By late 1941, the Germans occupied a considerable portion of the European continent, but an Allied strike against them was not yet feasible. Endorsed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the British then launched daring Commando raids along the coastline.
Aided by a detachment of Free Norwegian Army Commandos, the British targeted the islands of Vaagso and Maaloy to dismantle strategic targets in the area, including military facilities, fish-oil factories, and stores.
Operation Archery would eventually become the first time that air support joined sea and land plans from its conception to carry out an amphibious raid on a defended coast.
As Admiral of the Fleet Louis Mountbatten said to the troops before the operation was launched: "Nobody knows quite what is going to happen and you are the ones who are going to find out."
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