Beschreibung:

A WWII 'Operation Gambit' DSC group attributed to Sub Lieutenant R.F. Harbud, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who formed part of COPP1, a secret operation in Midget Submarine X20 on the morning of the D-Day landings, Normandy 6 June 1944, Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1944', 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star with North Africa 1942-43 clasp, Burma Star, France & Germany Star, War Medal, good very fine, mounted as worn, with a letter from Buckingham Palace and transmission slip, two silver and enamel medals relating to British Frozen Food Federation, both engraved 'R.F.A. Harbud' and an extensive amount of research (Qty: 6) DSC London Gazette 14 November 1944 'For gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy Sub Lieutenant Robin Frederick Harbud DSC, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was promoted to Midshipman on 12 February 1943 and advanced to Sub Lieutenant on 1 March 1944. Harbud was released from service on 21 April 1946 having served at HMS Quebec from August 1943 to his release date. HMS Quebec was a Combined Ops shore base. Harbud joined COPPS in the Spring of 1943. Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP) Formed in December 1942, when the need for invasion beach reconnaissance and assault guidance was officially recognised. All COPP members had to be able to fight their way out of any situation they may find themselves in (but only as a last resort). Avoiding trouble and compromising the mission was the top priority, so they needed scouting and stalking skills as well as a variety of other skills including physical and mental strength. All members had to undergo commando and specialist training. Harbud suffered poor eyesight and passed his COPP training by reading the chart twice with his left eye and in the preparation for the invasion of France, he was assigned to Operation Gambit. Operation Gambit Two Midget Submarines (X20 and X23) were to be used by COPPs teams to identify Sword and Juno beaches and act as markers for the assault on D-Day. The Submarines were to identify the narrow Sword and Juno beaches and then submerge and lie hidden until darkness. On the morning of D-Day, while it was still dark they were to surface and show lights to seaward that would serve as leading marks for the assaulting craft destined to land on those beaches. The two beaches were difficult to identify, the few landmarks on the low shore would be hard to distinguish when approaching in darkness, and even small inaccuracies in making a landfall might prove disastrous. After being postponed for 24 hours the signal was given and Harbud operated the mechanical hammer on the "Bong Stick" getting a terrible hammering from the waves breaking right over him. Eventually, just after first light, the assault craft became visible, their sound hidden by the gale, swept past X20 and onto Juno beach. The submarines returned to their Depot Ship after observing the landing craft reaching the shore safely. Five awards were handed out for this operation including the DSC to Harbud, after Normandy COPP1 was disbanded and reformed sometime later with Harbud being the only member of the Normandy COPP1 to remain, he was then sent to South East Asia Command where 7 operations were mounted, They carried out reconnaissance and chaung recce's by canoe and despite several encounters with the Japanese nobody was killed. A more comprehensive account of this group is included with the lot.