Operation Haddock

Operation Haddock was the codename for a 1940 British plan to support their French allies by bombing northern Italian cities, in the event of Italy joining the war. When Italy declared war on 10 June, the plan was put into effect, but achieved little.

Background

The Battle of France was nearing its final phase when intelligence reports suggested that Italy was preparing to enter the war on the side of her Axis partner, Germany. There were few resources available to Britain which could be used to support France against the Italians, with the exception of the RAF's strategic bomber fleet. Accordingly, a plan was devised to bomb industrial targets in the northern Italian cities of Turin and Genoa, which was agreed at the highest level between the Allied governments. Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bombers would be able to reach their targets from the Channel Islands, while the shorter-ranged Vickers Wellingtons would have to refuel in the south of France; the airfield at Salon-de-Provence outside Marseilles was selected^[1] and an advance party arrived there on 7 June.^[2]

Operations of 11/12 June

Italy declared war at midnight on 10 June 1940. Accordingly, a detachment Wellingtons from Nos. 99 and 149 Squadrons, part of No. 3 Group, left England for France and arrived at Salon at 15:30 hours on 11 June. While they were refuelling, Group Captain R M Field who commanded the force, received a telephone call from commander of the local French bomber group, who told him that Italian targets were not to be attacked. There were few French fighters in the area and there was concern that the raid might lead to retaliation against French cities that were barely defended. Shortly afterwards, Field received orders from the Air Ministry in London that the aircraft should take off as planned. There was a flurry of telephone calls from various French authorities, culminating in a call from General Vuillemin to the British Air Forces in France headquarters.^[3] Field however, followed his orders, but as the first Wellington taxied into position for takeoff, French troops blocked the runway with a line of lorries and carts. Field had no choice but to abort the mission.^[4]

Meanwhile, Whiteleys of Nos. 10, 51, 58, 77 and 102 Squadrons, a total of 63 aircraft^[5] had refuelled on Jersey and Guernsey and were on their way Italy. Heavy storms and severe icing caused the majority of the aircraft to turn back and only 13 reached their targets at Turin and Genoa. Two aircraft failed to return.^[6]

Operations of 15/16 and 16/17 June

After representations at the highest levels, the French authorities finally consented to the Wellingtons at Salon attacking Italy. Eight aircraft left on the evening of 15 June heading for Genoa. Violent thunder storms made navigation difficult and only one aircraft arrived over the target; the rest returned with their bombs. The following night, another attempt was made by nine Wellingtons; only five reached their objective. The French armistice negotiations prevented any further operations.^[7]

References

1. ^ http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/page/affichecitoyennete.php?idLang=en&idCitoyen=31
2. ^ http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/1940/06/11.htm
3. ^ The Royal Air Force 1939-1945, Denis Richards, Her Majesty's Stationary Office 1974, ISBN 0-11-771592-1 (p.146)
4. ^ Denis Richards (p.147)
5. ^ http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1940_3.cfm
6. ^ http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1940_3.cfm
7. ^ Denis Richards (p.147)