'French Coast - Operation Hardtack 11'

Date commenced: 
Friday, December 24, 1943

Location

Gravelines
France
51° 0' 47.88" N, 2° 5' 56.724" E
A reconnaisance raid of the beaches and dunes along the coast of Gravelines, France, between Calais and Dunkirk.
The raiding party embarked on MTB 25 at Dover on the night of the 24th and consisted of five members of 1 Troop (French) of No.10 Inter Allied Commando, Rene Navrault, Caron, Albert Meunier, Pourcelot, and Marcel Madec, led by Warrant Officer Pierre Wallerand. They disembarked on the morning of the 25th.
Also on board the MTB were Special Service Brigade Signals Officer Arthur Leahy and a French Doctor, Captain Villiere.
Sergeant John Park, No.4 Commando attached to 2 Special Boat Section, was assigned to be the Coxwain of the Dory they would use to reach the beach from the MTB. He and two others Corporal George Chapman, Special Service Brigade Signals, and Corporal Jones of No.10 Commando 'X' Troop, were tasked with remaining offshore in the Dory to expedite the withdrawal of the raiding party. 
The raid ended with the loss of the Dory and Casualties.
 
Sources
Commando Association newsletters 75 and 98.
The book '10 Commando' author Ian Dear.
 

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