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I never cease to be amazed at the courage of young British men who risked their lives for our freedom. Often I look at my Grandchildren and think how lucky we are.
Now look at the state of the U.K. Many of that generation have said that if they knew how the U.K. would turn out they’d have never set foot on the beaches in Normandy.
@@schuletrip My Dad fought in North Africa and my Uncle Tom a commando who landed on D Day plus 2. I know both would do it again. Tomorrow as would the brave British soldiers who took part. This country is the finest in the world and ‘The state of it’ as you refer is an opinion I don’t share.
For ever grateful thanks gramp and to every one else who fort for us. And thanks for making it home gramp from my dad his brother his children my sister's my son granddaughter and 70 outer family members all hear because of you Rip
The Brits did a few crazy things during WW2 but they had balls and left a legacy that is unmatched today, for such a small Island they earnt their place in history
@@highcountrydelatite I know of Z force, I watched the miniseries with that bloke from Neighbours in it. All soldiers that fight and die for their country are legends. I also know the contribution Australia had during World War Two, even after they pulled out of Europe to defend their own country (rightly so)
l never heard of this raid until now,we should all be thankful to all the brave soldiers that gave all for the better and we will never forget what each of them accomplshed
I looked after Bill Sparks when he was a patient at the Royal Hospital Haslar in the late 1990s. He never mentioned to me who he was, and I only found out through one of the senior RN doctors told me. I'd heard of the Cockleshell Heroes - from watching the movie as a kid, but was not familiar with their story, despite my fancying myself as a bit of a Second World War historian. I did not realise at the time what a truly remarkable human being I had met and what he had done. So, I never really talked to him about it. Now, I deeply regret that.
Thanks for putting this video on. These people should not be forgotten. If this was taught in schools and the reason they had to do what they have done it would change the attitude of a lot of the younger generation. Thanks again.
Well known story in the Royal Marines. During training,1983, Sparks, Blondies number 2, came down to visit us. Kindle has most books on this raid. The biography, " Blondie" Ewen Southby Tailyour is probably the best. Bill Sparks also wrote his version of the raid. To answer your question " was it worth it?" Well, my late French mother told me her earliest childhood memory was standing in the Metro, Paris underground, with a German jackboot right next to her.
They lost me when the narrator said, "They had to paddle 60 miles..." These were MEN, honest to goodness MEN! How I wish I could have met them. May they rest in peace, because they went through Hell. As a 74 year old American, I was raised hearing the stories from the men from the United States military. The man from our allies were no less brave and heroic!
These soldiers had King Kong sized balls. And remember their wet and cold probably on limited rations. Can't build a fire to warm up. These are the stories the young in the for now free countries need to hear about. A salute to all 12 of them.
The odds were long the survival rate abysmal, the bravery epic and the survivors and the dead were honored. I suppose the planners expected some losses, but only two survivors!! Bravo.
The 1955 feature film ‘based on’ the operation “The Cockleshell Heroes” was very watchable but no moving picture entertainment can possible portray the bravery, tragedy and sheer blind commitment of those involved. Far better humans than I, every one of them and the hundreds of thousands like them!
The raiders did more damage than a crew of a Lancaster, B-17 or B-24. Those gents typically missed their targets by miles and all ten aircrew were lost at once when the aircraft was shot down. Brave men all. God rest their souls.
Very well presented story including real camera shots of the exact places where they had been. Awesom work guys, thank you for sharing! Anyway, best wishes to all decent people from Prague, Czech republic!
I found out recently that LC Blondie Hasler is my Great great Uncle (I knew of uncle Blondie, I just didnt know he was a war hero).Thank you for creating this video so I can learn more about him!
Due to a lack of communication between various secret groups there was a Special Operations Executive team in the same port at the same time and with the same task. In fact they were about to move on those ships when the explosives went off.
Yes & no when you have twice something going wrong you have more of a possibility it will keep going wrong, and this has nothing to do with Murphy's law have to do with statistics... And I think the price of this operation was way too high and it had more to do with the fact that you could have accomplished this same operation without using a canoe, there are other means they could have used they could have got given them a means once they were already in country being a fisherman along the river as one example Ben to ask the locals the local underground... But they didn't have those resources they went in basically blind. Seemed that way to anybody who's listening to this commentary but yes it was blind because they didn't even know what they would find along the areas where they stopped, and what this tells me is they did not have enough valuable information that reconnaissance on the ground have given them if they had gone in prepared but they didn't go in prepared. Sometimes I think those in command I'm more interested in getting the flag there in in getting whatever it is they're trying to accomplish rather than thinking of the proper way to accomplish think about how many men they lose how many lives will be destroyed or altered or changed not for the but for the worst... Please forgive me if not everything makes sense I can't fix many things on here I am recap person whose hands do not work properly the best of times fix anything and I'm using voice-to-text to do most of this and I can occasionally put in a symbol such as an and but I can't actually type the word. I think this mission was more show a proof-of-concept to try out a idea didn't think the thing through, I suppose that's the difference between men in command they don't think they're all action they don't think things properly out they should have gone with information they could have gotten it it wouldn't have been hard to get some local reconnaissance to tell them what's going on they could have buzzed with a small plane or a even better a glider and taking pictures and therefore had the information, there's more ways to have done this successfully without losing so many people... But they didn't think about that did they they never think about what could go wrong and what they should do if something were to go wrong, and that's the problem with this whole thing. It didn't really accomplish anyting exercise that's all it was for morale but there are better ways if you want to build morale then sacrificing a half a dozen men for little to nothing nothing at all.
Worthy of our remembrance yes, but the casualty rate was way too high when you think about it and human people are also resource in war they are the most important material that you have the most important resource you have without which you cannot fight a war, all about getting morale boost, about showing the enemy that you can get them anywhere and nowhere is safe, except I don't think it did that in the long run. That's because they went in unprepared they went in blind, what today we would have called Half-assed, I know I sound harsh but I think of the resources those men represented and how they were wasted and it angers me, angers me because some of those men were so young become so much more, but those in charge those in command care enough about this project and about them to look into it and actually do their homework. Yes it was Irv to be remembered, for what not to do as much as for the fact that these men were willing to go in and sacrifice their lives even if it meant it was for nothing. Somebody here said it was a proof-of-concept that would later on be used in the Pacific... But I don't think it was used in same half-assed way it was used here I think when it was used it was used with a great deal of thought and planning and scouting the area that you're going to do this kind of operation in so you know where you're going know what's there know the lay of the land as it were, so they wouldn't be so many casualties and 80% loss is not a positive outcome. I suppose I shouldn't be angry for thembecause back then that's just the way it was the higher-ups didn't give a damn about people that were beneath them, and so going to do something like this just to make a point even if there is not enough planning and so many things can go wrong without proper planning and yet they didn't care... And that's what I come away with.
Whether elite operations were the best use of the best men, highly trained and highly motivated, removed from the general leaders cadre is a question that is still debated. Nonetheless: -10 men- equivalent to one bomber crew downed, or a section of infantrymen or ship's crew lost in a single shellburst, in return for five ships sunk, with the impact on security from the threat of further attacks: the cost was cheap in terms of wartime calculations. St Nazaire (Operation Chariot) and the 'Dambusters' raid (Operation Chastise) were much more costly and St Nazaire certainly bore the mark of hasty planning and fatal compromise.
My hats off to our Brit Allie’s & comrade in arms. Here in the States we refer to our WW II vets and families as The Greatest Generation. I’m sure you consider your vets in the same way. Unparalleled bravery and focus.
Hitler's declaration about captured Commando's was prompted by the "Raid on St Nazaire". Narrated by Jeremy Clarkson in his V C series, well worth a watch
The Commando Order was due to the raid on Sark later in the year . German prisoners bolted and had to be killed to keep them quiet . Anders Lassen used his knife . The Germans thought it murder hence the Order to kill all commandos
It was just 10 soldiers.... they took out multiple ships ! They strangled the areas supply’s and most like let other allied soldiers kill more of the enemy... the enemy soldiers time that they took up trying to repair their logistics in turn giving them less resources and prep time to other campaigns.... 10 lives is definitely worth the cost in a war of global logistics and tactics
Damaging enemy morale, diversion of resources, creating uncertainty, creating fear of attack from any direction, boosting morale of the French, Ally’s, creating myths and legends, pushing the boundaries of military capability, seizing the initiative, all for less than a price of a bomber crew! Yeh, what could possibly be with it? Ask any one of the 8 that didn’t return would they do it again if the could, of course they would
According to Paddy Ashdown, he once met “Blondie” Hasler on a train, he apparently bragged to “Blondie” that he was joining the Royal Marines, which he did as well as ending up in the SBS for a period. The Cockleshell heroes are part of SBS history to this day - long may they be remembered. My own time as a Royal and C Squadron member was nothing as “boys own” stuff as this, but maybe when the OSA allows the details to be told about our times, especially my last tour in October 2001, Afghanistan and Tora Bora “bun fight”.
Such an incredible operation. Whilst the material image might have been small, the impact on the Germans, reallocation and distribution of resources was significant. It was also a great morale booster for the French and British people.
I'm simultaneously thrilled and gutted that I discovered this AMAZING channel! Thrilled because the content is EXCELLENT! Gutted because there are only 7 videos so far! 😢 🤣 Make more! Keep up this AMAZING work!
This was made into a great movie called The Cockleshell Heroes. Australian forces also did a canoe raid on Singapore harbour called operation Jaywick. This was made into a mini series called The Heroes. Both are great flicks ell worth watching.
Jaywick was an amazing raid. Well planned and I believe that these men trained in Kurringai chase. What was the casualty rate? I am of the understanding they all made it out safely. St. Nazaire another remarkable raid. The effectiveness is only really borne out in enemy morale, a difficult thing to measure.
My Grandad was in N⁰ 1 commando and fought in North Africa, Saint-nazaire, IItaly including the raids for Monte Cassino. 'United We Conquer' their Motto. Lest We forget 🙏
My dad was a Marine Mastsargent. A true Marine!. He supportive his whole life. I didn't deserve his support but he gave me his! Thank you daddy! Once a Marine always a Marine! Semper Fi my father!:
Hindsight is 20/20 If all had made it everyone would’ve thought it was worth it. Soldiers know some will die but you never think it will be you. It would make a great movie.
Nelson has left the chat, and the Zulus thought the soldiers at Rorke's drift were jolly brave, and awfully good! (actual words). My heart shudders when I think of how many good men were machine-gunned and killed at Ypres, Verdun, Somme, etc etc...very brave, our best! they didnt even stand a chance to be heros...good grief, war is not nice. How different our world would be without those two world wars, but yes, you're right, the dying throes of the British Empire saw the best generation fight for us, for our futures, giving us all they had, with strict rationing (ie no fkn food!) and the blitz at home, and we had to say thanks to the Yanks, (and pay them) for helping with the finishing touches, Now that Germany is the largest economy and mostly 'in charge' of the EU with a single currency...one wonders if the sacrifice has been respected in any other sense than dam-buster movies and jingoism. Look at us now, compared to Germany, uber alles, and you would think that we lost WW2.
@@mistag3860 you absolutely right. Thousands of years of history , countless wars , shared toil and struggle has brought us as a country to this point. And when you look around today it's like we don't even deserve it. The things we're putting up with , watching our culture bein slowly eroded ,our proud, hard won history now rewritten. Makes me sick. 👊💛👍
The late Lord Paddy Ashdown wrote the book ' A Brilliant Little Operation' which tells the story of Operation Frankton. Paddy Ashdown had been a member of SBS ( Special Boat Squadron ) during his service in the Royal Marines.I have read the book a few times ; I am always amazed at he bravery of our boys. I have seen the film countless times although I feel the film lacks 'something' possibly it feels a little low key when one considers the bravery of the Marines and the probability of execution if captured.
Did Ellory and Fisher survive the War? Some years ago, a friend, whom had been a Police Officer like me said that he thought that we would have been capable of being a soldier in wartime. The only thing was that we would have been more questioning about the orders being given, rather than the blind obedience which was required. Very brave men who knew they might not return. The same quality as those who were involved in Operation Chariot (The Greatest Raid of All) who were told there would be no dishonour if they chose to withdraw from the operation. None did.
He also planned another raid in which commands were sent to a French port,on a ship which was in a bad state, to destroy dry dock . A lot of commandoes lost their lives even though the mission was accomplished. Mountbatten seemed to love to come up with impossible missions that led to huge number of people losing their lives.
Mountbatten was promoted to India with strict instructions from Churchill that the arsehole had absolutely no authority over strategic or tactical planning 👀
@@masaukochitsamba7808 You maybe thinking of St. Nazaire. The two guys who went ashore and made it out were remarkably cautious. But the odds were enormous hiding in plain sight really. Gutsy stuff, I have the book at home. A good read but title and author escapes me.
i remember years ago watching the film "The Cockleshell Heroes" which was based on this mission. Despite the costs in men, I think it was worth it as it probably made the Germans add more security to the ports and other zones. New subscriber.
Every single story of the British doing something militarily audacious to the point of insanity has a commanding officer who looks like the dude at 2:45 . If you typed "draw insane British commando officer" into an art AI it would draw you a picture just like that
Amazing piece of madness how youngsters of the time gave their lives. What bravery for nothing really. Few explosions that are inconsequential to war. I salute them now.
No , not only did it do damage to the German war effort . It meant they would have to use more troops to protect vital war infrastructure. That could have been used else where . When they were running short of manpower .
William ( Bill) ) Mills was my mums cousin. There is a memorial plaque for him in Kettering Northants. Family have never been given a final resting place, but his courage along with the others will never be forgotten .
@@tonyfraser1749 Sure it`s based on facts. I know the story. In 2016 when I visited Portsmouth Harbour and one of its naval historic museums with a friend of mine, there was a special exhebition about that raid and I could see one example of these small and fragile kayaks and all the equipment they used in that raid. When I saw that kayak pinned on the wall, spontaneously it popped out of me: Hey look, Cockleshell Heroes“. The guard who stood nearby had no clue what we were talking about. 😳😆My friend and I had to explain the whole story of that raid to her. 😄 We also advised her to see the movie. 🤓She thought we were history teachers. 😄We are not. We are just interested in all kind of history besides of military history. 😉
@@mikr2d2 I know it's based on fact, I'm ex Navy 24 years and my last six years in the navy was based in Pompey, I've worked with the marines, their good people!
@@tonyfraser1749 Well, so I am sure you have lots of memories from that time and many interesting stories to tell. 😉I hope not too many sailor`s yarn stories. 🤪😅
Truly well done and the modern locale inserts give the daring feats of these heroes a real scale of accomplishment against their enemy. Kudos from Canada.
Really impressed with the video , narration , diction,pronunciation etc all top class , story's told using facts .....Love It , keep them coming , liked and subbed
The reason I read Anthony Beever's books is similar to why I watch your videos, just because they are that good!!! Don't ever stop to post material! You are an awesome channel!!!
A film entitled " The Cockleshell Heroes ", starring Jose Ferrer, Trevor Howard, and a host of other well known actors, highlights the raid. It was made back in the late 1950's if my memory holds.
For anyone interested, the Torque Blanche cafe in Ruffec shown in the video is not the one that Hasler and Sparks made contact with the French resistance. The actual one is on the corner opposite and is now empty and in a very sorry state. There is however an information panel on the wall detailing the exploits of the Cockleshell Heroes.
They died for our freedom today, which is not ours to give away. We must never forget the sacrifice made to defend our ways of life and morals. I weep for what this country has become now.
My uncle was a Royal marine Commando who landed on Juno beach on D day and his unit liberated the town of Langrune, they were supposed to be sent home to regroup after achieving their objective but they were sent over the Orne river to help the airborne forces hold their ground he was their for several weeks living and fighting out of slit trenches constantly being shelled and mortared and carrying out raids on the enemy it was during that period that my uncle lost his life. So in honour of him I am doing a charity walk From London to Southampton and ferry across to France and walk to where he lost his life. All monies raised will go the Royal Marine charity
Sounds like your uncle and my grandfather may have served together. I know my grandfather was a royal marine commando and landed at Normandy during D-Day landing. Like most men who served he never discussed his service much. It seems he told more to me than anyone else. And even then, it was just snippets.
As a former Royal Marines Commando I'm very familiar with this. Still, journalists get this wrong...its Royal Marines Commando (Re Bill Sparkes) not Royal Marine Commando. Its not singular or plural, its belonging too. We wear flashes on our jumpers Royal Marines Commando.
It has! Look up "Cockleshell Heroes" directed by José Ferrer. it was made in 1955. If you want something more modern, too bad, this youtube vid is the best for that.
When on holiday on The Isle Of Wight a few years ago, I’m sure I saw some information and photographs of Blondie Hasler and the mission, saying that the kayaks they used were built there 👍🏼😎
I have eaten at the restaurant in Ruffec as my parents live near Ruffec. I also grew up in the Village where Mary lived when she was old in the UK. amazing story, well told.
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I love the content ❤❤
I never cease to be amazed at the courage of young British men who risked their lives for our freedom. Often I look at my Grandchildren and think how lucky we are.
Now look at the state of the U.K. Many of that generation have said that if they knew how the U.K. would turn out they’d have never set foot on the beaches in Normandy.
@@schuletrip My Dad fought in North Africa and my Uncle Tom a commando who landed on D Day plus 2. I know both would do it again. Tomorrow as would the brave British soldiers who took part. This country is the finest in the world and ‘The state of it’ as you refer is an opinion I don’t share.
For ever grateful thanks gramp and to every one else who fort for us. And thanks for making it home gramp from my dad his brother his children my sister's my son granddaughter and 70 outer family members all hear because of you Rip
where r in ur mind hundreds of thousands of foreign troops who fought with British ..
They are English Exceptionalists so are kind of blinkered to the input of non UK combatants.
My dad was proud at what they did. He said it gave everybody hope.
The Brits did a few crazy things during WW2 but they had balls and left a legacy that is unmatched today, for such a small Island they earnt their place in history
@@highcountrydelatite outside of Australia it isn't well known.
@@highcountrydelatite I know of Z force, I watched the miniseries with that bloke from Neighbours in it.
All soldiers that fight and die for their country are legends.
I also know the contribution Australia had during World War Two, even after they pulled out of Europe to defend their own country (rightly so)
l never heard of this raid until now,we should all be thankful to all the brave soldiers that gave all for the better and we will never forget what each of them accomplshed
I looked after Bill Sparks when he was a patient at the Royal Hospital Haslar in the late 1990s. He never mentioned to me who he was, and I only found out through one of the senior RN doctors told me. I'd heard of the Cockleshell Heroes - from watching the movie as a kid, but was not familiar with their story, despite my fancying myself as a bit of a Second World War historian. I did not realise at the time what a truly remarkable human being I had met and what he had done. So, I never really talked to him about it. Now, I deeply regret that.
We are not worthy of these fine, brave young men.
Extreme Men of Substance and Bravery
We should not forget these bravehearts the supreme sacrifice they made. 🙏🙏🙏🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳... Tributes from india.
Amazing video. Albert Laver was my Granny's cousin, so my second cousin, immensely proud. Thank you so much.
WW2 Commandos were a cut above the rest, my late Grandfather was in 1 Commando.
What skill, heroism and determination,such respect
Brave as Lions the British will take on the challenge despite the odds
Thanks for putting this video on. These people should not be forgotten. If this was taught in schools and the reason they had to do what they have done it would change the attitude of a lot of the younger generation. Thanks again.
Well known story in the Royal Marines. During training,1983, Sparks, Blondies number 2, came down to visit us. Kindle has most books on this raid. The biography, " Blondie" Ewen Southby Tailyour is probably the best. Bill Sparks also wrote his version of the raid. To answer your question " was it worth it?" Well, my late French mother told me her earliest childhood memory was standing in the Metro, Paris underground, with a German jackboot right next to her.
They lost me when the narrator said, "They had to paddle 60 miles..." These were MEN, honest to goodness MEN! How I wish I could have met them. May they rest in peace, because they went through Hell. As a 74 year old American, I was raised hearing the stories from the men from the United States military. The man from our allies were no less brave and heroic!
You don't get heroes like that no more buddy
My father was one of the physical training instructors for this mission .
These soldiers had King Kong sized balls. And remember their wet and cold probably on limited rations. Can't build a fire to warm up. These are the stories the young in the for now free countries need to hear about. A salute to all 12 of them.
The odds were long the survival rate abysmal, the bravery epic and the survivors and the dead were honored. I suppose the planners expected some losses, but only two survivors!! Bravo.
The 1955 feature film ‘based on’ the operation “The Cockleshell Heroes” was very watchable but no moving picture entertainment can possible portray the bravery, tragedy and sheer blind commitment of those involved. Far better humans than I, every one of them and the hundreds of thousands like them!
They are the Greatest Generation. We stand on the shoulders of giants.
I will not judge them as some do they went they succeeded ,thank you for your service.
The raiders did more damage than a crew of a Lancaster, B-17 or B-24. Those gents typically missed their targets by miles and all ten aircrew were lost at once when the aircraft was shot down.
Brave men all. God rest their souls.
Very well presented story including real camera shots of the exact places where they had been. Awesom work guys, thank you for sharing!
Anyway, best wishes to all decent people from Prague, Czech republic!
I found out recently that LC Blondie Hasler is my Great great Uncle (I knew of uncle Blondie, I just didnt know he was a war hero).Thank you for creating this video so I can learn more about him!
Due to a lack of communication between various secret groups there was a Special Operations Executive team in the same port at the same time and with the same task. In fact they were about to move on those ships when the explosives went off.
Thanks for watching please do let us know in the comments below if you believe the cost of Operation Frankton was worth the material damage caused?
Yes. Also, this was a proof of concept. Used in the Pacific theater. HMS Kraken.
Yes & no when you have twice something going wrong you have more of a possibility it will keep going wrong, and this has nothing to do with Murphy's law have to do with statistics... And I think the price of this operation was way too high and it had more to do with the fact that you could have accomplished this same operation without using a canoe, there are other means they could have used they could have got given them a means once they were already in country being a fisherman along the river as one example Ben to ask the locals the local underground... But they didn't have those resources they went in basically blind. Seemed that way to anybody who's listening to this commentary but yes it was blind because they didn't even know what they would find along the areas where they stopped, and what this tells me is they did not have enough valuable information that reconnaissance on the ground have given them if they had gone in prepared but they didn't go in prepared. Sometimes I think those in command I'm more interested in getting the flag there in in getting whatever it is they're trying to accomplish rather than thinking of the proper way to accomplish think about how many men they lose how many lives will be destroyed or altered or changed not for the but for the worst... Please forgive me if not everything makes sense I can't fix many things on here I am recap person whose hands do not work properly the best of times fix anything and I'm using voice-to-text to do most of this and I can occasionally put in a symbol such as an and but I can't actually type the word. I think this mission was more show a proof-of-concept to try out a idea didn't think the thing through, I suppose that's the difference between men in command they don't think they're all action they don't think things properly out they should have gone with information they could have gotten it it wouldn't have been hard to get some local reconnaissance to tell them what's going on they could have buzzed with a small plane or a even better a glider and taking pictures and therefore had the information, there's more ways to have done this successfully without losing so many people... But they didn't think about that did they they never think about what could go wrong and what they should do if something were to go wrong, and that's the problem with this whole thing. It didn't really accomplish anyting exercise that's all it was for morale but there are better ways if you want to build morale then sacrificing a half a dozen men for little to nothing nothing at all.
Worthy of our remembrance yes, but the casualty rate was way too high when you think about it and human people are also resource in war they are the most important material that you have the most important resource you have without which you cannot fight a war, all about getting morale boost, about showing the enemy that you can get them anywhere and nowhere is safe, except I don't think it did that in the long run. That's because they went in unprepared they went in blind, what today we would have called
Half-assed, I know I sound harsh but I think of the resources those men represented and how they were wasted and it angers me, angers me because some of those men were so young become so much more, but those in charge those in command care enough about this project and about them to look into it and actually do their homework.
Yes it was Irv to be remembered, for what not to do as much as for the fact that these men were willing to go in and sacrifice their lives even if it meant it was for nothing.
Somebody here said it was a proof-of-concept that would later on be used in the Pacific... But I don't think it was used in same half-assed way it was used here I think when it was used it was used with a great deal of thought and planning and scouting the area that you're going to do this kind of operation in so you know where you're going know what's there know the lay of the land as it were, so they wouldn't be so many casualties and 80% loss is not a positive outcome. I suppose I shouldn't be angry for thembecause back then that's just the way it was the higher-ups didn't give a damn about people that were beneath them, and so going to do something like this just to make a point even if there is not enough planning and so many things can go wrong without proper planning and yet they didn't care... And that's what I come away with.
When you consider in WW1 50,000 deaths a day was considered normal, so 10 deaths relatively is very little.
Whether elite operations were the best use of the best men, highly trained and highly motivated, removed from the general leaders cadre is a question that is still debated. Nonetheless: -10 men- equivalent to one bomber crew downed, or a section of infantrymen or ship's crew lost in a single shellburst, in return for five ships sunk, with the impact on security from the threat of further attacks: the cost was cheap in terms of wartime calculations. St Nazaire (Operation Chariot) and the 'Dambusters' raid (Operation Chastise) were much more costly and St Nazaire certainly bore the mark of hasty planning and fatal compromise.
The courage and bravery of these men and all the allied soldiers of this greatest generation must never be forgotten! Thank you!
My hats off to our Brit Allie’s & comrade in arms. Here in the States we refer to our WW II vets and families as The Greatest Generation. I’m sure you consider your vets in the same way. Unparalleled bravery and focus.
Years after the War my mum worked with Bill Sparks. Said he was a lovely man.
Hitler's declaration about captured Commando's was prompted by the "Raid on St Nazaire". Narrated by Jeremy Clarkson in his
V C series, well worth a watch
The Commando Order was due to the raid on Sark later in the year . German prisoners bolted and had to be killed to keep them quiet . Anders Lassen used his knife . The Germans thought it murder hence the Order to kill all commandos
God Bless these heroes. They gave all their tomorrow's, so we could have our today's.
I can't see how anyone would think the cost of the mission was worth the outcome. Good job on the video!
It was just 10 soldiers.... they took out multiple ships ! They strangled the areas supply’s and most like let other allied soldiers kill more of the enemy... the enemy soldiers time that they took up trying to repair their logistics in turn giving them less resources and prep time to other campaigns.... 10 lives is definitely worth the cost in a war of global logistics and tactics
Damaging enemy morale, diversion of resources, creating uncertainty, creating fear of attack from any direction, boosting morale of the French, Ally’s, creating myths and legends, pushing the boundaries of military capability, seizing the initiative, all for less than a price of a bomber crew! Yeh, what could possibly be with it?
Ask any one of the 8 that didn’t return would they do it again if the could, of course they would
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,
Lest we forget,
We shall never surrender
@@adambane1719To anyone.
According to Paddy Ashdown, he once met “Blondie” Hasler on a train, he apparently bragged to “Blondie” that he was joining the Royal Marines, which he did as well as ending up in the SBS for a period.
The Cockleshell heroes are part of SBS history to this day - long may they be remembered.
My own time as a Royal and C Squadron member was nothing as “boys own” stuff as this, but maybe when the OSA allows the details to be told about our times, especially my last tour in October 2001, Afghanistan and Tora Bora “bun fight”.
Such an incredible operation. Whilst the material image might have been small, the impact on the Germans, reallocation and distribution of resources was significant. It was also a great morale booster for the French and British people.
Inspiring story, & well done video! Those British commandos were cut from a different cloth!!! Subbed
Awesome, thank you!
I'm simultaneously thrilled and gutted that I discovered this AMAZING channel! Thrilled because the content is EXCELLENT! Gutted because there are only 7 videos so far! 😢 🤣
Make more! Keep up this AMAZING work!
Actually 4 survived since two had to stay in the sub.
This was made into a great movie called The Cockleshell Heroes. Australian forces also did a canoe raid on Singapore harbour called operation Jaywick. This was made into a mini series called The Heroes. Both are great flicks ell worth watching.
Jaywick was an amazing raid. Well planned and I believe that these men trained in Kurringai chase. What was the casualty rate? I am of the understanding they all made it out safely. St. Nazaire another remarkable raid. The effectiveness is only really borne out in enemy morale, a difficult thing to measure.
Both Tragic and magnificent!
Brilliant work by the bravest of the brave. 😎👍
My Grandad was in N⁰ 1 commando and fought in North Africa, Saint-nazaire, IItaly including the raids for Monte Cassino.
'United We Conquer' their Motto.
Lest We forget 🙏
oh yes as someone who has paddled kayaks in estuaries incredible skill and bravery for that alone, very well done thank you.
i totaly agree has a ex kayaker i have paddled through a tidal mouth of my local river against the tide once and i was exsausted
Sometimes a small operation like this has it's merits! I feel this was one of them! Bloody good show!
My dad was a Marine Mastsargent.
A true Marine!. He supportive his whole life. I didn't deserve his support but he gave me his! Thank you daddy! Once a Marine always a Marine! Semper Fi my father!:
Hindsight is 20/20
If all had made it everyone would’ve thought it was worth it.
Soldiers know some will die but you never think it will be you.
It would make a great movie.
It is a movie. The Cockleshell Heroes.
This is an exceptional story of courage and dedication which will undoubtedly stand throughout Eternity.
Best generation we've ever produced. Brave and tenacious men. God love um.👊💛👍
Nelson has left the chat, and the Zulus thought the soldiers at Rorke's drift were jolly brave, and awfully good! (actual words). My heart shudders when I think of how many good men were machine-gunned and killed at Ypres, Verdun, Somme, etc etc...very brave, our best! they didnt even stand a chance to be heros...good grief, war is not nice. How different our world would be without those two world wars, but yes, you're right, the dying throes of the British Empire saw the best generation fight for us, for our futures, giving us all they had, with strict rationing (ie no fkn food!) and the blitz at home, and we had to say thanks to the Yanks, (and pay them) for helping with the finishing touches, Now that Germany is the largest economy and mostly 'in charge' of the EU with a single currency...one wonders if the sacrifice has been respected in any other sense than dam-buster movies and jingoism. Look at us now, compared to Germany, uber alles, and you would think that we lost WW2.
@@mistag3860 you absolutely right. Thousands of years of history , countless wars , shared toil and struggle has brought us as a country to this point. And when you look around today it's like we don't even deserve it. The things we're putting up with , watching our culture bein slowly eroded ,our proud, hard won history now rewritten.
Makes me sick. 👊💛👍
Great video on true courage and selflessness!
Glad you liked it!
The late Lord Paddy Ashdown wrote the book ' A Brilliant Little Operation' which tells the story of Operation Frankton. Paddy Ashdown had been a member of SBS ( Special Boat Squadron ) during his service in the Royal Marines.I have read the book a few times ; I am always amazed at he bravery of our boys. I have seen the film countless times although I feel the film lacks
'something' possibly it feels a little low key when one considers the bravery of the Marines and the probability of execution if captured.
Did Ellory and Fisher survive the War?
Some years ago, a friend, whom had been a Police Officer like me said that he thought that we would have been capable of being a soldier in wartime. The only thing was that we would have been more questioning about the orders being given, rather than the blind obedience which was required. Very brave men who knew they might not return. The same quality as those who were involved in Operation Chariot (The Greatest Raid of All) who were told there would be no dishonour if they chose to withdraw from the operation. None did.
Great, brave men. Incredibly courageous. If Mountbatten thought this up, perhaps he should have gone with them?
He also planned another raid in which commands were sent to a French port,on a ship which was in a bad state, to destroy dry dock . A lot of commandoes lost their lives even though the mission was accomplished. Mountbatten seemed to love to come up with impossible missions that led to huge number of people losing their lives.
Mountbatten got what he deserved eventually.
Mountbatten was promoted to India with strict instructions from Churchill that the arsehole had absolutely no authority over strategic or tactical planning 👀
@@masaukochitsamba7808 You maybe thinking of St. Nazaire. The two guys who went ashore and made it out were remarkably cautious. But the odds were enormous hiding in plain sight really. Gutsy stuff, I have the book at home. A good read but title and author escapes me.
@@grantadam7674 Yeah, the raid on St Nazaire. I understand Mountbatten thought of that one too. He seemed to like sending commandos to their deaths.
It was by such remarkable sacrifices
The world is today free thankyou
Britain lalitha south india
Really interesting video. The format is great especially the virtual tour and testimony. Keep it up!
Thank you for the kind words Stewart. We are glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing! May they rest in peace; brave souls.
i remember years ago watching the film "The Cockleshell Heroes" which was based on this mission. Despite the costs in men, I think it was worth it as it probably made the Germans add more security to the ports and other zones. New subscriber.
Thanks George... great to have you along for the journey. Yes the psycholgical benefits of the raid far surpass the material damage caused.
@@angloaust1575 If I remember the mission parameters correctly, they were operating in the occupied part of France, not Vichy France.
@@BattleGuideVT Yes, kind of like the aftermath of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion attack on Makin Island in 1942.
I think in all due respect to these gallant men,there should be no adverts on historical channels,
Then how would the content creators get compensated for their hard work?
Brave men indeed were those commandos.lest we forget
Every single story of the British doing something militarily audacious to the point of insanity has a commanding officer who looks like the dude at 2:45 . If you typed "draw insane British commando officer" into an art AI it would draw you a picture just like that
Brave men. RIP. The best of British.
Incredible Story and courage. Thanks for making the video to tell these men's story.
Amazing piece of madness how youngsters of the time gave their lives. What bravery for nothing really. Few explosions that are inconsequential to war. I salute them now.
No , not only did it do damage to the German war effort . It meant they would have to use more troops to protect vital war infrastructure. That could have been used else where . When they were running short of manpower .
The real green berets
This channel is incredible!! Thx for the great videos !!
William ( Bill) ) Mills was my mums cousin. There is a memorial plaque for him in Kettering Northants. Family have never been given a final resting place, but his courage along with the others will never be forgotten .
There was a movie about this, it's called The Cockelshell Heros. A great movie.
Yep. 👍 Starring José Ferrer and Trevor Howard in it. I like the soundtrack of that movie.
It's based on facts and it is the start of the SBS who were formed after this, and until recent years the SBS were chosen from elite Marines,
@@tonyfraser1749 Sure it`s based on facts. I know the story. In 2016 when I visited Portsmouth Harbour and one of its naval historic museums with a friend of mine, there was a special exhebition about that raid and I could see one example of these small and fragile kayaks and all the equipment they used in that raid. When I saw that kayak pinned on
the wall, spontaneously it popped out of me: Hey look, Cockleshell Heroes“. The guard who stood nearby had no clue what we were talking about. 😳😆My friend and I had to explain the whole story of that raid to her. 😄 We also advised her to see the movie. 🤓She thought we were history teachers. 😄We are not. We are just interested in all kind
of history besides of military history. 😉
@@mikr2d2 I know it's based on fact, I'm ex Navy 24 years and my last six years in the navy was based in Pompey, I've worked with the marines, their good people!
@@tonyfraser1749 Well, so I am sure you have lots of memories from that time and many interesting stories to tell. 😉I hope not too many sailor`s yarn stories. 🤪😅
These Commandos carries their balls in a wheelbarrow (period)
all of these are incredible, just listening is fascinating---great stuff!
Truly well done and the modern locale inserts give the daring feats of these heroes a real scale of accomplishment against their enemy. Kudos from Canada.
Thank you!
Really impressed with the video , narration , diction,pronunciation etc all top class , story's told using facts .....Love It , keep them coming , liked and subbed
Thank you very much!
The reason I read Anthony Beever's books is similar to why I watch your videos, just because they are that good!!!
Don't ever stop to post material! You are an awesome channel!!!
God bless commandos
Those words arnt even powerful enough
I’m always learning about these insane new stories about some secret battle in ww2. Truly an amazing war.
We owe so much to so few this video gives them credit hurrah
The definition of true hero’s. They knew the overwhelming risks, yet did not hesitate to give their lives for their country. Truly amazing.
That's been a British soldier death before dishonour n some big balls
A film entitled " The Cockleshell Heroes ", starring Jose Ferrer, Trevor Howard, and a host of other well known actors, highlights the raid. It was made back in the late 1950's if my memory holds.
What a great story of courage and dare, well told. Thank you.
Our pleasure!
For anyone interested, the Torque Blanche cafe in Ruffec shown in the video is not the one that Hasler and Sparks made contact with the French resistance. The actual one is on the corner opposite and is now empty and in a very sorry state. There is however an information panel on the wall detailing the exploits of the Cockleshell Heroes.
Excellent story telling. Cheers
One word: RESPECT!!
Very good storytelling. First video of yours i see and i am subscribing!
Amazing Rod - thankyou very much!
Brave soldiers, but more importantly brave men !
I remember the film was nothing like the real events, however it an amazing story and act of bravery beyond belief
RIP. Thank you.
They died for our freedom today, which is not ours to give away. We must never forget the sacrifice made to defend our ways of life and morals. I weep for what this country has become now.
My uncle was a Royal marine Commando who landed on Juno beach on D day and his unit liberated the town of Langrune, they were supposed to be sent home to regroup after achieving their objective but they were sent over the Orne river to help the airborne forces hold their ground he was their for several weeks living and fighting out of slit trenches constantly being shelled and mortared and carrying out raids on the enemy it was during that period that my uncle lost his life. So in honour of him I am doing a charity walk From London to Southampton and ferry across to France and walk to where he lost his life. All monies raised will go the Royal Marine charity
That proves the old saying a plan is only good until first contact is made. After that you change things on the move.
Good effort!
Well wishes to you from the south of Chicago; and great gratitude to your uncle and his gallant service.
Sounds like your uncle and my grandfather may have served together. I know my grandfather was a royal marine commando and landed at Normandy during D-Day landing. Like most men who served he never discussed his service much.
It seems he told more to me than anyone else. And even then, it was just snippets.
He's a British hero mate, hope it runs in the family for what's to come. Respect for your uncle.
Awesome story well put together
2:00 That's a badass emblem. I've never seen that before now. It reminds me of the EGA for the USMC.
Unbelievable courage. Amazing. 👍
As a former Royal Marines Commando I'm very familiar with this. Still, journalists get this wrong...its Royal Marines Commando (Re Bill Sparkes) not Royal Marine Commando. Its not singular or plural, its belonging too. We wear flashes on our jumpers Royal Marines Commando.
Why hasn’t this been made into a movie?
It has! Look up "Cockleshell Heroes" directed by José Ferrer. it was made in 1955. If you want something more modern, too bad, this youtube vid is the best for that.
All I can say is WOW‼️
When on holiday on The Isle Of Wight a few years ago, I’m sure I saw some information and photographs of Blondie Hasler and the mission, saying that the kayaks they used were built there 👍🏼😎
Travail exceptionnel. Merci à vous et souvenons nous de ces hommes et de leurs sacrifices en ce jour du 8 mai
I have eaten at the restaurant in Ruffec as my parents live near Ruffec. I also grew up in the Village where Mary lived when she was old in the UK. amazing story, well told.
This exploit was told in the film 'The Cockleshell Heroes' i believe, which i saw as a child. The film is still available on DVD i assume.
Wow, what great and brave men.
Brilliant video, thank you.
Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed it!
I always wondered how much of the Jose Ferrer movie "Cockleshell Heroes" was true...
There courage risking injury or death to complete a mission always amazes me.
This makes the Doolittle raid look sane.