The role of 30th Assault Unit and its operations, to this day, still draws attention. The unit was formed under the command of naval officers Ian Fleming and Lord Louis Mountbatten. Ian Fleming, following the end of the Second World War, became a world-famous author. He wrote the James Bond novels, and drew from his wartime experiences, operations, and men he served with to create storylines.
30th Assault Unit was present in Le Havre for the liberation following the advance of the 49th and 51st Infantry Divisions to the city. Collectively, they began to push forward from 10 September 1944 and liberated the city on 12 September.
The 30th Assault Unit was present and tasked to secure the Kriegsmarine (Navy) Headquarters. They would search for sensitive documents or capture persons of high interest. They would support the infantry advancing into the city centre and port area.
On 12 September, Marine Jim Feely was with the unit as they entered Le Havre. Jim stated that he and the others had been captured following the battle to take the HQ. During this battle, he stated that it was quite clear that some of the Germans did not want to be taken as prisoners of war. The majority were compliant, but a small number did not want to be captured. Still armed, they fired rounds towards the Marines.
During this, Jim luckily escaped injury with a couple of bullets passing through his leather jerkin. He fell to the floor and played dead where he was, then was captured by the Germans. However, for two of the Marines present, they would not be so lucky.
Captain ‘Red’ Huntington-Whiteley and Marine Shaw were killed by the Germans, who did not want to surrender. The Captain had been with the 30th Assault Unit from the start and recruited many men who served within the unit. Both the Captain and Trooper were part of 33 Section, A Troop. Both men are buried in the communal cemetery alongside one soldier from the 51st Highland Division.