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
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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 – preparations for tomorrow's first X-craft recce of Normandy (📸 Adobe Stock) are in the air following a meeting at sub base HMS Dolphin (📸 IWM HU 84829) in Gosport.
C-in-C Portsmouth Charles Little and sub admiral Claud Barry have both been having concerns. #NavalHistory 🧵
C-in-C Portsmouth Charles Little and sub admiral Claud Barry have both been having concerns. #NavalHistory 🧵
December 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – preparations for tomorrow's first X-craft recce of Normandy (📸 Adobe Stock) are in the air following a meeting at sub base HMS Dolphin (📸 IWM HU 84829) in Gosport.
C-in-C Portsmouth Charles Little and sub admiral Claud Barry have both been having concerns. #NavalHistory 🧵
C-in-C Portsmouth Charles Little and sub admiral Claud Barry have both been having concerns. #NavalHistory 🧵
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – COPP is just a few weeks old when its officers are called to COHQ in London to be briefed for recce of Sardinia (for Operation Brimstone). COHQ's Hugh Faulkner (📸 IWM A 29481) prioritises which beaches should be looked at first. #NavalHistory 🧵
▶️ buff.ly/Sch2rrZ
▶️ buff.ly/Sch2rrZ
December 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – COPP is just a few weeks old when its officers are called to COHQ in London to be briefed for recce of Sardinia (for Operation Brimstone). COHQ's Hugh Faulkner (📸 IWM A 29481) prioritises which beaches should be looked at first. #NavalHistory 🧵
▶️ buff.ly/Sch2rrZ
▶️ buff.ly/Sch2rrZ
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – COPP 6's Donald Amer and Peter Wild (📸 Peter Palmer via Simon Hatch) follow-up Christmas Day's unsuccessful recce of Normandy by taking part in Operation Bellpush Baker, again with the 712th Landing Craft (Survey) Flotilla. #NavalHistory 🧵
▶️ buff.ly/lBVRQsP
▶️ buff.ly/lBVRQsP
December 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – COPP 6's Donald Amer and Peter Wild (📸 Peter Palmer via Simon Hatch) follow-up Christmas Day's unsuccessful recce of Normandy by taking part in Operation Bellpush Baker, again with the 712th Landing Craft (Survey) Flotilla. #NavalHistory 🧵
▶️ buff.ly/lBVRQsP
▶️ buff.ly/lBVRQsP
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – the war doesn't stop for Christmas: COPP 6's Donald Amer and Peter Wild (📸 Peter Palmer via Simon Hatch) are the first COPP men to take part in pre-D-Day reconnaissance operations off the coast of Normandy. #NavalHistory 🧵
December 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – the war doesn't stop for Christmas: COPP 6's Donald Amer and Peter Wild (📸 Peter Palmer via Simon Hatch) are the first COPP men to take part in pre-D-Day reconnaissance operations off the coast of Normandy. #NavalHistory 🧵
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – as newly formed COPP gets established, the Admiralty has to message Portsmouth command: "Request priority be given to supply of stores, equipment, transport and other facilities to CCO representatives [...] identified by codeword 'COPP'." (📄 from IWM Docs.20636) #NavalHistory 🧵
![The message sent to Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth. Its full text is: "Request priority be given to supply of stores, equipment, transport and other facilities to CCO [Chief of Combined Operations] representatives to meet a requirement to be identified by codeword COPP."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cqs55kqze25xinrme4xgvo4n/bafkreifh46dy2thrrnjphgp7fdalrsir4e5kcec5mslplsqluoyftqyuh4@jpeg)
December 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1942 – as newly formed COPP gets established, the Admiralty has to message Portsmouth command: "Request priority be given to supply of stores, equipment, transport and other facilities to CCO representatives [...] identified by codeword 'COPP'." (📄 from IWM Docs.20636) #NavalHistory 🧵
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – after surviving operations in Burma (now Myanmar), COPP 8's Geoff Richards is killed falling from a train in Madras (Chennai).
His team are on their way back to Hammenhiel Camp in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) when the accident happens.🕯️
His team are on their way back to Hammenhiel Camp in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) when the accident happens.🕯️
December 23, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1944 – after surviving operations in Burma (now Myanmar), COPP 8's Geoff Richards is killed falling from a train in Madras (Chennai).
His team are on their way back to Hammenhiel Camp in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) when the accident happens.🕯️
His team are on their way back to Hammenhiel Camp in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) when the accident happens.🕯️
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – ahead of upcoming Normandy recce ops, COPP 1's Logan Scott-Bowden (left) and Bruce Ogden Smith set out to prove the planners' sceptical scientists wrong by carrying out a 'dummy run' on Brancaster beach in Norfolk (📸 Jason Wells/Adobe Stock). #NavalHistory 🧵
December 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – ahead of upcoming Normandy recce ops, COPP 1's Logan Scott-Bowden (left) and Bruce Ogden Smith set out to prove the planners' sceptical scientists wrong by carrying out a 'dummy run' on Brancaster beach in Norfolk (📸 Jason Wells/Adobe Stock). #NavalHistory 🧵
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – mini sub X-20 arrives in Portsmouth (📸 NARA 333361577) after two days of transport by rail from Faslane as preparations for COPP's first Normandy recce – pencilled in for the end of December – gather pace. #NavalHistory 🧵
December 20, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🗓️ #OTD in 1943 – mini sub X-20 arrives in Portsmouth (📸 NARA 333361577) after two days of transport by rail from Faslane as preparations for COPP's first Normandy recce – pencilled in for the end of December – gather pace. #NavalHistory 🧵
🗓️ #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
🗓️ #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 🧵