SOE supporting SMS in Mediterranean 1944-5

US Marine Corps Raider 1942-1943
US Marine Corps Raider 1942-1943
By Ed Gilbert
Navajo Code Talkers:Native American Heroes
Navajo Code Talkers:Native American Heroes
By Catherine Jones
G

gongnz

New Member
Can anybody help me with information concerning the operations of SOE supporting the SBS in the Mediterranean in 1944/1945. I believe they ran a group of small boats in the Aegean into Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia. I would welcome ALL information no matter how trivial. Details of bases etc.
I am particularly interested in the involvement of Sgt John Alexander REDPATH, 30836, DCM, MM, New Zealand Engineers, after his escapes from Crete, Greece, Italy etc.

Rgds to all
Graeme
 
Dear Graeme,

I'm not sure if our paths have "crossed", but your interest in John Redpath has aroused my curiosity, for I too have followed that gentleman's amazing history. I'f you're tracing John, you're also got to include his "partner" Jim Craig. Anyway drop me a line, paullondon@actrix.co.nz I have a suspeicion you're in NZ and we may have met and perhaps owe you an obituary for Charles Jagger?

Kind regards

Paul
 
hi

hate to hijack this conversation but I am looking for information on a Spaniard from layforce who was running around Crete after the fall for a about a year. wondered if any of you had heard any stories of one. he spoke greek like a Greek and blended in well, he escaped about mid 41 with a British officer I am trying to trace. his name was Francisco Geronimo. he was my grandfather

just thought Id ask
 
Dear Geronimo,

You're most welcome to join "our" conversation. For the past 20 years I've been a fairly agressive reader/researcher of MI9/SOE "Eastern Mediterranean" operations and during that time I can't say I've ever heard or seen mention of your grandfather's name. Although after two decades of reasonable research experience there's still a lot of this island's complex war history I've yet to learn. However, should you find the name of the British officer he escaped with - this man's name, I'm sure will prove to be the "key" to unreavling the mystery you're currently facing. If you were based in the UK, I guess your'd have gone through any Layfoce files held in the National Archives (PRO). Thanks for the question and please do keep me informed of progress.

With kind regards

Paul
 
yet to get to the lay force records. its on my to do list. however I know he was held up in a cave with two officers. one couldn't take it and surrendered and was shot. probably more likely to find him first I would think. the second officer escaped with him. its trying to pin small details about him together from what I have. he said he used to wake up to the sound of a stream and a children playground ( two of the nicest sounds in the world he said). he would never east raisins because he ate so many on Crete. he buried two stens over there somewhere ( we wonder if someone dug them up by now). he also had to jump out of a Cretan family's window to evade capture and I think the family who were hiding him and others were executed. like I said its nothing concrete. lots of little threads. I read the Ian Frazer book and it was very helpful from the anzac side even gave me teh dates when he would have gotten off via submarine. anyway I shall keep plugging away.
 
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