How One Raid Changed The Course Of The War! (Operation Biting)

[@BattleGuideVT]

A huge thanks to Findmypast (one of our favorite resources!) for helping us uncover some fascinating details we incorporated into this documentary. Start building your own FREE family tree on Findmypast today and see what you discover!battleguide.co.uk/findmypast

[@neilholmes8200]

Honestly one of the best documentary channels on youtube

[@markbailey3508]

The RAF aircraftsman who accompanied the paras was Charlie Cox who came from Wisbech Cambridgeshire after the war he set up a little electrical shop selling electrical goods and spares. His son married my late mother's cousin, he never really talked about it! But that's common with that generation, he always said he was only doing the job he'd trained for. Most unassuming

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your story!

[@nigelparish2631]

Charlie was a lovely fella. His daughter is my aunt, having married my father's brother. He could repair literally anything

[@carl-gunnarhillefors7612]

IF A L L SERVICEMEN IN BRITISH ARMY, NAVY AND AIRFORCE - THE WWII WOULD NOT HAVE DRAGGED OUT TO 5 AND A HALF YEAR! WHAT HA SINKADUS THAT BOTH CANADA, US AND ALSO THE AUSSIES GAVE BASHS ON THE BLOODY JAPSES HEADS BUMS AND BIG FAT BOOTS IN JAPSES GUTS! THE JAPS TORTURED MANY AUSSIES AND BRITISH SOLDIERS HEAVY UNTIL THEY SUCCOMED OF NO FOOD OR CLEAN WATER, MALARIA AND THE DREADED HEAT IN THE JUNGLE AND THE JAPS OFFICERS MURDERING OR SLAUGHTERING THEM FOR NO REASON! THEY JAPS OFFICER FAVORITE ASSASINATIONTECHNIK WAS DECAPUTATION WITH OFFICERS SAMURAY SWORD! DAMN BASTEREDS!

[@RonettePick]

My father was one of the pilots of the Whitleys that dropped the parachutists. He didn't return to New Zealand from the war. I was just over a year old when the Bruneval raid took place.

[@MBCGRS]

My Dad's friend was a tail gunner on Whitleys. We are also kiwis. He became a mechanic with the NZ Forrest service after the war. Was an alcoholic by all reports. I'm a professional pilot, and I think of these men sometimes and what they gave up. Bless them all, including your father.

[@Marcfire75]

That is a sad and amazing story in one. Your dad was a hero and you can be proud of him. Leaving his family to travel across the world and risk and even give his life to fight for freedom, that is the ultimate sacrifice. Sorry that you did not have the chance to grow up with him around.

[@twotone3070]

:'(

[@abatesnz]

Nana's brother, also a Kiwi pilot, didn’t return from the War. A mechanic didn't properly secure his propeller so he crashed shortly after take off in Tunisia. Saved his crew.

[@maryholder3795]

The raid may have been a small raid but the dividends where mind changing. It was one of those raids that made a difference to D-day and the the RAF amd US airforce day and night raids. Brave men thank you for your service.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@johnallen7807]

Was lucky enough to jump at the 3oth anniversary of the raid, after the drop we had a briefing from General Frost himself, an amazing chap!

[@kevindorland738]

Very nice

[@johnallen7807]

@@kevindorland738 It was a great experience! now we struggle to find 4 aircraft for D Day 80!

[@nucleargaz1]

I was privileged to jump at the 71st anniversary (the 70th we were fogged in) we used a civilian aircraft & round canopies the wind was very high, I was concussed and spent the night in Le Havre General! But what a DZ to drop I could see all the features described on the way down… 😮

[@johnallen7807]

@@nucleargaz1 Bad luck but if you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined lol. We had a whole battalion drop, must have been at least 9 Hercs now I read we can only find 1 A400 for the D Day 80! God help our country, even the Labour Party spent more on defence than the Conservatives!

[@EvoraGT430]

@@johnallen7807 Labour ALWAYS spend more on defence than the Conservatives.

[@HeavyH2006]

Fabulous show! Big admirer of the Bruneval raid. Frost actually commanded the 2nd Para Battalion at the Arnhem bridgehead of Operation Market Garden. An amazing individual.

[@craigdonald551]

Met Professor Jones in the late 1970’s when I was a student , he gave me loads of information on the different aspects of the electronic measures and counter measures employed by him and other scientists during the war. Very interesting man ended up discussing with him for over two hours. Window, H2S , the Ju 88 night fighter that landed at Dyce airport complete with an advanced aerial radar system. Brilliant man, wish I could remember more.

[@climbtherainbow]

Me too. University of Aberdeen?

[@jsl151850b]

The BBC had electronic television from Alexander Palace in 1936. Service was shut down for the duration. The transmitters were turned on again to jam German navigation beams. It was like instrument landing but pointing at the bombing targets. The BBC transmitter made it useless. Churchill called it 'Wizard War".

[@mhpjii]

Superb production, gentlemen! All honor to Pvt. Scott & Pvt. McIntyre who gave their lives for our freedom.

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video!

[@akemp3052]

Incredibly brave men. As were all men and women who fought for freedom. My heart was racing watching this video. Thank you. As a son of a CSM in the Canadian Airborne who dropped into occupied France one Day and fought and survived the entire war it makes me even more proud of all those paratroopers!

[@nucleargaz1]

Great post Sir & what a heritage!

[@karstendoerr5378]

The radar that can be seen in the picture(2:11) in front of the house is a “Würzburg” radar. It was named after the city of Würzburg, as the head of Telefunken radar development, Wilhelm Runge, preferred cities as code names (see also "Lichtenstein" radar). And Telefunken was the manufacturer of this type of radar. The “Würzburg” C variant is the exact one.

[@tim7052]

If you're interested in this raid, go read the book about it: "Green Beach" by James Leasor. Flt Sgt Cox was provided with a "bodyguard" squad of 4 men to protect him during the raid. The book mentions that the "bodyguard" were also given secret orders to shoot Cox to prevent him from falling into German hands!!

[@GM-fh5jp]

Fascinating. I thought I'd heard or read of every important raid etc in WW2 but this is the first time I've seen this one explained. Well done, thanks for posting!

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@HelenKempster]

Thank you for putting together this excellent video . They were the best generation! I feel so guilty a one of their children's generation that we failed to live up to their standards. And my heart bleeds for what the US and some of Europe is becoming. They were decent brave British men.

[@AB-mw8oz]

For the closing moments of the video, it would have been worth mentioning John Frost. He was leading the 1st Airbourne Division Spearhead at Arnhem until eventually the Paras ran out of ammunition and after 4 days of fighting he had to surrender spending the next 6 months in a POW camp until liberated by the Americans in March 1945

[@BattleGuideVT]

Hi, interesting point, we actually didd have that in at the end but took it out as it was getting a bit long-winded. Arnhem vid coming soon though!

[@davidmccarter9479]

He was actually leading 2 Para , only battalion to reach the bridge and wait in vain for ground forces to arrive from Nijmegen….hence the “bridge too far.”

[@007ndc]

Col. John Frost is a true hero and was portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in the film A Bridge Too Far

[@KittyK.]

Nowadays there is a bridge over the Rhine in Arnhem, called John Frost Bridge.

[@wr1120]

For that he had a bridge named after him in Arnhem.

[@richlutes3480]

I have never seen such a remarkable, visually detailed historical account. Well done!

[@bigmoe-specialtylandservic6106]

6 men left behind!!! Holy crap. Never heard of this raid before, excellent job.

[@Zombie-Tog]

Max Hastings has just released a book on this raid if you want to know more.

[@ealingwest5750]

Did you know that Charlie Cox because of his knowledge of British microwave technology was escorted by two men who were under strict instruction to shoot him if there was a possibility he was about to be captured. He was told they would be his personal body guards and help him dismantle the radar unit. Some months later he learnt what his 'friends' true mission orders were and was shocked to think there was no POW option and if he had known this he would never have volunteered.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Great fact... thanks for sharing!

[@philiprice7875]

yea in his autobiography RV jones told this piece and when he met Sgt cox 6 months later expressed shock to see him alive then told him about the orders he did not tell us what Sgt Cox's reaction was,

[@wr1120]

Never trust the government.

[@oldandintheway9805]

The Navajo code talkers were under the same threat. Gary Powers, flying a U2 spy plane over Russia had an eject button that he knew was actually a destruct button. Instead of ejecting when he was hit, he crawled out on the wing and jumped, manually opening his chute. Imagine being in a position that you had to shoot one of your own men, who probably you knew personally. Men had HUGE gonads back then.

[@patavinity1262]

Damn, the Second World War was serious business indeed.

[@simonmarsden66]

Dan, what a tale this one is, absolutely amazing

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video!

[@alex4833]

Great video! Excellent narration by Dan. The maps, photos, and modern day shots of the beach are all very helpful. I hadn't heard of this raid, but learned a lot. Good discussion of the impact of the raid as well. Superb work! Awesome video, Battle Guide :).

[@BattleGuideVT]

Many thanks!

[@MrPlankinton]

Excellent research, narration and pertinent photos, maps, diary entries.

[@pluki1357]

Except for that map at 0:56 . It's a wrong map for they year discussed. You can tell by the shape of Poland - nowadays map. A bit unfair as well to put a nazi symbol on modern days Germany. 😉 But other than that - I agree with you; very good content.👍

[@MrPlankinton]

@@pluki1357 🤗 it took the smart Pole to catch the map detail. 😉 The world bends its knee to the historical intelligence of the Polish people, who used Latin as their parliamentary language until at least until 1939.

[@daleupthegrove6396]

There is a fictionalized account of this raid published in 1953, Radar Commandos by Bernard Glemser. I read it in high school back in the 70's and its been one of my all-time favorite books.

[@pmks4]

Mine too. I bought the paperback in 4th grade from the bookmobile that visited my school. No mention of the French boy(Paul?) from the village who was transported to Great Britain and then went on the raid and guided the British troops in his village.

[@philiprice7875]

i read about it from a pulp war magazine when i was 8yo when the movie "a bridge to far" came out and i heard the name Johnny Frost and his group taking one end of the bridge at Arnhem. i was humbled. then found out a young lady member of the Dutch resistance helped as a runner her name? Audrey Hepburn

[@davewright8206]

what a raid . and one i was not fully aware of. jolly good show

[@jordanelmhirst7373]

Just wanna say, I’ve watched a few of your videos now, and they’re banging . I like your style and the use of satellite images. Keep em coming mate

[@BattleGuideVT]

Awesome, thank you!

[@hernanv.2526]

@@BattleGuideVTJust a small note … I think you meant Le Hague not Le Havre on that map. Otherwise, awesome & thanks!

[@BattleGuideVT]

@@hernanv.2526 are you sure?

[@hernanv.2526]

@@BattleGuideVT Google Maps: Le Havre is Southwest of Saint-Jouin-Bruneval where the Memorial is. La Hague is West of Bruneval & both are on the Cotentin peninsula. Perhaps using Saint-Jouin-Bruneval would help clarify things on your map then.

[@montarakid1943]

Must admit I had not previously heard of this raid. Now I have. Now I pretty much know everything. 👍

[@Reebus.LCU.]

That was fascinating. Thank you guys RIP♥ 🇬🇧 Excellent video

[@01bigtrev]

First time hearing of this thanks for bringing another mission from the war to life.

[@tysonator5433]

I am sure there is a black and white film about this raid, well worth a watch. Big thanks to BG for this very interesting video on some of the unsung hero's of our armed forces.

[@psbrayshaw]

Fantastic video. Thank you so much for making it.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@debrareplogle651]

Amazing!! Thank You for sharing this piece of history I never heard of. Such very brave men.

[@clementaut7287]

really great story telling ! I love commandos raids videos

[@BattleGuideVT]

Glad you like them!

[@maryholder3795]

​@@BattleGuideVT The Campbell (I think) crashing the old destroyer in the dock gates. St Naziar I think. That was a remarkable raid. Navel and commandos they all knew there was a good chance they may not return home.

[@charlieyerrell9146]

The parachute regiment called by the Germans the red devils. This regiment showed the yanks the way to go in parachute warfare. Also the British commandos showed the American ranger battalion regiments how to do it. The American rangers trained in Scotland with the British commandos.

[@CncrndCtzn]

More British propaganda

[@MonkeyBanjo7]

I’m always wishing to learn something new and this is why I love KZbin, sometimes I can’t read a book for a long time but a video really helps with visuals and audio!

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@tremendousbaguette9680]

I knew the place from a Combat Mission scenario, but this video motivated me to go visit the place today.

[@TimPrice-km9sk]

I remember him coming to our house to mend our TV which regularly went wrong. He only seemed to need a screwdriver, which I believe was all he used in the raid.

[@darrenmerritt2744]

Awesome clip, fantastically explained. Understand with more clarity. Well done

[@rogermorris8737]

It is difficult to imagine how much we owe to those few men. Churchill referred to 'The Few' but maybe a similar acolade applies to these men - amazingly brave and resourceful.

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

Turned out the German's Wurzberg radar transmitted in the 50cm UHF band, which had far lower signal:noise ratio discriminationhan than the new British cavity magnatron transmitter, which operated in the 3cm microwave band.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Epic knowledge!

[@michaelshore2300]

@@BattleGuideVT But incorrect 50 cm was best Germans could do. radar discrimination much better at 10 cm the whole point of the raid was to obtain German Equipment and copy it( Type 11) Then if Germans jammed the frequency they jammed themselves.. Type 11 refurbished sent to Cyprus for Suez

[@stevehilton4052]

As an ex RN serviceman I quickly learned that the new generation carried the responsibility of being a part of a great and proud history. I was always mindful of not letting the memory down.

[@davedocker1195]

I read a book in grade school about this in the mid sixtes. Good book and factual. The Radar Commando's

[@Kevin_Kennelly]

20+ years ago, I was on vacation in Como Italy. I met an old man, a German, named Arno. Arno was one of the 'radar technicians' captured in this raid. His details about the capture, the interrogation, the POW experience, and his postwar life were enough to convince me that he was the real deal. That may be Arno at 12:22.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for the comment and sharing your story!

[@olibanks3846]

What made him talk?

[@GGdeTOURS37]

TY from France for this great history of those heroes! Guillaume Gleize - City of Tours - Loire valley

[@Ranjanwatson]

Excellent content. Thank you for the well researched production.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markdavies2825]

Just brilliant

[@martinluton6513]

Excellent mini documentary, many thanks for making this.

[@musicman53]

I have just stumbled on this video, and it's gripping and brilliantly well done thanks!

[@JoeytheJerk]

Great job KZbin team as always

[@BattleGuideVT]

Appreciate it!

[@WhatsUpGazpacho]

Really interesting video. The graphics, testimony and photos were great. And the sponsorship was really interesting too

[@claymor8241]

Excellent production, research and presentation. Top quality.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. More importantly: Thanks to those brave men who carried out the raid, I did not have to grow up speaking German. The British put forth a certain air of genteel refinement, lifted pinky and all that, but when the moment comes, they are sharp as their daggers. God Bless them all!

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@nigelbarrett4741]

Nice video, the 3D map really helped. I never knew 6 guys got left behind. I wonder how that happened.

[@andree.b4723]

Many, Many respects for those fallen and brave men, Less we forget what they did for you and I. God bless.

[@smithgov]

Geez, what a great video production. Thank you

[@h4ll4m1s]

Night Raid by Taylor Downing is a really good in depth account of this raid if anyone is interesting in learning more about this raid. It delves quite deeply into the history of radar and elaborates on a lot of the topics raised in this video.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@steve5825]

As always this is a superbly researched and crafted video. What a daring raid by some of our finest. So sorry that we’ve let things slide so badly.

[@ronylauwers8140]

It would be great to make a film about this event!

[@erwinvrielink8631]

Incredible story❤

[@killercrabman]

Brilliant doc, very nicely told.

[@nucleargaz1]

I dropped on this DZ from a Cessna 208 using a military round as part of a re-enactment display team on the 71st anniversary (we were to do the 70th the year before but were fogged in) It was a bloody hard landing due to high winds but worth doing to say I'd jumped on the Biting DZ!!

[@Zombie-Tog]

Nicely put together - the aerial footage and maps really help understand what went on and the locations. Max Hastings has just released a new book on this raid if people want to know more

[@DavidGarland-s9w]

The other significance of this raid was the use of the Para's. This was to be the very first major raid launched by the Para's and was seen as a major morale booster and proof the raids could be completed successfully,from the air

[@rod4095]

What an incredible story of bravery

[@trig1900]

Thank you for this. It was informative and educational - I very much enjoyed watching it.

[@petesoneone]

Lots of detail regarding this event in the book 'Most Secret War', by R. V. Jones

[@robinkoenjer1030]

It seems that the radio problems didn't end there for Frost

[@BattleGuideVT]

Yeah Frost and radios didnt mix in WW2!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Way cool! Never heard that story-movie worthy. Thank you.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rolandwhittle8527]

That Colonel Frost was the same one that held out at Arnhem bridge played by the Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins in the epic film Bridge to Far. Also if my memory serves me right when i was a youngster use to watch Mastermind on BBC with quizmaster Magnus Magnusson im sure Professor R V Jones was on it once or twice as a contestant cant remember his specialized subjects how well he did.

[@colinvanoverdijk5855]

Great video. Super pictures, great narration and love the 3-d-ish additions. Thank You!!

[@ty2124]

Outstanding thank you and God bless our brave forces, Amen.

[@BattleGuideVT]

We are glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jimomaha7809]

There was an other RAF sergeant supposed to go on the raid. Both sergeants were told, when chosen for this raid that they needed to attend jump training. The other sergeant considered jumping out of an aircraft was a bad idea and stepped down. Fortunatly for the planners Cox had no problems with jump training! In a movie called "The Red Beret" (1953) This operation in a condensed form is part of the movie. Also to be found on youtube.

[@richardsawyer5428]

I've read a book about Operation Biting so it was on my list when I visited Normandy (my favourite part of a beautiful country.) There seemed to still be some of the barbed wire fence remaining if you looked carefully. I understand that the villa was once owned by a champagne producer.

[@huw3851]

I remember a story based on this raid in The Victor Comic (for boys) long long ago. It makes me wonder how much history there was hidden away in those stories but I guess events like this were better known at the time. Heck, John Frost was still around and appearing on This is your life! Perhaps now his name is more familiar following Anthony Hopkins performance in A Bridge Too Far?

[@caractacusbrittania7442]

Used to love the Victor, And the hotspur, And the small one called commando.

[@guillaumepare9651]

It's amazing to see the radar was in plain sight (probably needed for the operation of the radar) and not that well guarded.

[@hachimaru295]

That was brilliant - many thanks - no gongs where mentioned but I'm sure awarded

[@BattleGuideVT]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TaskForce_Raccoon]

U guys deserve a million subs at least.

[@markchapman2585]

Great video I did not hear of this before

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks for watching!

[@richardbarkwill]

Read Winning the Radar War by Jack Nissen for his account of a similar radar intelligence gathering operation during the Dieppe raid. He was the expert with 11 guards with him ordered to shoot him rather that let him be captured. Of the 12 of them who were to try and take the radar station, only he and one other returned. They did not capture the station but did get valuable intelligence.

[@Sugarmountaincondo]

A couple of critiques for you to consider; #1 A map showing the locations of the Wurzburg Radar sites on D-Day would have been helpful. #2 Of the 8 men left behind in the dark, how many of them were from the 20 men that were dropped in the wrong position? Or were these 8 men part of the Defensive Screen?

[@jackcameback]

Brilliant - simply brilliant - well put together - just like a pro history channel!!

[@BattleGuideVT]

We wish we had the funding of a pro history channel. :) Thanks for your kind comments!

[@eddydelrio1303]

Never knew this! Thank you!

[@jimmyandtheresurrection7247]

This story needs a movie.

[@TheBackslash66]

totally agree!!

[@Free-Bodge79]

Love this channel. They always put out quality content. ! 👊💛👍

[@Roberto-tu5re]

Amazing story, thank you.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you for your comment!

[@546268]

Something of a premonition with the radios!

[@kennethvenezia4400]

Very interesting piece of history. Nicely done. Thank you my British cousin, or UK cousin.

[@RachelAllcock]

And useful as the radar was, that was still really a kind of bonus objective. The main reasons for the raid were to put the Germans on the defensive (which worked brilliantly as they then fortified the entire coast, which ironically made it easier to spot the other radars as they all had little circular patterns around them in the grass from the fences!) and to give our troops and future leaders combat experience, which given Major Frost's future could also have been said to work brilliantly! That they got the radar too was really the cherry on top of what would still have been counted a highly successful mission.

[@tscott6843]

Excellent video.

[@TheOsfania]

Thanks for the video!🎉👍🏽🤙🏼

[@BattleGuideVT]

Any time!

[@JohnnyNorfolk]

My word just how brave they were. Britain at its best. ( no politicians were involved in the raid)

[@25chief39]

On the contrary. Churchill had his fingerprints all over this one.

[@prof_kaos9341]

Gen. Frost, as a Major jumped into Arnhem on Market Garden, the bridge was renamed John Frost Bridge. His battalion was the only one to get to the city & capture the bridge's eastern end. This meant they faced the terrible street fighting as the Nazi Pz Divs (said to not be there) flattened this area. My friend's mother, 12 yrs old, was there & said, as in the movie, she had to build barriers using the dead bodies of her family, friends, neighbours & soldiers.

[@SuperPirate100]

What a heroic tale

[@Garwfechan-ry5lk]

There is another story of this on You Tube which stated that R V Jones actually took part I questioned that because obviously he was a Civilian and a Very Important man as well as being a Scientist if he was captured many other devices would not have come to being, so I discounted it as rubbish. that was about six years ago. Your video is very correct, and thank you for providing a true reflection of what happened at Bruneval with all who took part very Brave men indeed.

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thank you, yes he was definitely not there, though he did request to go.

[@Garwfechan-ry5lk]

@@BattleGuideVT thank you very much.

[@derin111]

Rather negligent of the Germans to leave such an important and technologically advanced piece of equipment so blatantly exposed and with no attempt to camouflage or disguise it!

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Or defended it properly.

[@negativeindustrial]

At this point they had steamrolled everyone they attacked aside from the British islands. They were overconfident and assumed it was only a matter of time before Britain fell, too.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Just goes to show that the Germans were not the infallible military machine that the wehraboos would have you believe. Of course, they had no idea they would be attacked by a determined and very capable raiding force, either.

[@itaca4861]

@@negativeindustrial plus, there wasn’t the same technology of today. I think the brits won at the lottery snapping that pic.

[@localbod]

German hubris.

[@66gtb]

Well done!

[@BattleGuideVT]

Thanks

[@johnmcmickle5685]

Radios not working that is a theme in the military that lasted until at least 1985.when I got out and probably still is a problem today.

[@goodandbadtimes]

The problem with the radios persisted. The Arnhem debacle 3 years later was in no small part due to the failure of the radios.

[@JPS1000]

Seems to have been a common component of many battles during WWII. Maybe someone can put together a video discussing why they so often failed to work?

[@mikeryan3701]

You can add this to the umpteen other raids that changed the course of the war.

[@SteveHudson-o9q]

I remember watching a movie about this raid.

[@uwe1969]

Exvellent Video. Thank you

[@BattleGuideVT]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@uwe1969]

I read about the radar raid. The Video makes IT very vivid and gives a 3D view. Exvellent indeed. Thank you very much 😂

[@johnny5805]

It's nice that the French named one of the roads near the site after Major Frost.