The Story of the WWII Single Raid That Changed The Course of War

On December 4, 1941, a British Spitfire equipped with a camera flew low over the French coastline, controlled by German forces. Its mission was reconnaissance, and the images it captured revealed an alarming device near a villa. This discovery, analyzed back in Britain, posed a new threat to Allied forces. The photograph showed an advanced radar system that could alter the dynamics of the air war.

Dr. R.V. Jones, a key British intelligence officer, had long suspected the Germans were developing radar technology that could surpass the British system. This photograph confirmed those fears. Understanding the radar’s capabilities became an urgent task. The solution was daring yet straightforward in concept—steal the radar components for analysis.

The Challenge of Bruneval

The radar installation was located near Bruneval, a village on the French coast. It was positioned atop cliffs, surrounded by defenses, and supported by a garrison of German soldiers nearby. A seaborne assault was ruled out due to the heavy fortifications. However, an airborne operation offered a possible way to reach the site undetected.

The plan required precision and coordination. Paratroopers would land behind enemy lines, dismantle the radar system, and retreat to the nearby beach, where naval forces would extract them. Every detail had to be perfect for this operation to succeed.

The Role of Combined Operations

The mission, named Operation Biting, fell under the jurisdiction of Combined Operations, a British unit trained for specialized raids. The task was assigned to Major John Frost, a young officer who had volunteered for the newly formed airborne forces. Frost’s team included 120 men from C Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, many of whom were Scottish.

The operation relied on intelligence from the French Resistance, which detailed the site’s layout and defenses. The radar system was heavily guarded, with surrounding positions monitoring the cliffs and coastline. The raiders would need to dismantle the radar quickly while holding off potential counterattacks.

The Raid’s Execution

On February 27, 1942, the mission commenced. Twelve Whitley bombers transported the paratroopers across the English Channel under the command of Wing Commander Percy Pickard. Each aircraft carried ten men and their equipment. The planes flew at night, aiming to avoid detection.

The paratroopers landed near the radar site and quickly assembled into groups. Each group had a specific task, from capturing the radar components to securing the beach for extraction. Flight Sergeant Charles Cox, an RAF radar technician, played a critical role in dismantling the radar system. Cox had undergone accelerated parachute training just days before the mission.

The raid unfolded with precision. The radar components, including critical antenna parts, were loaded into portable trolleys. The paratroopers also retrieved labels and serial numbers from the equipment, which would provide insights into German production capabilities.

The Outcome

The raiders faced resistance but managed to complete their objectives. After neutralizing beach defenses, the group was evacuated by Royal Navy boats waiting offshore. The stolen radar components were safely brought back to Britain for analysis.

The success of the Bruneval Raid marked a turning point in the radar war. The intelligence gathered gave the Allies a significant advantage, enabling countermeasures against German radar systems. Operation Biting demonstrated the effectiveness of airborne operations and showcased the ingenuity and bravery of the men involved.