Remembering the secret mission of Cockleshell Heroes

[Gerald]

A memorial to the Royal Marines who canoed almost 100 miles behind enemy lines to blow up ships in a daring World War II raid has been unveiled in France. But what did the secret mission entail, and why was it so important?

For 10 marines in December 1942, their secret mission was so daring and dramatic they were hailed as the Cockleshell Heroes and in 1955, immortalised in film.

Unbeknown to them when they signed up for "hazardous service", their job was to the attack enemy German ships moored at the port of Bordeaux in occupied France from their canoes.

Only two men survived to tell the tale, but its significance reportedly led Winston Churchill to say he believed the raid could have shortened the war by six months.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12914628

Note: 31 March 2011 Last updated at 14:24 GMT

[Tribesman]

A good example of everyday war crimes.

:salute:to the brave men who lost their lives carrying out that raid.

[GoldenRivet]

A good example of everyday war crimes.


maybe i missed it in the article.

what was the war crime that was committed ?

[Tribesman]

maybe i missed it in the article.


It was the "order" which deemed people illegal comabatants it means that soldiers sailors and airmen could be executed at will.
The marines who were captured on this operation were murdered by the Germans, it was one of the examples used at the war crimes tribunals along with other examples like murdering bailed out aircrew and the murder of the crew of a captured MTB.

[GoldenRivet]

Thanks.

Wasn't familiar with that order. I Assumed they were captured in civilian clothes and shot as spies.

[Tribesman]

I Assumed they were captured in civilian clothes and shot as spies.
No there was some crappy defence attaempt that the camouflage was really too good so it couldn't have been uniforms and that the NCO stripes blended with the camo too much so couldn't be counted as distinctive badges and symbols...all of which was bull as the order said kill people even if they are regular soldiers, in uniform, unarmed and already in custody.
If you look this example was one where the Kriegsmarine themselves did 2 of the executions which secured a conviction against Raeder