Operation DECOMPOSED (1944)

Operation DECOMPOSED

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History

After operation FLOUNCED (Raid on BraÄ island) in which Commandos suffered heavy losses attacking fortified German positions and lack of easy targets decision was made to attempt different tactic - seaborne raiding by artillery.

First of these was carried out on 18 July against German positions at OrebiÄ‡ on PeljeÅ¡ac peninsula. KorÄula island being close and parallel to PeljeÅ¡ac peninsula allowed provided a beach to land artillery unopposed by LCT.

Operation DECOMPOSED II

As part of deception LCI 254 was masked to look as destroyer from distance doing actual shelling instead of 25pdr. Decoy worked and German artillery engaged "destroyer" attacking them giving away their positions to observes from 111. Field Regiment.

Orders of Battle

Allies - Lt. Col. Elliott

211 Battery of the No.111 Field Regiment

4th Battalion of the Yugoslav Partisans 1st Dalmatian Brigade (170 strong?) as cover force

C Battery of Raiding Support Regiment for air cover, Captain Boequet

escorting MGBs

Axis

Reference

Jovan VasiljeviÄ‡: ObraÄun na Jadranu

Dr. Kazimir PribiloviÄ‡: ÄŒetvrti pomorski obalski sektor Mornarice NOVJ, page 329

His Majesty's Gunboat 658: The Small Boat War in the Mediterranean (Cassell Military Paperbacks) by L.C.Reynolds, page 170-172

Recommended Reding