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 鈥渟uicide mission鈥�. Will Royal Marines Bill Sparks and Herbert 鈥楤londie鈥� 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 麻豆社 Studios production for 麻豆社 Radio 4 and 麻豆社 Sounds.
Producer: Georgina Leslie
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Written by Alex von Tunzelmann
Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian Roberts
On radio
Broadcast
- Tue 1 Sep 2026 15:00麻豆社 Radio 4
Podcast
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History's Heroes
Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on extraordinary people from across history.
