Operation Manna

For the delivery of food to the Netherlands in World War II, see Operations Manna and Chowhound.

Operation Manna
Men of the 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion in Athens
Date October 1944 Location Greece Result British success
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Nazi Germany
Units involved
2nd Parachute Brigade

Operation Manna was the codeword for a Second World War operation by the British airborne forces in mid-October 1944.

The operation was conducted by the 2nd Parachute Brigade on 12 October, when units of the 4th Parachute Battalion parachuted onto the Megara airfield 28 miles (45 km) outside of Athens. The prevailing weather conditions forced the abandonment of further parachute operations and it was not until 14 October that the rest of the brigade less the 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion arrived. After landing, the 4th and 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalions marched on Athens. On 16 October, the 5th Battalion and the brigade's glider-borne element arrived. The parachute brigade was reinforced by the 23rd Armoured Brigade, and the British force took over the protection of the city.

References

• Cole, Howard N (1963). On wings of healing: the story of the Airborne Medical Services 1940-1960. Edinburgh, United Kingdom: William Blackwood. OCLC 29847628.