June 1944 is known, historically, for numerous pinnacle events. The liberation of Rome on 4th June and the D-Day landings in Normandy on 6th June. The early days of June 1944 would also see elements of the 111 Fd Regt, along with various other Commando, intelligence and Partisan forces take part in beach landings of their own as part of Operation Flounced.
1st June 1944 – Vis
AM – Guns and vehicles of 211 Bty embarked for operation on BRAC
PM – Personnel of 211 Bty embarked. Captain J. L. Hart having left evening of 31st as Forward Observation Officer with detachment of 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.
2nd June 1944 – Vis
01:00hrs – Main landings at BOL and FARSKA on BRAC Island.
22:00hrs – 2 more 25pdrs from 212 Bty, under Lieutenants L. T. Filleul and H. J. Reay embarked at Vis for BRAC.
23:00hrs – All personnel returned from BRAC operation
Operation Flounced 1st – 4th June 1944
Operation Flounced served two purposes. Firstly, the Germans had launched an attack (known as Operation Rösselsprung, or Knights Move) in Drvar, Yugoslavia with the intent of capturing or killing General Tito who was hidden in the mountains. Jack Churchill and the 2nd Special Service Brigade (later to be called 2nd Commando Brigade, removing the title Special Service and its association with the Schutzstaffel – or ‘SS’), wanted to launch a raid on the island of Brac to tie-up the German troops and resources, preventing them from taking part in Operation Rösselsprung. Secondly, the allied forces wanted to destroy Garrisons on Brac to prevent them from becoming a launch point for a potential attack on Vis.
The information below is 111 Fd Regt’s transcribed report on Operation Flounced, along with lessons to be learned for subsequent raids.
With fierce German resistance, and the destruction of the German Garrison looking unlikely, the Allied attack was called off and the troops withdrew under the protection of 111 Fd Regt Artillery. With nearly 3 times as many dead and wounded Allied troops compared to German, the attack was far from a success. Although raids on the islands would continue, they were carried out on a smaller scale and acted as ‘harassing’ raids to weaken enemy morale and probe defences, rather than a full-scale assault.
German Forces
British Forces
Partisan Forces
US Forces
42 dead
50 dead
67 dead
–
150 wounded
73 wounded
308 wounded
1 wounded
11 missing
~20 missing
14 missing
–
220 captured
–
–
–
5th June 1944 – Vis
Regt received four 75mm Howitzers, M1A1, Mk8 Carriage
6th June 1944 – Vis
Initial plans developed by Lieutenant-Colonel Elliot for Operation “THEOREM I” to land a Bty (212) at DUBA, on north-coast of PELJESAC peninsula, to shell targets in OREBIC and KORCULA towns.
““Poor old Cody was killed by a partisan mine – Fred Taylor wounded. Everyone cursed most viciously at the news. I went to the funeral a couple of days later, held in the tiny Allied cemetery above Rukovac, about sixty blokes honoured old John – one of the best – blast the war. Life though wasn’t all milk and honey – we began to do raids with the guns, having commando troops as local protection.”
Diary entry from 6th June 1944 from Sgt Observer Frederick Sidney Williams, 212 Bty, 111 Fd Regt in his family’s memoirs “Our Fred’s War”.
The cemetery that Fred refers to does not exist anymore. The 78 British and American servicemen that were buried here were eventually moved to the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Belgrade, Serbia. On the spot where the cemetery once stood, amongst the grapevines, is a monument to those men who served and lost their lives on Vis. Additionally, although Fred put 6th July, he is likely referring to 10th of July when Jack Hogarth was killed. There were no other deaths in the regiment around this time.
7th June 1944 – Vis
Regimental firing practice – including experiments with unorthodox charge strengths to overcome exceptional crest clearance at approx. 4500 and 8000 for proposed operation.
8th June 1944 – Vis
Regimental Sports Event – Cross Country Run.
9th June 1944 – Vis
25pdr firing practice – further experiments with charges “1 ½” and “2 ½”, which proved entirely satisfactory. 20:00hrs – Captain G. Pitt and Lieutenant G. R. Mason went with Highland Light Infantry and Royal Engineers reece party to reece landing beaches, gun area and route to O.P. on PELJESAC peninsula, with full observation on OREBIX and KORCULA.
10th June 1944 – Vis
25pdrs firing practice – Lieutenant Colonel Elliot set out to contact Captain Pitt’s party.
12th June 1944 – Vis
07:00hrs – Lieutenant Colonel Elliot returned having reece’d route to OP at V571916. Lieutenant J. A. R. Barnes sent out to recce route further with a view to guiding O.P. party on a two day journey to O.P.
14th June 1944 – Vis
25pdr firing practice
15th June 1944 – Vis
Lieutenant Colonel Elliot flew to BARI to discuss Operation “THEOREM I” particularly with regard to Navy and RAF co-operation with HQ LFA. Lieutenant Barnes returned from PELJESAC.
17th June 1944 – Vis
Lieutenant Colonel Elliot returned from BARI. Operation which was to have started night 17/18th not approved “as RAF could deal with targets by bombing more economically”. Lieutenant D. E. Howell sent to PELJESAC to reece a shorter return route from O.P.
19th June 1944 – Vis
17:00hrs – Brigadier G. M. O. Davy CBE, DSO, informal visit to RHQ.
20th June 1944 – Vis
14:00hrs – Brigadier Davy interviewed officers of 211 Bty, who took part in BRAC operation, and inspected 212 and 476 Btys. Lieutenant Howell returned from PELJESAC. Captain F. D. A. Wilson on reece to MLJET.
21st June 1944 – Vis
476 Bty firing practice with 75mm guns.
22nd June 1944 – Vis
Regimental Sports Event – Aquatic Sports held at RUKAVAC.
24th June 1944 – Vis
11:00hrs – Ceremonial Parade in which Marshall Tito reviewed troops of 2 S.S. (Special Service) Brigade. Salute of 19 guns fired in honour of Marshall Tito by 211 Bty.
19:30hrs – Demonstration of Naval Bombardment by “Hunt” Class Destroyers, witnessed from Island SV. ANDRIJA. C.O. , Bty Commanders and Intelligence Officer attended.
25th June 1944 – Vis
Island Garrison Athletic Sports meeting held on Regimental Football Ground. Captain F. D. A. Wilson returned from MJLET reece.
26th June 1944 – Vis
Message received from L.F.A. “THEOREM I” approved.
27th June 1944 – Vis
Manning Exercise – O.P’s manned, TAC RHQ established. Bty contact made with sector commanders – wireless communications established, with R.S.R. and 64th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt included in the regimental network. HAA joined the regiment in firing on “Y” targets. 19:00hrs – C.O. flew to HQ Land Forces Adriatic regarding “THEOREM I”.
29th June 1944 – Vis
C.O. returned from BARI. “THEOREM I” finally cancelled.
30th June 1944 – Vis
Artillery firing practice with 75mm guns. 2nd Special Service Brigade Intelligence Summary No. 97 dated 30 June 1944 reports: “KORCULA – The result of the bombing on Korkula town resulted in 2 civilians killed and not appreciable damage”.
