Office of Strategic Services Operational Groups

Mission:
To harass the enemy forces by cutting Route National 117, and destroying communication and supply lines in the Carcassonne Gap.

Summary:
12 August. Section left Blida Airport at 0300 hours for Aude area of France near Axat. Flying was good. DZ was 12 miles from the one intended and was suitable for equipment but not bodies. Mountains prevented flying low and the men landed among trees and rock formations. Three men were injured but not so serious that they could not keep up with the Section.

13 August. Railroad bridge between Carcassone and Rive Saltes which had been in continued use by German supply trains was destroyed.

14 August, Section destroyed three stone arch bridges, completely cutting Route Nationale 117 and one bypass.

16 August. Maquis force had increased from 40 to 250 men. Lack of arms prevented others from joining.

17 August. While placing demolition to block a road near Alet, a detail of Maquis and four OGs were met by Germans. As Lt. Swank and Sgt. Galley delayed the approach so the others could escape, the Lieutenant was shot down. The others continued fire and turned back the enemy, killing 19 and wounding four. Two Maquis were killed and 2 Maquis and 2 OGs were wounded.

The OGs rejoined the rest of the Section at night except for T/5 Veilleux. He had become separated, was fired on by three of the enemy, fell into a ditch as though dead, and when the three men approached he came out into the open and killed all three without injury to himself.

22 August. Section and Maquis destroyed the rails at a tunnel east of Carcassonne blocking this route of enemy retreat.

23 August. Maquis guard at Limoux was attacked by 32 Germans trying to escape to Spain. Section joined guard and a detail of OGs under S/Sgt. Sampson, who had taken Lt. Swank's place, by a flanking action forced the enemy to surrender after a half-hour battle.

Section subsequently headed north laying ambushes and encouraging Resistance Forces to fight enemy bands trying to reach Spain. Section next headed east to Allied Forces who had pushed north of the Section and met the French Army at Montpellier and American Forces at Avignon, and then continued to Grenoble.

Lt. Weeks later assisted Capt. Lorbeer on the Fr.-It. Border.

		Personal recollections:
		Jean Kohn : manuscript "A Civilian in Uniform"

Summary compiled by John Hamblet.