Operation Archery Vaagso Raid 1942

ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 1942, JUST OVER 500 BRITISH COMMANDOS AND NORWEGIAN ARMY PERSONNEL ATTACKED THE GERMAN-HELD ISLANDS OF VAAGSO AND MAALOY OFF THE COAST OF NORWAY. SUPPORTED BY WARSHIPS AND LOW-LEVEL BOMBING, THE ALLIES CAUGHT THE GERMANS OFF-GUARD. DESPITE THIS INITIAL ADVANTAGE, A BITTER FIRE-FIGHT DEVELOPED AND THE OPERATION REMAINED TOUCH-AND-GO UNTIL THE END.