April 29th 1943, 7 men were transported to the island Karmøy, just north of Stavanger in Norway, onboard MTB's. This was a commando operation named Checkmate, with the intent to sink german ships in the area. Their names werer: - Lt John Godwin – leader of the operation - RNVR - Sgt. Victor John Cox ( Jack ) - Somerset Light Infantry and No. 12 Commando - Petty Officer Alfred John Roe - RN and 14(Arctic) Commando - Petty Officer Harold Hiscock - RNPS and 14(Arctic) commando - Able Seaman Keith Mayor - RN and 14(Arctic) Commando - Able Seaman Neville Burgess - RN and 14(Arctic) Commando - Able Seaman Andrew Anthony West - RN and 14(Arctic) Commando They had a small fishing coble and two canoes to help them, and managed to sink a few vessels in the area. May 15th they were all caught by the germans, with the help of norwegians. All the men ended up in Sachenhausen og Belsen, where Roe died of Thyphus and the rest were executed. I have lived not far from Karmøy all my life, bur never heard of this operation before. I'm planning to visit Kew to look at the few files they have there. Now I'm looking for any information from you guys about this operation and not least it's men. This operation is almost nonexisting in published war history. There are some information on Wiki (sceptic......), on the Commando veterans site and in the book Godwin's Saga, A Commando Epic . I am now planning to write this story. These 7 men deserve it!
A few links you may find of use, Alfred John Roe - RN CDOS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour Neville Arthur Burgess - RN CDOS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour John Godwin - RN CDOS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour Harold (Shorty) Hiscock - RN CDOS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour Keith Mayor - RN CDOS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour Andrew Anthony West - RN CDOS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour Victor John (Jack) Cox - ARMY CDOS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour
Quite a few official files on Checkmate here: Detecting your browser settings Let me know if you want any of them copied? Regards Andy
If you do visit Kew I would suggest that you look at File DEFE 2/135. This file series often contains all of the reports that you would otherwise find in the WO and ADM series all nicely brought together John
I looked at the Commando veterans site......... and the information there seems pretty good is it the same site you mention Sgt Victor John Cox 12 Commando roll of honour + Operation Checkmate
Those executed at Sachsenhausen are Remembered every Remembrance Day and International KZ Liberation Day in April. Check out the PDF File attached. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/prisoners-war/29848-operation-musketoon-british-prisoners-war-sachsenhausen-concentration-camp.html http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/special-forces/30488-sachsenhausen-remembrance-service-11-11-2010-a.html http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/holocaust/25304-sachsenhausen-65th-anniversary-liberation.html We will Remember Regards Tom
Lots of detail on the fate of Keith Mayor here: The British sailor murdered at Bergen-Belsen: The 75th anniversary of the Bergen-Belsen Trials - The National Archives blog Rest In Peace
