Toffeenose1878
New Member
My father Arthur Robinson served in the Levant Scooner Flotilla LSF 7 (later the Anglo Hellenic Schooner Flotilla, captained by Albert Priestly R.N.V.R from Cleethorpes and crew, Stoker C Topple from London, Curley Crichley from Broken Hill Rhodesia who all took part in activities across the Aegean including the 1944 raid on Symi.
This weekend marks the 80th anniversary of the raid on Symi in the Dodecanese Islands Greece by British SBS and Greek Sacred Squadron forces.
Operation “Tenement” (National Archive WO201/2831), as the raid was titled, was Commanded by Brigadier DJ Turnbull D.S.O.
Raiding Forces Command was Major (later Colonel) Ian “Jock” Lapraik D.S.O, O.B.E. M.C Special Air Service Regiment.
The raid began at 23:55 on the 13/07/1944 which was chosen because it was a moonless night. The raid involved attacks on 3 areas of Symi. Main force landed at Marina Bay, South Force landed Fanoremeni Bay and was to attack the Monastery and West Force landed at Toli Bay. The main attack target was the Castle at Symi.
Landing forces totalled approximately 110 Greek Sacred Squadron men. Whilst M Squadron SBS comprised about 45 men.
The Raiding Forces were transported and supported by Royal Naval Forces including the Anglo-Hellenic Schooner Flotilla (formally the Levant Schooner Flotilla).
There were approximately 14 Naval craft comprising MLFairmiles, Harbour Defence Motor Launches and Motor Torpedo Boats, as well as 4 Anglo Hellenic Schooner Flotilla caiques.
The enemy garrison were estimated before the raid commenced as approximately 35 Germans and 150 Italians.
The main action around the Castle commenced at 06:45.and by 9:00 the main force had advanced to within 300 yds of the Castle walls. There was strong return fire from the enemy 20mm. Mortars close to the Castle opened up. However ammunition was running short and further supplies from Marina Bay was attempted by dory in the harbour was foiled because the dory was sunk by the enemy 20mm’s.
Following this and with ammo depleted there appeared to be an impasse. However at the instigation of the SBS forces, the enemy were contacted by a captured German Petty Officer, advising the Castle was completely surrounded and the whole of the Island was in the hands of Allied forces. This was a bit of a bluff as the numbers taking part were limited in what could be held. The enemy was told a further assault would only result in further loss of life and at that point parley and eventually surrender of the Castle forces was agreed at 15:00
West force began their assault on enemy positions east of Fanouri with 2 inch mortars and Bren guns. The enemy quickly capitulated.
South Force were in position around 0330 on the 14/7 and by 05:00 we’re ready to attack enemy positions inside Panormiti Monastery. This commenced at 06:30 hrs. There was heavy fire from both sides around 07:00 but by 14:00 the garrison surrendered. There were 25 Italians and 3 Germans captured with 2 Allied troops wounded.
The total forces killed, wounded or held prisoner in the Symi raid were as follows
Allied Casualties
2 Greek Sacred Squadron Officers killed, drowned because of heavy kit.
2 Greek Sacred Squadron Officers wounded and 1 other ranks wounded.
1 British Officer and 2 other ranks wounded.
German Casualties
5 killed
5 wounded
41 others taken prisoner 46 in total
Italian Casualties
10 killed
10 wounded
91 prisoners 101 in total
Quislings
3 Prisoners 3 in total
Symi had in fact changed hands at least 5 times during the 2nd World War. Italian to British to German to British to German to British
There was another prior British raid in September 1943 again led by Major Ian Lapraik M.C. with Captain (later Major) Anders Lassen V.C M.C. a Dane. Anders Lassen was awarded a V.C in one of the last acts of the war at Lake Comacchio in Northern Italy. Captain Lassen was killed but before this he was heavily involved in activity across the Aegean including the 1943 Symi raid.
I believe Anders Lassen V.C. was also involved in the July 1944 Symi Operation Tenement raid as well. Can anyone confirm this?
The UK and Greek forces operated mostly out of Cassteloriso, one of the most southern Dodecanese islands and Port Deremen.The SBS with help of the Anglo Hellenic Schooner Flotilla, who provided the transport with a variety of Greek Caiques but also supported by Royal Navy MDMLs, MTBs and ML Fairmiles.
The strategic aim was to pin down as many Axis forces as possible especially when the enemy was seeking to reinforce its own needs following DDay. In this aim it was very successful.
The eventual surrender of German forces in the Dodecanese Islands was eventually signed on Symi.
In terms of enemy forces killed or captured and material put out of use, compared to Allied losses, the Symi raid was an enormous success. It was seldom reported after the event however as the 80th anniversary it should be recognised for the success it was.
This weekend marks the 80th anniversary of the raid on Symi in the Dodecanese Islands Greece by British SBS and Greek Sacred Squadron forces.
Operation “Tenement” (National Archive WO201/2831), as the raid was titled, was Commanded by Brigadier DJ Turnbull D.S.O.
Raiding Forces Command was Major (later Colonel) Ian “Jock” Lapraik D.S.O, O.B.E. M.C Special Air Service Regiment.
The raid began at 23:55 on the 13/07/1944 which was chosen because it was a moonless night. The raid involved attacks on 3 areas of Symi. Main force landed at Marina Bay, South Force landed Fanoremeni Bay and was to attack the Monastery and West Force landed at Toli Bay. The main attack target was the Castle at Symi.
Landing forces totalled approximately 110 Greek Sacred Squadron men. Whilst M Squadron SBS comprised about 45 men.
The Raiding Forces were transported and supported by Royal Naval Forces including the Anglo-Hellenic Schooner Flotilla (formally the Levant Schooner Flotilla).
There were approximately 14 Naval craft comprising MLFairmiles, Harbour Defence Motor Launches and Motor Torpedo Boats, as well as 4 Anglo Hellenic Schooner Flotilla caiques.
The enemy garrison were estimated before the raid commenced as approximately 35 Germans and 150 Italians.
The main action around the Castle commenced at 06:45.and by 9:00 the main force had advanced to within 300 yds of the Castle walls. There was strong return fire from the enemy 20mm. Mortars close to the Castle opened up. However ammunition was running short and further supplies from Marina Bay was attempted by dory in the harbour was foiled because the dory was sunk by the enemy 20mm’s.
Following this and with ammo depleted there appeared to be an impasse. However at the instigation of the SBS forces, the enemy were contacted by a captured German Petty Officer, advising the Castle was completely surrounded and the whole of the Island was in the hands of Allied forces. This was a bit of a bluff as the numbers taking part were limited in what could be held. The enemy was told a further assault would only result in further loss of life and at that point parley and eventually surrender of the Castle forces was agreed at 15:00
West force began their assault on enemy positions east of Fanouri with 2 inch mortars and Bren guns. The enemy quickly capitulated.
South Force were in position around 0330 on the 14/7 and by 05:00 we’re ready to attack enemy positions inside Panormiti Monastery. This commenced at 06:30 hrs. There was heavy fire from both sides around 07:00 but by 14:00 the garrison surrendered. There were 25 Italians and 3 Germans captured with 2 Allied troops wounded.
The total forces killed, wounded or held prisoner in the Symi raid were as follows
Allied Casualties
2 Greek Sacred Squadron Officers killed, drowned because of heavy kit.
2 Greek Sacred Squadron Officers wounded and 1 other ranks wounded.
1 British Officer and 2 other ranks wounded.
German Casualties
5 killed
5 wounded
41 others taken prisoner 46 in total
Italian Casualties
10 killed
10 wounded
91 prisoners 101 in total
Quislings
3 Prisoners 3 in total
Symi had in fact changed hands at least 5 times during the 2nd World War. Italian to British to German to British to German to British
There was another prior British raid in September 1943 again led by Major Ian Lapraik M.C. with Captain (later Major) Anders Lassen V.C M.C. a Dane. Anders Lassen was awarded a V.C in one of the last acts of the war at Lake Comacchio in Northern Italy. Captain Lassen was killed but before this he was heavily involved in activity across the Aegean including the 1943 Symi raid.
I believe Anders Lassen V.C. was also involved in the July 1944 Symi Operation Tenement raid as well. Can anyone confirm this?
The UK and Greek forces operated mostly out of Cassteloriso, one of the most southern Dodecanese islands and Port Deremen.The SBS with help of the Anglo Hellenic Schooner Flotilla, who provided the transport with a variety of Greek Caiques but also supported by Royal Navy MDMLs, MTBs and ML Fairmiles.
The strategic aim was to pin down as many Axis forces as possible especially when the enemy was seeking to reinforce its own needs following DDay. In this aim it was very successful.
The eventual surrender of German forces in the Dodecanese Islands was eventually signed on Symi.
In terms of enemy forces killed or captured and material put out of use, compared to Allied losses, the Symi raid was an enormous success. It was seldom reported after the event however as the 80th anniversary it should be recognised for the success it was.