Salut tt monde volia qq chose que j'avais en vie de faire depuis pas mas de temps:
OPERATION GAIN:
This really is not easy to comprehend due to miss information)
This is what I managed to get regarding FAYEL, I still have not been able to get a copy of the Book “Beret rouge” by Serge Vaculik, but I have this quote:
“We got home with out further incident and after a weeks rest we received orders to prepare for a further mission, the destruction of grounded German planes at various airfields around Paris, beginning at Etampes. A group of Resistance men would be expecting us and they would lend us all possible assistance. We were to be dropped near La Ferte-Allais and to remain in France for about a month carrying out various sabotage operations… It was July 4th 1944 and my last mission to France”.
It was a team of 12 men but they dropped in to an ambush. Apparently someone in Paris was caught trying to sell a parachute and told the Germans of the forth coming parachute drop. On landing, 9 of the 12 were captured, 3 missing & 3 badly wounded (that does not make 12?). They were interrogated at a place Ave Foch in Paris by Herr Dr. Schmidt and the SS. They were kept there until the 9th August 1944. They were dressed in civilian clothes and put in the back of a truck; they were told that they would be taken to Switzerland on a POW exchange program. After some time they got to Noailles (not far from Fayel) were they were driven around for a while. Finally taken out into the woods and lined up in front of a firing squad. Whilst Dr. Schmidt was fussing about preparing the sentence, Vaculik let out a scream, charged the Germans which resulted in a melee. The SAS men scattered. 5 were shot and two escaped. Vaculik and Glenys Atherton's Dad.
The D-Day landings had started and a group of the 1st SAS was sent to disrupt German efforts. The young men where dropped by parachute in the night into a trap. The SAS team was met by machine gun fire but those who managed to make it to the ground were taken prisoner.
Photo by Graham TAYLOR 2005
At the edge of the wood at Fayel, the Germans unloaded the SAS team and started to read them the execution orders. With in an instant one of the team charged the firing squad, now free from his cuffs. The others all ran in different directions and Mr.( the dad) due to the civilians cloths tripped. The guards believing he was one of the dead ran after Vaculik who had charged them.
Mr. ? hid in the forest for three days until he was found by a group of local children. From here another group of elder kids came and help him to the local town. Here he was put in contact with the local resistance group who hid him. Mr.? had by this time also been able to contact the local resistance. Both groups were in contact and both told each other of their SAS member. The two men were soon reunited.
They spent their time helping the local resistance and relaying information.
(Does anybody know who?)
It also seems that the 5 SAS men were buried at the Chateau de Parisis Fontaine not far from Fayel.
Photo of the Chateau de Parisis Fontaine (by Glenys Atherton)
Who dares Wins!
Surname: Garstin
Forename: Patrick Bannister
Unit: 1 SAS (D Squadron)
Rank: Captain
Number: 95531
Date Of Death: 9th August 1944
Age 25
Grave: Marissel French National Cemetery
Additional info: parent unit 2 Bn Royal Ulster Rifles
born India
resided "other Asian countries" (PRO)
son of Richard Hart and Mary Amelia Garstin
husband of Susan Nicola Garstin,Canterbury,Kent
award M.C.
Op.Gain - POW 4.7.1944 - executed wood near Beauvais, France
Surname: Barker
Forename: Thomas James
Unit: 1 SAS (D Squadron)
Rank: Private
Number: 6986237
Date Of Death: 9th August 1944
Age: 20
Gravesite: Marissel French National Cemetery,France Coll.grave 326-329
Additional Information: parent unit Army Air Corps
former Royal Ulster Rifles
born Co.Tyrone,Northern Ireland
son of John and Florence Barker,Cookstown,Co.Tyrone,N.Ireland
Op.Gain - WIA and POW 4.7.1944 - executed wood near Beauvais, France
Surname: Varey
Forename: Thomas
Unit: 1 SAS (D Squadron)
Rank Sergeant
N° 811752
Date Of Death: 9th August 1944
Age 30
Grave: Marissel French National Cemetery
Additional info: parent unit Army Air Corps
born York
son of Alfred and Annie Varey,York
brother of Harry Varey died 17.12.1944 age 24 as 1111885 Sergeant 49 Sqdn RAFVR
Op.Gain - POW 4.7.1944 - executed in a wood near Beauvais, France
Surname: Young
Forename: William Pearson (Billy)
Unit: 1 SAS (D Squadron)
Rank: Private
Number: 7018947
Date Of Death: 9th August 1944
Age: 22
Grave: Marissel French National Cemetery
Additional Information: parent unit Army Air Corps
former Royal Ulster Rifles
born Randalstown,Co.Antrim,Northern Ireland
resided Randalstown,Co.Antrim,Northern Ireland
son of William and Elizabeth Young (both died 1959)
eldest of 5 sons
award Croix de Guerre (posthumous)
Op.Gain - POW 4.7.1944 - executed in a wood near Beauvais,France
Surname: Walker
Forename: Joseph
Unit: 1 SAS (D Squadron)
Rank: Private
Number: 7019954
Date Of Death: 9th August 1944
Age: 21
Grave: Marissel French National Cemetery
Additional Information: parent unit Army Air Corps
former Royal Ulster Rifles
born Co.Down,Northern Ireland
resided Co.Down,Northern Ireland
Op.Gain - POW 4.7.1944 - executed in a wood near Beauvais, France
Sources:
Glenys Atherton,
Serge Vaculiks book (?)
http://www.specialforcesroh.com/browse.php
Graham TAYLOR