COPP Survey
@coppsurvey.uk
Dedicated to Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP), a top-secret unit that carried out covert reconnaissance of enemy-held beaches during the Second World War. Website: coppsurvey.uk
Forced ashore, they 'lie low' until after the landings have taken place on 22 January (📸 IWM NA 11387) and then make their way south, aiming to get through the frontline.
They're just yards from success when captured by German troops in early February 1944. 2/2
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They're just yards from success when captured by German troops in early February 1944. 2/2
▶️ buff.ly/pGqqXdn
December 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Forced ashore, they 'lie low' until after the landings have taken place on 22 January (📸 IWM NA 11387) and then make their way south, aiming to get through the frontline.
They're just yards from success when captured by German troops in early February 1944. 2/2
▶️ buff.ly/pGqqXdn
They're just yards from success when captured by German troops in early February 1944. 2/2
▶️ buff.ly/pGqqXdn
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – the weather takes a turn for the worse while COPP/ME 2's Kim Patterson and Gordon Lochhead are carrying out recce of Anzio beaches.
It means they fail to reunite with the Italian MAS boat (📸 IWM HU 43228) that they're operating from. #NavalHistory 1/2
It means they fail to reunite with the Italian MAS boat (📸 IWM HU 43228) that they're operating from. #NavalHistory 1/2
December 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – the weather takes a turn for the worse while COPP/ME 2's Kim Patterson and Gordon Lochhead are carrying out recce of Anzio beaches.
It means they fail to reunite with the Italian MAS boat (📸 IWM HU 43228) that they're operating from. #NavalHistory 1/2
It means they fail to reunite with the Italian MAS boat (📸 IWM HU 43228) that they're operating from. #NavalHistory 1/2
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – COPP/ME 2 is at Kabrit, Egypt, being disbanded when Kim Patterson (📸) and Gordon Lochhead are called on for recce near Anzio, preparing for next year’s Operation Shingle landings. They do the job with help from four men of 'Z' SBS. #NavalHistory
▶️ buff.ly/vmuHCZr
▶️ buff.ly/vmuHCZr
November 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – COPP/ME 2 is at Kabrit, Egypt, being disbanded when Kim Patterson (📸) and Gordon Lochhead are called on for recce near Anzio, preparing for next year’s Operation Shingle landings. They do the job with help from four men of 'Z' SBS. #NavalHistory
▶️ buff.ly/vmuHCZr
▶️ buff.ly/vmuHCZr
Between Campbell's visits, Willmott and his men are frantically gathering more suitable equipment to Hayling Island.
Willmott envisages 3 months of training – but within weeks the first two teams are being rushed to the Med for recce of Sicily (🗺️ via McMaster University). /🧵
Willmott envisages 3 months of training – but within weeks the first two teams are being rushed to the Med for recce of Sicily (🗺️ via McMaster University). /🧵
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Between Campbell's visits, Willmott and his men are frantically gathering more suitable equipment to Hayling Island.
Willmott envisages 3 months of training – but within weeks the first two teams are being rushed to the Med for recce of Sicily (🗺️ via McMaster University). /🧵
Willmott envisages 3 months of training – but within weeks the first two teams are being rushed to the Med for recce of Sicily (🗺️ via McMaster University). /🧵
But his latest version is no use for covert ops: it lets out a loud 'bang' when firing a rod into the beach surface to see how far it penetrates (though it's later used by scientists investigating UK beaches comparable with the Normandy landing beaches). (📸 D-Day Story/NMRN)
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
But his latest version is no use for covert ops: it lets out a loud 'bang' when firing a rod into the beach surface to see how far it penetrates (though it's later used by scientists investigating UK beaches comparable with the Normandy landing beaches). (📸 D-Day Story/NMRN)
Over coming months his enthusiasm becomes somewhat tiresome for COPP as they fend off ideas that have limited practical use. His 'beach tester' is developed from devices that he'd used to check the firmness of American salt flats (📸 Adobe Stock) before his land speed record.
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Over coming months his enthusiasm becomes somewhat tiresome for COPP as they fend off ideas that have limited practical use. His 'beach tester' is developed from devices that he'd used to check the firmness of American salt flats (📸 Adobe Stock) before his land speed record.
At today's meeting is land and water speed-record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell (📸National Portrait Gallery, London). He's attached to COHQ developing 'Bond style' gear, including treated seaweed attached to concrete 'sinkers' that might be used to mark beaches on infrared photos.
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
At today's meeting is land and water speed-record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell (📸National Portrait Gallery, London). He's attached to COHQ developing 'Bond style' gear, including treated seaweed attached to concrete 'sinkers' that might be used to mark beaches on infrared photos.
But until James Cook is ready for them, they'll be based temporarily in southern England.
In the end the move north never happens (James Cook is pushed for space) and they remain based on Hayling Island near Portsmouth.
In the end the move north never happens (James Cook is pushed for space) and they remain based on Hayling Island near Portsmouth.
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
But until James Cook is ready for them, they'll be based temporarily in southern England.
In the end the move north never happens (James Cook is pushed for space) and they remain based on Hayling Island near Portsmouth.
In the end the move north never happens (James Cook is pushed for space) and they remain based on Hayling Island near Portsmouth.
The plan is that COPP will be based at HMS James Cook, the newly opened Combined Operations navigation school in Scotland (📸 IWM A 29904). There they will be able to take their pick of the best naval officers who are going through James Cook's training courses.
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The plan is that COPP will be based at HMS James Cook, the newly opened Combined Operations navigation school in Scotland (📸 IWM A 29904). There they will be able to take their pick of the best naval officers who are going through James Cook's training courses.
Nigel Willmott is put in charge. He's already done beach reconnaissance in Rhodes (April 1941) and led a 'prototype' COPP unit dubbed Party Koodoo–Inhuman during the recent Operation Torch landings. (📸 via Special Forces Roll of Honour website)
November 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Nigel Willmott is put in charge. He's already done beach reconnaissance in Rhodes (April 1941) and led a 'prototype' COPP unit dubbed Party Koodoo–Inhuman during the recent Operation Torch landings. (📸 via Special Forces Roll of Honour website)
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – COPP is officially formed during a meeting at Combined Operations HQ in London. (📸 Adobe Stock = very, very illustrative) #NavalHistory 🧵
November 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – COPP is officially formed during a meeting at Combined Operations HQ in London. (📸 Adobe Stock = very, very illustrative) #NavalHistory 🧵
After their arrival, ongoing tensions between the British and local communists result in them being briefly detained by Partisan forces. (🗺️ via McMaster University) 2/2
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▶️ buff.ly/8sfmN8k
November 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
After their arrival, ongoing tensions between the British and local communists result in them being briefly detained by Partisan forces. (🗺️ via McMaster University) 2/2
▶️ buff.ly/8sfmN8k
▶️ buff.ly/8sfmN8k
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – COPP 2's Alan Wallwork and Able Seaman Cox leave Italy for an operation in Yugoslavia, probably somewhere near Kotor (📸 Adobe Stock) in modern-day Montenegro. #NavalHistory 1/2
November 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – COPP 2's Alan Wallwork and Able Seaman Cox leave Italy for an operation in Yugoslavia, probably somewhere near Kotor (📸 Adobe Stock) in modern-day Montenegro. #NavalHistory 1/2
The next two X-craft earmarked for COPP use – X-21 and X-23 – are already being built by the same companies.
Later COPP’s needs will be scaled back, and both X-21 (📸 own collection) and X-22 will be released from COPP use. /🧵
Later COPP’s needs will be scaled back, and both X-21 (📸 own collection) and X-22 will be released from COPP use. /🧵
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The next two X-craft earmarked for COPP use – X-21 and X-23 – are already being built by the same companies.
Later COPP’s needs will be scaled back, and both X-21 (📸 own collection) and X-22 will be released from COPP use. /🧵
Later COPP’s needs will be scaled back, and both X-21 (📸 own collection) and X-22 will be released from COPP use. /🧵
The subs – built by Broadbent's in Huddersfield and Markham's in Chesterfield respectively – have modifications for COPP use including bollards to allow an anchor to be used, a gyrocompass repeater on the casing and buoyancy chambers either side (📸 from 📖 'Steady As She Goes')
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The subs – built by Broadbent's in Huddersfield and Markham's in Chesterfield respectively – have modifications for COPP use including bollards to allow an anchor to be used, a gyrocompass repeater on the casing and buoyancy chambers either side (📸 from 📖 'Steady As She Goes')
COPP 1 hasn't been idle in the meantime: today they start their first sea trial in an X-craft mini sub (📂 IWM Documents.7062). They're at Loch Striven, Scotland, finding out how to operate from subs X-20 and X-22, which launched recently at nearby Faslane.
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
COPP 1 hasn't been idle in the meantime: today they start their first sea trial in an X-craft mini sub (📂 IWM Documents.7062). They're at Loch Striven, Scotland, finding out how to operate from subs X-20 and X-22, which launched recently at nearby Faslane.
Bernal had recommended that "any possible reconnaissance parties be fully briefed, supplied with simple instruments for testing the quality of the ground, and practise their use on similar terrain in this country". (🗺️ Shotton Archive/Lapworth Museum of Geology)
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Bernal had recommended that "any possible reconnaissance parties be fully briefed, supplied with simple instruments for testing the quality of the ground, and practise their use on similar terrain in this country". (🗺️ Shotton Archive/Lapworth Museum of Geology)
Two weeks ago Combined Ops scientist J.D. Bernal (📸 Birkbeck, University of London/JSTOR) wrote to 21 Army Group to flag the possible presence of peat under the sand. If correct, this might result in heavy vehicles and equipment becoming bogged down on the beaches.
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Two weeks ago Combined Ops scientist J.D. Bernal (📸 Birkbeck, University of London/JSTOR) wrote to 21 Army Group to flag the possible presence of peat under the sand. If correct, this might result in heavy vehicles and equipment becoming bogged down on the beaches.
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – D-Day planners meeting at COSSAC HQ in London give the go-ahead for COPP to do in-person recce of what will become Gold and Juno beaches (📸 Adobe Stock). #NavalHistory 🧵
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – D-Day planners meeting at COSSAC HQ in London give the go-ahead for COPP to do in-person recce of what will become Gold and Juno beaches (📸 Adobe Stock). #NavalHistory 🧵
The COPP men arrived four days ago, presumably to do a non-covert recce to find landing places and help get the Paras ashore quickly. (📸 IWM A 26491) 2/2
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▶️ buff.ly/0pPDMfO
November 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The COPP men arrived four days ago, presumably to do a non-covert recce to find landing places and help get the Paras ashore quickly. (📸 IWM A 26491) 2/2
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▶️ buff.ly/0pPDMfO
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – at least two men from COPP 10 – Hugh Maynard and Nick Carter – are in recently liberated Salonika in Greece as 2nd Parachute Brigade arrives by sea, rather than by air (📸 IWM NA 20049). #NavalHistory 1/2
November 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – at least two men from COPP 10 – Hugh Maynard and Nick Carter – are in recently liberated Salonika in Greece as 2nd Parachute Brigade arrives by sea, rather than by air (📸 IWM NA 20049). #NavalHistory 1/2
Nor do landings elsewhere escape issues, with tricky or non-existent beach exits and poor beach conditions delaying advance inland.
Once back in the UK, Willmott is soon given the go-ahead to form COPP (📸 IWM MH 22716). /🧵
More about Party Inhuman: ▶️ buff.ly/bx14pSu
Once back in the UK, Willmott is soon given the go-ahead to form COPP (📸 IWM MH 22716). /🧵
More about Party Inhuman: ▶️ buff.ly/bx14pSu
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Nor do landings elsewhere escape issues, with tricky or non-existent beach exits and poor beach conditions delaying advance inland.
Once back in the UK, Willmott is soon given the go-ahead to form COPP (📸 IWM MH 22716). /🧵
More about Party Inhuman: ▶️ buff.ly/bx14pSu
Once back in the UK, Willmott is soon given the go-ahead to form COPP (📸 IWM MH 22716). /🧵
More about Party Inhuman: ▶️ buff.ly/bx14pSu
Offshore obstacles, soft sand and difficult beach exits – the sort of thing that Willmott's men had been hoping to discover if they'd been given the chance – force closure of Beer Green and all but 200 metres of Beer White (📸 IWM A 12719), causing serious congestion.
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Offshore obstacles, soft sand and difficult beach exits – the sort of thing that Willmott's men had been hoping to discover if they'd been given the chance – force closure of Beer Green and all but 200 metres of Beer White (📸 IWM A 12719), causing serious congestion.
Amer manages to flag down and board one of a group of passing landing craft that turn out to be destined for Beer Green Beach.
He does his best to guide them in but some ignore his directions, swerve eastwards and land by mistake on Beer White Beach (📸 IWM A 12731).
He does his best to guide them in but some ignore his directions, swerve eastwards and land by mistake on Beer White Beach (📸 IWM A 12731).
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Amer manages to flag down and board one of a group of passing landing craft that turn out to be destined for Beer Green Beach.
He does his best to guide them in but some ignore his directions, swerve eastwards and land by mistake on Beer White Beach (📸 IWM A 12731).
He does his best to guide them in but some ignore his directions, swerve eastwards and land by mistake on Beer White Beach (📸 IWM A 12731).
With Amer stranded in P.48, the motor launch crew are deprived of their pilot. They do their best but guide the landing craft intended for Beer White Beach way to the south-west, with many even landing in the adjacent Apples sector.
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
With Amer stranded in P.48, the motor launch crew are deprived of their pilot. They do their best but guide the landing craft intended for Beer White Beach way to the south-west, with many even landing in the adjacent Apples sector.