Report of a Raid on Solta
Operational Groups
Groups 2, 4, and 6
[Quotation from the U.S. National Archives Documents (note).]
[Skip the long quotation]
Subject Report No. 16
1 April, 1944
To: Lt. Colonel Paul, West, Chief Operational Officer
Thru: Commanding Officer, Hq. SBS
1. OPERATION
A. Capture of the town of Grohote, Island of Solta, 19, March 1944.
1. This was an unusually successful combined operation, which resulted in the capture or destruction of the entire German garrison on Solta. The plan of battles drawn up by Major Flynn of 2 Commando was based on elaborate reconnaissance over the preceding six weeks. As mentioned in a previous report, OG officers and enlisted men played an important part in this reconnaissance work. Strength of enemy garrison concentrated in the town of Grohote was estimated at 150. Strength of combined raiding force under Lt. Col. Churchill, OC 2 Commando, approximately 500, made up of 2 Commando and 155 OGs with heavy weapons elements from British Artillery Company stationed on Vis in support. Invasion fleet consisted of 3 LCIs with a heavy escort of MTB and two destroyers. The RAF furnished 16 Kittyhawk dive bombers for the air phase of the action. Following details of American participation are based largely on such limited personal observation as was possible from the CP.
2. Composition and strength of American force:
Unit A 7 officers 49 EM- under Capt. Bliden
Unit B 7 officers 89 EM under Capt. Houlihan
Area Hq. 3
Total officers: 17 Total EM : 138
Post was made up of Major Lovell and Captain Quay, present in a staff capacity. Captain Kerr is tactical command of both units, and Captain Markoutsos, medical officer, Lieutenant McCrary, communications officer, and detail of EM and medical technicians drawn from the strength of both units (as given above).
3. Mission:
To capture or destroy enemy garrison concentrated in town of Grohote, Island of Solta.
4. Troops embarked town of Vis aboard one LCI with No. 2 Troop, 2 Commando, Capt. McCallum OC approximately 1900 hours, 18 March, rendezvoused at sea with 2 LCIs which sailed from Comitza, and landed in cove on Island of Solta approximately 0030 hrs. 19 March. Order of march in single file from cove to positions on island eastern side of Grohote was as follows: No. 2 Troop, 2 Commando, Unit B, HQ detail, Unit A. Column split when contact between Unit B's rear and HQ detail was lost at approximately 0200 hours. HQ detail and Unit A arrived northeastern outskirts Grohote 0530 hours to find No. 2 Troop, 2 Commando and Unit B already well forward on right flank and heavily engaged with enemy machine gun positions. Lt. Col. Churchill and Command post of 2 Commando on left flank with radio loudspeaker. Balance of 2 Commando and supporting heavy weapons elements to be engaged on southwestern edge of town. By orders of Lt. Col. Churchill, Unit A advanced through fields and over stone walls along right-hand side of road leading into town from northeast, moving toward the right in process in order to make contact with Unit B's left flank. Following a period of brisk firing from rifles, machine guns, mortars, and light automatic weapons on the part of both sides and after two unsuccessful appeals for surrender had been made over the loudspeaker, the first dive bombing run was made at 0635 hours by six planes. This was followed immediately by a second run by six more planes, and the advance, temporarily interrupted by the bombing, was resumed. About five minutes later a third bombing and strafing attack was delivered by six additional planes, each of which dropped one 1000-lb. and two 250-lb. bombs; after this third attack the enemy's will to resist appeared to collapse precipitously, and small groups commenced surrendering. Troops rushed into town, which was obscured by a heavy pall of smoke and dust from the bombing and round up the remainder of enemy garrison in various buildings. Action terminated by 0730 hours, except for isolated mopping-up operations and evacuation to beaches with wounded and prisoners completed by 1230 hrs. Fighter cover over island maintained by RAF throughout the day. Troops re-embarked for Vis, aboard LCI at 1730 hrs. and disembarked town of Vis 0130 hrs. 20 March.
5. Casualties:
OG's - One EM killed in action. One officer and five EM wounded.
2 Commando - 6 EM wounded, one fatally. One officer slightly wounded.
Enemy estimated 8 killed, 12 wounded. 89, including one officer and one warrant officer, captured.
6. Following message received by Major Lovell 22 March from Brigadier Miles OG force: 133, Bari, Italy, who personally observed action from Lt. Col. Churchill's CP:
Sorry to have been called away without seeing you. Wish to congratulate you personally, and the officers and men under your command for their excellent enthusiasm and dash. With such leadership, spirit, and cooperation, we shall continue to give the Hun merry hell. Please convey my congratulations and best wishes to all ranks.
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