Books : Cockleshell Heroes (Pan Grand Strategy)

Rating: - Men of extreme valour!
The story of the cockleshell heros written by CE Lucas Phillips is another gem following on from his 'Greatest Raid of All' story on the raid on the docks at St Nazaire. This story about a raid on the harbour at Bordeaux by members of the Royal Marines in their small two man canoes is another classic.

The synopsis on the training and men involved gives us a great insight into how relatively ordinary off the street guys are moulded into a highly effective assault team that carries out one of the most daring raids of the war. The succesful raid achieves its objectives with the minimal of resources and manpower.

The determination and bravery of the team is beyond words, achieving their goals whilst overcoming bad weather and an even worse enemy. The succesful outcome of the raid is marred by the cold blooded execution of most of the ten man group after they are captured team by small team. Two eventually escape capture and return to the UK after evading the Germans through occupied France.

A great read about an amazing exploit sprinkled with sadness due to the demise of a number of brave young men and the effect that this had on others close to home. I have just ordered the film which I cant wait to view (again) but the film deserves a modern re-release from the classic post war version...it craves it as the story is a classic tale of an extraordinary daring raid that leaves you in awe of the men involved.