Operation Frankton

I never tire of learning of the sacrifices that have been made in the name of freedom.  One that has been on my mind recently - since learning of it earlier this year from a Royal Marine Padre - is Operation Frankton and the real life cockleshell heroes.

In December of 1942 ten Royal Marines set off down the river Gironde in Cockle MK II canoes (hence the name 'cockleshell heroes') with the mission of planting limpet mines on as many German ships in the Bordeaux harbor as possible.  Of the ten Marines, only four were able to reach the harbor and plant mines, and only two were to survive the mission and make it back to England alive.

In honor of those amazing men and that incredible time, two Royal Marine Commandos will re-enact the daring raid using the same equipment and the same route -- 65 years later. 

Ten men took part in the "Cockleshell" raid in 1942 - but only two survived. Their heroic exploits in five canoes on a French river led to the team being known as the Cockleshell Heroes. Marine Lee Hanmore, of Kent, and Cpl Richard Melia, of Sussex, will recreate the daring journey 65 years on, following the same route.
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Marine Hanmore, 22, of Paddock Wood, and Cpl Melia, 24, of Malden Hall, will be using canoes made to the original design. The 15ft craft, made from wood and canvas, have been built by four joinery apprentices from naval support company Fleet Support Limited (FSL), at Portsmouth's naval base. The canoes are being handed over to Marine Hanmore and Cpl Melia at the Royal Marines Museum in Portsmouth on Tuesday.

I have so much respect for those twelve men, those cockleshell heroes.  So courageous.  The two surviving Marines were aided in their escape by a young French Resistance fighter, Jean Mariuad. Fearless.
Eight men gave their lives. 

Catfish Major Hasler and Marine Sparks. Made it to Bordeaux harbour, planted limpet mines and successfully escaped
Crayfish Corporal Laver and Marine Mills. Made it to Bordeaux harbour planted mines. Betrayed while escaping and executed in Paris on March 23, 1943
Cuttlefish Lieutenant Mackinnon and Marine Conway. Captured and executed in Paris on March 23, 1943
Coalfish Sergeant Wallace and Marine Ewart. Captured and executed near Bordeaux on December 12, 1942
Conger Corporal Sheard and Marine Moffat. Drowned
Cacholot Marines Fisher and Ellery. Had to abort mission when their canoe was damaged on the submarine. It is said that they were in tears at their disappointment

The last surviving Royal Marine from Operation Frankton, Bill Sparks, passed away in 2002. 
May they all rest in peace.

Thanks to the Royal Marine Commandos of today, we are reminded of the greatness of these men.
And they were exceptional.

Comments

[Goalie]

Kath, I love your appreciation for your adopted lands!

[David Moffatt]

I am the nephew and namesake of Marine David Moffatt who lost his life on Operation Frankton in December 1942.
There will be a dedication ceremony on Ile de Re on November 1st in memory of Cpl Sheard and Marine Moffatt

The ceremony will take place at the town hall and the cemetery in Le Bois Plage en Re on Ile de Re near La Rochelle. The plaques to Cpl Sheard and Marine Moffatt are already installed in the cemetery awaiting the cermony.I will be attended the dedication.

I would be pleased to supply more information and to be able to contact the guys performing the re enactment.

Best Regards

David Moffatt