Combined Operations
Jigsaw Challenge
Learn while you
play - online jigsaws of website photos
You
can change the number of pieces from around 200 to suit all ages and you can view the image whenever you
want... or not at all. To help you get started, the edge pieces only can be displayed. Good
luck.
49
- 21/12/21 Jigsaw
Story behind the picture. A Christmas greeting for jigsaw challengers
at an appropriate time to end this Combined Operations Jigsaw Challenge.
New jigsaws will be added in 2022 if/when new photos are received. The
existing jigsaws will remain in place meantime.
48
- 14/12/21 Jigsaw
Story behind the picture. We're all living through challenging times
and so has the Combined Operations Command memorial, as this 2021
photograph shows. However, when the flood receded, the memorial emerged as
good as before after some TLC, which hopefully we all will do when Covid
is finally under control world-wide.
47 - 07/12/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. With the passage of time, the opportunity to question those
who served in WW2 has all but disappeared, which makes this 2004 event all
the more poignant. More information
here.
46 - 30/11/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. The lived experiences of thousands of veterans in WW2 has
been lost to future generations even although we can see it! How can this
be? More information here.
45 - 23/11/21
Jigsaw
Story behind the picture. Many years after WW2, a RN Commando veteran
sculptured a memorial stone from Yorkshire grit, which was erected in a
remote Scottish village where the RN Commandos did their training. His son
recently learned about this and attended the memorial at 11 am on
Remembrance Sunday, 2021. The photo he took of the memorial has a "aaaw"
inducing prickly surprise! More information
here.
44 - 16/11/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. Although this British WW2 Normandy Campaign memorial was 77 years overdue, and
its opening ceremony was blighted by Covid restrictions, it now stands as
a magnificent place of remembrance where the names of 22,442 individuals
are listed on its many columns. More information
here.
43 - 09/11/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. A tranquil rural setting in Normandy is about to be disrupted
as Royal Air Service Commando Unit 3205 sets up a fuel supply dump for
Spitfires. The unit fuelled, armed, serviced and repaired the aircraft
close to the front line post D Day. More information
here.
42 - 02/11/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. This jigsaw is connected to the one below and should help you navigate
to HMS Saunders. More information
here.
41 - 26/10/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. It's not by accident that the No 1 Combined Training Centre
in Inveraray was named HMS Quebec and its equivalent in the Middle East
named HMS Saunders... and why is the year 1759 significant? Find out
more here.
40 - 19/10/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. A dramatic sketch of a rescue at sea of an American pilot
shot down during the ill fated Combined Operations assault on Dieppe in
August 1942.
More Information here and
here.
39 - 12/10/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. Who would have imagined Sherman tanks, weighing around 33
tons, making their own way to the landing beaches from several miles
offshore. This photo shows how they did it. More information
here.
38 - 05/10/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture.
This silver Combined Ops badge was purchased at a military fair in Belfast
but its provenance is unknown, as is its purpose. It may have been a
sweetheart broach or pendant from around 1943, which is supported by wear
marks of a neck chain or cord.
More information
here.
37 - 28/09/21
JIgsaw Story behind the
picture. The land based Royal Observer Corps traditionally identified
over-flying aircraft as "friend or foe" to alert Fighter Command and
anti-aircraft batteries. However, during the
Normandy landings in June 1944, volunteers from the Corps joined the
invasion fleet as seaborne observers. This photo shows what happened to
the vital information they provided. More information
here.
36 - 21/09/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. The Combined Operations Command's shore establishments
included HMS Saunders in Egypt, which serviced amphibious training and
operations in the Mediterranean. Most shore establishments were built of
bricks and concrete, but not HMS Saunders as this early sketch attests.
More Information here.
35 - 14/09/21
Jigsaw Story
behind the picture. There are monuments, memorials and plaques around
the world in remembrance of the contribution of Combined Operations in
WW2. One of the more exotic can be found in this beach scene in
Australia. More Information
here.
34 - 07/09/21
Jigsaw Story
behind the picture. This tranquil beach was used to practice large
scale beach landings prior to D Day. One such, Operation Tiger, was a
disaster for the Americans and was hushed up for decades after the war.
More Information here.
33 - 31/08/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. The only LST (Landing Ship Tank) preserved for future
generations spent several years on the bottom of a dock in Liverpool. This
'before restoration' image shows the magnitude of the multi million pound
task that lay ahead. More
Information here.
32 - 24/08/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. The Combined Operations community have raised in excess of
£25,000 over the past 21 years in support of the website and memorial. The
unique subject of this frustratingly difficult jigsaw raised £200! More
Information here.
31 - 17/08/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. This impressive town hall building witnessed the German
Occupation of Middelburg on the Dutch island of Walcheren at the mouth of
the River Scheldt. Six year old Jan Wigard also witnessed the occupation,
which lasted over 4 years. More information
here.
30 - 10/08/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture.
Royal Navy Commando shoulder title on a JWH (Jersey Wool Heavy
standard issue pullover) of a serving RN Commando Chief Medic - one of
only six still serving in November 2014.
Click here
and scroll down to item 13 for more information.
29 - 03/08/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. Deceiving and confusing the enemy over the Allies' true
intentions was an integral part of amphibious raids and landings
undertaken by Combined Operations. This extended to a large scale bogus
raid involving 350 vessels with air support. More information
here.
28 - 27/07/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture The crew of LCT 979 proudly raised their brand new white
ensign flag as they approached the heavily defended island of Walcheren at
the head of the River Scheldt in the Netherlands. The gunfire from the
enemy's strong, well established defensive positions was intense as the
white ensign attests. More information
here.
27 - 20/07/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. Eight years ago, this month, the Combined Operations Memorial
was dedicated, belatedly recognising the hugely significant contributions
and sacrifices of all who served in the Command. The day is remembered in
this jigsaw. More information here.
26 - 13/07/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. As part of the original fund raising campaign, for the
construction of the Combined Ops memorial, military artist David A Thorp
generously gifted a painting of a Normandy beach landing from which prints
were made. More information
here.
25 - 06/07/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. HMS Copra was a shore establishment in Largs on the Clyde
estuary in Scotland. Local accommodation for Wrens included this
impressive structure, while overspill accommodation included Jimmy the One huts within its grounds!
More information
here.
24 - 29/06/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. There were 5 landing beaches on D Day; 2 British (Sword and
Gold), 2 American (Omaha and Utah) and 1 Canadian (Juno). This image
promotes a book about Commando operations on one of them.... but which one?
More information here.
23 - 22/06/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. There are many ways to protect and preserve our Combined
Operations history and heritage, but this story is very different. The son
of a veteran killed in action on the craft, helped sail her to the
Netherlands from the Mediterranean to complete her restoration. In a very
real sense, he stood in his late father's footsteps. More Information
here.
22 - 15/06/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. The remoteness of the rugged, mountainous terrain and
challenging weather of the Scottish Highlands provided ideal training
conditions for regular army servicemen who volunteered for unspecified
hazardous duties. Their bravery and achievements are legendary. Who were
they and how are they remembered? The answers are in this jigsaw image.
More Information here.
21 - 08/06/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. How did some primary school children imagine what D Day
was like? Their artistic efforts were displayed in the National Memorial
Arboretum reception marquee on the occasion of the Combined Operations
Memorial dedication ceremony in July 2013. Find out more
here.
20 - 01/06/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. Able seaman Harold French served in the Royal Navy from
1925 to 1949. During the war, he was attached to Combined Operations
serving as crew on HMS Misoa. Complete this jigsaw to see the proud record
his family have of his wartime service. More information about HMS Misoa
here.
19 - 25/05/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. We recently learned of a Combined Ops veteran about to
celebrate his 100th birthday. Covid prevented any significant social
gathering and he had no family. Through our Facebook page, we appealed for
birthday cards and greetings. The astonishing result can be seen in this
jigsaw! Find out more
here.
18 - 18/05/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture.
As an integral part
of Combined Operations, the RAF provided air support on Commando raids and
major landings including D Day. However, Combined Operations
had their own RAF Squadron for a special purpose as this jigsaw attests.Find out more
here.
17 - 11/05/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. What did the crew of
Landing Barge
Emergency Repair No 29 (LBE 29) do with their French spending money off the
Normandy coast on D Day? Solve this puzzle to find out! Find out more
here.
16 - 04/05/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. Hundreds of thousands of service personnel, from the
Army, Navy and Air Force, required to train together in a new kind of
amphibious warfare... but where could they do this in complete secrecy? The
answer was a small, remote Scottish village with its own castle and
resident Duke. Find out more
here.
15 - 27/04/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. For the D Day landings and immediate aftermath, land
based radar, along the coastline of southern England, was unable to
provide sufficient advance warning of enemy air attacks against the Allied
land, sea and air forces. The solution was innovative and at the
cutting edge of science and technology. Find out more
here.
14 - 22/04/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. Their mission in November 1941was to capture one of
Hitler's top Generals, Erwin Rommel from his remote North African HQ. When
elements of No 11 Scottish Commando failed to gain entry one dark
night, they knocked on door and, in perfect German, demanded entry. The
door was unlocked and entry gained. Find out more
here.
13 - 15/04/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. Landing Craft Assault (LCA) typically carried around 36
armed soldiers from troop carrying mother ships a few miles offshore to
landing beaches. Over 2000 were manufactured at many engineering yards
around the UK and then delivered to their new owners. How they did this in
some cases might surprise you.
Find out more
here.
12 - 08/04/21
Jigsaw Story behind
the picture. Over 75 years ago, the Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF)
was the precursor of the larger, better trained and equipped Commando
Units that followed. The men of SSRF were pioneers in their field of
clandestine amphibious raids on enemy occupied territory and lessons
learned strongly influenced the formation of the Commando Units. Find out
more here.
11 - 01/04/21
Jigsaw
Story
behind the picture. The subject of today's jigsaw is HMS Monch, but,
inspired by the proximity of 'April Fools Day', all is not as it seems! Find out more
here.
10 - 25/03/21
Jigsaw
Story
behind the picture. How were the crews of smaller landing craft, with
no space for a kitchen, provided with hot meals off the Normandy beaches
in WW2?
By the nautical equivalent of a drive in / carry out service a few miles
offshore with unlimited 'parking'. The Landing Barge Kitchens were a
lifeline for thousands. Find out
more here.
9 - 18/03/21
Jigsaw
Story
behind the picture. The story goes that Churchill wanted to visit the
Normandy beaches before it was safe to do so. He finally relented when
King George told him he would go with him! Whatever the case, Churchill
and his military advisers made the journey on D Day + 6. Find out more
here.
8 - 11/03/21
Jigsaw
Story
behind the picture. A rusty relic from the Mulberry Harbours - a long
abandoned "Beetle" on the beach at Aldwick near Bognor Regis on the south
coast of England. Beetles were concrete and steel floats or pontoons that
supported the Mulberry roadways. Each was capable of carrying 56 tons + 25 tons -
the weight of a tank. Find out more
about the amazing Mulberry Harbours story
here.
7 - 04/03/21
Jigsaw Story
behind the picture. All coastlines of countries occupied by the enemy
were defended and there were no friendly ports and harbours. All troops,
tanks, armaments, vehicles, supplies, medical care and ancillary equipment
together with inshore gun, rocket and mortar support, were provided from
about 40 different kinds of landing craft which totalled over 4000 on D
Day alone. The LCA was one of the smallest with a capacity of about 35
armed troops. Find out more
about the deployment of Landing Craft Assault (LCA)
here.
6
- 25/02/21
Jigsaw Story
behind the picture. PLUTO was more than a planet in WW2. It was
an acronym for a top secret, large scale engineering project to pump fuel,
for tanks and other vehicles, hundreds of miles from England, under the
English Channel, to front-line troops as they advanced towards Germany -
Pipe Line Under The Ocean x 21. Pumping stations on beaches were disguised
as houses, cafes etc. Find out more about the design, development
and construction of the pipeline here.
5 - 18/02/21 Jigsaw Story
behind the picture. Following major landings on enemy occupied
territory, the advancing invading force needed air support from the RAF &
USAF. This could only be provided from captured air fields or hastily
improvised landing strips close to front lines. The Royal Air Servicing
Commando Units serviced, maintained, repaired and re-armed aircraft under
hazardous conditions and were trained to defend their air strips if
attacked.. Find out more about the brave men who volunteered
for unknown hazardous duties here.
4 - 11/02/21
Jigsaw Story behind the
picture. This beautiful tranquil scene of a Norwegian fjord
belies the drama, bravery and boldness of a small group of Commandos and
two Norwegian corporals, working for the Special Operations Executive, in
destroying aluminium production in the coastal town of Glomfjord.
Shockingly, those captured were transported to Colditz and then to Berlin
where they were executed. Find out more
here.
3 - 04/02/21.
Approx 100 pieces
Approx 200 pieces Story
behind the picture. There were many special units established in
WW2 whose work was absolutely vital to the success of landings onto
unimproved beaches in enemy occupied territory. Even their name was
designed to deceive the enemy by concealing their real purpose - the
Combined Operations Pilotage Parties. Find out more here.
2 - 28/01/21.
Approx 125 pieces
Approx 200 pieces Story behind the picture. The D Day Landings
changed the course of the WW2. This map gives a visual representation of
Operation Neptune, the amphibious phase of the D Day landings. Thousands
of landing craft of many types put boots on the landing beaches, provided
fire power on beach targets and anti aircraft cover for the fleet followed by the delivery of vehicles, tanks, supplies,
medical provisions, armaments and follow on troops thereafter... all with
Royal Navy heavy gun and RAF air support. Find out more
here.
1 - 21/01/21.
Approx 100 pieces Story behind the
picture. In late
2012, work began on the construction of the Combined Operations Memorial
at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The larger rocks, transported from
Loch Fyne in Scotland, where training in landing craft operations was
concentrated, weighed several tons and required lifting gear. Find out
more here.
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