Troops of the covering force and paratroopers practice their withdrawal to the landing craft during training in Britain for Operation Biting. From collection of the Imperial War Museum.
Operation Biting, also known as the Bruneval Raid, was a daring British Combined Operations raid during World War II. Conducted on the night of February 27–28, 1942, it targeted a German radar installation at Bruneval, France. This operation was pivotal in advancing Allied radar technology and countermeasures.
Background and Planning
By 1941, British scientists suspected that German radar systems were aiding Luftwaffe attacks on RAF bombers. Aerial reconnaissance identified radar installations, but their exact purpose remained unclear. The Würzburg radar, a key component of German air defense, was of particular interest. British scientists needed to study this technology to devise effective countermeasures.
British intelligence analysts were the first to suspect that the increasing losses of RAF bombers were linked to advanced German radar systems. Through aerial reconnaissance conducted by the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, the radar installation at Bruneval was identified as a site of interest. Photographs revealed the presence of the Würzburg radar, which became the focus of the mission. Without this reconnaissance, the British might not have known the significance of the site.
Scientific intelligence, led by figures like R.V. Jones, played a significant part. By analyzing fragments of information—such as signals intercepted from German radar systems, Enigma code decryptions, and reports from interrogated German POWs—British scientists identified the critical role of radar in Luftwaffe operations. This analysis highlighted the need to obtain physical components of the Würzburg system for deeper study.
The British gained valuable insights into the Bruneval site’s layout and defenses through local French Resistance networks. Operatives provided crucial details about troop dispositions, guard schedules, and the radar’s location. This information allowed the planners to design a precise and efficient raid strategy, minimizing risks.
Intelligence assessments determined that a seaborne assault would likely fail due to the heavy coastal defenses. The analysis of German fortifications at Bruneval led to the choice of an airborne assault with a seaborne extraction—maximizing surprise while ensuring a rapid withdrawal. Major John Frost of the 2nd Parachute Battalion was tasked with leading the raid.
Execution of the Raid
On the night of February 27, 1942, the operation finally began after weeks of meticulous preparation and several delays caused by inclement weather. The conditions were near perfect: the full moon provided enough light for visibility, and the skies were clear for the RAF transport aircraft. The paratroopers, under the command of Major John Frost, boarded their Whitley planes and crossed the English Channel with minimal interference, despite some anti-aircraft fire as they approached the French coast.
The paratroopers were dropped precisely near their designated drop zone a few miles from Bruneval, France. The company moved quickly and efficiently to their target: the villa that housed the German Würzburg radar system. Upon arrival, they encountered resistance from the German garrison stationed there. A brief but intense firefight broke out as the British troops launched a surprise assault on the villa. Their aggressive tactics allowed them to neutralize several guards and capture the area.
Inside the villa, the radar system was located, as expected. Flight Sergeant C.W.H. Cox, a radar technician accompanying the paratroopers, immediately got to work dismantling the Würzburg radar. His expertise allowed him to extract the vital components of the system swiftly and securely. These pieces were carefully packed into specially designed trolleys for transport back to Britain. This effort was critical to ensuring the British could analyze the technology and develop countermeasures.
Meanwhile, the company faced an unexpected challenge on their withdrawal. The German defenses at the evacuation beach were not fully subdued as planned due to miscommunications and the scattering of some paratroopers during the drop. A German machine gun nest overlooking the beach posed a particular threat. Major Frost and his men quickly regrouped, managing to neutralize the enemy position with a combination of tactical maneuvering and brute force.
With the beach secured, the British paratroopers fired a prearranged flare to signal the Royal Navy landing craft that had been standing by offshore. Despite the confusion and intense enemy fire, the landing craft approached the shore and began the evacuation. The process was chaotic, with some landing craft overcrowded and others under-filled, but in the end, the operation was successful. The raiding party, along with the radar components and a few German prisoners, were safely ferried to motor gunboats waiting further out at sea.
The force returned to Britain with minimal casualties—two killed and a few wounded—while accomplishing their mission objectives. The extracted radar parts and the knowledge gained from interrogating captured German personnel provided invaluable intelligence that contributed significantly to the development of British radar countermeasures.
Impact
The raid was a resounding success. The captured radar components provided invaluable insights into German technology, enabling British scientists to develop countermeasures like “Window,” a radar-jamming technique. The operation also demonstrated the effectiveness of airborne forces, leading to the expansion of British airborne units.
Operation Biting boosted British morale and showcased the ingenuity and bravery of its armed forces. It remains a powerful example ofo the strategic importance of intelligence and innovation in warfare.
Resource
Imperial War Museum
iwm.org.uk