Darnaway Patrol

Locality

The forest of Darnaway lies 3 miles southwest of Forres, in Moray.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant R. Reid Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Corporal G. Reid Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private D. MacIntyre Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Donald MacLennen Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private George MacLennen Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private James Stephen Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The Operational Base was near Berry Lee Farm on the bank of the River Findhorn but it then moved to another location just North of the A96 road, and west of Forres.

OB Status
Location not known
Location

Darnaway Patrol

Patrol Targets

The location of the Patrol was close to RAF Brackla and Kinloss.

There were likely invasion beaches in the area around Spey Bay. 

Main Aberdeen railway lines passes close by. That would have been a likely target and also associated bridges over the River Findhorn.

The area of the Patrol is in mostly forest areas, with small amounts of farming. It is also near busy commuter routes for road and rail.

Training

Most likely Blairmore House in Huntly. It is also thought that the Darnaway Patrol launched dummy attacks against RAF Brackla.

The Patrol used a rifle range at St John’s Mead along with Spynie Patrol.

Weapons and Equipment

The Patrol had an inflatable dinghy for crossing the River Findhorn.

Other information

In the book, Word War II in Moray, it details how the Patrol captured two enemy agents near Mundole in a quarry off the River Findhorn.

References

TNA ref WO199/3388

Hancock data held at B.R.A

World War II in Moray by Bill Bartlam and Ian Keillar