Operation Cartoon was a British Commando raid on the island of Størd near Leirvik in Hordaland, Norway over the night of the 23rd and 24 January 1943. The operation was carried out by fifty-three men of No. 12 Commando supported by ten men from the Norwegian 10 (IA) Commando. The raiders were transported to Størd by seven Royal Norwegian Navy motor torpedo boats of the 30th MTB Flotila. Their objective was the destruction of the Pyrite mine on the island of Størd. On arrival at Størd, half the commandos were landed at Sagvåg quay and engaged the defending German positions there while the remainder were landed on the other side of the bay. The commandos carrying 50 pounds (23 kg) of explosives reached the Pyrite mine which was 2 miles (3.2 km) away after twenty-five minutes. Exploding their explosive charges put the mine out of action for a year. On their extraction from the island, the torpedo boats attacked a German steamer which they left sinking. The commandos also captured three German prisoners as well as a quantity of papers and equipment, This was achieved for the loss of one commando killed, two commandos and eight sailors injured.
Attacker: British / Norwegian (30th Flotilla (Norwegian), D Troop No. 12 Commando and 5 Troop (Norwegian) No. 10 Interallied Commando)
