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C. E. Lucas Phillips
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Cockleshell Heroes: The Most Courageous and Imaginative Commando Raid of World War Two (Daring Military Operations of World War Two) Kindle Edition

by C. E. Lucas Phillips (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 954 ratings
An astounding account of one of the most audacious commando raids of the Second World War.

Perfect for fans of books by Paddy Ashdown, James Holland and Ben Mcintyre.

In December 1942, five two-man canoes were launched from a submarine off the coast of German-occupied France.

The aim of these ten commandos was to paddle over ninety miles from the Bay of Biscay up the Gironde estuary to Bordeaux in order to plant limpet mines on merchant ships supplying the Nazi forces.

Although this operation, which had taken months to prepare for, was a strategic success it came at a huge cost: only two commandos survived the raid, six were executed after they were captured and two died from hypothermia.

C. E. Lucas Phillips’ book, which was written in close collaboration with one of the surviving Cockleshell heroes, Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler, provides fascinating insight into this daring assault, from planning right through to the thrilling escape of Hasler and his number two, Bill Sparks, with the help of the French Resistance.

‘A legendary wartime exploit… the outstanding commando raid of the war. You can’t stop reading’ Observer

‘As a story of human courage, the story of the Cockleshell Heroes will live for generations’ Manchester Evening News

‘The account of this operation brings out the spirit of adventure always present in peace and war among Royal Marines. It emphasizes the tremendous importance of morale — pride in oneself and one’s unit — and what a big part physical fitness plays in creating this morale. It also stresses the need for careful detailed planning of operations.’ Lord Mountbatten
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  1. Part of series
    Daring Military Operations of World War Two
  2. Print length
    293 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 18, 2021
  6. File size
    1.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B092VRS3CJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 18, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 293 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800552524
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Daring Military Operations of World War Two
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 954 ratings

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C. E. Lucas Phillips

C. E. Lucas Phillips

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
954 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book highly readable, with one noting it's extremely well researched. They praise the strength of the story, highlighting the bravery of the men involved, and one customer describes it as an impressive tale of men with little chance of survival.

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ReadabilityStrength of storyStory quality
8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, with one customer noting it is extremely well researched.

"Enjoyed this very much, always interested in reading historical books about the exploits of soldiers and marines in world war I II...." Read more

"I enjoyed reading of a true operation performed in the midst of the enemy, under physically, as well as emotionally, stressful conditions...." Read more

"...An excellent read that pays homage to some very brave men that we owe so much to." Read more

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

6 customers mention "Strength of story"6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the strength of the story, highlighting the bravery of the men involved, with one customer noting how well-trained they were.

"...II. Great Men who helped defeat the Nazi's!" Read more

"...An excellent read that pays homage to some very brave men that we owe so much to." Read more

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

"...Carried out by very brave marines, none of who were expected to return." Read more

4 customers mention "Story quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book.

"...An amazing story none the less.the" Read more

"An amazing story of the audacious planning and attack on German shipping anchored nearBordeaux, France December 1942...." Read more

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

"Very interesting story about WW2 British espionage performed from special canoes paddled up the Gironde in France...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jim Simpson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Enjoyed this very much, always interested in reading historical books about the exploits of soldiers and marines in world war I
    II. Great Men who helped defeat the Nazi's!
    One person found this helpful
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  • IndianaHappyTraveler
    4.0 out of 5 stars What bravery these men displayed
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading of a true operation performed in the midst of the enemy, under physically, as well as emotionally, stressful conditions. Yes, quite a bit of the book IS the details of how the men trained, what was involved in the planning of the attack, and then all the events from the time of leaving the submarine unit, making the attack, escaping the site, and finally for a lucky few, arriving back home. Had those details been left out, I would have missed information that helped me fully appreciate the sacrifice made by these brave men.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent military summary
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Written to appeal !mostly to military minded readers intent on the details of commando operations. An amazing story none the less.the
    Helpful
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  • Brian
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Book, still.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book was first published in 1956 not that many years after the events described actually happened.

    That people were as brave as the Royal Marines whose story is told in the book is remarkable enough when in the present age of 'me' it would be hard to find men of their determination and duty.

    An excellent read that pays homage to some very brave men that we owe so much to.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Terry Pickett
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Impressive story of men with little chance of survival. They did a great job and will be remembered. May history never forget.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • ron e
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cockleshell raid at Bordeaux
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An amazing story of the audacious planning and attack on German shipping anchored nearBordeaux, France December 1942. Carried out by very brave marines, none of who were expected to return.
    Helpful
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  • Chaplain-GranStan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Information about a behind the lines action
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Extremely well researched and developed, it is very plain to see why it took so long to find some of the participant information.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Scott Bomar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic war book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2024
    Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great product and service
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars World War II historical account
    Reviewed in Australia on June 27, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book showed the true heroism of World War II commando Personnel and they fight against the Nazis and axis forces
    Report
  • NGreen
    3.0 out of 5 stars Okay
    Reviewed in Canada on October 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Found reading this book a bit hard going
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  • don i.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great book to read, couldn’t put it down
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  • Papa Inura
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting
    Reviewed in Australia on September 23, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great read, very interesting and informative book about the early development and usages for canoeing as a method of attacking shipping, and it’s leading to development of frogmen as a tool of war!
    Report
  • milo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cockleshell Heroes
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Thees very brave men had no chance of returning home safe,A very good read and explains the whole mission very well a very dangerous and hard mission to archive ,the odds were against them, they were too young and no experience of a strange and semi-hostile country knowing nothing of the language brave but not enough research done for there escape to Spain they were not expected to escape the mission to come home
    Report

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