Operation Frankton: The British Commando Raid on Bordeaux

 Operation Frankton: The British Commando Raid on Bordeaux (December 1942)

Introduction: Strategic Context  

In late 1942, during the Second World War, the German-occupied French port of Bordeaux served as a key logistics hub. German blockade runners used the port to import strategic raw materials such as rubber and tin from the Far East to support the German war effort. These supplies were vital to Germany and a major concern for Britain.  

Direct air attacks on the port were deemed too risky and difficult due to heavy defenses. British planners therefore approved a special forces operation, codenamed Operation Frankton, to sabotage German shipping directly in the heavily guarded harbor.

Planning and Leadership  

The mission was led by Royal Marines Major Herbert "Blondie" Hasler. The unconventional plan involved a small team of commandos transported by submarine to the French coast, where they would launch folding kayaks (known as Cockles), paddle up the Gironde estuary, and attach time-delayed magnetic limpet mines to enemy ships in Bordeaux.  

A total of 13 men were initially selected, but after one canoe was damaged during launch, ten men proceeded in five Cockle Mk II canoes. On the night of 7 December 1942, the submarine HMS Tuna released the team off the mouth of the Gironde estuary.

The Hazardous Approach  

The journey up the Gironde estuary was perilous, involving strong tides, cold winter weather, rough seas, and constant German patrols. Several canoes were lost or damaged early on: one failed to launch properly, another capsized with its crew dying from hypothermia, and others were captured after reaching shore.  

Of the ten men who set out, eight ultimately lost their lives: two died from hypothermia during the approach, and six were captured by German forces and executed under Hitler's Commando Order, which required the summary execution of captured Allied commandos without trial.

The Attack on Bordeaux  

On the night of 11-12 December 1942, the two surviving canoes (Catfish with Hasler and Marine Bill Sparks, and Crayfish with Corporal Albert Laver and Marine William Mills) reached Bordeaux harbor. They successfully attached limpet mines to several vessels.  

The explosions damaged six German ships, with four suffering severe damage:  

- The blockade runner Tannenfels (7,840 tons) listed heavily and sank.  

- The freighter Dresden (5,567 tons) had its superstructure and propeller shaft severed and sank.  

- The cargo ship Alabama (6,725 tons) was holed by multiple limpets and severely damaged.  

- The cargo ship Portland (7,132 tons) was holed with severe internal fire damage.  

Two other ships received minor damage. While not all vessels were sunk outright, the raid disrupted port operations and highlighted vulnerabilities in German-controlled harbors.

Escape and Return  

After planting the mines, the teams withdrew from the harbor. Hasler and Sparks scuttled their canoe and began an overland escape, aided by the French Resistance. They crossed the Pyrenees into neutral Spain, reached British-controlled Gibraltar, and eventually returned to the United Kingdom.  

Laver and Mills were captured shortly after the attack and executed. Out of the ten commandos who launched, only Hasler and Sparks survived and evaded capture.

Impact and Historical Assessment  

The material damage was limited in broader strategic terms, but the raid had significant psychological and symbolic effects. It forced German forces to reinforce coastal and port defenses, diverting resources and manpower from other fronts.  

Operation Frankton is now regarded as a classic example of small-unit special operations under extreme conditions. A surviving Cockle Mk II canoe from the era is preserved at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Conclusion  

Operation Frankton stands as one of the most audacious commando raids of the Second World War. Despite the heavy cost—eight of ten participants lost—the mission exemplified the bravery and ingenuity of special forces operating deep behind enemy lines.

Sources  

This account draws from established historical records, including Wikipedia's detailed entry on Operation Frankton, accounts from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Combined Operations historical archives, and other reliable Second World War historiography on the raid and German blockade runners in Bordeaux, December 1942.

If you're fascinated by the incredible true story of 'Operation Frankton' and the legendary Cockleshell Heroes, I highly recommend diving deeper with one of the best books on the subject: A Brilliant Little Operation: The Cockleshell Heroes and the Most Courageous Raid of World War 2 by Paddy Ashdown. This gripping, well-researched account details the planning, perilous paddle up the Gironde estuary, the daring sabotage in Bordeaux harbor, and the heavy sacrifices made by the Royal Marines commandos. It's widely praised for its depth, accuracy, and vivid storytelling—perfect for anyone interested in WWII special operations.  

You can grab your copy here (as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you): [https://amzn.to/4kOCKTI]

Alternatively, for a classic firsthand perspective, check out the original *Cockleshell Heroes* by C.E. Lucas Phillips (written with survivor Herbert 'Blondie' Hasler): [Cockleshell Heroes on Amazon]. Both are excellent reads that bring this audacious 1942 raid to life!