CZ parachutists

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4
ASSAULT SECTION SECTION PARA FINISHING SECTION SECTION MEN Part 3: The Preparation and Training of „Men for Special Operations“ The major part, capturing the preparation and training of Czechoslovak parachutists – with the focus on Assault Training in Scotland The third stage of training – the Finishing Course – was only for individuals selected for specific operations. SOE originally envisaged a final several week-long preparation. However, this stage sometimes extended over several years, due to the situation in the Protectorate and a lack of suitable planes. With regard to transport by air SOE had to rely on RAF special squadrons and consequently their willigness to give preference to a special operation instead of a bombing mission. There was the problem of the long-distance flight to Czechoslovakia, which necessitated a night-flight for safety reasons. Yet a further restriction was the requirement for moonlight to enable the drop to be made in a precisely designated locality where the parachutist or the group were to operate. But the requirement for a long night of darkness clashed with the length of the flight itself. Long nights are typical for the winter, which often brought bad weather, hindering orientation. The situation only improved after the occupation of North Africa and the embarkation on Sicily, as flights to Central and South-Eastern Europe could be made from local airports, which were much closer. The final preparation of Czechoslovak parachutists lasted longer for these reasons and the Finishing Course took place under different conditions. SOE handed the entire preparation over to Czechoslovak officers of the Training Section of Special Group D. It allocated its own training sites to them; namely STS 2 at Bellasis near Dorking; STS 46 at Chicheley Hall and STS 1 at Brockhall near Northampton. The Czechoslovaks opened their own school at 8 Stannhope Terrace in London by the close of the war. In addition, selected individuals attended SOE’s special courses, which were run by this organization itself – such as courses on undercover life, demolition and radio-communication.

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4

ASSAULT SECTION SECTION PARA FINISHING SECTION SECTION MEN

Part 3: The Preparation and Training of „Men for Special Operations“

The major part, capturing the preparation and training of Czechoslovak parachutists – with the focus on Assault Training in Scotland

A photo of the members of Para-Groups INTRANSITIVE and TIN together with Staff Captain Jaroslav Šustr in the final stage of preparation for operations. From left: Jaroslav Šustr, Vojtěch Lukaštík, Václav Kindl, Bohuslav Grabovský, in front of them Jaroslav Švarc and Ludvík Cupal.

The third stage of training – the Finishing Course – was only for individuals selected for specific operations. SOE originally envisaged a final several week-long preparation. However, this stage sometimes extended over several years, due to the situation in the Protectorate and a lack of suitable planes. With regard to transport by air SOE had to rely on RAF special squadrons and consequently their willigness to give preference to a special operation instead of a bombing mission. There was the problem of the long-distance flight to Czechoslovakia, which necessitated a night-flight for safety reasons. Yet a further restriction was the requirement for moonlight to enable the drop to be made in a precisely designated locality where the parachutist or the group were to operate. But the requirement for a long night of darkness clashed with the length of the flight itself. Long nights are typical for the winter, which often brought bad weather, hindering orientation. The situation only improved after the occupation of North Africa and the embarkation on Sicily, as flights to Central and South-Eastern Europe could be made from local airports, which were much closer.

The final preparation of Czechoslovak parachutists lasted longer for these reasons and the Finishing Course took place under different conditions. SOE handed the entire preparation over to Czechoslovak officers of the Training Section of Special Group D. It allocated its own training sites to them; namely STS 2 at Bellasis near Dorking; STS 46 at Chicheley Hall and STS 1 at Brockhall near Northampton. The Czechoslovaks opened their own school at 8 Stannhope Terrace in London by the close of the war. In addition, selected individuals attended SOE’s special courses, which were run by this organization itself – such as courses on undercover life, demolition and radio-communication.