Cockleshell Heroes: The Most Courageous and Imaginative Commando Raid of World War Two

by C.E. Lucas Phillips

In December 1942, ten Royal Marines launched a daring canoe attack on German ships lying in Bordeaux harbour - a hazardous and successful offensive, in which only two survived. This book tells the story of those cockleshell heroes.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Military History, War

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1956

About the author

Cecil Ernest "Peter" Lucas Philips was an author.

During World War I, he served with the Royal Artillery in France and Flanders. During World War II, he served with Montgomery in the Western Desert, and in Italy. He wrote several war books including "Cockleshell Heroes," "Escape of the Amethyst," "Alamein," "The Greatest Raid of All," and "Springboard to Victory." He was a passionate gardener and has also written books on gardening including the much acclaimed "The Small Garden" and "Roses for the Small Garden."

Reviews

[Poppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's great deal of information about the planning and build up to the operation; I think if you are a military buff than it would be well received - it was all a little too much for me (way over my head).

But still a wonderful read. Reading of the operational phase was so tense.

They all knew the odds - they were all so brave.

[Natali Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing of this. A truly remarkable tale, told so well, about a group of very brave men.

[Sid Nuncius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read Cockleshell Heroes in the mid-60s at the age of about 12 and loved it. The story has lasted very well, but the style of its telling has dated badly.

This is an extraordinary story of courage and sacrifice as a group of a dozen commandos trained for a raid on Bordeaux in 1942. They were launched from a submarine in small canoes off the coast and from there had to paddle through dangerous seas and for four days up-river in enemy territory to plant limpet mines on enemy ships. Then the plan was to make their way overland to Spain and thence back to Britain.

The story of the development of the idea and equipment, the training and the execution of the raid is fascinating and gripping, and one cannot help being in awe of the men who took part - many of whom did not survive. The reservations I have about this book are solely about the manner of its telling.

C.E. Lucas Phillips began to research and write this quite soon after the war and it was originally published in 1956. The language itself sometimes grates on a 21st-Century ear (“the Japs”, for example) but that is just how it was in Britain at least until the mid-60s. Similarly, I found the attitudes and assumptions about class and gender hard to take now, as was the often lazy stereotyping of other nationalities – but again, that’s just a reflection of prevailing attitudes of the time. The style is somewhat reminiscent of wartime propaganda and stirring Biggles-esque adventure books, so, for example, when they were actually on the mission Phillips writes “No longer were they in the nets; they were to face the bowing in the open field.” He isn’t shy of a hyperbolic phrase, either, and some of them now read rather like jokes from I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue; “On the hinge of fate the door of freedom was swinging more widely open” is just one instance. I think the tone of the book is typified toward the end of the book where Phillips is describing the Special Boat Squadron (the naval equivalent of the SAS) and says “No more attractive life is open to young men with a spirit of adventure.”

All that said, I still found this to be largely an enthralling read. It’s an amazing story which has been very well researched and I can still recommend it as a record of a remarkable wartime feat by some extraordinarily courageous and skilled men.

(My thanks to Sapere Books for an ARC via NetGalley.)

[Mitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having watched the film, I knew this would be enjoyable. It was and more, it better describes the mission and the challenges these brave individuals faced in the work-up and the operation. Also, I gained a greater insight into the minds of those who led the outrageously difficult mission.

[Scott Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outstanding tale of a bunch of true innovators up against many obstacles. First, the resistance of a stubborn and short-sighted British military system which, at its management levels, moved slowly and too much like a 19th century machine to be useful. At least up front. Then the limits of human endurance and training sought to end a brazen idea before it even set out. Third, this raid, the raiders and the innovative means of getting to their target faced logistical challenges, geographic obstacles, and the fury of nature. All of this together conspired to undermine a daring raid, before they even came close to being uncovered by the enemy, seen by a passing guard, or betrayed by local underground double agents. A well-crafted story told in a thorough manner. You get to know these men and their mission as if you were part of it.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible tale of real life adventure, bravery, and sheer bravado. This story tells of one of the amazing missions of the second World War to damage ships under the nose of the enemy by attaching limpet mines to them. It describes the training, the mission and the escape, in tense prose which puts the reader in the action with the men. It is hard to believe that this happened such a relatively short time ago, but before the age of Google maps, instant information, and easy access, these men had to plan their mission in minute detail, undertake extensive training, and then have the courage and strength to carry it out. This book was a true insight into the men involved and the incredibly dangerous mission they undertook. We owe them and all the others so much.

[KA N Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this as a tree book as one of the heroes, captured by enemy and handed to Gestapo for interrogation and later shot, was born in my home town.

No medals or decorations - not even a plaque in Stockport - just a name on the Royal Marines memorial in the Stockport Art Gallery.

Well written factual account which included all the men's names, ranks etc.

Should be read as part of school study on WW2 - Ordinary men doing extraordinary things in line of service.

[Joshua Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good example of a good story hampered by being poorly told.
To clarify, the subject matter is great, C.E. Lucas Phillips just might not have been the best fellow to tell the tale. My edition of the book is only about 250 pages, and the first 100+ are the detailed and sometimes monotonous conception, pre-planning, planning, and training stages of the mission. Once the author gets round to the mission itself, it is decently compelling stuff. The author also seems completely oblivious to any idea of dramatic tension or narrative structure: repeatedly through the first half of the book, he spoils the sense of any drama by saying things like "and little did they know that this man would be dead within a day, so-and-so would be captured and interrogated, and Mr. X would succesfully complete the mission and escape overland to England".

[Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favourite book of the month. We start off learning about the 12 men picked out for this mission and all about their training in the canoes. interesting details about the limpit mines that they were going to place on German ships in the dead of night before paddling silently away again. The story really picks up once we start following the mission itself, but it's also very sad as most of them don't come back. Such brave men, they knew it was a long shot that they'd return. A fascinating story, well written, highly recommended.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding novel about a little known event in WW2. The book follows the story from its inception to the aftermath. The first hand accounts and personal stories really bring the story to life. A great story for the history enthusiast.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Chad Manske · Rating 3 out of 5]

“In December 1942, 10 Royal Marines lauched a daring canoe attack on German ships lying in Bordeaux harbour - a harzardous and successful offensive, in which only two survived. This book tells the story of those cockleshell heroes.”

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart was beating fast thru out this book. What a story! This WWII commando raid to destroy enemy ships was one I had not heard of so it was something to read about how the raid was pulled off and the tragic results of some of the commandos. I enjoyed reading this piece of history.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nat and I read this together.

I came away from this wondering how I would have coped when asked to take a leap into the unknown, knowing that I was most likely going to die.

I was most taken by this account.

[Mr Greig Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read about the genius of necessity. Fact truly is stranger than fiction and the bravery and enginuity shown during one of the world's darkest periods is inspiring.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much information about a behind the lines action

Extremely well researched and developed, it is very plain to see why it took so long to find some of the participant information.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

Impressive story of men with little chance of survival. They did a great job and will be remembered. May history never forget.

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commando raid. Interesting read.

[Frank Mihlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent military summary

Written to appeal !mostly to military minded readers intent on the details of commando operations. An amazing story none the less.the

[Peter Gerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping true war story. However the writing seems not to have stood the test of time

[Daniel Patitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Story

A total story of a raid from concept to recap. Good recall and defining the participation of hardware and men was essential.

[John Savill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of courage and fortitude

I have seen the film but this book really fleshes out the courage and sacrifice of those men who willingly took part in this legendary raid.

[Lawrie Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Compelling, Thinking what these courageous brave men went through, I felt quite humbled reading this story, sad that not all of them made through. These brave young men should never be forgotten.

[Lisa Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those where you kind of feel bad for saying you enjoyed it due to the outcome of the mission. However, knowing now how proud those lads were that they were serving their country, I feel they'd appreciate that sort of language being used when talking about their story.

This is only a short read, but you really do feel like you get to know the marines and what their personalities were like.

It always makes me feel humble and proud to be British when reading about real heroes like these from the 2nd world war, and eternally grateful for all that they did, knowing full well the chances of them coming home alive.

Phillips gave enough information about the technicalities of the mission and the equipment without it becoming too overwhelming, and I'd hope that he did those men proud in retelling their story.

The only thing to be aware of is some quite outdated (and therefore not very P.C. language used) owing to the book being written in 1956!

[Captain Dady Mody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recall reading this in my school days. It has not lost its 'readibility' factor nor my admiration for the brave men who ventured into the unknown not knowing how on earth they were going to make their way back. The only fact they were aware of was that it was virtually an impossible task... undaunted they ventured into a mission fraught with only danger & little hope of reaching safety alive.

[shari lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Commando extrodinaire

It is hard to believe that an action taken by such a small band could have the impact that it did on the German command.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a brilliant true story, however it is very 'fact heavy' and I found it quite dry in comparison to other WW2 recounts. The first third is by far the slowest part of the book however in the final 2 3rds it moves from text book like to a more novel style. Basically because the author goes from talking abut the general operation and preparation to the actual 'adventure'.

To my understanding the book is highly accurate account of the real event and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in WW2 history.

[Tweedledum · Rating 5 out of 5]

An astounding story of endurance and bravery. 8 men spent many months preparing for a daring raid using canoes on German ships in the "safe" harbour of Bordeaux. 7 ships were successfully sunk or seriously damaged but only 2 of the 8 were to make it home. This book has sat on my shelves for many years and the film passed me by. I am very glad to have finally caught up with the story of these courageous men.

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading history of the December 1942 raid on shipping at German-held Bordeaux by 10 Royal Marines in canoes. Based on the memories of the only two survivors, especially on the memory of the group's leader, H. G. Hasler. First third is preparation, middle third is operation, final third is escape from occupied France to Spain.

[Margaret Stickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1956 version written soon after the event tells a story of fine young men doing their duty to King and country during the second world war. The courage that these men showed is an outstanding tribute. I was riveted with tension through some of the passages.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true account of the cockleshell heroes during WWII