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
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – COPP 8 leave Cocanada (Kakinada) in India to carry out Operation Bunkum, recce of the Mayu Peninsula in Burma (Myanmar).
They travel in motor launch ML 437, commanded by Lieutenant 'Willo' Matthews (on right, 📸 IWM A 28504). #NavalHistory
▶️ buff.ly/tX3bZQY
They travel in motor launch ML 437, commanded by Lieutenant 'Willo' Matthews (on right, 📸 IWM A 28504). #NavalHistory
▶️ buff.ly/tX3bZQY
December 18, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – COPP 8 leave Cocanada (Kakinada) in India to carry out Operation Bunkum, recce of the Mayu Peninsula in Burma (Myanmar).
They travel in motor launch ML 437, commanded by Lieutenant 'Willo' Matthews (on right, 📸 IWM A 28504). #NavalHistory
▶️ buff.ly/tX3bZQY
They travel in motor launch ML 437, commanded by Lieutenant 'Willo' Matthews (on right, 📸 IWM A 28504). #NavalHistory
▶️ buff.ly/tX3bZQY
To maintain secrecy, most of Markham's workers had been given the day off (📸 Google). Just six men battled for two hours using jacks and timber packings to get the wagon back onto the rails, with trains on the mainline, held to maintain secrecy, backing up all the time. /🧵
December 13, 2025 at 9:01 AM
To maintain secrecy, most of Markham's workers had been given the day off (📸 Google). Just six men battled for two hours using jacks and timber packings to get the wagon back onto the rails, with trains on the mainline, held to maintain secrecy, backing up all the time. /🧵
X-23's earlier move by rail from Chesterfield to Faslane had started badly. Loaded onto a rail wagon on tracks that ran inside Markham's yard (🗺️ National Library of Scotland), a bogie jumped the track as the train moved off towards the mainline.
December 13, 2025 at 9:01 AM
X-23's earlier move by rail from Chesterfield to Faslane had started badly. Loaded onto a rail wagon on tracks that ran inside Markham's yard (🗺️ National Library of Scotland), a bogie jumped the track as the train moved off towards the mainline.
Built by Markham's in Chesterfield, X-23 is named (📜 own collection) by Joyce Hallitt, wife of general manager Bill Hallitt of rival firm Broadbent in Huddersfield. The firms have been enjoying friendly rivalry over who can build X-craft quickest.
December 13, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Built by Markham's in Chesterfield, X-23 is named (📜 own collection) by Joyce Hallitt, wife of general manager Bill Hallitt of rival firm Broadbent in Huddersfield. The firms have been enjoying friendly rivalry over who can build X-craft quickest.
🗓️ #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
Broadbent's is told to remove modifications already incorporated into X-21 for COPP ops. It's the latest change in ever-shifting Admiralty requirements that led one construction worker to pen "The Little Ship Builders' Litany" to the Lords of the Admiralty (📜 own collection). /🧵
December 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Broadbent's is told to remove modifications already incorporated into X-21 for COPP ops. It's the latest change in ever-shifting Admiralty requirements that led one construction worker to pen "The Little Ship Builders' Litany" to the Lords of the Admiralty (📜 own collection). /🧵
With only two teams using X-craft, COPP no longer needs both the two subs currently under construction that are earmarked for them. X-23, being built at Markham's in Chesterfield, will still join COPP but X-21, being built at Broadbent's in Huddersfield (📸 own), won't be needed.
December 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
With only two teams using X-craft, COPP no longer needs both the two subs currently under construction that are earmarked for them. X-23, being built at Markham's in Chesterfield, will still join COPP but X-21, being built at Broadbent's in Huddersfield (📸 own), won't be needed.
Five teams are needed as it's planned recce will happen right up to D-Day (scheduled for early May). Tide and moon conditions only allow a 1-week window per month for ops. That dovetails nicely with ~2 weeks after each recce to write reports and 1 week to prep for the next op. (📸 Adobe Stock)
December 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Five teams are needed as it's planned recce will happen right up to D-Day (scheduled for early May). Tide and moon conditions only allow a 1-week window per month for ops. That dovetails nicely with ~2 weeks after each recce to write reports and 1 week to prep for the next op. (📸 Adobe Stock)
🗓️ #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 🧵
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
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
▶️ buff.ly/8sfmN8k
▶️ 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