Bruneval

In early 1942, the British felt that they needed to know more about the latest developments in German radar technology. The best way to find out was simply to conquer an existing radar. Therefore, the head of the joint operations, Admiral Lord Mountbatten, proposed a bold commando raid against the radar station at Bruneval, about twenty kilometres north of Le Havre in northern France. The raid was called Operation Biting and was carried out by a newly-set paratrooper battalion led by Major J. D. Frost. The operation began on the night of February 27, 1942, when about 120 paratroopers were dropped near the radar station. The German defenders were completely taken by surprise and the radar station was captured after a brief fight. Technicians dismantled important parts of the radar and when this was done, the commandos went down to the beach where boats waited for transport back to England. In addition to technical equipment, two German radar technicians were captured. British losses amounted to only two killed, six injured and six captured. German losses were only marginally higher. The Mission was a great success.