# Operation Hardtack (commando raid)

Operation Hardtack was the name of a series of British Commando raids during the Second World War. The operation was conducted by No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, No. 12 Commando and the Special Boat Service, and took place on the Channel Islands and the northern coast of France in December 1943. Most of the raids consisted of ten men of various ranks, carried by Motor Torpedo Boats and dories, except for one operation, which was an airborne landing. The raids were ended by order of Major General Robert Laycock because they caused the enemy to bring reinforcements, which could have been detrimental to the Allies' strategy.

## Raids

| Codename | Date | Force | Target | Objective | Outcome |
| Hardtack 4 | 26/27 December 1943 | No. 12 Commando No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando | Biville actually Criel-sur-Mer | Reconnaissance and capture prisoners | The Commandos were forced to withdraw by German patrol activity having actually landed near Creil-Sur-Mer. Two soldiers climbed the cliffs and encountered a patrol of approx 15 Germans. The leader, Cpl (later Sgt) Douglas Nash was awarded the Military Medal for covering the withdrawal. DJ Nash citation. |
| Hardtack 5 | 26/27 December 1943 | No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando | Onival | Reconnaissance and capture prisoners | One Commando was injured by an anti-personnel mine on landing; the rest spent four and a half hours ashore but did not see any Germans, just unoccupied strong points. |
| Hardtack 7 | 25/26 & 27/28 December 1943 | No. 12 Commando No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando | Sark | Reconnaissance and capture prisoners | On the first attempt the Commandos had to return to England when they were unable to scale the cliffs, the second attempt was abandoned when the Commandos entered a minefield setting off a number of S-mines, one was injured and two died, their bodies left in the minefield on Sark.$^{:122}$ |
| Hardtack 11 | 24/25 & 26/27 December 1943 | No. 1 & No. 8 French troops, No. 10 Commando | Gravelines | Reconnaissance of beaches and sand dunes | Landed safely, but the small dory was swamped and the commandos were stranded. One probably drowned, the rest made their way inland becoming separated and attempted to avoid capture, at least some of them managed to join the French Resistance. |
| Hardtack 13 | 26/27 December 1943 | No. 1 French Troop, No. 10 Commando SBS | Bénouville-Etretat, Seine-Maritime | | |
| Hardtack 21 | 26/27 December 1943 | No. 1 French Troop, No. 10 Commando | Quineville | Reconnaissance and capture prisoners | The raid gathered information on the defensive obstacles on what would become Utah Beach. |
| Hardtack 22 | January 1944 (Cancelled) | No. 10 Commando, later 2nd US Rangers | Herm | Reconnaissance and capture prisoners | Raid was cancelled at the planning stage. |
| Hardtack 23 | 27/28 December 1943 | No. 1 French Troop, No. 10 Commando | Ostend | Reconnaissance and capture prisoners | The raid was called off after their Motor Torpedo Boat transport ran aground. |
| Hardtack 28 | 25/26 December 1943 | No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando No. 12 Commando | Jersey | Take sample of barbed wire and capture prisoners | Team of 8 landed safely at Petit Port; climbing the cliff, they failed to locate a German soldier. On returning to the beach, a mine was set off, seriously injuring Captain Ayton, who was taken to the beach and returned to England, where he died of his wounds.$^{:121}$ |
| Hardtack 36 | 24/25 December 1943 | No. 8 French Troop, No. 10 Commando | Wassenaar | Reconnaissance and capture prisoners | All the Commandos involved were killed after landing. |