How This One Raid Changed The Course of WWII

On December 4, 1941, a British Spitfire equipped with a camera flew low across the coast of occupied France. The plane sharply ascended over a lone villa, capturing an image of a mysterious device that caught the attention of British intelligence. This single photograph set in motion a daring operation that would bring together elite paratroopers in a raid that changed the dynamics of World War II. This operation came to be known as the Bruneval Raid or Operation Biting.

Grim Allied Position and Breakthrough in Radar Intelligence

The broader situation in late 1941 painted a grim picture for the Allied forces. The German military was in control of much of Europe. To the west, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands had fallen, and while the British had managed to fend off German air attacks in the Battle of Britain, they remained on the defensive. To the east, the German Army was advancing deep into Soviet territory, making the war look increasingly bleak for the Allies.

Yet, despite their defensive stance, the British sought opportunities to disrupt German operations. This urgency led to a focus on aerial reconnaissance and raids by the Royal Air Force (RAF). But with mounting losses among bomber crews, the British were desperate for any advantage. When Flight Lieutenant Tony Hill’s photograph of the mysterious device arrived at RAF Medmenham, it caught the attention of Dr. R. V. Jones, a leading figure in British wartime intelligence.

Dr. Jones had long believed that Germany might possess radar capabilities that were potentially more advanced than Britain’s Chain Home system. The new photo revealed equipment that hinted at just such an advanced radar system positioned on the French coast. This development raised serious concerns. Understanding the full potential of this radar technology could shift the balance in the aerial war over Europe, making it crucial for the British to learn more.

Capture and Analysis of German Radar Equipment

The decision was made: the equipment had to be captured for analysis. The goal was to retrieve key components from the radar site and bring them back to Britain. To achieve this, the British turned to Combined Operations, a unit formed to conduct specialized raids. This group included the newly established Commandos and British airborne troops. While the plan itself seemed straightforward—capture and retrieve the equipment—the execution was far more complex.

The radar site was situated near the village of Bruneval, atop cliffs overlooking the sea, north of Le Havre. The location presented numerous challenges. Steep cliffs surrounded the area, and a German garrison occupied nearby buildings, making any approach difficult. The radar installation itself was near a demolished villa and surrounded by defensive positions. A small beach at the base of the cliffs offered the only possible extraction point for a seaborne evacuation. However, intelligence from the French Resistance, led by Colonel Remy, warned that the area was heavily fortified against any approach from the sea. A direct assault would likely fail.

Instead, the British devised a plan to land paratroopers behind the defenses and surprise the German troops. The plan called for a group of 120 paratroopers to drop into the area, dismantle the radar equipment, and secure an escape route to the beach. Major John Frost, a seasoned leader, was chosen to command this mission. Frost, who had joined the airborne forces early in their formation, led a team of soldiers from the 2nd Parachute Battalion, many of whom were Scottish.

Coordinated Drop and Initial Assault on the Bruneval Radar Site

The operation required precise coordination. Flying in 12 specially modified Whitley bombers, the paratroopers would be dropped behind the radar site, about 650 yards from the target. The force would then regroup, divide into smaller teams, and attack the site from multiple directions. One group would dismantle the radar while others would secure the beach for evacuation. Among them was Flight Sergeant Charles Cox, an RAF radar technician whose expertise was critical for identifying and handling the sensitive equipment. Cox, who completed parachute training just days before the raid, would be responsible for ensuring the right components were taken back to Britain.

On February 27, 1942, the plan was set into motion. As the paratroopers boarded their bombers at RAF Thruxton, they faced a dangerous flight across the English Channel. Wing Commander Percy Pickard led the formation, guiding the bombers to their destination under the cover of night. The planes reached the French coast just after midnight, and the paratroopers prepared for their jump. Sergeant Macleod Forsyth, one of the soldiers, later described the tense moments before the jump, recalling how the sight of tracer fire from the ground added to the nerves of the men waiting to exit the aircraft.

Not everything went smoothly. Two of the bombers, including one flown by Pickard, missed the drop zone, releasing their troops several miles off target. However, the majority of the paratroopers landed close to their planned positions, and they quickly assembled despite the lack of radio communication, which forced them to rely on runners for coordination. Major Frost adapted his plan, leading the remaining troops toward the villa that housed the radar site.

Execution and Success of the Bruneval Raid

Frost and his men approached the villa from the rear, moving through the darkness and taking the defenders by surprise. They encountered minimal resistance at first, quickly taking control of the villa. At the same time, other groups secured the radar installation and began dismantling the equipment according to Dr. Jones’s specifications. Cox carefully identified and packed components into collapsible trolleys, ensuring that valuable pieces would make it back to Britain for analysis.

As the paratroopers gathered the equipment, German troops began to mount a counterattack. The British faced heavy fire as they moved toward the beach, carrying the disassembled radar parts. Despite the mounting pressure, they reached the beach, where Royal Navy boats were waiting to extract them. The paratroopers managed to hold off the German response long enough to load the captured equipment and make their escape.

The Bruneval Raid was a success. The radar components returned to Britain provided crucial insights into German radar technology, allowing the RAF to develop countermeasures. This knowledge helped protect British bombers during their missions and undermined the German advantage in aerial warfare. While it was just one operation, the intelligence gathered played a significant role in shifting the momentum in the air war, helping the Allies regain their footing during a critical phase of World War II.