In the early hours of 3 October 1943, Nos. 3 and 40 (RM) Commandos and elements of the Special Raiding Squadron (SAS) landed behind the German lines under cover of darkness at Termoli, a seaport town on the Adriatic coast of Italy.

In the early hours of 3 October 1943, Nos. 3 and 40 (RM) Commandos and elements of the Special Raiding Squadron (SAS) landed behind the German lines under cover of darkness at Termoli, a seaport town on the Adriatic coast of Italy.

Operation Devon was the codeword given to an amphibious landing by British Commandos at Termoli on the Adriatic coast of Italy during the Italian Campaign of #ww2.

40 Commando penetrated well into the town before the Germans were alerted, and brisk close-quarter fighting with German paratroopers from 1 Fallschirmjäger Division ensued. By 08:00 hours, the commandos had captured the town and controlled the approaches.

So complete was the surprise that the kampfgruppe commander - Major Rau - was captured in his pyjamas and German vehicles and motorcyclists still drove into a commando ambush position until noon.

German infantry counter-attacked in strength, later supported by tanks and panzergrenadiers from 16 Panzer Division, but the commandos, together with reinforcements from two brigades of the British 78th Infantry Division, held off repeated infantry and armoured counter-attacks until 6 October. By noon on the 6th, they had linked up with the British Eighth Army, and the enemy was in full retreat.

Members of 2 SAS are pictured here on parade on 11 October 1943 for an inspection by General Montgomery, following their successful participation in the capture, behind enemy lines, of the port of Termoli.

On the left is Major E. Scratchley DSO, MC, commanding the SAS detachment. 

On the right is Captain Roy Farran holding a German Schmeisser sub-machine gun.

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