joseph Houghton. The family often used the shortened surname of 'Houghton'.
MAKEHAM, Reginald Henry
Private Reginald Makeham, 6 troop, was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
O'BRIEN, Richard
Lance Sergeant Richard O'Brien, 2 troop, was one of the Commandos who returned from Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire. He sailed on board ML 447.
6 months later he was one of the ten Commandos who took part in Operation Musketoon. Seven were taken prisoner and later executed. LSgt O'Brien evaded capture after the successful raid and made it back to the UK. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during this raid.
(Source: LG Publication date: 5 March 1943, Supplement: 35929, Page: 1118).
SMITH, Miller
Sergeant Miller Smith, an ex Policeman from Southport, was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942.
There is a photo of Sgt Smith in the main gallery, and one in the CVA Memorials and Plaques Album of the Memorial Plaque at Sachsenhausen to these and other men who were executed there.
Notes
TRIGG, Frederick Harry
Private Frederick Trigg MM died during the period when No 2 Commando were based on the island of Vis engaged in operations against enemy held islands.
He was one of the ten Commandos who took part in the earler Operation Musketoon on the 20th September 1942. Seven were captured and executed. Pte. Trigg escaped and made it back to the UK where he was awarded the Military Medal for his part in the raid. He then rejoined No.2 Commando.
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