" Jedburgh Team Ops in support of the 12th Army Grp, Aug 44. " Topic

"Special operations have not always been viewed so positively. Prior to the early 1960's- when President John F. Kennedy expanded U.S. Special Forces and made counterinsurgency the cornerstone of his Flexible Response doctrine- the lot of special operations soldiers was far from satisfactory. Few in number, they were criticized as elitist and were considered suitable only for behind-the-lines operations in a major East-West conflict. Little has been written about the missions and activities of special forces in the 1950's and even less about their predecessors in World War II. The Jedburghs were one such group, dropped in three-man teams in France during 1944 to assist the Allied advance from behind the German lines. Dr. S. J. Lewis' study on the activities of a number of Jedburgh teams operating in northern France during the last year of the war addresses this often-overlooked aspect of the war in Europe. This study should advance the understanding of Special Operations Forces on the part of the military professionals and civilians alike and stimulate further inquiries into a topic still shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. "
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I don't know where you continue to unearth these links, but thank you very much.

Very interesting.

You are welcome. Here is another,

Jedburgh operations: support to the French resistance in Eastern Brittany from June-September 1944.

"Specially trained teams, known as Jedburghs, were inserted into France in conjunction with Operation "Overlord" to help liberate it from German occupation. The Jedburghs were three-man allied teams, comprised of two commissioned officers, (at least one French) and a non-commissioned officer in charge of the radio (wireless telegraphy). All Jedburghs were volunteers. They received highly specialized training in guerrilla warfare. Jedburghs served in harm's way, deep behind enemy lines. They were subordinate to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), and its commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Their covert mission in Operation "Overlord" helped pave the way for the liberation of France, and ultimately resulted in a campaign to free Europe from Nazi rule. This study explores the origins, purpose, training and missions of the Jedburghs. I will examine the actual operations of seven Jedburgh teams in Eastern Brittany. Their actions and effectiveness will be compared with operations of other Jedburgh teams."
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Role of Jedburgh teams in Operation Market Garden.
"This study evaluates the six Jedburgh teams which supported Operation Market Garden during the period 11 September-24 September 1944. The conceptual development of Jedburgh missions and the recruitment and training of men for these missions are first examined. The formation of the Dutch Jedburgh teams which comprised the Dutch Liaison Mission is then discussed. The status of the Dutch resistance following the aftermath of the damaging "NORD POL" counter intelligence operation and the operational situation in Europe which eventually led to the planning for Market Garden are provided as background for understanding the unique roles Jedburgh teams played in the operation. Each Jedburgh team's story is told in the context of the battles fought during Market Garden. The Dutch Jedburgh teams had varying degrees of success. Special Forces Headquarters refined their operational procedures to support the airborne divisions. Their roles were greatly affected by the unique nature of the flat, densely populated Holland countryside, by the tactical exigencies which characterized the battles during Market Garden and by the lack of intelligence on the Dutch underground as a result of "NORD POL". This study concludes that the Jedburgh concept was good, but that poor intelligence, inadequate equipment, and lack of understanding of Jedburgh capabilities by division staffs and commanders hindered overall effectiveness. Jedburgh teams deployed too late to make a difference at Market Garden. Had they infiltrated earlier, their work with the resistance could have provided the manpower and intelligence to make a difference in Market Garden's outcome. Reviewing their histories is useful to modern day special operations planners as a means of evaluating SOF support to conventional forces in large theater operations. "
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Thank you. I hope to find material for one or two scenarios within.

I hope you do too. They are a interesting aspect of the war. Robert

Special force: origin and development of the Jedburgh project in support of Operation Overlord.

" This study examines the history of the Jedburgh project from the origin of the concept, through development of the Jedburgh plan, to final preparations for deployment. It includes a study of the recruitment process used to man the force and the training program undertaken to prepare the Jedburghs for their unconventional warfare (UW) mission. The Jedburgh plan provided for 100 three-man teams composed of American, British, French, Belgian, and Dutch special forces personnel. These teams operated well behind German lines, with the primary mission of coordinating the activities of the various resistance elements to ensure that their operations supported the overall Allied campaign effort. These operations, indeed the very concept of a force designed to work directly with partisans in an occupied country in support of conventional forces, remain significant because they are the doctrinal basis for our current special forces. Today's UW doctrine centers increasingly around the support of revolutionary insurgents in a low intensity conflict environment. U.S. Army Special Forces leaders must understand the different and complex nature of conducting UW with partisans in a mid to high intensity conflict, though, if they are to remain prepared to conduct these operations. The amount of lead time required to develop such a capability will probably not be available in future conflicts. "
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