REPORT GENERAL REMARKS
Local resistance movement
The local resistance movement was very weak at first, but it gathered strength and courage rapidly after the Americans arrived.
The Chief of the FFI was a very capable man named Georges* (this may be a war name) who was head of the resistance movement in the Aude Area of France.
Some of the other leaders and key men were : Marsouin, Michel, Gervais and Gaby. These men gave us their utmost cooperation.
* Georges Morguleff alias Daudet ?
Training
The men of the section had been especially trained for night work, and as scouts and observers during the day.
Each man was well trained in demolition work and proved that this training was good on our particular missions.
In t heir training, they had been taught to eat whatsoever they could obtain; and to sleep whenever it could be safely done.
This wa ideal training because there were never any complaints about sleeping in the rain or doing without food.
Equipment
The section was armed with grenades, marlins, car bines and knives, one Bazooka and twenty rounds of ammunition for it.
We had sleeping bags, demolition equipment, time pencils, tape, crimpers, booby traps, time fuse, detonators, primer cord and explosives, personal equipment which included shaving kits, cigarettes, K-Rations, etc.
Constructive criticism of operation
There was not suf ficient time to train the Maquis properly and we did not have enough long range automatic weapons. It would be much better to drop two complete radio sets and give the radio men more training in radio repair as well as more practice in operating.
Disposition of radio and crystals
The radio and crystals were dropped in working condition. All the equipment and spare parts, batteries, etc., were in good condition.
Radio operators report on radio performance
The first three days of operation were fine except for the fact that no contact was made with the base because of interference and static. Transmitter trouble started on the fourth day and the operator believed it was shorted but could not find the trouble. No contacts were made during the entire operation.
Has operation money been turned in
Yes
Has accounting been made
Yes
Recommendations for future operations
Larger units of (30) thirty men and three (3) Officers would be much better as then an ope ration could be carried out without the help of untrained men who do not understand what is to be done and valuable time is lost telling them what to do and how to do it. More long range automatic weapons such as Browning Automatic Rifles are needed and two light machine guns per group could he used to great advantage. All weapons should be zeroed in by the individuals who are to fire them before entering enemy territory. The ammunition for the light machine guns should be dropped in the metal containers so as to prevent damage to the belts and to provide carrying facilities.
