Operation Dunhill

During World War II, Operation Dunhill was a Special [Air Service] operation which began on 3 August 1944. Five teams totalling 59 men, led by Captain Greville Bell, were to liaise with the French Resistance and disrupt German [military administration in occupied France during World War II|German activity] in Rennes and Laval in advance of Operation Cobra, the American breakout from Normandy.
In the event, four of the teams were relieved by the advancing Americans within twenty-four hours.
The fifth team reported on German movements and secured about 200 Allied airmen before they met with the ground forces on 24 August.