Motor Torpedo Boat's and the Special Boat Squadron.

One of the first operations which  involved MTB's was the successful raid on the Casquets lighthouse on the approach to Alderney harbour on the night of September 2-3, 1942.

A Royal Navy motor torpedo boat of the Small-Scale Raiding Force launched a collapsible dory manned by eight commandos close to the lighthouse, which was in use as a German radio station and listening post. The raiders returned with German codebooks and seven prisoners.

The next raid, a few months later, on the occupied island of Sark succeeded in gathering useful intelligence on the dispositions of the German garrison, but was to have long-lasting implications for future special forces operations. Five German prisoners were captured and their hands were bound. Accounts vary as to why they were left behind.

Because they were found with their hands bound, this lead Hitler to issue his infamous order that captured British commandos, were to be shot.

RAF and the Lysander

The Airforce supplied Lysanders for drops in Europe. It was a risky business landing in the conditions they were expected to follow, airstrips were none existent.

Often fields with make do bacons that would have to be extinguished as quickly as possible, sometimes not landing at all, just flying over a prearranged rendezvous to parachute there loads in. Flying as low as possible to the ground taking advantage of whatever cover they could.

Taken from file HS 1/107 at the TNA and conversations with historians and my own researches..