Musketoon

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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 MC in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in successful combined operations, against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy.

He was awarded the DSO in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.

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 MM

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' . 

He took part in Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire, being i/c of the protection squad for the demolition team on ML443. This was one of only 3 m/l's that would make it back to the UK. Later he was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and 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 DCM for his actions during this raid. (Source: LG Publication date: 5 March 1943, Supplement: 35929, Page: 1118).
 

SMITH, Miller

Sergeant Miller Smith 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.

nb. It is believed that Sgt Miller Smith held the temporary rank of CSM, his war substantive rank being Sergeant.

TRIGG, Frederick Harry

Private Frederick Trigg MM was killed 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.

‘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. 
 

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