Operation Tarbrush facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Operation Tarbrush
Part of North West Europe Campaign (Part of World War II)
Date 15 May - 18 May 1944 Location Northern France
Belligerents
United Kingdom  Free French Forces	Nazi Germany
Commanders and leaders
George Lane
Units involved
British Commando No.10 Commando

Operation Tarbrush was a series of secret missions carried out by British Commando soldiers during World War II in 1944. These missions aimed to find out more about enemy mines and traps along the French coast.

The soldiers from No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando were in charge of these important operations.

Why the Missions Were Needed

Before D-Day, the big invasion of Europe, an RAF (Royal Air Force) plane attacked a German strongpoint called a pillbox on the French coast. The plane had a camera, and it took pictures during the attack.

When scientists looked at the photos, they saw something strange. When the plane's rockets missed their target and landed in the ocean, there were underwater explosions. This made the Allied forces wonder if the Germans had a new, secret type of mine in the water. They needed to investigate quickly.

George Lane's Discoveries

Three of the missions were led by George Lane. Lane and his team went to check for mines near Ault on the French coast.

Their mission was very risky. They had to get close to the heavily guarded coast. Lane's team found that the Germans had placed Teller mines on stakes in the water. When the tide was high, these mines would be hidden underwater. This meant that Allied landing boats might hit them without seeing them, especially at night.

However, Lane's team also found a big problem with the German mines. They were not waterproof! This meant the mines had rusted. Because of the rust, the mines only exploded when the RAF rockets hit them. Lane realized that the Germans had just quickly put these mines there. It was not a new, advanced mine technology.

Other Important Missions

Captain Hilton-Jones, based in Dover, commanded four other missions. Major Ernest Leigh Smith (who was a Captain at the time) led Operation Tarbrush 8. This mission took place at Quend Plage.

Major Smith and his team successfully brought back important information, including a real Teller mine. Because of their bravery and success, all his team members received awards. Major Smith himself was given the Military Cross. He later took part in two similar operations in Westkapelle before the Walcheren landings in November 1944.

Tarbrush Raids Summary