Major Eric “Bill” Barkworth’s wartime intelligence work extended from occupied Europe to post-war investigations.
Here is all you need to know about SAS Major Eric "Bill" Barkworth.
Major Eric “Bill” Barkworth
An Oxford graduate, Barkworth travelled extensively across Europe before the Second World War and developed an exceptional talent for languages.
He eventually spoke German fluently, along with several other European languages. These skills later proved invaluable during intelligence and special operations work.
Joining the SAS
Barkworth joined 2nd SAS during the Second World War and became one of the regiment’s leading intelligence officers.
He gathered, analysed and distributed information that helped SAS units carry out sabotage, reconnaissance and behind-the-lines operations against German forces across occupied Europe.
Discovering the Commando Order
While monitoring German communications in 1942, Barkworth reportedly became one of the first Allied officers to discover details of Hitler’s “Commando Order”.
The order directed German forces to execute captured Allied commandos rather than treat them as prisoners of war.
It later had devastating consequences for captured SAS soldiers.
Operation Loyton
Barkworth was involved in intelligence work connected to SAS operations in occupied France, including Operation Loyton in the Vosges region during 1944.
SAS troops were parachuted behind enemy lines to support resistance fighters and disrupt German movements.
Many members of the mission were later captured and executed under Hitler’s Commando Order.
Hunting Nazi war criminals
After the war, Barkworth played a key role in efforts to track down Germans responsible for murdering captured SAS personnel.
Despite the official disbandment of the wartime SAS, he led a secret team of former SAS soldiers across Europe investigating war crimes linked to the Commando Order.
Their work helped identify and bring perpetrators to justice.
His legacy
Although less famous than SAS founders David Stirling or Paddy Mayne, Barkworth earned a reputation as an intelligent, determined and highly effective officer.
His linguistic ability, intelligence expertise and investigative work made him an important behind-the-scenes figure during and immediately after the war.
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