OPPELT, Gustav
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Served as :
BATE, George
Rank:
Private
Unit / Base:
10 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Pioneer Corps, 93 Company
Royal Hampshire Regiment
Service:
Army
Service Number:
13801860
5550123
Born:
1914
Died :
Wednesday, August 19, 1942
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age:
28
Cemetery/Memorial:
Operations:
Local Roll of Honour:
Gustav Oppelt, 3 Troop aka 'X' Troop, was a refugee from Czechoslavakia (Sudeten German) serving under the alias of George Bate. He died during operations at Dieppe, France.
Extract from the No.10(IA) Commando War Diary
19th August 1942
"Five members of 'X' troop also took part in the raid. These were Ptes. Bates, Latimer, Platt, Rice, and Smith. Pte. Platt and Pte. Latimer returned."
Special Operations Executive In 1941 Gustav Oppelt was being trained for possible SOE active service. He attended Special Training Schools at Arisaig, Wokingham, and Dunham House, Altrincham and other locations for training and assessment. In July 1941 of Major Drumbell, SOE, wrote an appraisal for him: Description: Short, light build, flaxen hair Languages: German, English, slight Czech Occupation: Metal Worker Military: 4 months Czech Pioneer Corps; 15 months AMPC - Private Health: A forceful character but inclined to abe a little to sure of himself Physical Train: Strong and has great powers of endurance Fieldcraft: Very good, as an individual the best on the course Close Combat: Has a knowledge of ju-jitsu Weapons: Inclined to be an erratic shot (v.good revolver) this is owing to over confidence and tendency to rush. Explosives: Knows it inside out but is inclined to be over confident and is bordering on "Stage 2" Communications : Can read and send 4 w.p.m. Reports: Good Map reading; Good. He took some time to pick it up but does not rest until efficient. Driving: Bicycle Remarks: An R.C. from Geretin. He is very keen and active. His poweres of endurance are remarkable and he is ready to undertake anything and has unbounded confidence in himself. This makes him slightly impetuous, and though not undisciplined, or purposely non-cooperative, he is apt to upset the plans of others by going a bit beyond his orders. For this reason I would classify him as "J". Major Drumbell, 17-7-41. An SO2 document records that he was to be returned to his unit, 93rd Coy., Redruth Cornwall, on the 2nd January 1942. However in April 1942 he was called to the War Office and told to bring all his kit. In this order it refers to him as a 'student' which may suggest he was still in training with the SOE. This date is significant to 10 Commando as it was in the Spring of 1942 that the idea of an inter allied Commando, ie. 10 Commando, was first raised at the War Office and shortly after it was formed. The SOE personal file for Gustav Oppelt notes that he died whilst operating with 10 Commando on the Dieppe raid. Sources CWGC. National Archives ref DEFE 2/45 - No. 10 (IA) Commando War Diary , June 1942 - Sept 1945
National Archives ref HS 9/1124/1 - Special Operations Executive Personal File description "Gustav OPPELT, aka George BATE - born c.1914, died 19 or 20.08.1942."
Special Operations Executive In 1941 Gustav Oppelt was being trained for possible SOE active service. He attended Special Training Schools at Arisaig, Wokingham, and Dunham House, Altrincham and other locations for training and assessment. In July 1941 of Major Drumbell, SOE, wrote an appraisal for him: Description: Short, light build, flaxen hair Languages: German, English, slight Czech Occupation: Metal Worker Military: 4 months Czech Pioneer Corps; 15 months AMPC - Private Health: A forceful character but inclined to abe a little to sure of himself Physical Train: Strong and has great powers of endurance Fieldcraft: Very good, as an individual the best on the course Close Combat: Has a knowledge of ju-jitsu Weapons: Inclined to be an erratic shot (v.good revolver) this is owing to over confidence and tendency to rush. Explosives: Knows it inside out but is inclined to be over confident and is bordering on "Stage 2" Communications : Can read and send 4 w.p.m. Reports: Good Map reading; Good. He took some time to pick it up but does not rest until efficient. Driving: Bicycle Remarks: An R.C. from Geretin. He is very keen and active. His poweres of endurance are remarkable and he is ready to undertake anything and has unbounded confidence in himself. This makes him slightly impetuous, and though not undisciplined, or purposely non-cooperative, he is apt to upset the plans of others by going a bit beyond his orders. For this reason I would classify him as "J". Major Drumbell, 17-7-41. An SO2 document records that he was to be returned to his unit, 93rd Coy., Redruth Cornwall, on the 2nd January 1942. However in April 1942 he was called to the War Office and told to bring all his kit. In this order it refers to him as a 'student' which may suggest he was still in training with the SOE. This date is significant to 10 Commando as it was in the Spring of 1942 that the idea of an inter allied Commando, ie. 10 Commando, was first raised at the War Office and shortly after it was formed. The SOE personal file for Gustav Oppelt notes that he died whilst operating with 10 Commando on the Dieppe raid. Sources CWGC. National Archives ref DEFE 2/45 - No. 10 (IA) Commando War Diary , June 1942 - Sept 1945
National Archives ref HS 9/1124/1 - Special Operations Executive Personal File description "Gustav OPPELT, aka George BATE - born c.1914, died 19 or 20.08.1942."
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