Operation Partridge
Encyclopedia
Operation Partridge was a British Commando raid during the Second World War. It was carried out during the Italian Campaign
by No. 9 Commando
as a diversionary raid behind the German lines , to cover the withdrawal of the X Corps
in preparation for its proposed assault across the Garigliano river
.
No. 9 commando were landed on the north shore of the estuary
by the Royal Navy
during the night of 29/30 December 1944. Unfortunately they were 95 minutes late and 1000 yards (914.4 m) away from their correct landing beach. The commando attacked several German positions before withdrawing across the river in DUKW
s, apart from No.4 and No.6 troops who had to cross 2700 yards (2,468.9 m) upriver by using ropes and swimming. The operation cost the commando nine killed but they did capture 29 prisoners.
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
by No. 9 Commando
No. 9 Commando
No. 9 Commando was a battalion-sized commando raised by the British Army during the Second World War. They took art in raids across the English Channel and in the Mediterranean ending the was in Italy as part of the 2nd Special Service Brigade...
as a diversionary raid behind the German lines , to cover the withdrawal of the X Corps
X Corps (United Kingdom)
The X Corps was a British Army formation in the First World War and was later reformed in 1942 during the North African campaign of the Second World War as part of the Eighth Army.- First World War :...
in preparation for its proposed assault across the Garigliano river
Garigliano River
The Garigliano is a river in central Italy.It forms at the confluence of the rivers Gari and Liri. Garigliano is actually a deformation of "Gari-Lirano"...
.
No. 9 commando were landed on the north shore of the estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the night of 29/30 December 1944. Unfortunately they were 95 minutes late and 1000 yards (914.4 m) away from their correct landing beach. The commando attacked several German positions before withdrawing across the river in DUKW
DUKW
The DUKW is a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that was designed by a partnership under military auspices of Sparkman & Stephens and General Motors Corporation during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and water and for use approaching and crossing beaches in amphibious...
s, apart from No.4 and No.6 troops who had to cross 2700 yards (2,468.9 m) upriver by using ropes and swimming. The operation cost the commando nine killed but they did capture 29 prisoners.