The real story of the "Cockleshell Heroes" - the World War 2 action film.


Join my members channel:
   / @thehistorychap  

Released in 1955,”The Cockleshell Heroes” starred Jose Ferrer, Trevor Howard, Christopher Lee, David Lodge and Anthony Newley, and tells the story of a daring raid by British commandos using kayaks to attack German ships.

It was actually based upon a real historic event during World War 2, Operation Frankton, when British commandos conducted a daring sabotage attack on German ships in the French port of Bordeaux in December 1942.

Get My FREE Weekly Newsletter
https://www.thehistorychap.com

Members of the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment, under Captain Herbert "Blondie" Hasler paddled 70 miles up the Gironde river to carry out the attack.

5 cockle Mark II kayaks, each crewed by 2 commandos, were launched from a British submarine, HMS Tuna (captained by Lieutenant-Commander Dick Raikes) on the night of 7th December 1942.

Only 2 crews reached the destination, where they planted limpet mines on 5 German freight vessels and a German naval patrol boat.

Following the attack they attempted to reach neutral Spain and from there the British colony of Gibraltar.
Only one crew made it - Hasler and Bill Sparks.

Of the rest, 2 died from hypothermia when their kayak capsized and 6 were executed by the Germans, following an order from Hitler.

"The Cockleshell Heroes" released in 1955 is based upon the real events, although with some artistic licence (not least changing all the names).


Chapters:
0:00 The Cockleshell Heroes
1:54 Operation Frankton
2:41 Herbert Hasler
4:08 Italian Human Torpedoes
5:14 The Plan
7:39 HMS Tuna
9:29 The Gironde River
11:55 Discovered
13:28 Final Preparations
14:09 Attack
15:45 Escape & Capture
17:54 French Underground
18:51 Success of Operation
20:36 After the War
22:27 Remembering The Cockleshell Heroes


Follow me at:
www.thehistorychap.com
Instagram:https://bit.ly/3iySrAj
Facebook:https://bit.ly/37IUfkH
   / thehistorychap  

My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.