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A Picture from History: Operation Tombola

In this Picture from History, we take a look at Roy Farran, a SAS Major involved with Operation Tombola behind enemy lines during WWII.
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    Crouched down in undergrowth, SAS Major Roy Farran was about to signal the start of a guerilla attack against the Nazis in what would become known as Operation Tombola. 

    The Germans throughout Italy were in retreat from Allied forces, but the stiff Gothic Line prove impenetrable.

    WWII Gothic Line
    A map of the Gothic Line

    And paratroopers such as Farran were dropped behind enemy lines to help poke some holes.

    Farran wasn’t supposed to be in the field, though. He “accidentally” fell out of the plane with his men.

    Once on the ground, Farran quickly went about assembling a ragtag band of fighters. The goal? To cause as much grief to the occupying Germans as possible. 

    The result was a force of 20 SAS paratroopers, 40 Italian partisans, 60 Russians (many of which were freed German POWs), 15 Italian women, and a Scottish bagpiper.

    Italian partisan
    An Italian partisan in Florence

    It was an eclectic group, to say the least 

    Allied intelligence discovered the Germans had set up a headquarters at nearby Albinea.

    On March 27, 1945, Farran sent two young women from his group cycling into the town. They spent a bit of time flirting with the German sentries and pedaled around the town. The entire time, they made mental notes. 

    Albinea, Italy
    Albinea, Italy (Photo: Giorgio Galeotti)

    The women returned to the men reporting approximately 500 German soldiers in the barracks in town.

    In addition, the German officers turned the two largest buildings into their headquarters. 

    Aside from determining the location of these buildings, the women also told the men machine gun nests locations, the number of sentries protecting the headquarters (four each), and the 8-man patrol that marched up and down the main road. 

    Roy Farran
    Roy Farran himself (Photo: Denis Fildes)

    Armed to the teeth with “knives, pistols, Tommy guns, and rifles,” Farran’s men prepared to attack in the night. 

    Farran split his men into several groups. 

    Farran waits for inspection
    Farran, right, waits for inspection after participating in the capture of Termoli, Italy in 1943

    He created two assault teams consisting of 10 SAS and 20 Italians each.

    They were each responsible for the two headquarters buildings. The Russians set up an ambush on the road connecting the barracks to the headquarters.

    Farran and the rest of the force provided cover fire. 

    The bagpiper? His job was to play “Highland Laddie” throughout the entire raid. Psychological warfare, after all, can be very effective.

    As the attack started, the crew disposed of the sentries before they ever knew they were under fire.

    Stiff resistance met the men with each building. After the first was taken, however, the second burned to the ground with the Germans on the upper floor. 

    The men in the barracks attempted to reach HQ, but the Russians kept them well at bay.

    And exactly 20 minutes after the attack started, a flare signaled Farran’s men to disappear into the mountains.

    There they hiked over 22 miles towards safety at Cavola. All the while, they evaded German patrols. 

    Cavola, Italy
    Cavola, Italy (Photo: Basilicofresco)

    A total of 60 Germans died. Farran, on the other hand, lost just three paratroopers — two of which had tried to ascend the stairs of the HQ.

    Largely due to fears they were surrounded by SAS paratroopers, German forces in Italy surrendered a month later.

    If you’re interested in reading more of Operation Tombola, check out Damien Lewis’ book, Churchill’s Hellraisers. You can also go straight to the source and read Farran’s book, Operation Tombola.

    This is a new style of article for Pew Pew Tactical; if you liked it — let us know in the comments! If you didn’t enjoy it…well phooey. To catch up on previous Pictures from History, click on over to our History Category.

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    9 Leave a Reply

    • Mikial

      Just saw this article and glad I did. As the Brits would say, "Brilliant." My father landed at Salerno and fought all the way to Rome and beyond. He had two tanks shot out from under him and made the Mark Clark's botched Rapido River crossing in January of 1944. My father despised the man. Italy was a hard fought but largely forgotten theater, so glad you featured it.

      May 23, 2022 6:17 am
    • Ronald P. Leifeste

      I love short stories about our fighting men. Keep them coming.

      January 11, 2022 12:02 pm
    • joe williams

      Interesting tidbit from wwII. Thanks for the education. Please continue with this type of article.

      January 10, 2022 2:05 pm
    • David

      Awesome story,well written and very interesting please keep them coming!!!

      January 9, 2022 6:59 pm
    • Len C

      Had me checking Google maps for the town locations. 2 thumbs up

      January 9, 2022 3:16 pm
    • Bryan

      Great piece of history. Keep them coming!

      January 9, 2022 2:42 pm
    • Neal Welland

      A great story about the men and women who fought in Italy in WW II. Keep 'em coming!

      January 9, 2022 2:41 pm
    • Steve Sherridon

      Another great article about those who are willing to risk their lives to destroy evil on earth! Keep em coming Aden!

      January 8, 2022 1:23 pm
    • motomike

      What immense courage. I cannot even fathom myself able to do those things. My heart swells when I think of humans performing such feats! I am so thankful for all who fight for freedom past and present. How did they overcome language differences? Simply astounding.

      January 8, 2022 10:35 am
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