Operation Davistow 1944 (SOE)

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S

Stephan Parnes

New Member
I have recently received copies (from the British National Archives) of the Special Operations Executive personnel file for my first cousin once removed Rudolf Marian Parnes.

In the papers there is a reference to his preparation for an operation with the code name "Davidstow."

The date of the operation was listed as "From March 27, 1944 onwards."

The papers say "Will attend course at STS 35 commencing 2.4.44. He is to be sent to the field as an organiser."

The papers indicate note "The Chief of the Organization in France asked for his despatch. M. Kijakowski whilst in the U.K. personally recruited Parnes for work in the Organization. He is going in order to organize the Signal service and is in possession of special instructions regarding the organization of the DS_day /see our letter No.585/L/tjn44/"

His cover name for the operation in France was Rene Marcel Poitevin.

Another name mentioned in the papers as part of this operation was Bronicki. This was "Henryk BRONICKI, aka Henri Jules BERMONT - born 29.10.1923"--whose papers in the British National Archives are closed until 01 Jan 2024.

Other names include:
Captain Basin, who provided the cover story
Lieut. Col. Hazell
Miss Pettigrew
M John

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who may have any further information about any aspect of this operation or the people involved.

Stephan Parnes
Lancaster, PA
 
I, too, have been trying to research DAVIDSTOW. So far, with little success.

My father, TADEUSZ KRALA 2LT Polish SOE, was assigned to operation DAVIDSTOW. All that I presently know about it is from his personnel papers obtained from the National Archives.

From what I have gathered (unrealiably) so far, DAVIDSTOW was to be in the area of LYON, FRANCE. It was postponed several times and eventually cancelled.

One document refers to a DAVIDSTOW B. This might be the rescheduled operation or a subset of a larger operation. I do not know.

The date for the start of the operation on one document is 1 MAR '44. On the second, it is 29 MAR '44.

I presently suppose the delay and subsequent cancellation (?) had something to do with the efficiency of KLAUS BARBIE in rooting out resistance. But, this is pure speculation on my part.

In the case of TADEUSZ KRALA, he was subsequently sent on a mission to LILLE, FRANCE.

Other names presently known to be associated with communications regarding his group are

Wazny
Lozinski
Mamczarski

I believe that Lozinski was the leader of the group. I know that one is supposed to have died during the operation. Possibly Wazny or Mamczarski. Not Lozinski as he is known to have emigrated to the US after the war.

If I come across anything else, I will pass it on.
 
Hello,
I am Zbigniew RASZKA, son of Ludwik RASZKA "Krogulec"
Tadeusz KRALA (Lampart) was the second of my father in the sector Malopolska (Valenciennes-Denain- Douai) in north France.
The radio-operator was Stefan LEWANDOWSKI (Alamant)
I you need some more information :
raszka.zbigniew@gmail.com.
Regards
 
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