https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/
A raid on Axis shipping in the harbour at Kopervik, Norway. The raiders managed to sink several ships using limpet mines, but they were eventually captured and all bar one, who died of Typhus, were executed.

Read more about the raid in our archive. [view].

In Memory of all those on Operation Checkmate.]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:27:34 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/4373-43778/Operation+Checkmate.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Sachsenhausen+British+and+Commonwealth+Memorial+01+2011-09-18.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Sachsenhausen+British+and+Commonwealth+Memorial+01+2011-09-18.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of Julie].

Memorial to those interned at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and who perished there or elsewhere at the hands of their captors. Included are the Commandos and Naval personnel from Operation Checkmate, and the Commandos from Operation Musketoon.
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:43:04 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Plymouth+Naval+Memorial.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Plymouth+Naval+Memorial.jpg.html
Operation Checkmate. Captured with members of 14 (Arctic) Commando whilst on a raiding party (Operation Checkmate 28th Apr.43) at Kopervik, Norway. Executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.
Sadly I can find no picture of Andrew (Pete R. admin).

In Memory of Able Seaman D/JX363264 Andrew Anthony West
Royal Navy and 14 (Arctic) Commando
who died on 02 February 1945 age 22
Remembered with honour at Plymouth Naval Memorial.
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:38:17 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Extract_from_Capture_Letter_P1_1_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Extract_from_Capture_Letter_P1_1_.jpg.html
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:41:54 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Keith+Mayor+Operation+Checkmate.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Keith+Mayor+Operation+Checkmate.jpg.html
Operation Checkmate. Captured with members of 14 (Arctic) Commando whilst on a raiding party (Operation Checkmate 28th Apr.43) at Kopervik, Norway. Executed at Belsen Concentration Camp having been transferred there from Sachsenhausen.

In Memory of Able Seaman D/JX 363471 Keith Mayor.
Royal Navy and 14 (Arctic) Commando
who died on 07 April 1945 age 22
Remembered with honour at Plymouth Naval Memorial.
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:32:10 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Harold+Hiscock+-+Operation+Checkmate.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Harold+Hiscock+-+Operation+Checkmate.jpg.html
Operation Checkmate. A Canadian in the Royal Navy. Captured with members of 14 (Arctic) Commando whilst on a raiding party (Operation Checkmate 28th Apr.43) at Kopervik, Norway. Executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

In Memory of Petty Officer LT/JX 217862 Harold Hiscock
Royal Naval Patrol Service and No.14 (Arctic) Commando
who died on 02 February 1945
Remembered with honour at Lowestoft Naval Memorial.
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:33:36 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Neville+Burgess+-Operation+Checkmate.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Neville+Burgess+-Operation+Checkmate.jpg.html
Operation Checkmate. Captured with members of 14 (Arctic) Commando whilst on a raiding party (Operation Checkmate 28th Apr.43) at Kopervik, Norway. Executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

In Memory of C/JX 354547 Able Seaman C/JX354547 Neville Arthur Burgess
Royal Navy and No.14 (Arctic) Commando
who died on 02 February 1945 age 21
Remembered with honour at Chatham Naval Memorial.
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:41:27 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Sgt+Victor+John+Cox+++_+Jack+_+++12+Commando++-+killed+whilst+a+POW.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Sgt+Victor+John+Cox+++_+Jack+_+++12+Commando++-+killed+whilst+a+POW.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of Angela Cox].

The following information is supplied courtesy of Angela Cox: "Jack was born in 1919 and grew up in North Cadbury, Somerset. His father Harry, a postman, was seriously wounded in WWI whilst rescuing an officer under heavy fire (for which he was awarded the DSO). Jack and two of his six siblings Owen (my grandfather) and Ken, were members of the Territorial Army and were sent to war the day after its outbreak. Owen and Ken survived the war."
Jack was captured with members of 14 ( Arctic) Commando whilst on a raiding party (Operation Checkmate 28th Apr.43) at Kopervik, Norway. Eventually taken to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and executed.

In Memory of 5671612 Sergeant Victor John Cox ( Jack )
Somerset Light Infantry, No.12 Commando attd. No.14 Commando
who died on 02 February 1945 age 26
Remembered with honour at the Brookwood Memorial
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:34:29 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Alfred+John+Roe+-+Operation+Checkmate.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Alfred+John+Roe+-+Operation+Checkmate.jpg.html
[Picture courtesy of his great nephew Lawrence].

Operation Checkmate. Captured with members of No.14 (Arctic) Commando whilst on a raiding party (Operation Checkmate 28th Apr.43) at Kopervik, Norway. Died of Typhus at Belsen Concentration Camp having been transferred there from Sachsenhausen.

In Memory of Petty Officer Motor Mechanic Alfred John Roe
P/MX 98752, Royal Navy, and No.14 (Arctic) Commando
who died on 09 April 1945 age 39
Remembered with honour at Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:48:35 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Lt+John+Godwin+Op+Checkmate.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Operation+Checkmate/Lt+John+Godwin+Op+Checkmate.jpg.html
Commander of Operation Checkmate. An Argentinian in the RNVR. Captured with members of No.14 (Arctic) Commando whilst on a raiding party (Operation Checkmate 28th Apr.43) at Kopervik, Norway. Taken prisoner and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

In Memory of Lieutenant John Godwin R.N.V.R.
H.M.S. Quebec., Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
who died age 25 on 02 February 1945
Son of Charles Algernon and Eva Mary Godwin, of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Remembered with honour Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
In album Kopervik, Norway - Operation Checkmate. 28th April 1943.]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Thu, 07 May 2026 21:33:06 +0100