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The Cockleshell Heroes

History's Heroes History's Secret Heroes - Series 4
Episode 2 of 11

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

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Tue 1 Sep 2026 15:00
麻豆社 Radio 4

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Broadcast

  • Tue 1 Sep 2026 15:00
    麻豆社 Radio 4

Podcast

  • History's Heroes

    Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two in S4.