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
Pinned
COPP Survey
@coppsurvey.uk
· Nov 11
So many new followers, so a quick intro!
My interest in COPP is from family history research that got out of control – my grandfather Jack Crane joined COPP in August 1944. I'm still 'learning as I go' (and sharing it in public as I go).
My interest in COPP is from family history research that got out of control – my grandfather Jack Crane joined COPP in August 1944. I'm still 'learning as I go' (and sharing it in public as I go).
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – mini sub X-23 is launched at Faslane in Scotland. It's named Xiphias, after Xiphias gladius, the species name for swordfish (🎨 Adobe Stock).
Ironically, X-23 will go on to mark the approach to Sword Beach on D-Day (from 🎞️ IWM ADM 1260). #NavalHistory 🧵
Ironically, X-23 will go on to mark the approach to Sword Beach on D-Day (from 🎞️ IWM ADM 1260). #NavalHistory 🧵
December 13, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – mini sub X-23 is launched at Faslane in Scotland. It's named Xiphias, after Xiphias gladius, the species name for swordfish (🎨 Adobe Stock).
Ironically, X-23 will go on to mark the approach to Sword Beach on D-Day (from 🎞️ IWM ADM 1260). #NavalHistory 🧵
Ironically, X-23 will go on to mark the approach to Sword Beach on D-Day (from 🎞️ IWM ADM 1260). #NavalHistory 🧵
🗓️ #OTD 1944 – COPP 3 flies out of RAF Kankesanturai (now Jaffna International Airport) (📸 Google Earth) in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) heading for Reju Khal in modern-day Bangladesh. They travel via Madras (Chennai), Calcutta, Cumilla and Chittagong (Chattogram). #NavalHistory
➡️ buff.ly/Mo4RxSL
➡️ buff.ly/Mo4RxSL
December 12, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD 1944 – COPP 3 flies out of RAF Kankesanturai (now Jaffna International Airport) (📸 Google Earth) in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) heading for Reju Khal in modern-day Bangladesh. They travel via Madras (Chennai), Calcutta, Cumilla and Chittagong (Chattogram). #NavalHistory
➡️ buff.ly/Mo4RxSL
➡️ buff.ly/Mo4RxSL
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – COPP 8 men are aboard sub depot ship HMS Adamant (📸 IWM FL148) in Trincomalee harbour in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), ready to depart for reconnaissance of the Andaman Islands, when the op is suddenly cancelled. It's unknown precisely where the recces would have taken place. #NavalHistory
December 8, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – COPP 8 men are aboard sub depot ship HMS Adamant (📸 IWM FL148) in Trincomalee harbour in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), ready to depart for reconnaissance of the Andaman Islands, when the op is suddenly cancelled. It's unknown precisely where the recces would have taken place. #NavalHistory
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – Eric Harding is shot dead by a sniper as COPP 10, in Piraeus, are caught in the early skirmishes of the emerging Greek civil war.🕯️We remember him.
His body is recovered and he is later buried at sea in the Gulf of Athens.
His body is recovered and he is later buried at sea in the Gulf of Athens.
December 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – Eric Harding is shot dead by a sniper as COPP 10, in Piraeus, are caught in the early skirmishes of the emerging Greek civil war.🕯️We remember him.
His body is recovered and he is later buried at sea in the Gulf of Athens.
His body is recovered and he is later buried at sea in the Gulf of Athens.
🗓️ #OTD 1944 – COPP 1 arrives in Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in troopship Christiaan Huygens (📸 Tropenmuseum) after a 1 month sail from the UK. Next destination is Hammenhiel Camp, where the Small Operations Group (SOG) is based. #NavalHistory
▶️ buff.ly/jDJPcCI
▶️ buff.ly/jDJPcCI
December 5, 2025 at 9:14 AM
🗓️ #OTD 1944 – COPP 1 arrives in Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in troopship Christiaan Huygens (📸 Tropenmuseum) after a 1 month sail from the UK. Next destination is Hammenhiel Camp, where the Small Operations Group (SOG) is based. #NavalHistory
▶️ buff.ly/jDJPcCI
▶️ buff.ly/jDJPcCI
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – D-Day planners finally agree how COPP will do beach recces of Normandy (🗺️ UKHO).
> COPP 6 (already available) will operate from landing craft. They'll be joined by COPPs 2 and 4 once they finish training.
> COPPs 1 and 9 will operate from X-craft mini subs. #NavalHistory 🧵
> COPP 6 (already available) will operate from landing craft. They'll be joined by COPPs 2 and 4 once they finish training.
> COPPs 1 and 9 will operate from X-craft mini subs. #NavalHistory 🧵
December 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – D-Day planners finally agree how COPP will do beach recces of Normandy (🗺️ UKHO).
> COPP 6 (already available) will operate from landing craft. They'll be joined by COPPs 2 and 4 once they finish training.
> COPPs 1 and 9 will operate from X-craft mini subs. #NavalHistory 🧵
> COPP 6 (already available) will operate from landing craft. They'll be joined by COPPs 2 and 4 once they finish training.
> COPPs 1 and 9 will operate from X-craft mini subs. #NavalHistory 🧵
🗓️ #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
🗓️ #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 🧵
🗓️ #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
🗓️ #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 🧵
🕯️ During the Second World War, 13 men are known to have lost their life while serving with COPP.
A further four non-COPP men lost their life while on operations with them.
We will remember them.
A further four non-COPP men lost their life while on operations with them.
We will remember them.
We will remember them
During the Second World War, 13 men are known to have lost their lives while serving with Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP).
Geoffrey Richards is buried in the Madras (St Mary’s) Cemetery…
buff.ly
November 9, 2025 at 10:50 AM
🕯️ During the Second World War, 13 men are known to have lost their life while serving with COPP.
A further four non-COPP men lost their life while on operations with them.
We will remember them.
A further four non-COPP men lost their life while on operations with them.
We will remember them.
🗓️ #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
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – men from Party Inhuman, the 'prototype' COPP team, have been carrying out beach marking and pilotage during Operation Torch's landings in Vichy French-held Algeria (📸 IWM NA 30). (The concurrent landings in French Morocco had no Party Inhuman input.) #NavalHistory 🧵
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – men from Party Inhuman, the 'prototype' COPP team, have been carrying out beach marking and pilotage during Operation Torch's landings in Vichy French-held Algeria (📸 IWM NA 30). (The concurrent landings in French Morocco had no Party Inhuman input.) #NavalHistory 🧵
There are some great items in this RMA – The Royal Marines Charity silent auction, including a chance to take part in next year's "Operation Itchy Blanket", paddling a Klepper on the Thames with the RMA Paddle Group.
🔗 buff.ly/svwsu8I
🔗 buff.ly/svwsu8I
November 7, 2025 at 12:25 PM
There are some great items in this RMA – The Royal Marines Charity silent auction, including a chance to take part in next year's "Operation Itchy Blanket", paddling a Klepper on the Thames with the RMA Paddle Group.
🔗 buff.ly/svwsu8I
🔗 buff.ly/svwsu8I
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – Geoffrey Lyne (📸 IWM ADM 1260) and P.D. Thomas are captured while carrying out beach familiarisation ahead of Operation Torch, Allied landings in Vichy French-occupied north Africa.
They're part of Party Inhuman, a 'pre-COPP' team quickly thrown together. #NavalHistory 🧵
They're part of Party Inhuman, a 'pre-COPP' team quickly thrown together. #NavalHistory 🧵
November 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – Geoffrey Lyne (📸 IWM ADM 1260) and P.D. Thomas are captured while carrying out beach familiarisation ahead of Operation Torch, Allied landings in Vichy French-occupied north Africa.
They're part of Party Inhuman, a 'pre-COPP' team quickly thrown together. #NavalHistory 🧵
They're part of Party Inhuman, a 'pre-COPP' team quickly thrown together. #NavalHistory 🧵
🎖️There's been some nice coverage of last weekend's event at Hayling Island Sailing Club to mark the 80th anniversary of COPP disbanding at the end of the Second World War.
COPP was based at the sailing club soon after being officially formed in November 1942. (📸 Roy O'Donnell)
COPP was based at the sailing club soon after being officially formed in November 1942. (📸 Roy O'Donnell)
November 3, 2025 at 8:44 PM
🎖️There's been some nice coverage of last weekend's event at Hayling Island Sailing Club to mark the 80th anniversary of COPP disbanding at the end of the Second World War.
COPP was based at the sailing club soon after being officially formed in November 1942. (📸 Roy O'Donnell)
COPP was based at the sailing club soon after being officially formed in November 1942. (📸 Roy O'Donnell)
Really enjoyed Friday evening's talk by Jeremy Black, 'How maps win or lose wars', hosted by @dougspecht.bsky.social and @britishlibrary.bsky.social as part of their new #SecretMaps exhibition. I think someone told their pop-up bookshop it had just been pay day ... Am excited to see the exhibition.
November 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Really enjoyed Friday evening's talk by Jeremy Black, 'How maps win or lose wars', hosted by @dougspecht.bsky.social and @britishlibrary.bsky.social as part of their new #SecretMaps exhibition. I think someone told their pop-up bookshop it had just been pay day ... Am excited to see the exhibition.
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – COPP 8's Alec Colson (front, 📸 Colson family archive) and Freddie Ponsonby take part in Operation Deputy with men from 42 (RM) Commando. It's a 'recce in force' of Kyunthaya island off the coast of Burma (now Myanmar). #NavalHistory 🧵
▶️ buff.ly/f23vor2
▶️ buff.ly/f23vor2
November 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – COPP 8's Alec Colson (front, 📸 Colson family archive) and Freddie Ponsonby take part in Operation Deputy with men from 42 (RM) Commando. It's a 'recce in force' of Kyunthaya island off the coast of Burma (now Myanmar). #NavalHistory 🧵
▶️ buff.ly/f23vor2
▶️ buff.ly/f23vor2
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – scientist J.D. Bernal (📸 Birkbeck, University of London/JSTOR), an adviser to Combined Operations HQ, writes to 21 Army Group warning them about the probability of clay underneath Gold and Juno beaches in Normandy. #NavalHistory 🧵
▶️ buff.ly/ObxQDXd
▶️ buff.ly/ObxQDXd
November 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – scientist J.D. Bernal (📸 Birkbeck, University of London/JSTOR), an adviser to Combined Operations HQ, writes to 21 Army Group warning them about the probability of clay underneath Gold and Juno beaches in Normandy. #NavalHistory 🧵
▶️ buff.ly/ObxQDXd
▶️ buff.ly/ObxQDXd
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – future COPPist Bill Tebb is part of Operation Title, a 'chariot' human torpedo attack on battleship Tirpitz (📸 IWM HU 50947). The op is called off after both chariots, slung beneath a fishing vessel, are lost due to bad weather. #NavalHistory 1/2
▶️ buff.ly/sbLXf2n
▶️ buff.ly/sbLXf2n
October 31, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – future COPPist Bill Tebb is part of Operation Title, a 'chariot' human torpedo attack on battleship Tirpitz (📸 IWM HU 50947). The op is called off after both chariots, slung beneath a fishing vessel, are lost due to bad weather. #NavalHistory 1/2
▶️ buff.ly/sbLXf2n
▶️ buff.ly/sbLXf2n
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – a clearly frustrated Nigel Willmott messages Frederick Edward-Collins, Vice Admiral Commanding, North Atlantic (VACNA) (📸 IWM GM 852), to vent his annoyance that tweaks suggested for Operation Torch (forthcoming landings in north Africa) have been rejected. #NavalHistory 🧵
October 27, 2025 at 9:03 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – a clearly frustrated Nigel Willmott messages Frederick Edward-Collins, Vice Admiral Commanding, North Atlantic (VACNA) (📸 IWM GM 852), to vent his annoyance that tweaks suggested for Operation Torch (forthcoming landings in north Africa) have been rejected. #NavalHistory 🧵
It's a lovely day for a small gathering at the sailing club. Thank you HISC for inviting us!
October 25, 2025 at 11:27 AM
It's a lovely day for a small gathering at the sailing club. Thank you HISC for inviting us!
🗓️ #OTD in 1945 – with the end of the war, COPP is officially disbanded. But it won't be long before the legacy is revived when 'cockleshell hero' Royal Marines officer 'Blondie' Hasler (📸 IWM A 29378) sets up the School of Combined Operations Beach and Boat Section (SCOBBS). #NavalHistory 🧵
October 25, 2025 at 10:02 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1945 – with the end of the war, COPP is officially disbanded. But it won't be long before the legacy is revived when 'cockleshell hero' Royal Marines officer 'Blondie' Hasler (📸 IWM A 29378) sets up the School of Combined Operations Beach and Boat Section (SCOBBS). #NavalHistory 🧵
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – Admiral Bertram Ramsay (📸 IWM A 23443) is appointed Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force (ANCXF) – the first of the senior Operation Overlord commanders to be put in place. #NavalHistory 1/2
October 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – Admiral Bertram Ramsay (📸 IWM A 23443) is appointed Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force (ANCXF) – the first of the senior Operation Overlord commanders to be put in place. #NavalHistory 1/2