SOE Expeditions

15/06/2024

Join us this Sept for the first UK team to attempt the Op Galia escape route across the Apennine mountains to the Gothic line and freedom during WW2.

After 9 weeks of ambushes and hit and run attacks killing over 150 Germans and destroying over 200 vehicles the Germans sent over 6000 troops to hunt the SAS and Partisans.

On February 10th 1945 the 33 SAS soldiers of A Troop began their withdrawal, through hostile enemy territory, back towards the Allied front line.

During the ex-filtration/evasion enemy forces constantly pursued them over extremely difficult ground and in very harsh winter weather.

Op Galia was considered a success redirecting thousands of German troops away from the Gothic line.

The operation officially ended on 24 April, by which time the main Allied armies had broken out onto the Po plains and the Germans were in full retreat away from the operational area.

Hear first hand accounts from surviving Partisans and Major Gordons Lett's first hand accounts from his son Historian and author Brian Lett. Also hear first hand accounts from Rob Hann who's father was one of the SAS on the ground at that time.

Join us this Sept across a beautiful landscape as we follow in the footsteps of the SAS on Op Galia.

SAS - Operation Galia

https://soeexpeditions.com/italy-sas-op-galia

Monte San Martino Trust Keela Outdoors Italy in WW2 The Secret WW2 Learning Network Ww2 Italian campaighn Tony Francis Wellbeing

13/06/2024

Come follow in their foosteps this Sept. SAS - Operation Galia

Captain Bob Walker-Brown had parachuted into this remote part of northern Italy with 33 members of the SAS under his command. Their mission was to wreak utter havoc and mayhem.

09/06/2024

At the start of World War 2, the German army raised an impressive 315 divisions.

By June 1944, the German army had suffered significant losses and was stretched thin across the vast Eurasian landmass.

At that time, 156 divisions were deployed against Russia, 27 in Italy, 24 in Norway, and 54 in the West.

Additionally, Germany had ten panzer divisions in Normandy, including five from the Waffen SS.

The bravery and clandestine operations of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the Special Air Service (SAS), and other special forces units along with resistance fighters played a crucial role in delaying German forces.

Without their efforts, the outcome of the war might have been very different.

Come and learn about Operation Galia this Sept and their mission to divert German forces from the Gothic line and their epic escape across the Apennine mountains to freedom.

Be part of the only UK's only team to retrace their route since 1945. See link in comments.

https://soeexpeditions.com/italy-sas-op-galia

Keela Outdoors The Secret WW2 Learning Network Combined Operations Command - www.combinedops.com Monte San Martino Trust Italy in WW2 Ww2 Italian campaign

07/06/2024

Join us this Sept and be part of the first UK team to attempt the Op Galia escape route across the Apennine mountains to the Gothic since 1945.

After 9 weeks of ambushes and hit and run attacks killing over 150 Germans and destroying over 200 vehicles the Germans sent over 6000 troops to hunt the SAS and Partisans.

On February 10th 1945 the 33 SAS soldiers of A Troop began their withdrawal, through hostile enemy territory, back towards the Allied front line.

During the ex-filtration/evasion enemy forces constantly pursued them over extremely difficult ground and in very harsh winter weather.

Op Galia was considered a success redirecting thousands of German troops away from the Gothic line.

The operation officially ended on 24 April, by which time the main Allied armies had broken out onto the Po plains and the Germans were in full retreat away from the operational area.

Hear first hand accounts from surviving Partisans and SOE agent Major Gordons Lett's first hand accounts from his son Historian and author Brian Lett.

Join us this Sept across a beautiful landscape as we follow in the footsteps of the SAS on Op Galia.

https://soeexpeditions.com/italy-sas-op-galia

Keela Outdoors Commonwealth War Graves Commission The Secret WW2 Learning Network Italy in WW2 Monte San Martino Trust Combined Operations Command - www.combinedops.com

06/06/2024

On this day, June 6th, Operation Bulbasket was carried out by B Squadron, 1st Special Air Service Regiment in occupied France from June to late July 1944.

Operating in the southwest region of France, the Squadron was deployed to harass and prevent German reinforcements from reaching the allied landing zones in Normandy.

Its principal task was to destroy road and rail links and perform hit and run operations against German troops, preventing the 2nd SS Panzer Division ('Das Reich') from reinforcing the Germans in Normandy.

The operation included 55 men and supporting troops, including SAS, SOE, and French resistance. It initially had a devastating impact, including the destruction of several petrol tankers at Chatellerault, which delayed the advance of the 2nd SS Panzer division to Normandy.

Eventually, however, the Germans discovered the operating base from which the SAS conducted their missions near Verrieres.

During the resulting battle, 34 SAS soldiers were captured and later executed along with seven members of the French Resistance (known as Maquisards) and a USAF pilot.

Captain John Tonkin, CO of B Squadron, survived and continued with the mission along with 11 survivors until July 24, when they were ordered to stand down. The survivors were extracted on 6 and 7 August.

Bulbasket achieved the following success. 23 successful road and rail sabotage operations. The killing of over 150 German troops and an unknown number of Milice. The destruction of crucial petrol stocks, delaying the progress of the 2nd Panzer Division towards the Normandy landing area. Along with the 226th Infantry Division from Bayonne and the 227th Infantry Division from Carcassonne.

RIP Warriors. Gone but not forgotten.

06/06/2024

On this day June 6th Operation Bulbasket was carried out by B Squadron, 1st Special Air Service Regiment in occupied France from June to late July 1944.

Operating in the southwest region of France, the Squadron was deployed to harass and prevent German reinforcements from reaching the allied landing zones in Normandy.

Its principal task was to destroy road and rail links and perform hit and run operations against German troops, preventing the 2nd SS Panzer Division ('Das Reich') from reinforcing the Germans in Normandy.

The operation included 55 men and supporting troops, including SAS, SOE and French resistance. It initially had a devastating impact, including the destruction of several petrol tankers at Chatellerault which delayed the advance of the 2nd SS Panzer division to Normandy.

Eventually, however, the Germans discovered the operating base from which the SAS conducted their missions near Verrieres. During the resulting battle 34 SAS soldiers were captured and later executed along with seven members of the French Resistance (known as Maquisards) and a USAF pilot.

Captain John Tonkin, CO of B Squadron, survived and continued with the mission along with 11 survivors until July 24, when they were ordered to stand down. The survivors were extracted on 6 and 7 August.

Bulbasket achieved the following success. 23 successful road and rail sabotage operations. The killing of over 150 German troops and an unknown number of Milice. The destruction of crucial petrol stocks, delaying the progress of the 2nd Panzer Division towards the Normandy landing area. Along with the 226th Infantry Division from Bayonne and the 227th Infantry Division from Carcassonne.

RIP Warriors. Gone but not forgotten.

Damien Lewis SOE and Resistance. Jeep SAS only Combined Operations Command - www.combinedops.com Préservation de l'Histoire du Bureau des Opérations Aériennes The Secret WW2 Learning Network

30/05/2024

Lieutenant Nick Wilder member of T patrol (NZ - LRDG). SAS & LRDG - NORTH AFRICA.

Come follow in his footsteps this October as we visit their base in Siwa and visit historical SAS locations.

Not to be missed. https://soeexpeditions.com/north-africa-sas-%26-lrdg

Member of a Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) patrol poses with a Vickers K machine gun on a Chevrolet 30cwt truck in North Africa - May 1942

The LRDG was a British / Commonwealth reconnaissance and raiding unit primarily utilized in North Africa during WW2.

IWM - Graham (Lt) Photographer
IWM E 12410

29/05/2024

SAS - Operation Galia come and follow in the foosteps of SAS legends.

Across the mountains of Tuscany in Italy. Are you tough enough to follow in their footsteps?

https://soeexpeditions.com/italy-sas-op-galia

Keela Tactical Italy in WW2

28/05/2024

Come follow in the footsteps of the SAS and LRDG this October, last few spaces remaining.

https://soeexpeditions.com/north-africa-sas-%26-lrdg

24/05/2024

23/05/2024

Do you have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of legends?

Join us next March in Norway for the epic Attack and Escape Routes of Operation Gunnerside.

Experience the challenges faced by the SOE heroes and relive their epoc journey.

🇳🇴 vemork

22/05/2024

www.soeexpeditions.com

17/05/2024

Happy birthday to the legendary hero and SOE operator, Knut Haukelid.

Born on May 17, 1911, Haukelid played a pivotal role in the Norwegian resistance during World War II.

As a member of the Norwegian Independent Linge Company 1, which was part of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), he was instrumental in the sabotage of the N**i's nuclear program at the Vemork heavy water plant in 1943.

Famously known as the Norwegian heavy water sabotage.

This courageous act significantly delayed the N**i efforts to develop nuclear weapons, contributing to the Allied victory.

Knut Haukelid's bravery and strategic prowess have made him a celebrated figure in the annals of wartime history.

Come follow in his footsteps next March as we retrace his attack and escape routes across Norway.

See the website for details.

# kompani

17/05/2024

Join us this July for an SOE Assassination special.

Following in the footsteps of SOE agents on Op Anthropoid and Foxley.

With a WW2 weapons package and a visit to the Eagles nest.

See the website for details …

Not to be missed.

12/05/2024

Embarking on the historical path blazed by SOE legends, tracing the 80th-anniversary abduction route of General Kreipe on the stunning island of Crete.

Keeping the team warm and dry high up in the mountains at night thanks to Keela Outdoors and their awesome Talus jackets.

11/05/2024

Traversing the majestic mountains of Crete, adorned with secret cave hideouts and awe-inspiring vistas.

Retracing the steps of SOE legends on the 80th-anniversary route of General Kreipe's abduction.

06/05/2024

Relive one of the most successful missions of WW2, Operation Gunnerside attack, and escape routes Feb 2025.

Come and follow in the footsteps of WW2 legends. Norway.

Then, in March, join us for the 80th anniversary of Operation Rype.

The only American operation conducted by OSS during WW2 in Norway.

🇳🇴 .utterback

23/04/2024

Czechoslovak paratroopers Jan Kubiš and Jozef Gabčík, who carried out Operation Anthropoid, as well as their commarades, who died heroically together with them in the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Prague all underwent training by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE).

Special Operations Executive was a special section of the British intelligence service MI6, based on the initiative of Winston Churchill during World War 2 and focused on conducting combat by non-standard methods.

The organiation was founded on July 22, 1940, with the aim of conducting intelligence and sabotage activities in the territory occupied by the Germans.

For this activity, SOE trained specialists from both British citizens and citizens of countries occupied by N**i Germany, including Czechoslovakia. They were then deployed them to the occupied territories with the task of obtaining and transmitting intelligence or conducting sabotage and terrorist acts.

About 300 Czechoslovak volunteers underwent very demanding training at STS (Special Training Schools) in Scotland.

Of these, 127 later took part in airdrops on the then territory of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and the Slovak state, the others on the territory of Yugoslavia, France and Italy. SOE participated in these operations mainly by preparing and training candidates, but also by equipping them.

We look forward to remembering these brave men and women as we follow in their footsteps this July on our SOE Assassination special. We will remember them. 🙏

See the website for details.

**er

15/04/2024

Hi**er’s Eagle’s Nest and SOE Assassination: Operations Anthropoid and Foxley. Come follow in their footsteps this July.

The assassination of SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich, one of the most powerful figures in the N**i regime, in Prague in 1942 sent shockwaves through occupied Europe.

Codenamed Operation Anthropoid, this dangerous SOE mission was carried out by Czechoslovak operatives Jan Kubiš and Josef Gabčík. Their mission was true to Winston Churchill’s wish for SOE to 'set Europe ablaze'. 

Could the Second World War have finished early? Operation Foxley was a Top Secret SOE plan to assassinate Adolf Hi**er deep in his mountain retreat in the Bavarian Alps. Whilst other events meant that the plan was never executed, could it have worked? 

Shaping the course of the war, the plans, and operations to kill Heydrich and Hi**er were both dramatic and significant. We believe there is no better way to examine these historic events than walking the actual ground. 

Join us as we retrace SOE’s steps in historic Prague and the picturesque alpine trails of the Bavarian Alps to Hi**ers famous retreat the, Eagles Nest.

Following in the footsteps of Operation Anthropoid and Foxley we will also be visiting historical WW2 museums and retracing famous SOE routes.

#506

You will also have the opportunity to fire a variety of authentic WW2 weapons.

MG 42 is a 7.92  Machine Gun.

The MP 40 (Maschinenpistole 40) 

The British Sten - submachine gun.

The ZB-30 and ZB-30J Light machine gun

The PPSh-41 Soviet submachine gun.

The Ma**er M48 Bolt action rifle.

09/04/2024

On this day April 9, 1945, Major Anders Lassen, VC, MC was killed in action.

He served in No. 62 Commando (SOE) the Small Scale Raiding Force and the Special Boat Section (attached to SAS).

We look forward to remembering this great man on our latest SOE Exped. RIP warrior.

Coming soon.

08/04/2024

On this day, 8th April 1944. Paddy disguises himself and leaves for Heraklion to scout out the general's villa. Billy stays a while longer and then sets off with George, Manoli and Zahari for a mountain hideout. Zahari's family gives an emotional farewell and his father leads the way.

Diary of Captain William Stanley Moss 8th April 1944:

Before lunch Paddy dressed himself up in plain (very plain) clothes, darkened his moustache and eyebrows with burnt cork, fixed up his false identity card and pronounced himself ready for the road. A quick meal, good-byes and, he was gone.

Come follow in his footsteps on the 80th anniversary abduction route of General Kreipe- Crete this May.