Bullet-scarred wall bears witness to Cockleshell raid
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Your support makes all the difference.A quiet ceremony yesterday in front of a bullet-scarred wall marked the 60th anniversary of a raid described by Earl Mountbatten of Burma as one of the most courageous of the Second World War.
Of the 10 "Cockleshell Heroes" who set out in canoes in December 1942 to blow up German supply ships, eight were killed. But their bravery destroyed five ships that had been instrumental in supplying raw materials through Bordeaux for Hitler's war effort.
The Royal Marines, led by Major "Blondie" Hasler, were taken by the submarine HMS Tuna to French coastal waters, from where they had to canoe 70 miles up the Gironde river to attach limpet mines to cargo ships thought to be carrying radio and radar equipment.
The operation was devised as an alternative to bombing that aimed to minimise civilian casualties but which carried huge risks for the men who were to head for enemy territory in the Cockle canoes.
Two canoes capsized in the tidal currents at the mouth of the Gironde and another went down near Bordeaux, leaving two to make the final attack. Their success was hailed as a huge success by Lord Mountbatten, who was chief of combined operations, and boosted British morale in an otherwise disastrous year.
Two Marines drowned and six were caught and executed by the Germans. The only survivors were Major Hasler, who masterminded the operation, and Marine Bill Sparks, who were both awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Mr Sparks, the last surviving member, died two weeks ago.
Yesterday's ceremony was at Chateau Magnol near Blanquefort, in front of the wall where two of the Marines were executed by a firing squad on 12 December 1942.
About 50 Royal Marines from 45 Commando, based at Arbroath in Scotland, and a Royal Marines band were taken by HMS Southampton and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship Sir Percival to join French forces for the ceremony.
After the war, Lord Mountbatten wrote of the Cockleshell Heroes, about whom a film of that name was made in 1955: "Of the many and dashing raids carried out by the men of Combined Operations Command, none was more courageous or imaginative than Operation Frankton. The account of this operation brings out the spirit of adventure always present in peace and war among Royal Marines."
Yesterday, Major Tim Cook, who was at the ceremony, said the atmosphere was sombre and respectful. There were no relatives present; Mr Sparks' wife felt unable to attend so soon after her husband's death.
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