Operation Thesis Crete July 1943

[Brian]

Apologies - I initially entered this on the Luftwaffe and Axis Forum in error!

Hi guys

I am endeavouring to educate myself regarding Operation Thesis, the relatively unknown, mainly Hurricane strike against Crete that occurred on 23 July 1943 - obviously overshadowed by the ongoing invasion of Sicily. Can anyone point me in the direction of books/articles covering this one-day operation, during which a number of Hurricanes were lost for very little reward? Can't seem to find much on the 'net.

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

It seems No 454 RAAF Squadron had a very bad day as well. Five out of 8 sent out Baltimores (FA224, FA390, FA409, AG869 and AG995) were shot down over Crete.

What Hurricane squadrons other than No 238 were involved? I read somewhere that a total of 13 Hurricanes (escorting the Baltimores?) were downed.

Regards,

Leendert
Brugge/Belgium

[Leendert]

It appears that 109 Hurricanes made strafing runs.

Other squadrons involved that I could find were No 7 SAAF, No 74 and No 123 (S/L Ken Lee shot down).
Perhaps their ORBs can tell you more.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Brian,

Info keeps trickling in: No 336 Greek Squadron was taking part as well and lost two Hurricanes (BP125, P/O Athanasakis, KIA and HL607, P/O Skantzikas, fate unknown).

Leendert

[Henk Welting]

Leendert,
BP125 must be BP232 and Skan(t)zikas was on HW250 (refer to RAF Commands Forum and for HW250 Bob Davis's website on The Great Escape).

Henk.

[Brian]

Hi guys

Just to add to this enquiry, the raid was in response to the killing of hostages following the commando raid on Crete during the night of 4/5 July1943.

A year earlier, hostages were also killed following a raid by commandos on 14 June 1942. Does anyone know the code names associated with the two commando raids? Has anything been written/published about the raids?

I note that the name of Luftwaffe Colonel Schlange was prominent in connection with the 1942 raid. What was his fate?

Cheers
Brian

[Steve Darlow]

Hi Brian

Just to let you know that an account concerning Ken Lee being shot down on this operation is in my book Five of the Few.

I am aware that there is a file AIR 23/6739 in the national archives which I believe concerns the operation - although I haven't actually had a look at it.

In addition - when I was researching my grandfather, arthur darlow's story for Lancaster Down - I managed to get in touch with Australian F/Lt Doug Hutchinson who roomed with him at StalagLuft III. Dough was a wireless operator with 454 Squadron on Baltimore's. Doug did send me an account of the his aircraft's demise, shot down on 23 July on an operation to Crete - but can I find it! I'll keep looking but just though I would let you know.

Hope this helps

Steve Darlow
www.stevedarlow.co.uk

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Brian!
A long time ago, I established contact with former 74 Squadron pilots. One of them mentioned this Operation and sent me a piece of a journal, with information related.
Send me your e-mail, and AS SOON AS my new computer will be fixed up ( mother board problems ), I promiss I will scan it for you, ok?
I am in a hurry nowadays, so do not promiss I will get back before one or two weeks, so; please wait my contact via e-mail.
Yours sincere and friendly
Adriano Baumgartner

[Amrit1]

Originally Posted by Brian

Hi guys

Just to add to this enquiry, the raid was in response to the killing of hostages following the commando raid on Crete during the night of 4/5 July1943.

A year earlier, hostages were also killed following a raid by commandos on 14 June 1942. Does anyone know the code names associated with the two commando raids? Has anything been written/published about the raids?

I note that the name of Luftwaffe Colonel Schlange was prominent in connection with the 1942 raid. What was his fate?

Cheers
Brian

Hi Brian

You may find this a useful start to the commando raids in that theatre. It's not a bad intro, and provides some useful bibliographic leads:

http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTR...c=GetTRDoc.pdf

A

[Brian]

Thanks Steve (we ride for the same stable!) Ashamedly I haven't seen your book but will endeavour to do so asap. Keep searching!

Thanks Adriano - I look forward to seeing any 74 Squadron material you may have. My e-mail address is: briancullauthor@fsmail.net

Thanks Amrit - most useful information.

Cheers
Brian