The Cockleshell Heroes Memorial

The Cockleshell Heroes carried out Operation Frankton in December 1942, targeting German ships in Bordeaux. Trained at Lumps Fort, Portsmouth, they paddled 60 miles in folding kayaks to plant limpet mines.

Of the 10 commandos, two drowned, six were captured and executed, and only Major Hasler and Marine Sparks escaped. Despite heavy losses, the raid sank two ships and damaged four, disrupting enemy supply lines. Winston Churchill later credited it with shortening World War II by six months.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Leimenide