Operation Colour Scheme. The Fire Service’s Top Secret D-Day Mission.
2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On 6th June 1944, the Allied Forces launched one of its biggest military operations – they came by land, sea and air and would eventually bring about the liberation of Europe and the end of World War II.
But as D-Day was being planned, more and more equipment was stockpiled in the South of England and needed to be protected, and that’s why the National Fire Service Commanders were tasked with a top secret mission of their own – Operation Colour Scheme.
Operation Colour Scheme: Protecting the Overlord Invasion’s Infrastructure
Operation Colour Scheme, a little-known but vital aspect of the Fire Service’s activity in World War II, involved moving 11,000 firemen and women and over 1,200 fire fighting vehicles to the South of England to protect resources being stored in rural areas.
In 1943, the German bombing offensive was at a lower level and so it was decided that fire fighting resources could be moved from areas in the North and the Midlands to areas in the South to cover sites that now required a higher level of protection, including:
- Logistical supply sites
- Harbours linked to the D-Day invasion – most notably coastal areas of East Sussex and an armada of ships in the lower reaches of the Thames
- Ammunition dumps
- Petrol pipe lines
The Colour Scheme – and what each colour meant
And to aid planning, England and Wales were split into 12 regions – with each region given a colour to represent the level of risk each region faced:
War Relics Forum
- Regions shaded Purple and Blue needed to be reinforced to above their maximum strength – the Purple regions were most impacted
- Regions shaded Green needed to be reinforced up to their maximum strength
- Regions shaded Brown were areas from which resources could be drawn from to provide for Purple, Blue and Green regions
The crucial role of the Fire Service during World War II
The war years proved to be the busiest for our Fire Brigades with fire fighters on the front line protecting communities during Air Raids and as part of Operation Colour Scheme.
Fire fighters were issued with one basic uniform; a steel helmet, rubber boots, trousers and waterproof leggings – although shortages saw some stuck with just Post Office uniforms!
The first air raid on London took place on 7th September 1940 and this would mark the start of The Blitz – where London endured bombings for 57 nights in a row. Most of the air raids took place at night, meaning fire fighters spent long hours extinguishing fire or dealing with explosions.
New York Times Paris Bureau Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In the first 22 nights of air raids, fire fighters had fought nearly 10,000 fires – and for many, this was their first experience of fire fighting…
And by 1943, over 70,000 women had enrolled in the National Fire Service, many becoming fire watches and drivers and managing the communications network.
Britain’s Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill honoured these great efforts and once said that the fire service “were a grand lot and their work must never be forgotten”.
The BRAND NEW History of the Fire Brigade 50p Collection
Issued to mark 200 years since the establishment of Britain’s first Municipal Fire Service, The History of the Fire Brigade 50p Collection shares the story of two centuries of heroic service.
Included in the set is the 1934 London Fire Brigade 50p Coin which depicts a World War II Fire Engine – a Dennis Chassis with an extendable ladder – in front of a background representing the city during The Blitz.
Each coin has been officially authorised by Buckingham Palace and King Charles III to pay tribute to the unsung heroes who have battled flames and saved lives for centuries.
A variety of specifications are available to order today from The Westminster Collection. Click here to view the COMPLETE range >>
Celebrating 20 Years of Partnership between The Royal British Legion & The Westminster Collection
The Westminster Collection has been in proud partnership with The Royal British Legion for over 20 years – since 2004. This makes us one of the charity’s longest-term partners.
Ben France, the Head of Corporate Partnership at RBL says: “We are hugely proud to have The Westminster Collection as one of our longest-standing partners, a business that shares the Royal British Legion’s commitment to being there for the entire Armed Forces community…we are incredibly grateful to The Westminster Collection and its collectors for 20 years of dedicated support and look forward to reaching many more partnership milestones together.”
We couldn’t agree more, so wanted to put together something to show our appreciation to all the collectors who have supported this partnership – providing unwavering support for all these years. Keep reading below to read about the impact of collector’s donations and how this helps support the admirable work of the RBL’s Independent Living Advisors.
The impact of collectors like you
Over the remarkable 20 years of partnership, collectors have raised over £1.3 MILLION for the Royal British Legion. To mark the previous milestone of £1.25 million reached in 2023, we had the pleasure of presenting the Royal British Legion with a cheque from collectors for the incredible amount.
The RBL’s Independent Living Advisors
In 2023 alone, our collectors raised a staggering £99,800 for the RBL which could fund three specialist Independent Living Advisors for a whole year.
When every day challenges get too much for someone living in their own home, RBL Independent Living Advisors make sure that they and their carers have the essential support that helps them live safely and independently. The specialist team helps people access services and funding, from Local Authorities and other groups, for home modifications, in-home care support, and much more.
Kingsman Anthony Cooper MBE
The RBL’s Independent Living Advisors provide support for people like Kingsman Anthony Cooper MBE:
Anthony was told he would never walk or talk again after suffering life-changing injuries in Afghanistan.
Anthony lost both his legs in a Taliban roadside bombing in Helmand Province in July 2010, and was left in a coma for five weeks. Anthony was unable to speak for several months and had to learn how to talk again, beginning with the word ‘hello’. He returned to Lancashire having defied the medics.
With the help of Karen Watson, Senior Independent Living Advisor, Anthony’s home was adapted to suit his needs, which included a series of repairs to the property. The RBL worked in conjunction with his local Council who carried out the major works.
Anthony still struggles with PTSD but the home improvements have made a vast difference to his mental wellbeing. He says: “The house is brilliant now, I can’t thank everyone enough, I’ve built up a good relationship with Karen from the Royal British Legion, and it all came from there.”
Last year, Anthony Cooper was awarded an MBE for voluntary services to veterans in HM The King’s Official Birthday Honours List 2023.
It’s because of support from our wonderful collectors that the Royal British Legion could do this for Anthony and many more.
In 2022-2023, RBL’s Independent Living Advice service provided advice, support, and advocacy to enable 921 people to live safely and well within their homes.
Make a donation to help the RBL give life-long support to every generation of our Armed Forces Community: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate
Recreating History – The Coins Flown on an Original D-Day Dakota Aircraft
On the 80th anniversary of D-Day this year, we remember the bravery and sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom.
Amplifying this is a very special event which has just been held honouring this milestone – one that brought history to life in the most poignant way. A fleet of original WWII Dakota aircraft just took to the skies, carrying a select few coins from The Westminster Collection, on a journey that mirrored the exact route our Allied soldiers travelled 80 years ago to the shores of Normandy.
Watch the video below to find out more about this highly significant event and view the whole range of FLOWN D-Day 80th Anniversary Coins…
Visit www.westminstercollection.com/flowncoins
Or view the range in detail below…
The D-Day 80th Gold Penny First Strike Parachuted Edition
- Once over Carentan in Normandy, a team of paratroopers made an historic jump carrying these solid Gold Pennies, re-enacting the jumps made by thousands of allied soldiers on D-Day.
- Now landed, each coin is being carefully re-housed in a special tamper proof capsule and placed in a deluxe Presentation Case with a Certificate of Authenticity – confirming it as one of the 250 coins to be flown and parachuted.
- Each Jersey Gold Proof Penny has been struck from 9 Carat Gold and has been fully approved by Buckingham Palace and His Majesty the King.
Click here to secure your D-Day Solid Gold Parachuted Penny >>
The D-Day 80th Anniversary Silver Proof 50p Set – Flown Edition
- A worldwide edition limit of just 450, JUST 80 sets flown – SOLD OUT.
The UK 1944 Flown Sixpence D-Day Frame – Flown Edition
- Features an original 1944 Silver Sixpence – struck in the year of the Normandy Landings.
- 1944-dated British coins have become extremely sought-after in the 80th anniversary year, but what makes this edition truly extraordinary is its profound journey.
- Stunning framed edition featuring Dakota artwork – a true piece of history.
Click here to secure your UK 1944 Sixpence D-Day Frame >>
The World War Two Half-Crowns – Flown Edition
- Original World War Two British Half-Crowns – struck in 1939 and 1945 – the first and last year of WWII
- World War Two British coins have become extremely sought-after during the 80th anniversary of D-Day, their journey to Normandy makes these even more collectible.
- Protected in tamperproof capsules in a luxury presentation box – with a certificate of authenticity that details the coins’ journey
- Just 250 of these special edition WWII coin pairs are available worldwide.
Click here to secure your World War Two Half-Crowns >>
The D-Day 80th Anniversary Flown Silver £5 Cover
- JUST 250 worldwide – SOLD OUT.
We’re honoured to offer these coin releases to honour and remember the bravery and sacrifice of our troops 80 years on. We will always remember them.
To visit the range, just go to:
www.westminstercollection.com/flowncoins