Cockleshell Raid

The story of how a a handful of determined and resourceful men achieved what thousands could not by conventional means. They became known as 'The Cockleshell Heroes' a name that their leader Major George 'Blondie' Haslar hated but it has stuck and heroes they certainly were. They were not supermen, in general they had all signed on as 'Hostilities Only' and, except for their leader none had ever been in a canoe before. However, after just a few months training they carried out what a senior German Officer described as 'the outstanding commando raid of the war'. They did not fight a battle in the traditional sense, indeed they did everything they could to avoid contact with the enemy. Despite this they demonstrated the very highest standards of courage, endurance and skill.