Sub Lieutenant Jim Booth
Combined Operations Pilotage and Reconnaissance Parties
Jim Booth took part in one of the most secret operations of the invasion. Under the cover of darkness, a mini-submarine was towed part of the way over to the coast before motoring in close to and submerging below the waves. When came, the submarine was to surface, using a beacon to guide the troops in to the correct part of the beach.
The secrecy of their mission was all-important. If the Germans spotted them before the assault began, they might guess an invasion was imminent.
After submerging themselves on the 4th June in expectation of an invasion on the 5th, the delay caused by bad weather left Jim鈥檚 crew dangerously short of oxygen. Managing to hold out by sleeping and speaking as little as possible, they surfaced on the 6th, successfully guiding the landing craft in to .
In civilian life Jim Booth went on to lead a successful teaching career.
Clips
Surfacing at Sword beach
Sub Lieutenant Jim Booth.
