11 Commando Scottish

No. 11 the Scottish Commandos

The previous page was: "10 Commando Inter Allied"

11 Commando Scottish; On 8th June 1941 the long drawn-out campaign of Syria opened. It was conducted against the forces of the Government of the Vichy, who withstood for some time the assault of the Australian troops moving up against them from Palestine.

After a swift initial advance, the invaders found themselves held up at the Litani River, at a point not far from its entry into the sea, which was strongly defended by detachments of the French Colonial Army, mainly the Algerian Tirailleurs.

Near the river's mouth, at a place called Kafr Bada, was a bridge covered by a strong fortification. It was decided that 11 Commando should capture it. They were taken aboard H.M.S. Glengyle, finding their old friend, Captain C.H. Petrie, R.N., still in command, Major G.C.T. Keys, son of the Admiral, then still Director of Combined-Operation.

10 Commando Inter Allied

The Glengyle sailed from Haifa

And those on board made what preparations they could to carry out a landing on beaches which, it was unknown, were swept by uncertain and dangerous surf. "It did not," wrote Captain Petrie afterwards, "appear to be a very promising operation."

The Plan was to land 11 Commandos Scottish, on the north bank of the Litani River to try and capture the bridge, which was known to be mined, before the charges could be blown. The garrison, it was reported, was in positions on both sides of the bridge. In high summer, the mouth of the Litani River was usually closed.

To find it, therefore, on a dark night from the sea seemed almost impossible. Petrie, however, was a man of resource, and discovered in Haifa a young Palestine policeman, F.H. Colenut, who held a commission as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.

He was sent to reconnoitre the beaches, and his report was such that the operation was carried out on the next night.

It was full of hazard,

The moon was one night past the full. They waited till dawn before lowering the assault craft, so that the Commandos went ashore with the setting moon behind them and the rising sun in front.

Lieutenant-Colonel Pedder, who led the centre of three detachments into which the Commando had been divided, and Captain G.R.M.H. More, in charge of the left detachment, landed successfully on the north side of the river, according to plan.

The southern detachment in command of Major Keyes, however, was put ashore by mistake on the south side of the river. As the other two detachments, no opposition was met with, and apart from some momentary qualms when a cypress grove was taken for a formation of the enemy, the troops cleared the boats quickly and were soon ashore.

A brisk and most unhappy battle developed.

On the north side of the river Pedder pressed forward and was soon heavily engaged. He was shot through the heart and killed; the other officers were wounded. The detachment found itself under Regimental Sergeant Major Fraser.

He led them forward until they were able to seize the local barracks and accept the surrender of a number of men who were waiting to move to the redoubt which was the key point of the defence.

Captain More's detachment began well by the capture of a number of howitzers and field guns. Fighting then became heavy and confused; at one time the prisoners taken by this detachment out-numbered their captors. As the day wore on, the situation became worse and the fire from 4-inch mortars heavier and heavier.

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The initial advantage gained

By the surprise attack had been lost; the French troops opposed to the Commando, the 22nd Tirailleurs, were gallant men, determined to fight to the bitter end. At this point Major Keys arrived.

Having realized from a reconnaissance that he had been put ashore on the wrong side of the river, he had got into immediate touch with a battalion of Australians and from them borrowed a boat in which he crossed the Litani with some of his men, the boat passing to and fro between bank to bank under intermittent and often heavy fire.

Once with the rest of 11 Commando Scottish on the north side, Keys took command, reorganised, and by 13:00 hours had captured the fortification.

The next Link below will be: "12 Commando"

11-Commando-Scottish 12 Commando

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