REPORT ON OPERATIONS AGAINST ENEMY LINES
OF COMMUNICATION ALONG THE COAST BETWEEN
ANCONA AND PESCARA.
27th OCT TO 2nd NOV. 1943.
Object.
The plan was to land by sea on the coast between Ancona and Pescara,
and attempt to derail a train near a curve on the coast railway. Naval
craft were to look for signals on the first four nights in November, and
take off the party after the operation had been completed.
Plan.
Four parties of four men were to be landed on the southern bank of
the river Tronto, map ref. 9377, 25 miles north of Pescara.
They were to be landed at 2200 hrs. on the night 27/28 Oct. and to
make their way inland for between four and five miles and lie up until the
night 28/29 Oct. On the night 28/29 all parties would rendezvous at the
track junction, map ref. 9375, at 2100 hrs. The centre party would then
attempt to derail a train by 0200 hrs. If by this time there had been no
success, the performance was to be repeated on the night 29/30 Oct, and again
on the night 30/31 Oct if necessary.
As soon as a train had been derailed, a party would blow large gaps in
the line on either side of the train, and one party would mine the main
coast road. Telephone communications would also be cut.
If no success had been achieved by the night 31st Oct/1st Nov. all
parties would demolish the railway and mine the road regardless of trains.
After the demolition had been completed all parties would make their
way southwards to hideout in the River Sallinella valley. They would then
make their way, by night, to the embarkation point at the mouth of the
river Versacchie, map ref. 0045.
Signalling to the navy would be by torch flashes from 2359hrs to 0230 hrs.
Narrative.
All parties were landed successfully from an M.T.B. on the night 27/28
Oct. Two rubber boats and a goatley were used to ferry the party ashore.
A German submarine was observed anchored in the mouth of the R. Tronto,
500 yds. from the landing point.
The parties landed were composed as follows :-
Capt. Farran, M.C. D Squadron.
Sgt. Clarke.
Cpl. Linton.
Pct. McIntyre.
Sgt. Hawes.
Pct. Malcolm.
Pct. Rudd.
Pct. Holland.
Sgt. Seddon.
Pct. Richards.
Pct. Roache.
Pct. Hollands.
Lieut. Hibbert. B Squadron.
Pct. O'Neil.
Pct. Holden.
Pct. Louis.
Parties made their way independantly four or five miles inland along
the southern bank of the R. Tronto and laid up in cover for the remainder