During World War II, Operation Abercrombie was an Anglo-Canadian reconnaissance raid on the area around the French coastal village of Hardelot, located south of Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the Pas-de-Calais. It had been scheduled for the night of 19/20 April 1942, but delayed until 21/22 April. The raid was largely unopposed but, on review, the benefits were thought not to have been worth the effort. Due to a navigation error the Canadian detachment lost their way and had to abort.
Major Lord Lovat, giving orders to his men before setting out on a commando raid on the French coast near Boulogne, 21 April 1942
Men of No. 4 Commando after returning from a raid on the French coast near Boulogne, 22 April 1942
No. 4 Commando was a battalion-sized British Army commando unit, formed in 1940 early in the Second World War. Although it was raised to conduct small-scale raids and harass garrisons along the coast of German occupied France, it was mainly employed as a highly trained infantry assault unit.
No. 4 Commando after a raid on France, April 1942.
Commandos watching the fish oil tanks burn.
Major Lord Lovat, giving orders before setting out on Operation Abercrombie 21 April 1942.
Landing craft of No 4 Commando running in to land at Orange one beach, on the right flank of the main assault at Dieppe.
