Special Operations Executive Plan

▪ Primary Source

      Annex 25 of First U.S. Army: Operations Plan “Neptune”

      1. EMPLOYMENT OF RESISTANCE GROUPS

      a. General Considerations.

      The types and intensity of activities which will be directed by Resistance Groups against the German occupying forces on the invasion of France cannot be fully assessed until the time for action comes. However, widespread pre-arranged—and to a certain degree controlled—acts of sabotage will be carried out, against specific types of targets, principally railway communications. Action will also be taken to delay the road movements of enemy reserves, especially armored formations, near the bridgehead. In addition, wide-spread guerilla activity by small bands of lightly armed Frenchmen operating in the enemy's back areas will undoubtedly take place. This activity will be organized and coordinated, to the fullest extent possible, by SOE/SO Headquarters, London, through British, French and American officers already in the field and by others who will be dispatched before and after invasion. It will be designed to cause the maximum confusion in the enemy's rear and the cumulative effect of attacks against tele-communications, road traffic, head-quarters, dumps and GAF [German Air Force] targets, will be considerable. In certain areas of France particularly suitable for the development of such activity because of local conditions and terrain, guerilla warfare may reach a scale approaching that of minor military diversions.

      b. Type Missions.

      It must be remembered that the primary mission of Resistance Groups is strategic rather than tactical. The enemy will undoubtedly carry out large scale evacuations and severely restrict the mobility of inhabitants in battle areas behind the front line. Furthermore, the time lag in getting operations orders through to Resistance Groups will generally prevent their taking action which will have a direct bearing on the tactical situation.

      c. Conclusion.

      The support which Resistance Groups can be expected to give to the land fighting in France while not having a direct bearing on the immediate tactical situation should appreciably affect the strategic development of military operations.

      2. SO DETACHMENT

      a. Functions.

      A Special Operations Detachment will be attached to the Army G-3 Section for the purpose of advising the Army Commander on the potentialities of Resistance Groups and, in consultation with G-3, on the appropriate action to be taken by them in support of the Army Plan. Requirements for support from Resistance Groups for the Army Plan, including mission requests, will be transmitted through SO radio channels to SOE/SO Headquarters, London. There they will be reviewed and acted upon in accordance with the current strategic situation. A similar detachment will be attached to Army Group to coordinate the requests emanating from the various army headquarters.

      b. Composition.

      (1) Main Body (Army Hq). (7 officers, 19 enlisted men) To carry out functions described in paragraph a above.

      (2) Detachable Staff. (2 officers, 1 enlisted man) For attachment to an isolated corps, effecting a wide envelopment or breakthrough, to perform the same duties as the Main Body at army headquarters.

      (3) Liaison Officers. (4 officers) To accompany the leading elements of the attack in order to pick up overrun American and Allied officers connected with SOE/SO Headquarters who have been operating behind the lines and to bring them to army headquarters.

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