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Royal Marines remember heroes of daring World War Two operation

29 July 2019
Royal Marines have taken part in a memorial service to commemorate 77 years since one of the most daring operations of World War Two.

The service was held on Saturday 20th July at the Operation Frankton monument in Le-Verdon-Sur-Mer, southwest France, close to the mouth of the Gironde estuary. 

It was attended by 21 personnel from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines.

In 1942, the top-secret mission – named Operation Frankton – saw ten Royal Marines deploy from the submarine HMS Tuna, near the memorial, in two-man canoes. 

Since its beginning, the association has strived to perpetuate the memory of Op Frankton through events that draw attention to the courage and dedication of British Marines, past and present.

Eric Poineau, President of the Association Frankton Souvenir

They then paddled 100km up the Gironde River into the heavily-defended port city of Bordeaux in Nazi-occupied France.  Their mission was to plant limpet mines onto enemy ships.

Of the ten who set out on the daring mission, two men drowned, while six were caught or betrayed and executed by Germans, leaving just two survivors:  Major Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler and Corporal Bill Sparks.  They escaped capture by fleeing to Spain, assisted by the French resistance.

Despite the mission costing the lives of most of the team, the operation was successful in destroying five ships which were vital to Hitler’s war effort. 

Winston Churchill said that it shortened the conflict by six months.

Saturday’s memorial service opened with an address from Eric Poineau, president of the Association Frankton Souvenir; the organisation dedicated to the memory of the Operation.  

He said: “Since its beginning, the association has strived to perpetuate the memory of Op Frankton through events that draw attention to the courage and dedication of British Marines, past and present.”

Going on to express his pride in the partnership with the Royal Marines, he said:  “We are honoured to be joined by our comrades from 43 Commando”.

Prayers were read by 43 Commando’s chaplain, the Reverend Mark Allsop Royal Navy.  After both British and French national anthems were sung, an address was given – in French – by Colonel Andy Muddiman, Commanding Officer of 43 Commando.

The service was well-attended by members of the veterans’ organisation, the Amicale Nationale de Fusiliers Marins et Commandos. 

The service also included the presentation of two medals to one of its members, Sergeant Fusco Lupart, who was awarded the Combatant’s Cross and the Medal of the French Nation’s Gratitude.

On completion of the service, ten of today’s Royal Marines commenced a three-week expedition to follow in the footsteps of the Cockleshell Heroes. 

The tribute to Haslar’s team will see them kayak 100km from the Op Frankton monument to Bordeaux, followed by 271km of hiking overland into the Pyrenees Mountains at the Spanish border.

The team are embarking on the challenge to keep the memory of the Cockleshell Heroes alive, to put their commando qualities to the test, and to raise funds for The Royal Marines Charity. 

To keep up-to-date on their progress, follow @43Commando on Twitter.  To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cockleshellheroesrm.

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