Operation Frankton

(The 'Cockleshell Heroes' Raid)

"Of the many brave and dashing raids carried out by the men of Combined Operations Command, none was more courageous or imaginative than "Operation Frankton". An immense amount of trouble was taken over the training of the small handful of picked Royal Marines who took part under the indomitable leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Hasler. They maintained their object in spite of the frightening losses of the first night and the subsequent ever-increasing difficulties encountered. Although the force had been reduced to four men, the object was finally achieved.

The account of this operation brings out the spirit of adventure always present in peace and war among Royal Marines. It emphasises the tremendous importance of morale - pride in oneself and one's unit - and what a big part physical fitness plays in creating this morale. It also stresses the need for careful detailed planning of operations. I commend it to all as an account of a fine operation, carried out by a particularly brave party of men".

Admiral The Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

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By late 1941 the constraints on mercantile movement, particularly by sea, were imposing severe hardships on both the British and the Germans. Neither country possessed sufficient natural resources to wage a war at the scale then being carried out, and both were dependent on external sources of supply. In particular the Germans needed oil, rubber and tungsten, and certain other essential metals and alloys. Vital supplies of these products from the Far East were reaching the Germans by "blockade runners" using the port of Bordeaux1,2.

Major HG "Blondie" Hasler Royal Marines was at this time serving in the Combined Operations organisation, the head of which was Lord Mountbatten. A keen sailor, with an inventive mind, he was working on methods of attacking shipping while in harbour. He developed a suitable canoe for this task, which was able to carry 2 men with 75 kg of stores, and which would fit through the fore hatch of a submarine. The organisation of some 34 men, that was set up to train with these canoes and develop the necessary techniques, was given the cover title of The Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment, and in September 1942 took on the task of attacking shipping in Bordeaux3,4. Whilst this was not the first time canoes had been used to attack German shipping, the mission had invariably been carried out in one night. This was something quite different: an attack on an enemy port, some 60 miles from the sea, with an escape route overland. Although he approved the plan, Lord Mountbatten had his doubts that any of them would return.

During the evening of 7 December 1942 the submarine HMS TUNA surfaced off the mouth of the Gironde, and launched 10 men in 5 canoes5. All was well until they reached tide races at the mouth of the river, where two canoes were lost. Canoeing by night, with the tide, and lying up by day, over several days, two pairs made it to the port (another pair's canoe was wrecked on an obstacle). One of the crews was Maj Hasler with Mne Bill Sparks, the other was Cpl Albert Laver and Mne Bill Mills. Limpet mines were placed on a number of ships, and these two crews then made their way down river, where they destroyed their canoes, and separately made their way cross country north east, through German occupied France, towards Ruffec, to make contact with the Resistance. After many hair raising incidents and much hardship, Hasler and Sparks succeeded in reaching this town, some 100 miles from where they left their canoes, and successfully linked up with the Resistance : they finally arrived home, after crossing the Pyrenees into neutral Spain, some 4 months after the raid. Laver and Mills were caught by the French police and handed over to the Germans: they were executed with 2 others, 3 months later.

The raid was successful in that 5 ships were badly damaged6: perhaps more importantly the success was a much needed tonic for the British, for whom 1942 had been a disastrous year. There was a price to pay: 10 men set off; 2 escaped successfully, 2 were drowned, and 6 were caught or betrayed, and executed by the Germans. Maj Hasler was awarded the DSO, and Mne Sparks the DSM: Cpl Laver and Mne Mills received posthumous Mentions in Dispatches.

We remember the following who died:

Marine James Conway
Marine Robert Ewart
Corporal Albert Laver
Marine Bill Mills
Lieutenant John Mackinnon
Marine David Moffatt
Corporal George Sheard
Sergeant Sam Wallace

The 60th Anniversary of the Raid

2002 saw the 6oth anniversary of the raid. There were 2 events to celebrate this: the first was the opening of the "Frankton Trail" in June. This is a walking path which traces the 100 mile route taken through occupied France, on foot, by the 2 men who escaped. The one living survivor, Marine Bill Sparks DSM, was there to open it; sadly, Bill died on 30 November 2007. The purpose of the Trail is to perpetuate the memory of the raid, and particularly to remember those, both British and French, who died through their involvement in it. It should also not be forgotten that the successful escape of the survivors was due to the bravery of many French members of the Resistance and the kindness of ordinary families.

The main celebrations in Bordeaux were on the exact date of the raid, 12 December. HMS SOUTHAMPTON, and RFA SIR PERCIVALE were present, with Royal Marines from 45 Commando, together with a Royal Marines Band. HRH The Duke of York, Countess Mountbatten8, and the Commander, 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, Brigadier JB Dutton CBE ADC, also attended, and a fine memorial to the raid was unveiled on the quayside in Bordeaux where the German ships were attacked9.

An Anglo-French organisation, "Frankton Souvenir", has been set up to keep alive the story of the raid. Its principal achievements are the development of the walking trail, and the installation of explanatory plaques at key points. The development of the trail is supported by the Royal Marines Historical Society. For further details of the Society, and the trail itself, write to their office which is c/o the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney, Southsea, Hants PO4 9PX.

The following sites in France are associated with the raid:

St Georges de Didonne (near Royan). Adjacent to the lighthouse on the headland, overlooking the mouth of the Gironde, there is a memorial to the raiders.
Bordeaux.. On the quayside (Quai des Chartrons) is an exhibition centre, called "Hangar 14": outside it, in “Place Frankton”, on the upstream side, is the Memorial to the  Raid- easy walking distance from the centre of town.
Blanquefort. Just outside Bordeaux. The Château du Dehez, also known as Château Magnol, and the head office of the wine company Barton & Guestier, was the location of the German WW2 naval HQ, and the site where the execution of Sgt Wallace and Mne Ewart is celebraated. There is a plaque on the bullet scarred wall10 where they died. This is private property, and permission needs to be obtained to visit. There is a ceremony here annually around the anniversary of the raid - 12 December.
Plaques / monuments at places associated with the raid have recently been unveiled as follows:
Napres - The "Fiery Woodman's" cottage (see "Cockleshell Heroes" by CE Lucas-Phillips). June 2002. About 5 mins by car south of St Preuil, past a cemetery on the left, at the crest of a hill, a track leads off to the left. Private property, but the plaque can be viewed on the outside wall
Ruffec - The Toque Blanche restaurant. At the end of their 100 mile cross country escape, Maj Hasler and Mne Sparks were lucky to meet up with French people who put them in touch with the Resistance. Plaque to the left of the door unveiled 2002.
Pointe de Grave, plaque on the lighthouse, and on monument (face lighthouse entrance door, take path to right, 200m). These commemorate the site where Sgt Wallace and Mne Ewart came ashore, and were subsequently captured. Plaque dates from 2003.
St Vivien du Medoc. From town square drive to the beach at St Vivien: memorial with plaque stands at the end of the road to the beach in the car park. Site of the first day's hide for the two successful pairs of canoeists. Plaque 2003.
Montlieu la Garde (about 60 Km NE of Bordeaux on the N 10 Bordeaux - Paris road). Names of Cpl Laver and Mne Mills added to the war memorial in the town centre11. 10 Jun 04.
Chez Ouvrard. The farm building where Cpl Laver and Mne Mills spent their last night of freedom - they were arrested the next day in Montlieu. Plaque unveiled 10 Jun 04 by the sisters of Cpl Laver, and brother of Mne Mills. To find this site you will need a detailed map. Leave the N 10 at the exit for Montlieu - this is the D 730 road., and fork right onto the D258 at Les Cuisinères. Follow it south passing a memorial to the crew of a Flying Fortress bomber that crashed nearby, and turn left on the D 259. Pass Les Barres , and take the track right at Pt 111. The building is on the right after about 250 m.

Verdon sur Mer.  Plaque in memory of Cpl Sheard and Mne Moffatt, who were drowned at the mouth of the Gironde. The body of the latter was found on the Ile de Ré on 14 Dec 42 (burial site unknown) but Cpl Sheard’s was never recovered. Plaque is on wall beside the entrance to the Capitainerie (Harbour Master’s Office). December 2005

Baigneaux. Plaque to Lt MacKinnon and Mne Conway who were captured and executed in Paris in 1943, together with Cpl Laver and Mne Mills. Plaque is on the house where they were sheltered for a night by the Pouget family: house is situated just below the car park beside the Mairie and school. To find the village take the D936 eastwards from Bordeaux towards Branne. After about 10 km fork right onto the D671 and follow this road for about 20km to Baigneaux village. December 2005.

Cessac. Plaque on a plinth beside an old railway line (now a cycle track) below the isolated farmhouse where the Jaubert family sheltered Lt MacKinnon and Mne Conway for three days. To find the site you need a detailed map (at least 1:175000). Take the minor road NE from Baigneaux towards Cessac/Frontenac. After about 4 km there is a road junction, half a km SE of Cessac where the road to Frontenac turns off eastwards and crosses the cycle track.  Park the car there and walk northwards up the track for about 400 m to the plinth. December 2005.

St Coutant. Marvaud farm. 20 kms east of Ruffec, past Champagne Mouton, off the D 740. Plaque on the house where Hasler and Sparks were initially sheltered after meeting the Resistance at Ruffec (see p 19 of ATB article). Unveiled by Naval Attache and Amélie Dubreuille, who with her husband Armand, looked after the escapers. Dec 06.

Bois-Plage en Re Cemetery, Ile de Re.  Plaques to Cpl George Sheard and Marine David Moffatt (see entry under Verdon sur Mer).  David Moffatt (nephew), with Peter Siddall and Ian Taylor ( nephews of Cpl Sheard) were present at unveiling 1 Nov 07. To find site, drive into centre of Bois-Plage, and as you arrive in the market square the cemetery is on left. Commonwealth War Graves section is marked by a RAF propeller, and plaques are on the wall.

La Reole - Ancien Hospital. Town is 50km SE of Bordeaux: Lt MacKinnon and Mne Conway, attempting to make their way to the Spanish border, were captured here, after the former was admitted to the hospital for treatment for an infected knee. Follow "Centre Hospitalier" signs into town. The new hospital is on the top of the hill, the old hospital slightly lower down, and across the road. Head for the far side (from the road) of the old building with a small tower with a slate roof, and a cross with a cock weathervane on top. The plaque is to the left of the door facing you, not the door under the old porch, with a cross on top, on your right. Unveiled on 13 Dec 07. Having faced the plaque, turn left and go (downhill) through the old hospital gates (the obvious porter's lodge was still there in December 07), into a small square (Place de Verdun). The large building on the East side of this square is the old women's prison. It is believed that Mne Conway was held here while Lt MacKinnon was being treated in the hospital. The 12c Church and 18c Benedictine Monastery are well worth a visit.

Beaunac. Approaching the small hamlet of Beaunac from the west (D182 from St Fraigne) you come to a crossroads to the north of the hamlet. The D182 continues eastwards towards Souvigné. However, immediately south of this crossroads is a small triangular "green" in the middle of which stands a large block of local stone (it literally weighs a tonne), standing on a stonework base. Mounted on this stone is the memorial plaque dedicated to Op Frankton and particularly to the three inhabitants of the hamlet who are the only known French civilians to lose their lives as a direct result of becoming involved with Operation Frankton. The night before they arrived in Ruffec Hasler and Sparks spent a scant 3 hours in a hayloft here, before having to move on due to their presence in the village becoming known. Unveiled 14 Dec 07.

Segonzac.  On the wall of Chateau de Segonzac. Unveiled 10 Jun 08. It was decided that this was the most suitable point to mark the start of the Trail, though of course the Trail actually starts on the river bank to the West.

A good, up to date account of the raid is to be found in "After the Battle" Magazine number 118, obtainable from the publishers, After the Battle, The Mews, Hobbs Cross, Old Harlow, Essex, CM17 0NN, 01279 418833.

"If I should die think only this of me:
that there's some corner of a foreign field
that is for ever England"

December 1942
Sgt Samuel Wallace and Mne Robert Ewart Royal Marines