By Torstein:
The Vaagsoe Raid 27/12-41.
The first Combined Operations of the war against German-held territory took place on this day when naval ships landed Commandos on the island of Vaagsoe on the Norwegian coast.
Royal Navy had 8 ships involved in the attack: The cruiser HMS "Kenya". (For those who has read about HMS Gurkha which I did a research on I can tell that Petty Officer Edward Reid was now aboard Kenya during this attack. Mr. Reid was also aboard Gurkha when it sank off the Norwegian coast in April 1940)
17th Destroyer Flotilla "Onslow", "Oribi", "Offa" and "Chiddingfold".
Transportship "Prince Charles" and "Prince Leopold" and at last the submarine "Tuma".
Army:
Commando Nr. 3 with 6 troops, supported by 2 troops from Commando Nr. 2.
Kompani Linge, and 51 officers and 525 other "soldiers".
Royal Air Force:
During the whole raid should there be aircraft from RAF over the target area to support if enemy aircraft should show up. Blenheims and Beufighters from 404, 254, 235, 236 and 248 Sqn. should do this job.
Hampdens from 30Sqn. and 50Sqn. should attack the fortress at Rugsuns in the target area, including making smoke.
6 Blenheims from 110Sqn. should attack enemy shipping near Sola Aerodrome to intercept the fighters from flying north to Vaagsoe.
13 Blenheims should attack Herdla Aerodrome, so the German fighters could not land here after being over the target area and get fuel or more ammunition.
The object of this raid was initially given as, while harassing the German defences on the coast of west coast of Norway, to attack and destroy a number of military and economic targets in the town of south Vaagsoe. Including the nearby island Maaloy and to capture or sink enemy shipping found in Ulvesund.
The real target was an Enigma machine and weather codes at the weather station. In this, most important, respect it was successful. (Adrian Weale)
Once ashore, the island of Maaloy and the town south Vaagsoe were to be captured and anything of value to the enemy, such as fish oil factories, destroyed.
After carrying out a number of rehearsals the force sailed on Christmas Eve, arriving at an anchorage on Christmas Day. Very heavy weather was met with. During the passage the secretary to the captain of one of the infantry landing ships invited the commanding officer to his cabin and showed him a table moving rhythmically up and down the wall, a distance of some 6 inches. It was eventually discovered that this levitation was due to the heavy seas, which were literally squeezing the sides of he ship.
The infantry landing ships suffered some damage. This was repaired, but since the weather did not immediately abate, it was decided to postpone the operation for 24 hours.
The men where therefore able to eat their Christmas dinner in comfort.
The weather having improved, the force sailed at four p.m. on Boxing Day with the promise of still further improvement. Nor was the promise believed, the storm died down. By the time the Norwegian coast was reached, weather condition were perfect.
In the van was HMS "Kenya" and in line astern came the infantry landing ships.
While it was still dark, landfall was made exactly at the estimated position and time.
There is many strange stories why the German coastal defence did not discover the force before it was to late, but it seems that the blasts from the 6 inch guns to Kenya was the first sign the Germans got of the attack.
When the attack was over 10 RAF aircraft was lost:
2 of 10 Hampdens from 50Sqn.over the target area. 2 of 14 Beaufighters from 235Sqn and 236Sqn.over the target area.
4 of 6 Blenheims from 110Sqn. while attacking a enemy convoy off our south-west coast.
2 of 13 Blenheims from 114Sqn. was lost during attacking Herdla
Aerodrome.
98 German prisoners was taken back to the UK.
German losses:
Probably four aircraft was lost over the target area.
Vessels:
Voorpostenboot (250t)
Eismeer (1000t)
Norma (2200t)
R.E. Fritzen (3000t)
Vp. Donner (233t)
Anhalt (5930t)
Anita Ross (2800t)
Recktenfleth (200t)
Epilog:
The attack was a sucess and the idea of Combined Operations was adjusted and used later during the war.