Amherst: French SAS Dropped Behind Enemy Lines

PAGE UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Operation Amherst involved the dropping of 3rd and 4th Battalions of the SAS behind German lines in Northern Holland. The two battalions had a combined strength of 702 officers and men and were primarily Free French paratroops incorporated into the British Army. Aircraft from 6 squadrons ferried the Free French SAS troopers on a mission to capture Dutch canal bridges to bottle up German forces and provide access for the advancing Canadian Army.

2 further squadrons carried Jeeps and other supplies. Despite the complexity of finding drop sites accurately and on time, all aircraft made successful drops.

299 Sqd Short Stirling (5G-C) dropping troops.

Crew of 'Bitter Sweet' from RAF 299 Sqd pictured with members of the 3rd Battalion SAS prior to Operation Amherst in April 1945.

Crew of 'Bitter Sweet' from RAF 299 Sqd pictured with members of the 3rd Battalion SAS prior to Operation Amherst

The picture was taken at RAF Shepherds Grove on the 7th April 1945. 196 Sqd 299 Sqd had relocated to RAF Shepherds Grove from RAF Wethersfield in January 1945.

299 Sqd 07 April 1945

196 Sqd 07 April 1945

295 Sqd 07 April 1945

570 Sqd 07 April 1945

190 Sqd

620 Sqd

SY 2022-04-13