as extensive technical documentation. When the Germans under Dietrich von Choltitz announced the capitulation nearly 700 Germans surrendered to 30AU. Meanwhile 30AU (sections A and B) also conducted lesser operations in cooperation with French intelligence officers in the Toulon and Strasbourg area after they had been liberated. In September 1944, 30AU took part in the capture of Channel coast ports, often using armed jeeps. The operations carried out by 30AU in the liberation of France and Belgium provided a wealth of intelligence particularly in communications within the German military and within the German Navy. For example, how RAF Coastal Command could best deal with U-Boats in attacks via the air. Some 30AU missions in Germany during early 1945 reportedly remain subject to official secrecy. The unit is known to have targeted military scientists, sometimes far behind enemy lines. But this is described in detail in Nichola's Rankin's book "Ian Fleming's Commandos", published 2011 (See Further reading below). According to some sources, the secrecy surrounding 30AU was such that significant German figures, captured behind the lines by field teams from 30AU, were officially reported to have "surrendered" to Allied infantry. Pacific A 30AU detachment was sent to the Pacific theatre in mid-1945, although the Japanese surrender precluded actual operations. Immediately after the war, however, 30AU was reportedly active in Singapore, Indochina and Hong Kong. Post war 30 Assault Unit was officially disbanded in 1946, however in 2010 the Royal Marines formed 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group (30 Cdo IXG RM) which carries on the history of 30 Assault Unit. In fiction 30 Assault Unit's commander Ian Fleming based his fictional secret agent character James Bond on the commando types and their wartime achievements. See also Inspirations for James Bond The film Age of Heroes is very loosely based on the real 30 Assault Unit. Notable members Johnny Ramensky, career criminal and noted safe blower Sir Charles Wheeler, broadcaster and journalist Patrick Dalzel-Job, British Naval Intelligence Officer and Commando References Bibliography Further reading External links 30 Commando Assault Unit - Ian Fleming's 'Red Indians' - Literary James Bond's Wartime Unit 30 Royal Marine formations and units Military units and formations established in 1941 Military units and formations disestablished in 1946 1941 establishments in the United Kingdom 1946 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Ian Fleming