Cockleshell Heroes Memorial
Gironde Sud · OK 1 Vendée - Charente Maritime · France
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.
08 November 2012
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.
08 November 2012
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.
08 November 2012
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
The start.
08 November 2012
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Sitting on the right, behind the speaker is Paddy Ashdown, a prominent politician 1941/2018.
08 November 2012
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
The ceremony.
08 November 2012
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Four be-medald veterans.
08 November 2012
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.
08 November 2012
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
The many local flags.
08 November 2012
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).
BBC
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.
Sub website
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.
Cockles, MkII Wiki
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.
BBC
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Shipping in 1947, it shows how vulnerable the ships were to this style of attack.
GNF 27/05/1947
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.
08 November 2012
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Maj Herbert "Blondie" Hasler and Cpl Bill Sparks (right) were the only two survivors.
BBC
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
Memorial to the men.
08 November 2012
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
From Louis Mountbatten.
C.R.2991/43.
Cockleshell Heroes Operation 'Frankton' 70th anniversary
08 November 2012