Hi Mate, IM covering the Pyrenees element of the escape next week. I work with ELMS- Escape Lines Memorial Society and we cover many routes used by escapers and evaders. Get in touch if you wish- Facebook us and Ill let you in.
Thank you so much for putting this up. Bill Sparks carried himself with such dignity. He epitomised such wholehearted but totally unassumingly modest devotion to duty. Having lived in France for over ten years in the 1970s and 80s I can say that the French people have not forgotten the bravery of these men and all the other members of the resistance and the thousands and thousands of allied soldiers, sailors and airmen, who gave their lives to rid Europe of the scourge of Nazism. Lest we forget.
Can’t believe these “canoes” didn’t sink immediately whence pulled out of the submarine and boarded by these marines. Not cause of all the gear, or the waves, but cause of the MASSIVE size of the two STEELY balls each man involved brought to bear. R.I.P. every one of them! Every time we appreciate & respect our veterans and the FREEDOMS they preserved for all of us, we bid them honor, that is so rightly deserved. Cheers to all and remember to enjoy your life and the freedom that was sacrificed to gain and maintain it.
Before U D T and Navy Seals these British Marines were doing their thing . They had balls of steel that's for sure and still being humble and quite . 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
The British Navy, Army and RAF did countless under-cover raids against the Germans, think Crabb and mini Italian subs then the raids under Tiroits etc. Trevor Howard in this film was also in Gift Horse, ramming an old American Navel ship on a one-way mission to destroy a German-held dry dock in France.
The "real story" behind the Cockleshell Heroes, points directly to some "huge errors" made by the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E.), in London, as they had operatives already in Bordeaux, in place ready to sabotage the shipping in the harbour there, yet, they still sent these "incredibly brave and physically capable canoeists" on what can only be described as "mission impossible", Bill Sparks was DAMNED RIGHT, stating ALL of those PRICELESS guys "fully deserved being awarded the Victoria Cross", as they ALL KNEW that capture meant execution and they all VOLUNTEERED to go on this operation, possibly, "only because Blondie Hassler was leading it", THEY believed in HIM and HE believed in THEM, going back to look for their lost mates and helping the ones who's canoes have overturned, simply was NOT in their operation plans, as they were instructed to JUST KEEP GOING and not to help anyone that lagged behind due to circumstances that were way beyond their control, Blondie Hassler "quite rightly" threw his military instructions handbook for this operation "overboard" as soon as he and his best mates set off on this military adventure, as lets face it, IF Blondie Hassler had been lagging behind due to circumstances beyond his control, EVERYONE ELSE on that mission would have gone out of their way to help him too, so they were ALL EQUAL on this mission, and if Blondie Hassler had gone "Missing In Action" a Bill Sparks or whoever would have taken command of this operation, NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER,
What an incredible group of man they were . Why there has not been film made and I don't mean the stupid one made in the fifties. A good one showing the true facts
Several books, Paddy Ashdown " A Brilliant Little Operation. Cockleshell Commando, Bill Sparkes, Cockleshell Heroes, Lucas Philips. I have read each one, being a former Bootneck I felt compelled. One day I plan to do the Frankton Walk in France.
Re, the "Cockleshell" Heroes movie, Ferer played "Maj. Stringer" not "Blondie" Haslar, and his direction and telling of the subject was fanciful. The film suffered because of it.
The movie altho based on fact was heavily fictionalised An American actor used for Box office appeal and silly scenes of fighting each other and only having a go at the fellow and not the wife for Playing around
Bill sparks, one of the two men that survived was my great grandad.
Hi Mate, IM covering the Pyrenees element of the escape next week. I work with ELMS- Escape Lines Memorial Society and we cover many routes used by escapers and evaders. Get in touch if you wish- Facebook us and Ill let you in.
Randa the Red panda my uncle who are you? ( don’t mean to sound judges, are you gilly’s grandson)
Sorry, bad spelling and auto correct. Looking forward to your reply 👍
Respect, sir......to your great grandfather.
I am going to retrace his escape route on the 12th 2021 and will be at the Rememberance ceremony at point de grey.
Very brave men! Thank you for presenting this film. Greetings from Canada. Can't even find the movie made about this. It is not shown on most sites.
Thank you so much for putting this up. Bill Sparks carried himself with such dignity. He epitomised such wholehearted but totally unassumingly modest devotion to duty. Having lived in France for over ten years in the 1970s and 80s I can say that the French people have not forgotten the bravery of these men and all the other members of the resistance and the thousands and thousands of allied soldiers, sailors and airmen, who gave their lives to rid Europe of the scourge of Nazism. Lest we forget.
Had goose bumps watching this. What men they were.
Outstanding.
Lest We Forget
I'm reminded of the 'The Forlorn Hope' at 'Badajoz'
Can’t believe these “canoes” didn’t sink immediately whence pulled out of the submarine and boarded by these marines. Not cause of all the gear, or the waves, but cause of the MASSIVE size of the two STEELY balls each man involved brought to bear. R.I.P. every one of them! Every time we appreciate & respect our veterans and the FREEDOMS they preserved for all of us, we bid them honor, that is so rightly deserved. Cheers to all and remember to enjoy your life and the freedom that was sacrificed to gain and maintain it.
Before U D T and Navy Seals these British Marines were doing their thing . They had balls of steel that's for sure and still being humble and quite . 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Did you know that The Cockleshell Heroes were the inspiration behind the successful formation of the South African Naval Special Forces?
The British Navy, Army and RAF did countless under-cover raids against the Germans, think Crabb and mini Italian subs then the raids under Tiroits etc. Trevor Howard in this film was also in
Gift Horse, ramming an old American Navel ship on a one-way mission to destroy a German-held dry dock in France.
Randa the Red,, good for you, a Granddad with such courage!! Congratulations to you and your family!
The "real story" behind the Cockleshell Heroes, points directly to some "huge errors" made by the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E.), in London,
as they had operatives already in Bordeaux, in place ready to sabotage the shipping in the harbour there, yet, they still sent these "incredibly brave and physically capable canoeists"
on what can only be described as "mission impossible", Bill Sparks was DAMNED RIGHT, stating ALL of those PRICELESS guys "fully deserved being awarded the Victoria Cross",
as they ALL KNEW that capture meant execution and they all VOLUNTEERED to go on this operation, possibly, "only because Blondie Hassler was leading it",
THEY believed in HIM and HE believed in THEM, going back to look for their lost mates and helping the ones who's canoes have overturned, simply was NOT in their operation plans,
as they were instructed to JUST KEEP GOING and not to help anyone that lagged behind due to circumstances that were way beyond their control, Blondie Hassler "quite rightly" threw his military instructions handbook for this operation "overboard" as soon as he and his best mates set off on this military adventure, as lets face it, IF Blondie Hassler had been lagging behind due to circumstances beyond his control, EVERYONE ELSE on that mission would have gone out of their way to help him too, so they were ALL EQUAL on this mission, and if Blondie Hassler had gone "Missing In Action" a Bill Sparks or whoever would have taken command of this operation, NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER,
MISSION COMPLETE...❤
they should have got the vc after all they gave there lifes so we could be free
Brave men.....thank you.
What an incredible group of man they were . Why there has not been film made and I don't mean the stupid one made in the fifties. A good one showing the true facts
Several books, Paddy Ashdown " A Brilliant Little Operation. Cockleshell Commando, Bill Sparkes, Cockleshell Heroes, Lucas Philips. I have read each one, being a former Bootneck I felt compelled. One day I plan to do the Frankton Walk in France.
They made a movie about it but I cant find it anywhere.
Respectfully brave honest man,.
Rest in peace in alfriston old son
speechless for a marine
Re, the "Cockleshell" Heroes movie, Ferer played "Maj. Stringer" not "Blondie" Haslar, and his direction and telling of the subject was fanciful. The film suffered because of it.
Hero's x
Better to have used free French
Commandos familiar with terrain
And language!
The movie altho based on fact was heavily fictionalised
An American actor used for Box office appeal and silly scenes of fighting each other and only having a go at the fellow and not the wife for
Playing around