Operation Dingson
Encyclopedia
Operation Dingson was an operation in the Second World War, conducted by about 178 Free French paratroops of the 4th Special Air Service
(SAS), commanded by Colonel Pierre-Louis Bourgoin, who jumped into German occupied France near Vannes, Morbihan
, Southern Brittany
, in Plumelec
, on the night of 5 June 1944 (11 h 30), (Captain Pierre Marienne with 17 men), and Saint-Marcel
(8–18 June).
At this time there was approximately 100 000 German troops, and artillery, preparing to move to the Normandy landing areas.
Immediately upon landing in Brittany, on the night of 5 June 1944 (11 h 30), 18 Free French SAS who jumped in near Plumelec, went into action fighting against German troops (Vlassov's army).
One hour later (0 h 40) the first victim of the liberation of his country, Corporal Emile Bouétard (born in Brittany, 1915) was killed near Plumelec.
The Free French SAS established a base (Saint-Marcel) and began to arm and equip members of local resistance fighters
, operating with up to 3,000 Maquis fighters. However, their base was heavily attacked by a German paratroop division on 18 June and were forced to disperse.
Captain Pierre Marienne with 17 of his companions (6 paratroopers, 8 resistance fighters and 3 farmers) died a few weeks later in Kerihuel, Plumelec, (12 July at dawn).
The Dingson team was joined by the men who had just completed Operation Cooney
. Dingson was conducted alongside Operation Samwest
and Operation Lost
. Parts of Overlord.
gliders towed by aircraft of 298 Squadron
and 644 Squadron
transported the French SAS men and armed jeeps to Brittany
near Vannes
(Locoal-Mendon
), each glider carrying 3 SAS troopers and a jeep. One glider was lost with the death of the British pilot.
The SAS teams remained behind enemy lines in occupied territory until the Allies arrived.
1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
The 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment is one of three regiments in the French Army Special Forces Brigade. Based in Bayonne in the local Citadel...
(SAS), commanded by Colonel Pierre-Louis Bourgoin, who jumped into German occupied France near Vannes, Morbihan
Morbihan
Morbihan is a department in Brittany, situated in the northwest of France. It is named after the Morbihan , the enclosed sea that is the principal feature of the coastline.-History:...
, Southern Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
, in Plumelec
Plumelec
Plumelec is a commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany in north-western France.-References:* * -External links:* * *...
, on the night of 5 June 1944 (11 h 30), (Captain Pierre Marienne with 17 men), and Saint-Marcel
Saint-Marcel
-In France:*Saint-Marcel, Ain, in the Ain département*Saint-Marcel, Ardennes, in the Ardennes département*Saint-Marcel, Eure, in the Eure département*Saint-Marcel, Indre, in the Indre département...
(8–18 June).
At this time there was approximately 100 000 German troops, and artillery, preparing to move to the Normandy landing areas.
Immediately upon landing in Brittany, on the night of 5 June 1944 (11 h 30), 18 Free French SAS who jumped in near Plumelec, went into action fighting against German troops (Vlassov's army).
One hour later (0 h 40) the first victim of the liberation of his country, Corporal Emile Bouétard (born in Brittany, 1915) was killed near Plumelec.
The Free French SAS established a base (Saint-Marcel) and began to arm and equip members of local resistance fighters
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
, operating with up to 3,000 Maquis fighters. However, their base was heavily attacked by a German paratroop division on 18 June and were forced to disperse.
Captain Pierre Marienne with 17 of his companions (6 paratroopers, 8 resistance fighters and 3 farmers) died a few weeks later in Kerihuel, Plumelec, (12 July at dawn).
The Dingson team was joined by the men who had just completed Operation Cooney
Operation Cooney
On 7 June 1944, 297 Squadron took part in Operation Cooney by providing 2 of the 9 aircraft of 38 Group that were used to deploy elements of the 4th Free French Parachute Battalion or 2eme RCP also known as 4th SAS....
. Dingson was conducted alongside Operation Samwest
Operation Samwest
During World War II, Operation Samwest was a large raid conducted by 116 Free French paratroops of the 4th Special Air Service Regiment. Their objective was to hinder movement of German troops from west Brittany to the Normandy beaches via ambush and sabotage attempts.The first phase of the...
and Operation Lost
Operation Lost
During World War II, Operation Lost was a reactive seven-man Special Air Service operation inserted into Brittany alongside Operation Dingson on 22-23 June 1944...
. Parts of Overlord.
Operation Dingson 35A
On 5 August 1944, 10 Waco CG-4Waco CG-4
The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
gliders towed by aircraft of 298 Squadron
No. 298 Squadron RAF
No. 298 Squadron was a Royal Air Force special operations squadron during the second world war. Later in that war it changed to the transport role, disbanding after the end of the hostilities.-Formation:...
and 644 Squadron
No. 644 Squadron RAF
No. 644 Squadron RAF was a unit in 38 Group of the Royal Air Force during World War II which undertook glider-towing and supply dropping missions as well being employed in the paratroop role.-Formation and World War II:...
transported the French SAS men and armed jeeps to Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
near Vannes
Vannes
Vannes is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France. It was founded over 2000 years ago.-Geography:Vannes is located on the Gulf of Morbihan at the mouth of two rivers, the Marle and the Vincin. It is around 100 km northwest of Nantes and 450 km south west...
(Locoal-Mendon
Locoal-Mendon
Locoal-Mendon is a commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany in north-western France.-Breton language:In 2008, there was 17,81% of the children attended the bilingual schools in primary education.-External links:* * * * *...
), each glider carrying 3 SAS troopers and a jeep. One glider was lost with the death of the British pilot.
The SAS teams remained behind enemy lines in occupied territory until the Allies arrived.