Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Our trip in November 2012 took us south to the Gironde river to see the defences on both sides of the river, north and south. To cross the river we had to take a ferry from Royan to Verdon-sur-Mer. On arriving, we could see from the ferry a ceremony about to take place on the south bank but had no idea of the significance of it.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
The plan: 7–12 December 1942.
To arrive off the estuary of the Gironde River in a Royal Navy submarine. Then sail four, two man canoes down the estuary and river to Bordeaux and attach mines to shipping tied up at wharfs. Sink boats and escape as best you can in occupied France.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Arriving on the ferry from Royan and we saw all the flags and had no idea what was going on.
Ferry route.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
A commemoration was about to happen the 70th anniversary of Operation 'Frankton', the attack on shipping along Bordeaux's wharfs.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
The start.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Sitting on the right, behind the speaker is Paddy Ashdown, a prominent politician 1941/2018.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
The ceremony.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Four be-medald veterans.
British Empire Medal.
General Service Medal with three clasps.
South Atlantic Medal with rosette.
Unknown.
Naval Long Service and good conduct.
OBE.
Naval General Service.
Gulf Medal.
Oman Army 20th National Day 1990.
Oman The Special Royal Decoration for Officers, second class in silver.
The Oman Peace Medal.
The Oman 15th Anniversary Medal.
Omani Army 20th National Day 1990.
Naval GSM.
South Atlantic Medal.
Unknown.
Malaysian Service Medal.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
French honour guard, I have not searched their medals, but very impressive bunch. Their ranks look like Caporal-chef.
The Commandos Marine were formed in 1942.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
The many local flags.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Catfish (Hasler & Marine Sparks)
Crayfish (Corporal Laver & Marine Mills)
Conger (Corporal Sheard & Marine Moffatt)
Cuttlefish (Lieutenant MacKinnon & Marine Conway)
Coalfish (Sergeant Wallace & Marine Ewart)
Cachalot (Marines Ellery & Fisher).
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
HMS Tuna a Triton class submarine, the mother ship that carried the men and canoes to France. Built by Scotts in the Clyde and launched in 1940. Scrapped at Briton Ferry in 1946.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Combined Operations website for the story of the operation.
The canoe's were Cockleshell MkII class canoe designed by Mr Fred Goatle, then working for Saunders Roe, the aero and marine engineering company based on the Isle of Wight, designed what was to become the first in a long line of canoes, or more properly kayaks, which would be used extensively in various theaters of war.
Another name was 'folbot' folding boat.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
CATFISH: Major Hasler/Marine Sparks reached target area destroyed shipping. Returned home via Marie-Clare Escape Line and Gibraltar.
CRAYFISH: Corporal Laver/Marine Mills reached target area, destroyed shipping. Last seen landing. Captured by Germans. Executed in Paris 23 March 1943.
CONGER: Corporal Sheard/Marine Moffat capsized in second tidal race. Last seen swimming to shore off Point de Grave. Moffat’s body found later. Sheard’s body never found, presumed drowned.
CUTTLEFISH: Lieutenant Mackinnon/Marine Conway last seen off The Mole at Le Verdon. Later captured by Germans. Executed in Paris 23 March 1943.
COALFISH: Sergeant Wallace/Marine Ewart missing near Banc des Olives after first tidal race. Later captured by Germans. Executed near Bordeaux 12 December 1942.
CACHALOT: Marine Ellery/Marine Fisher – canoe damaged on torpedo hatch of HMS Tuna. They were unable to take part in the raid.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Shipping in 1947, it shows how vulnerable the ships were to this style of attack.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
All the surviving members of the crews who had been captured by the Germans were executed under the Commando Order.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Maj Herbert "Blondie" Hasler and Cpl Bill Sparks (right) were the only two survivors.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Memorial to the men.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
From Louis Mountbatten.
Lord Louis Mountbatten.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary