If we can pause for a moment today to remember the 33 members of B sqn 1 SAS who were captured and later executed by German forces while on Operation Bulbasket which ran from June-August 1944 in the Poitiers- Verriers region of France, on this job were a number of former Aux unit members, including men from various Scout Sections.
3 were never found; one was Joe Ogg who was a former member of a patrol in Morayshire Scotland. On this day at dawn the 30 captured men were executed.
Joe Ogg was one of the 3 missing and was taken to a hospital after the jump in, the 3 were taken from the hospital by the Germans and possibly (more than likely) given a lethal injection. Their bodies were never found. Joe’s sister never fully recovered from this. I have met her on occassions and she always carried Joe’s photo with her.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Thank you,
David Blair CART CIO for Fife & Angus.
UPDATE – JAN 2018
Will Ward, one of our researchers says the research into Bulbasket has moved on considerably, helped in part by contributions from some of those on this page. He is now working on a write up of Operation Bulbasket, which included a very large number of men who served with Auxiliary Units prior to joining the SAS. He hopes to include more about the individual troopers than previous accounts. Also to include some new information that has come to light since Paul McCue’s great book. We would be very keen to hear direct from any family members of the men involved to help with this project.
Will can be contacted at CARTDorset@gmail.com