Overview

This website is an enhanced version of my transcription of Operation Pistol (Mainly from WO 218/205). It covers the period from 15 Sep 1944 to 4 Oct 1944 and beyond.

It is an ongoing project.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON OPERATION BEGONIA, CANDYTUFT, JONQUIL, KEYSTONE, ARCHWAY, or just the  standard PISTOL,  CLICK ON THE LINKS

At over 35,000 transcribed words, here's LOYTON

 The map below shows the area where Operation Pistol took place (the pink area marked by the blue arrow) 

The best place to start looking at this website is the Planning and Mounting page.

I now have details of two of the actual flights of 299 Squadron RAF that took parties A and B.

Flights XGT LJ 572 and 5GS LJ 919 both returned safely

and have now found the other two flights of 196 Squadron RAF that took parties C and D

Flights LJ 954 LK 505 both returned safely

My thanks go to:-

The National Archives ( for the archived documents )

The late John Robertson ( for www.specialforcesroh.com ) and his son Craig for keeping the site going

Graham Alcock ( who provided his dad's reports a few years ago - SQMS John Alcock )

William Oakes (who has been kind enough to provide more valuable information)

Thierry Arsicaud ( for http://www.echodelta.net/mbs/eng-translator.php )

and all Our Armed Forces past and present and those who have served with us