Bellasis — final training and waiting for departure
Story period: 8 November–28 December 1941
Location: Bellasis House, Headley Heath Approach near Box Hill, Surrey
Bellasis House in Surrey was Kubiš and Gabčík’s final British base before deployment. From 8 November 1941 they continued practical training at the special training school designated STS 2. On 28 December they left with five other soldiers for Tangmere airfield. Bellasis connects their preparation with the moment three Czechoslovak teams embarked together on a secret flight.
From training school to holding station
November–December 1941
The pair completed skills needed for deployment.
After moving from Brickendonbury, Kubiš and Gabčík continued training at Bellasis in driving, navigation, Morse radio communication, shooting, demolition and actions after parachuting. These skills supported movement and cooperation in an occupied country. The Ministry of Defence retrospective also describes Bellasis as the holding station immediately before departure.
Seven men leave for Tangmere
28 December 1941
Training gave way to the air operation.
Members of ANTHROPOID, SILVER A and SILVER B loaded their equipment into a vehicle and travelled to Tangmere with Staff Captain Jaroslav Šustr. An aircraft of RAF No. 138 Squadron then carried them to the Protectorate during the night.
The surviving name and present-day address connect Bellasis House with Headley Heath Approach near Box Hill. The point at 51.25983, −0.29034 is a postcode centroid near the house. Without verified building geometry, its location remains approximate.
Explore further
- Special Operations Executive
the network of British training facilities that included STS 2
- Brickendonbury
the preceding specialist stage of preparation
- Tangmere
the airfield from which the teams departed on 28 December