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You are in [Themes] [War Memorials] [2nd World War Memorials] [Phillip Pinckney]

100678 Capt Pinckney P.H - Special Air Service (SAS)

Philip Hugh Pinckney was educated at Cambridge (Trinity) as was his younger brother, Colin. He left after about a year and prior to joining the family tea business he visited India. At the outbreak of war he enlisted with the Berkshire Yeomanry, as did many young local men.

It was not long before he had transferred to the newly-formed Commandos serving with 'E' Troop of 12 Commando, and was to encourage others from the Yeomanry to join him, one of these being Tim Robinson who became a Sergeant in Capt Pinckney's unit.

There was much to learn in this new service and training took place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and various places in England.

As information was needed urgently about the enemy defences on the French coastline the plan was to sail to France and bring a prisoner back for interrogation. The operation did not go well with the Raiding Party getting no further than the shoreline as they came under enemy fire. All the Commandos got away safely but two of the Royal Naval party waiting offshore were killed, one officer and an engine-room rating.

A more successful raid was on the Channel Island of Sark. Again, a prisoner was required for interrogation. One of the party knew the Island quite well as he had lived there before the war. They were looking for a hotel and it is said they called on the Dame of Sark during the night, breaking into her bedroom to ask directions. It is recorded that she was delighted to see such good-looking Englishmen in her bedroom!

Having been pointed in the right direction, the party found the hotel which was home to about 200 Germans. Most were asleep and the Raiding Party captured 5 or 6, tied them up and made their way back to the boat. Unfortunately, the alarm was raised and some of the prisoners began to fight back. Some were killed in the ensuing fight but the Commandos got away with their one captive, who provided useful information before spending the rest of the war in a POW camp.




	Phillip Pinckney



		Phillip Pinckney's grave near Florence, Italy

Another planned operation was to go to France again, this time to steal a FW.190 aircraft from one of the coastal airfields. The aircraft had just been introduced into service and far out-classed our own Spitfire Mk.5 so one was needed for evaluation. The plan was to take a test pilot with the party, who would then fly the aircraft back. This story was told by Jeffrey Quill, the pilot, who was not very keen on the idea and was delighted when, two days before the planned raid, a German pilot who thinking himself over France, landed his FW.190 at RAF Pembrey in Wales. The RAF boffins were delighted with their gift and the raid was called off, much to the disgust of Capt Pinckney. Jeffrey Quill's comments are not recorded.

Phillip Pinckney then served in North Africa, with the new SAS under the command of Major David Stirling, who later became famous for his Long Range Desert Group.

With the campaign in North Africa over, Sicily was next on the list and dropping by parachute at night behind the enemy lines, Capt Pinckney and his men were able to disrupt the supply lines by blowing up railway lines and bridges before returning to their own lines. During the Sicily drop Phillip Pinckney injured his back but kept quiet about it.

On 6 September 1943 Capt Phillip Pinckney and two teams of six dropped behind the line near Bologna where they were required to attack the rail network.

Tim Robinson recalls following him out of the aircraft but on landing and re-grouping, Phillip could not be found. It was agreed that the parties should split into two sections to carry out their tasks, Sgt Tim Robinson leading in place of Capt Pinckney.

This team was able to blow up the target bridges and railway lines, even catching one train in a tunnel. They returned to the allied lines after approximately 53 days, only one man short who was taken ill and had to be left behind to spend the rest of the war in a POW camp. Had he not lied about his identity he would have been shot as a Commando.

It was later discovered that Capt Phillip Pinckney had himself been captured and shot. It is recorded that he died on 17 September. There is also some evidence that all of the other section were caught and shot.

Capt Pinckney is buried in a British Military Cemetery, 5km east of Florence.