No. 3 (Jewish) Troop of the No. 10 Commando

During the First and Second World Wars, British and Allied nations’ Jewish servicemen and women played a part in those struggles in excess of the proportion to their numbers in the general population. Many will know of the Zion Mule Corps (1915-16), the Jewish Legion (38th-42nd battalions, Royal Fusiliers - 1917-19) in the First War, and the Jewish Brigade (1944-46), the 51st (mainly Jewish Palestinians) Middle East Commando, the SIG Commando in North Africa, the Jewish members of SOE, and other Jewish groups of World War Two.

One of the best-kept secrets of World War II, however, has been the nature of the existence of No. 3 (Miscellaneous or “X” Troop) of the unique No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando/Special Services Brigade. The reason? They were virtually all German-speaking Jewish refugees, mainly from Germany and Austria (but also some from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and other European countries).

The excellent books by Ian Dear – a seminal work on No 10 Commando (“Ten Commando 1942-45“, published by Leo Cooper Ltd 1987) – and Peter Masters (see below) are the only thorough, published studies of this amazing group of men of the famous “Jewish” No. 3 Troop. Before this, virtually nothing had been published about them. It is not my aim, therefore, to repeat what Ian Dear and Peter Masters have so wonderfully and ably already researched.

Suffice it to say that there were French, Dutch, Belgian, and other “National” Troops (totaling at its largest about 1000 men altogether), and then the Jewish Troop. Even now, many of the 3 Troop cannot speak for a variety of reasons of the nature of their exploits, and others have, of course, died. But X Troop were, even by the standards of No 10 Commando, a particularly extraordinary bunch having, as well as the normal skills of all commandos, in explosives, parachuting and so on, extremely high intelligence and education, and were indeed by far the most highly trained group in the British Army, especially in fieldcraft, camouflage, compass marching, street fighting, housebreaking and lockpicking (“One Day in York” Michael Arton, Hazelwood Press, 1989). Many were attached to the SSRF (Small Scale Raiding Force, part of SOE), SBS, and SIS, and most files on this aspect of the war remain closed.

Altogether, 88 men passed through their ranks, of whom 19 became officers - many commissioned in the field for specific acts of bravery - and the rest sergeants and above. Twenty-one (24%) were Killed in Action, and at least another 22 were wounded (of the 44 men from No 3 Troop who fought in Normandy, 27 were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner!). They won one MC, one MM, one Croix de Guerre, one MBE, one BEM, one Certificate of Commendation and three Mentioned in Despatches. The numbers of awards are derisory considering their exploits and the inevitable death sentence they faced if captured - not to mention the danger to any of their surviving relatives in Nazi Europe. Many details of the men were known to the Gestapo, and reprisals would have been immediate.

But this paucity of decorations is explained by the fact that the Troop never fought as a unit; they were often detached to serve with other Special Forces in order that they could use their special skills (in silent reconnaissance, capturing and interrogating prisoners in the most hazardous of situations, often alone behind the lines and usually at night. They also were particularly knowledgeable about German military units and training, as well as weapons). For this reason, a Commanding Officer was loath to recommend for awards men who did not belong to HIS unit, especially as there was probably an unwritten “ration” of awards per raid or per unit (letter from Lt. Peter Masters aka Arany, No 3 troop, to the author 25/1/95).

However, at Ashton Wold in Northamptonshire, the Hon. Miriam Rothschild planted a grove of trees on the grounds of her beautiful house in memory of those of No 3 Troop who were killed, for her husband, George Lane, aka Lanyi, was the first officer and MC of No. 3 Jewish Troop, 10th Inter-Allied Commando.

The 3 Troop CO was a quiet Welsh, Cambridge languages graduate, Capt. Bryan Hilton Jones (later promoted to Major and 2 i/c of the whole of No 10 Commando but tragically killed in a road accident in 1970) and son of a doctor from Caernarvon. All his men came as volunteers from the Alien Companies of the Pioneer Corps from July 24, 1942, arriving for training at Irvine in Ayrshire (many had been interned in 1940 following the “anti-aliens”/invasion hysteria, but later released to serve in the forces, some in France at Dunkirk ). As Peter Masters wrote, “Getting back at the Nazis was an ever-present motivation “ in No 3 Troop “...our Jewish Commando was the very antithesis of the ‘lambs to the slaughter’ allegations”.

Volunteers reported to the Grand Central Hotel, Marylebone, for selection and thence to the No 10 Pioneer Corps training center in Bradford. From Autumn 1942, they trained at Aberdovey, Wales, or Achnacarry (Scotland), then Eastbourne and Littlehampton, men being detached as required to go on raids with other Commandos, SOE, SIS, etc.

The men had to take English “Nommes de Guerre” and new identities, false personal histories, regiments, next of kin, and so on (most chose to keep the same initials, though) to at least have a chance of not being found out if captured by the Nazis, as being Jews. The casualty officer at the War Office (Dawkins, a senior Civil Servant) was one of very few who knew their real and assumed identities and kept parallel lists of the names of 3 Troop.

They wore the No. 10 Commando shoulder title (or sometimes the No. of the Commando to which they were attached) and the Combined Operations arm flash. On their green berets, they could not wear the Pioneer Corps badge as this would have betrayed their origins, so they wore the badges of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kents, East Kents (Buffs), Royal Sussex, Hampshire Regiments or the General Service badge (letter to author from Ian Dear 28.10.94).

In “Top Secret” letters from Combined Operations HQ (Defense 2/780 - PRO), Major General R G Sturges, GOC Commandoes and Special Service Group, wrote in April 1944 and February 1945 that No 3 Troop had been “trained for and employed on work of a highly combatant nature and are volunteers ....their behavior and work has always been most satisfactory....this is a good sub group, well able to look after itself, and has done excellent work”.

Writing a Secret report on No 3 Troop after the war from his home at Crug, Caernarvon, in April 1946, Bryan Hilton-Jones said that No 3 Troop “were conspicuously successful and earned high praise all round, the best illustration of which is that many were Commissioned as officers into the Commandoes to which they had been attached...... They were the most interesting and worthwhile branch of No 10 Commando”. After D-Day, Capt. Griffith (aka Glaser) became the first Jewish CO of the Troop until he was killed at the River Aller crossing on November 4, 1945.

In September 1945, the whole Commando was disbanded, but many of No 3 Troop continued in sensitive and secret work in the Occupation Forces, tracking Nazi Resistance groups, war criminals, translating captured documents, etc. Perhaps the last word should go to Major Hilton-Jones when he wrote, “Despite many and serious difficulties, this band of ‘enemy alien’ volunteers earnt for itself a not unflattering reputation, the achievement of which was in no small measure due to the sincerity and wholeheartedness put into his service by every member of the troop. For them perhaps more than for any others it was a question of self-respect and self-justification.”

English Regiments refer to their ‘cover’ or false regiment. JL is Jack Lennard archivist at AJEX Museum.

Number and real name on enlistment	“Nom de Guerre” with number and final rank	Date of Birth	Notes
13802871 Lanyi, Georg (Djury). H	285687 Lane , George, MC, MM (Lt.) and 1^st Troop Sgt.	18.1.1915 Hungary – Olympic Polo 1936 Buffs	1st officer, MC Operation Tarbrush, citation page 169 Ian Dear. Former husband of Miriam Rothschild; interrogated by Rommel as a POW. Lived London. Also in SOE.
1380228 Arnstein, Alfred Valentin	6387035/13118501 /13053667 Anderson, AV/AO (BNA 13053690)	11.1.1919 or 25.10.16 Austrian	RWK Reg - rtu’d England
13807122 Abramovicz, R./Abrahamowicz	Pte 6436363 Richard George Arlen/Arnold, Royal Sussex	4.1.1923	KIA Franceville Plage, Normandy 7.6.44 aged 21 yrs. son of Salmon and Berthe, Bayeux memorial, no known grave.
13804535 Arnstein, Hans Richard/ aka Arenstein	L/Cpl 6436352/ 13118502 Andrews, Harry – Royal Sussex	18.2 1922	KIA 19.8.44 or 11.8.44, son of Max and Gertrude of Sao Paulo, Brazil buried Ranville Normandy - letter from mother to Jewish Chaplain requesting Star of David on grave after cross was erected! ++
13805191 Ascher, Claus Leopold Octavio	6436355/13118503 Sgt Anson, Colin Edward	13.2.1922 German Sussex Reg	WIA Italy, RSR; lived Watford
13807400 Baumwollspinner, Gotthard	6305477/13118507 Barnes, Robert Gerald	4.12.1918 German Buffs	BEM, WIA, died postwar
Georg Bauer	George Bower	Austrian	PLL (Peter Leighton-Langer)
13801297 Billman, Karl Walter	6305473/13118508/328655 Lt Bartlett, Kenneth W/ 320207	21.4.1912 German Buffs	Buffs - lived Munich
13804390 Sruh, Gottfried “Friedl” Conrad	6305460/13118708 Sgt Broadman, Geoffrey Max aka Toni Ruh?	27.6.1917 Buffs – att. ski troop	WIA Normandy – lived Lydbrook, Glos. Allegedly only survivor of abortive Vermork raid in Norway by RE ! (P. Leighton-Langer book) – and talk to son - att. 4 Comm.
13805994 Carlebach, Peter	6305480 Carson, Peter Andrew - Buffs	27.10.1919 - Berlin	Dunera boy – invalided out after accident at Seven Sisters cliffs – lived Edinburgh.
Cohen, F T/P	Collins 5550156	Germany 2/3/23 Hants Reg	JL (Jack Lennard) Archives
	Curtis , F H 6305489	Germany 23/9/23	JL Buffs
Hirsch	Dudley, LA - 6387043	Germany 1/8/19	JL RWK
	Dunn, D - 6387046	Germany 2/7/26	JL RWK
Max Dobriner 6387042	Geoffrey Dickinson/Dickson	16.3.26 RWK	Peter L Langer
13802951 Hansen Einar Reska * (Danish)	6436367/13118602 Davies, Jack	10.9.1920 Sussex Reg	MiD Tarbrush
13802948 Dungler/Dandler, K.	6305482/13118510 Cpl. Douglas, Keith	9.8.1921 Austrian Buffs	Walcheren - died postwar
Eugen Litvak	Leslie Dale 5550158	Stateless b. 9.02.25	Hants Reg
Daikes			PLL – Walcheren
14216528 Nomburg, Harry – 5^th PC, Denbigh	Sgt Drew, Harry 6305461 Buffs	17.11.1923 German	WIA Normandy – att. 12,6, 3 Commandos – lived New York, died 1997
13807299 Goldschmidt, Werner	6436360/13118517/328287 Capt. Dwelly, Vernon J/I. (“Ducky”)	29.10.21 German Sussex Reg	Dunera boy, Walcheren, Novota (California) – att. 4 Comm. unarmed combat instructor
Ernest Karl Eduard Eberstadt	David Edward Charles Eversley	1922 Frankfurt	Later in SOE – PLL
	Lt. Bunny Emmett	Troop Intell. Officer	RAF and R Tank Reg – 4 Comm. at Walcheren - PLL
James	Fairley (trainer – memory bench at Aberdovey	R.C. from Glasgow	Married an Aberdovey lady
13051439 F Fleischer	Fletcher, Frederick	Austrian – 1^st Bat. Worc., att. 6 Commando	KIA Le Plein 11.6.44 – PLL – b. Ranville, son of Rudolf and Hedwig of Cricklewood
13803417 Engel, Hans Gunter Sussex Reg	6436357 Envers H.G. (John)	7.1.1922/ or 7.4.22 Breslau, Germany	WIA Normandy 19.8.44 – lived Toronto – att. 4 Comm.
13801057 Freytag Ernst Herbert	6305479/13118514 Sgt Farr, E.H. (Tommy)	26.2.1919 Sussex Reg/Buffs	Born Berlin – Walcheren and Op Premium at Wassenaar
13804661 Feder, Ernst Wolfgang	6436370/13118511 TSM/WO1 Fenton, Bryan Leslie	20.4.1921 Berlin Sussex Reg	Maas crossing – Lived Kusnacht, Switzerland
13807080 Fuerth, Hans George	6305463/13118515 /331193 Lt Firth, Anthony	7.9.1918 Halle, Germany R. Fus	Dunera boy - lived Toronto
Otto Zivolava	Gautier, Jean	b. Austria	JL
13807365 Frank, Max Gunther	Cpl. 6387027/13118512 Franklyn, George Mack, Royal West Kent	30.4.1923	WIA Sicily, KIA D-Day 6.6.44 - aged 21 yrs. son of Ernst J. and Carla of Huddersfield - buried Hermanville. Cross on grave – error???
13805167 Frey, Hubert Clarence	5550127/13118513 Cpl. Fraser, Evelyn Harold/Hugh	23.3.1920 Austrian Hants Reg	Invalided out after accident at Seven Sisters cliffs - lived Auckland, NZ
13801130 Kagerer-Stein, Eugen Von	Sgt 5550126 Eugene “Didi” Fuller, Hants Reg. – att. 47 Comm.	19.12.1913	Austrian aged 30, WIA D-Day, KIA Normandy, 13.6.44 buried Ranville. Att. 47 RM Commando, son of Alfred and Anna, husband of Cicely of Balcombe, Sussex. Cross on grave – error (???).
13800982 Goldstern Konstantin	6387015/13118518 Garvin Robert Kenneth	11.1.1917 Austrian RWK	Died postwar Wales
13807042 Guttman, Hans Julius	6387014 Gilbert, Ronnie, MBE	28.9.1919 German RWK	WIA Normandy, lived Norbeck, Blackpool
13801168 Geiser, Kurt H.	Troop Sgt Maj. Gordon, Henry E.A. 5550129	3.4.1915 German Hants Reg	Lives Walton Thames, related to Liebknecht family of German Socialists
13805610/13016330 Goldschmidt, Konrad Levin J.	6387031 Sgt Grant, Hubert Brian aka Groves aka A.P.	5.8.1917 German RWK/W.York. – Chair of Vets group, opposed use of ‘Jewish’ on memorial	WIA lost foot fighting in Italy with 9 Comm. – retired Judge lived in Cumbria.
13804337 Gumpertz, Kurt Wilhelm, Hants. Reg.	5550144/13118520 Graham, Kenneth Wakefield – att. 4 Comm.	27.6.1919	KIA Normandy 12/13.6.44 - buried Hermanville, aged 24. Son of Karl Wilhelm and Else, husband of Elisabeth of Highbury, London. No religious symbol on grave in error.
13805014 or 328249 - Gans, Manfred	6387019 /13118516 Capt. Gray, Freddy (BNA 13041024/1824) – 41 RM Commando	27.4.1922 or 11.10.21 German/Swiss RWK	RWK Reg – Walcheren, lived Leonia, New Jersey – WIA 5 times!!
13802030 Glaser, Kurt Joachim	322333/6387018/13118519 Capt./Lt. Griffith, Keith James/John , RWK – att. 45 RM Comm., later CO of 3 Troop	3.9.1918	KIA Germany 11.4.45 crossing Aller River aged 26 yrs.- fought in Spanish Civil War. Buried Becklingen, Germany - son of Dr Willy and Maria Therese of Epsom, Surrey. Cross on grave in error.
13700295 Reich/Weich/Weil , Salo Robert	6436350/13118714 Cpl. Hamilton, Robert Geoffrey. Also known as Rawson (Terry book)	1.8.1916	Austrian, KIA Walcheren, 1.11.44 Westekappelle, att. 41^st RM Comm. Buried Bergen Op Zoom, Holland, aged 28. Royal Sussex Reg. Son of Jacob and Sabine of Vienna, Austria.
13801533 Hajos/Hajosch, Hans Ludwig	6380736/13118601 Sgt. Harris, Ian MM	1.1.1920 Austrian RWK	WIA Normandy 3 times!! MM 6.4.45 - citation Ian Dear p.318 and in Peter Masters book – att. 45 Commando - lived Reading.
13801503 Herschthal, Fritz	5550136/13118604 Hepworth, Freddy – att. 45 Comm.	11.12.1920 German Hants Reg	Died USA 3.2.95
13801397 Herschthal, Walter	5550145/13118605 Hepworth, Walter/ Douglas	16.1.1918 German Hants Reg	Died postwar Australia
13805632 Nathan, Eli/Erich Wolfgang	6305467/13118702 Lt. Howarth/Howard, Eric William, Royal East Kent. Later CO 3 Troop	16.10.1922	WIA D Day, commissioned in the field for bravery - KIA Osnabruck, Germany, 3.4.45, aged 22. Buried Reichswald Forest, son of August Victor and Margaret Clara Elisabeth nee Gayler of Streatham Hill, London. Cross on grave in error.
13802194 Hirsch, Stephan	5550149/13118606 Cpl. Hudson, Steven Keith	5.6.1918 Austrian	Hants. Reg.
13800841/338973 Knobloch, Guenther Hans	6436349/13118610 Lt Kendal, Harold George “Nobby”	9.12.1907 Intell. Corps	Died postwar Vancouver – Sicily with Belgian Comm., Poles at Cassino, founded 8^th Army ski patrol, with 2 Comm. at Vis, Intell. Chief 8^th Army.
13805755 Kirschner, Andre Gabriel	6436361/13118609/331193 Lt Kershaw, Andrew G.	31.10.1921 Hungarian Sussex Reg	Died postwar USA
13804297 Loewenstein, Otto Julius	5550146/13118620/331171 Lt. Kingsley, Roger James	2.2.1922 German R. Fus	OBE, MID Germany - att. RM Commandos – lived Manchester
Arthur F. Lowy
13800170 Kellman, M.	6436351 Kirby, M.J. “Ernest”.	26.12.1903 stateless	Sussex Reg
	Keren		JL
Koenigswater			JL
13807180 Lewinsky, Max	Pte 6387023/13118619 Laddy/Laddie, Max, Royal West Kent	19.8.1911	KIA D-Day 6.6.44 in landing craft with Webster, b. at Hermanville, memorial at Aberdovey where he lived with Welsh wife. Aged 33. Cross on grave.
Guttman	Lewis
13805511 Katz, Weinhart/Meinhart Paul Oscar	13118608 Heathcote, Pte. Michael Paul	337034 Glos. Reg.	b. Germany – baptised (?) but of recent Jewish heritage
Peter Liebel	Peter Leigh-Bell – AJEX card says 1^st bat tanks RAC
13805333 Leven, Peter Guenther	13118616 Long, Peter
Luchtenstein	Ludlow
13800037 Landau , Ernst	6436353/13118614/322737 Lt Ernest Robert F. Langley	18.19.1903 Austrian	Died in UK 1957
13801850 Levy/Loewy, also aka Lovrak, Moritz/Max	6436346/13118701 Cpl. Latimer, Maurice	13.9.1921 Czech, Sussex Reg., also SOE	Fought in Spanish Civil War, WIA Dieppe Raid,Normandy and Walcheren - died postwar UK
13801313 Lenel, Ernst Richard	6387016/13118615 Sgt Lawrence, Ernest Richard, Royal West Kent	26.10.1918	MIA presumed KIA 22/23.6.44 – Bayeux Memorial, Normandy, aged 26 yrs., no known grave. Son of Richard S. and Emilie nee Maas.
Lenel, Victor			Brother of Ernest, above
Lauffer, Guenther 13801331	B R Lawton – 13118806/6436365		DOAS - PLL
13803539 Wolff, Walter L.	6387033 Marshall, Allan Walter	3.4.1922 German	Died postwar UK RWK
Possibly Hans Molnar – enlisted Liverpool T/13121221	Moller, H.H. RLC Museum Registers has 13805535 born 21/3/21	Pte 13205587 – is this Alex Molnar SOE/MI5 – Hungarian aka Jakober b. 4/2/1913??	Pioneer Corps Clapton Sq., London 1946
Mayer	Melvin P H 5550137	Germany 12/3/22	JL Hants Reg
Hants Reg	Moss, J /G - 5550131	Germany 23/5/21	JL Hants Reg
13803503 Weinberg, K.	6387028 Sgt Mason, Gary	2.1.1920 German RWK	River Mass, Belle Isle raid.
13804450 /5554539 Arany, P.F.	6387025 Lt. Masters, Peter F.	5.2.1922 Austrian	Ox & Bucks, WAF Force, lived Maryland - author of “Striking Back” – died 3/05
13804473 Kury, Manfred *	6387030/13118613 McGregor, Jock/Jack Fred	24.5.1921 or 18.9.03? German RWK	Died postwar UK
13801895 Blumenfeld, M.J. Ludwig George	6387026/13118509/343306 Lt Merton, Michael James	21.6.1920 Berlin R. Fus	Att. 2 Comm. and with Poles at Cassino – lived Appledore, Kent
Probably not Jewish	Monahan, James	2^nd I/C under Hylton-Jones
13801467 /356365 Levin, Hubertus	5550135/13118617 Lt Miles, Patrick Hugh.	22.1.1920 German Buffs	SSRF/SOE Operation Huckaback on Herne, CI. Lived. Pebworth, Warwicks.
13801092 Meyer, Kurt	5550147 L/Cpl Moody, Peter	28.9.1918	Hants Reg. KIA Normandy 13.6.44, aged 25 years - son of Fritz Max and Margeretta of Birmingham – buried Ranville, Normandy.
13805553 Zweig, Werner	6436347/13118718 Sgt Nelson, Vernon	5.11.1922 German Sussex Reg	WIA Italy - Cert. of Commendation – 40 RM Comm./46 RN Comm.
13807201 Nell, G.Heinz Herman Buffs	6305464/13118704/329750 Capt. Nichols, Gerald Peter	8.10.1920 German, Buffs	WIA Normandy - rescued Lord Lovat with Masters - Dear p. 249 - Dunera boy - lived London
13803316 Nathan, Eli/Ernst	6387022/13118703 Norton, Ernest	19.8.1922	RWK Reg. – att. 4 Comm. Operation Tarbrush - KIA Normandy, 13.6.44, aged 21 yrs., son of Moritz and Sibilla - buried Ranville – Cross changed to Magen David
	Naughton		Died OAS
Peyer	Palmer
5550155 and 13803195 aka Pierce	Pirquet, Sgt P. T. - Ski Instructor	19.11.12 Austrian	JL Hants Reg
13800022 Henschel, Oskar/Oswald (aka Ludwig Hayder?)	6305481/13118603 TSM /Troop Sgt Major - O’Neill/Grey, Oscar Roy	1.3.1913 – was Jewish and all his first family murdered in Auschwitz	RTU’d at Normandy after WIA – with 41 RM Comm.
13805787 Rosskamm, Stephan	6305459/13118705 L/Cpl Ross, Stephen	28.2.1922 German Buffs	The Buffs - lived Cleveland, Ohio – WIA Italy 3 times – att 9 Comm.
Rotschild, Freddy			Toronto post-war - PLL
13807278 Szauer/Sauer, Gyula Jence	6436364/13118711 L/Cpl Sayers, Gordon Julian, Sussex Reg	9.5.1915 - Served French Foreign Legion and army	Born Hungary, Croix de Guerre - lived Australia – WIA – att. 4 Commando and French Troop 10 IA Comm.
13805183 Saloschin/Salinger, G.Victor	6436364/54 L/Cpl George Victor Saunders	12.2.1921 German Sussex Reg – captured and escaped several times Normandy – on Everest expedition in 1952	Was at Gordonstoun school with Prince Philip - lived Moulsford, Oxon. – att 45 Commando and recommended but not awarded MM!!
13801102/346367 Steiner, Uli RUR Reg	Capt. Scott, Leslie R. Fus	29.3.1917 German att. Belgian Troop	Died postwar Montreal – last CO of 3 Troop
13800645 Lewin, Siegfried	13118618 Louis, Frederick Mac
13805733 Sachs, H.P.	6305471 Seymour, Herbert A., East Kent Reg.	1.2.1918	KIA with Villiers crossing Rhine on Buffalo LC, 23.3.45, aged 27 yrs. - son of Eugen and Margaret of St John’s Wood London – Groesebeek memorial, Holland - no known grave.
13805613 Samson, Alfred	6305372/13118706/2099 - Lt Shelley, Percy A. (P02090)	30.7.1921 German	Att. RM Commandos - lived Hamburg
	Frederick Spencer		Austrian – had been in Dachau and Buchenwald
Schonfeld	Shaw, P F/M – 555039/5550139	Germany 20/12/23 Hants Reg	JL
	Lt Francis George Sutton	Austria	JL
13800866 Stein, Artur	6305470/13118709 Sgt Spencer, Tom	11.12.1916 German Buffs	Died postwar UK – att 3 Comm.
13805606 Hornig, Paul	5550140/13118607 L/Cpl Streeten, Paul Patrick – att. 41 RM Comm.	18.7.1917 Austrian Hants Reg – also LRDG Sicily	WIA Sicily, lived Boston, USA
Otto “Putzi” Karminski	Simon
13801207 Strauss David	6305475/13118710 Lt. Stewart, David (P02090/2098)	19.1.1914 German RM	Att. 45 RM Commandos – raid on Merville guns D Day
13802051 Barth, Georg Alexander	6436371/13118505 Officer Cadet Streets, George Bryan, Royal Sussex – formerly Afrika Corps with Rommel, POW, to UK army (Terry book) – prob. NOT Jewish	5.10.1917	Killed motor cycle accident after serving Normandy, on OCTU course UK, 29.6.44, aged 27 yrs, buried Barmouth, Merioneth, WWRT p.268 - son of Josef and Leopoldine, husband of Lici of Paddington, London. Cross on grave – error (????).
13802309 Schwitzer/Schweizer, J Tamas Gyorgy	6436368/13118707 Swinton, Tommy G	8.3.1920 Hungarian Sussex Reg	Lived Spain, fought in Spanish Civil War – WIA 41 RM Comm.
13804028 Theilinger, Jan	6305478/13118712 Taylor, John Robert	25.9.1916 – Aug. 2004 – Czech Buffs	Czech - invalided out after grenade accident Littlehampton – served IB in Spain – Jewish origin – conversation with his son in Portsmouth Oct. 2004
13807650 Tischler, P J	6436366 Cpl Terry, Peter Joseph	21.6.1924 Austrian Sussex Reg	SSRF/SOE, WIA twice Normandy, lived Bridgehampton, NY – att. 47 RM Comm.
13807275 Von Trojan/Troyon, Richard Walter	6305469/13118713 Tennant, Richard William John	14.5.1922 Austrian Buffs	Lived London and Goeriach, Austria
13805471 Zadik, Walter Gabriel	5550141 or 2 /13118717 Sgt Thompson, Walter Gerald	23.8.1919 German Hants Reg	POW 20.6.44 Normandy – att 4 Comm.
13805027 Baum, Hans	6387020/13118506 Trevor, Charles Leslie	14.7.1922 German RWK	WiA at Normandy - Died London Aug 1995
	Thornton
13801460 Pollaschek, O	6436369 Turner, A C Sussex Reg	13.5.1919 Austrian	Dachau/Buchenwald – att. 3 Comm. - lived Eastbourne
13807326 Vogel, Egon	6436356/13118714 Villiers, Ernest Robert, Royal Sussex	7.9.1918	Dunera boy - KIA Rhine crossing with Seymour, 24.3.45, aged 25 yrs. – buried Reichswald Forest – att. 46 RN Comm.
13804308 Weikersheimer, L	5550141 Sgt Wallen, Leslie	2.7.1920 German Hants Reg	Died postwar UK
Wolfgang Wachsmann	John Hayes aka Waxman	1.5.1924	Transferred to 9^th bat. Paras, 6^th Airborne ; D Day, WIA, lived Australia (see Helen Fry, “The King’s Most Loyal Enemy Aliens”)
13800419 Wassermann, O	5550130 Watson, William/ or Walter J.	1.6.1914 German Hants Reg	Dachau, wife and children murdered, WIA Walcheren, lived UK
13801574 Weinberger, E G	6306466 Webster, Ernest George, Royal East Kent Reg.	11.8.1916	SSRF/SBS; KIA Normandy with Laddy, att. 47 RM Comm.6.6.44 aged 28 years - husband of Gerda - buried Bayeux, Normandy. Cross on grave in error.
13807570 Wilmersdoerffer, Hans Johann Max	6305465/13118716 /324288 Capt. Wilmers, John Geoffrey	27.12.1920	Att. SAS, Operation Forfar, died postwar Guernsey
These above 111 names are from the PRO file on No 10 Commando, drawn up by the first CO, Capt Bryan Hilton-Jones on 19.4.44 as a request for Naturalisation for the men. Some names come from the Jack Lennard Archive. The notes and ranks are taken from Ian Dear’s book “Ten Commando” 1987, Peter Masters “Striking Back”, 1998 and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers for the killed. Other names from Peter Leighton-Langer’s research.	Peter Terry claims Richard Lehniger/Leonard, who was SSRF and Commando and KIA, was in 3 Troop aswell (page 160)		++ On 21.1.1957, Mrs T Arenstein wrote from Sao Paulo, Brazil to the British Jewish Army Chaplain, Rev Isaac Levy, asking him to arrange the Star of David on the grave. This was carried out. Letter at AJEX Jewish Military Museum.
* means not Jewish

Supplement List A

These first 3 men were probably on an SOE operation to obtain military documents from the Town Hall in Dieppe.	Charles (possibly) Rice – 5550123?? – PLL – Garrett says possibly Catholic and real name Karl Kutschaka.	POW? – survived Dieppe	Czech - action referred to in G Rees ”Bundle of Sensations”, Chatto & Windus, 1960 pp157-8
Gustav Oppelt PLL	George Bates/Bate		Czech; KIA Dieppe and b. Dieppe- first Trooper to be killed with attempt to occupy Town Hall at Dieppe with 40 RM Comm. (PLL)
Sleigh?? PLL	Smith, F J ?? Real name Josef Kugler (Garrett)	Poss. POW Dieppe	Czech att. 40 RM Commando
Viktor Farago	Aka Ford – Hungarian		RTU’d – returned to Hungary post war (?)
Hess, Otto 6387034/13802070	Giles, Peter	Wiesbaden	RWK - KIA (shot on capture) Yugoslavia (SOE) 1.10.44 aged 23 years BUT CWGC says commemorated at Groesebeek, Neth.
R Jessen/Jensen	Cpl James Rolf
Frederic Bierer 65056572	Sgt. Bentley, Frederick		30^th March 1943, to 62 Commando and SSRF – Operation Huckaback (Herne) - lived NY
Stefan Rosenberg	Rigby, Stephen (“Nimrod”) - D Day deception Commando		Austrian Jewish, “Unknown warrior” of Leasor’s book; did he exist?
Goldschlaeger, Kenneth T – 13801160 - PLL	Cpl Clarke, K E – 13118804/5550135??	b. Vienna – original paupers grave Manchester	MID Osnabruck. Died 1977 UK (b. Manchester Chorlton cemetery after grave discovered in 2021)
13802873 or 5550138 Kottka, Vladimir	13118611 Cpl Jones, Jack	b. 5.7.11 Hants Reg	Russian born, Operation Hardtack, POW
Levy, Karl Ernst - 13810017	Lincoln, Ken – BEM - 6436377	German 24.9.20	Sussex Reg
Peter Jacobus	Jackson, Fred – 5550143 Hants Reg	Austrian or German 25/11/21	Interrogated Hoess at Auschwitz – died post war UK
Plateck/Platschek	Platt/Pratt (?), B (“Bubi”) 6305457	25.5.11 – also SOE - Czech, Buffs	WIA Dieppe, lived Canada/died S America?
13802608 Auerhahn, Werner / Averhahn	5550132/13118504 L/Cpl Wells, Peter Vernon Allen, Hants Reg.		KIA 19.1.44 Italy, aged 26 - buried Minturno, Italy, son of Arthur and Erna of Cricklewood, London. No religious symbol on grave in error.
13805629 Hans/Heinz Krausmann/Krausen	13118612 Aitchison, Harry		Died postwar NY
These above 15 names are from Dear’s and Masters’ books and not the PRO/TNA list - so must have passed through the Troop by the time Hilton-Jones’ list was written. Of these two totals, 21 (24%) were KIA

Supplement List B

Ludwig Carl Berlin	Lt Leonard Charles Burley 14400852		Dorsets, 9^th Commando, attached to 3 Troop in Germany
Son of F Indlander , 33 Green Croft Gdns., NW6	13117462 Pte Burnett, Walter aka Indlander	Austrian 11.4.21 R. Fus	Royal Fusiliers/156 Fld. Batty. And 173 Fld. Reg, RA (AJEX Card)
Werner Zeigler	16001269 Pte Foster, Roy	German 3.11.23	REME
	BNA13053609 Pte Martin, W	Austrian 16.5.15	RWK
	14727794 Pte Mines, J		RWK
13116238 (?)	11316230 Pte Peters, H.R		Black Watch
Schloss, Jakob	BNA13041025/1825 - Pte Scott, Jack	15.3.24 German – lived Golders Green	RWK – Italy, Vis Is., Yugoslavia
	13053667 Pte J Stevens
	14437220 Pte Smith, J	21.12.24 German	Ox & Bucks LI/Lincs
	PAL Driver Spielman, E		RASC
	BNA13053600/88, Pte Stevens, T R	Swiss 15.3.14	RWK
	BNA13053667/13053690 Pte Stewart, J	Yugoslav 20.1.24	RWK
Woolf, Karel ‘Pepi’ (?) – 6436380 – Czech in, 1^st in French Foreign Legion (?)	14430010 /8810 - Crftsmn. Ward, G or E A	Germany 12/2/25 or 12.5.21	REME/Sussex Reg
	BNA13041047 Pte Warren, H	German 11.3.10	RWK
Enlisted Nairobi	ME14041045/13808950, Pte Warwick, R D	11.7.24 - stateless	Essex Reg.
Weiss, Adi	13106924 Pte White, Alan	Polish 26.8.20	RWK/Essex - died postwar London
Except for L Berlin, the above list of 16 men is from Michael Arton’s book “One Day in York” and comprises men recruited in Italy to 3 Troop in 1945 by Lt Bartlett, as part of CMF att. No 2 Commando

The Troop memorial is in Aberdovey, West Wales and another in Harlech, north Wales, two of the places they trained.

Additional names of 3 (Jewish) Troop, 10 Commando, WW2 men from information gathered from original lists of 3 Troop, published by the War Office (?) AFTER D Day as opposed to before D Day; obtained by Leah Garrett, Prof. of Jewish and Hebrew Studies, Hunter College, New York City. Interestingly most show the addresses of next of kin in UK

6305488 L/Cpl F. Viebeck aka Vibert, Danish national, b. 21.10.19, Buffs

6436378 Pte J. C . Clay, German national, b.24.3.21, Sussex Reg

6387045 Pte L. Preston, German national, b. 28.5.18, Hants Reg

6436359 Pte H.K. Roberts , Austrian national b.13.7.17, Sussex Reg

6305491 L/Cpl J. K. Sanderson, German national b.26.8.24, Buffs

63/6305474 Pte. B.T./A. Stevens, Austrian national, b. 12.3.23, Buffs

6436381 Pte. E.K/R. Innis, German national, b. 26.3.08, Sussex Reg.

6387012 Pte A. Kay, German national, b. 14.3.18, RWK

5550157 Pte R K Kent, Austrian national b. 30.8.19, RWK/Hants

6305490 Pte K W Knight , German national, b. 30.1.26, Buffs

5550134 Pte A F Lowry German national, b. 5.5.21, Hants Reg

6305492 Pte C S Mackay, Austrian national, b. 21.7.24, Buffs

From DEFE2 1231 TNA, the following 3 Troop men were listed as Ski Instructors. Whether they saw action is not known.

13053575 Pte P Glynn

13053619 Pte PRW Winter

13803195 Pte P Pirquet (see above)

13116465 Pte M Eversfield

13805150 Pte H Kaufmann

13116432 Pte J Bloom

13041758 Pte O.Mandel

13041794 Pte G Stonley

13803407 Pte L Michel

13804978 Pte W Sachs

13806323 Pte W F Vollbracht – not Jewish but wife was and they left Austria - e mail from grandson Ian in Italy

13801844 Cpl F Beh

13041819 Sjt. R Anderson

13117476 Pte L M Ackroyd

13073531 Pte W Kennedy

(Note - I wish to specifically and sincerely thank both Ian Dear and especially Peter Masters, formerly Sgt. (later Lt. in West Africa) in No 3 Troop and author of the definitive work on 3 Troop, “Striking Back - A Jewish Commando writes” - Presidio Press, 1997 - for their generous help in compiling this list, and Michael Arton for allowing me to use his research in his book).

The Title “Jewish Troop” is an unofficial one and coined only after the war when it was safe to offer this apt description of this unit after the real facts became known on the release of papers at the National Archive (formerly the Public Records Office). To have called these men the Jewish Troop in wartime would, of course, have been fatal for any captured.

This list was originally published in February 1995 but has been updated continually, with detail from TNA/PRO WO/106/6155, with thanks for advice to Tony Williams, MBE. PLL refers to the book by Peter Leighton-Langer (“The Kings Most Loyal Enemy Aliens” Valentine Mitchell, 2006). Also work of Ian Dear (“10 Commando”, (Leo Cooper 1987); Peter Masters (“Striking Back”, Presidio Books, 1997), Leah Garrett (“X Troop”, Penguin, 2021); Manfred Gans, (“Life gave me a Chance”, 2009 Lulu/Amazon books); Peter Terry (“The Road to Normandy”, private publication 2022); Helen Fry (“German schoolboy, British Commando”, History Press, 2010); English Regiments refer to their ‘cover’ or false regiment. JL is Jack Lennard archive at AJEX Museum.

Source: Martin Sugarman AJEX Archivist, London, UK, reprinted with express permission.

World War II:
No. 3 (Jewish) Troop of the No. 10 Commando

By Martin Sugarman, BA (Hons), Cert. Ed, Archivist of the AJEX Jewish Military Museum, London
(June 26, 2024)

Supplement List A

Supplement List B