Invasion of Italy Winter Line Gothic Line 1945 Spring Offensive Operation Devon was the code name of an amphibious landing by British Commandos in 1943 at Termoli, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, during the Italian Campaign of World War II.

Devon was launched on 3 October 1943, as part of the attack on the Volturno Line, and was undertaken by No.

[1] In the early hours of 3 October 1943, 3 and 40 Commandos, and elements of the Special Raiding Squadron landed behind the German lines under cover of darkness at Termoli, a seaport town on the Adriatic coast, north of the Biferno River.

So complete was the surprise that the kampfgruppe commander, Major Rau, was wearing pyjamas when captured, and German vehicles and motorcyclists drove into a commando ambush position until around noon.

Elements of the 78th Division, including tanks, had arrived to reinforce the commandos by the time German forces counter-attacked in strength: two battalions from 16.