Operation Hawthorn

This article is about the 1943 British operation in Italy. For the 1966 US operation in Vietnam, see Operation Hawthorne.

Operation Hawthorn was the codename for a series of British Commando raids on Sardinia during the Second World War. The raids between June and July 1943 were carried out by L Detachment Special Boat Squadron. The raiders were landed either by parachute or submarine and most of those who landed were killed or captured and the detachment had to be reconstituted.^[1]

The operation was led by Captain John Verney who commanded the L Detachment of the Special Boat Squad.^[2] The operation was planned to span 3 days (from June 30 till July 2) yet was called off after the first day of battle.