"Operation Archery, also known as the Vaagso Raid" Topic

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"Objectives of the attack. Planning by Combined Operations HQ. Allotted naval forces. Importance of proper preparation: "There can't be too many rehearsals." Commando equipment. Importance of good weather for combined operations. Voyage to Norway. Preliminary naval and air attack. Smokescreen laid by aircraft. Rôle of LCS(M)s. The landings. High rate of fatalities due to German snipers – suggests future precautions. First oil tanks destroyed. Importance of visual signalling to back up W/T. Commitment of British reserves and the end of effective resistance. Luftwaffe activity hinders the ferrying of supplies. Evacuation of casualties. Local population reassured. Withdrawal – embarking troops should be dispersed to avoid casualties. British destroyers sink enemy merchant vessels – but capture neither ships nor confidential papers. Need for "complete ruthlessness" in dealing with German crews. Air support – improved communications between aircraft and the HQ ship would have reduced air losses. Abortive German air attack on departing ships. Lesson of Vaagso – "…cooperation between the three services must be whole-hearted and efficient." Germans reinforce Norwegian garrison, tying down valuable troops. the film ends with a recapitulation of those factors which contributed to the success at Vaagso."

A very interesting op, and as noted lead to a lot of lessons learned for the future. And demonstrated the usefulness of such forces …

Great post Kaos.

It was interesting that the smoke to mask the batteries was laid using WP 100 pdr bombs rather than something like the M10 smoke tanks that were used at D Day and in the Pacific. It shows that they were confident of hitting the target as WP would have been useless if dropped wide in the sea whilst smoke tank screens were effective over water.

Cheers,
Bertie

Thanks Legion and Bertie. I really like to see the films made during the war. Especially the ones with the lessons learned from an Operation to be put to use later on. Robert

I've refought this battle twice – once with Rapid Fire, once with Battlefront:WW2. Excellent game both times, and the table looks very pretty with snowy islands and blue sea.

So at least that was one good lesson learned Bertie. Robert