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The Cockleshell Heroes

Marine Herbert Hasler devises a madcap commando raid on German ships, using canoes.

In December 1942, a small team of commandos are set to paddle their canoes through freezing enemy-infested waters to sabotage German ships in the port of Bordeaux. Operation Frankton is described as a “suicide mission”. Will Royal Marines Bill Sparks and Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler destroy the enemy supply lines and make it back to England alive?

With military historian Robert Lyman, and Terry Sparks, son of Bill Sparks.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producer: Georgina Leslie
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Written by Alex von Tunzelmann
Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian Roberts

28 minutes

On radio

Tue 1 Sep 202615:00
BBC Radio 4

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Broadcast

  • Tue 1 Sep 202615:00
    BBC Radio 4

Podcast

  • History's Heroes

    Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on extraordinary people from across history.