18th (Croatian) Eastern Bosnian brigade
Operation ZIETHEN
Soviet 236th Rifle Division
Hellgate: London
France Pirc (1899 - 1954)
Operation AUDREY
Trans-Adriatic shipping operation
History
Allied supply operation from 15 October 1943 to early 1944.
After Allied invasion of mainland Italy and Italian capitulation new situation developed with Allies holding southern Italy and Tito's partisans numerous Dalmatian islands and also several stronghold along the coast of Dalmatia although these were being quickly overrun by Germans.
This opened possibility to ship massive amount of weapons and supply across the sea instead of small amounts which were being sent by air to both Yugoslav partisans and Chetniks of Draza Mihailovic.
Plan was created by group of OSS (Office of Strategic Services) officers in Bari, captain Hans V. Tofte and Lt. Robert S. Thompson which was approved by there superior Major Louis Huot on 12 September. Supported by head of OSS William Joseph Donovan it was agreed to by Allied commander in Mediterranean theater General Henry Maitland Wilson. Operation was named bz Major Hout after his wife Audrey.
By 9 October, OSS had secured berth in Bari port for operation and started to carry out reconnaissance of Dalmatian coast for best places to deliver supplies. General Wilson HQ provided them with 14 ships transferred from Royal Yugoslav government in exile.
On 16 October, Major Huot, Lt. Thompson and representative from Yugoslav 8th Corps, Sergei Makiedo arrived to Podgora via Vis and Hvar islands for a meeting with corps commander and continued there travel over land in Italian staff car to Tito's headquarters in Jajce to conclude official agreement.
Amount of supplies and operations size have grown rapidly from 25 ships in November to 40 in December and Partisans workers loading ships from 100 to 600.
New OSS personal was also included Lt. (jg) Ward E. Ellen was place in charge of ship maintenance and Lt. John Hamilton organized new shipping base at Monopoli during December.
From 15 October to 22 December it is claimed that 11,637 tons of supplies was sent to partisans although figure of 6,500 is given by captain Tofte. Also some 2000 partisans (Oversea brigades) were transferred from Italy and 700 wounded were evacuated beside thousands of refugees. For comparison from July to September only 190 tons were air dropped 107 to Mihailovic and 82,5 tons to Tito.
References
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