l’opération Frankton, l’une des plus audacieuses de la Seconde guerre mondiale, fête ses 80 ans
It is considered one of the boldest actions of World War II. Operation Frankton celebrates its 80th anniversary this Thursday. The opportunity to relive the story of ten British soldiers and their 170 kilometer journey by canoe-kayak in the Gironde Estuary.
On December 7, 1942, ten soldiers from the British Royal Navy began a 170 kilometer canoe-kayak expedition. Their but: planted explosives on German ships in the port of Bordeaux.
Night has already fallen. In the dark, six canoes-kayaks came out of the submarine Tuna, fifteen kilometers from the tip of The fall. The operation Frankton begins.
Quickly, a first boat tore over more than a meter. This is the first of a long list of disappointments. Another crew disappears a few minutes later. Their boat hit the shore. Its occupants were rewarded by the Germans and then tortured. They will be executed.
The Germans are omnipresent on both sides of the river. “From the tip of The fallGerman searchlights illuminate the entrance to the estuary. The commando makes it possible to pass this obstacle without arousing the attention of the enemy”, tells the historian Dominique Lormierin his work, “The hidden truths of France under occupation”.
A second crew is abandoned. The two men who compose it will die of hypothermia, in the icy waters of the estuary. A few hours before departure, the commando is already reduced by half. “These operations were usually done by professionals. But it is not uncommon to see a form of amateurism when the Allies were caught up in the weather. These soldiers were very athletic, but they had little knowledge of navigation., grant Dominica Lormier.
The day finally dawns. The four survivors hide under camouflage nets, at the Pointe des Oiseaux, to thwart the German sentries.
In the evening, they resume navigation until Pauillac. A lull before the four canoes arrive, on December 9, in the Gironde and its islets, which multiply the threats of being spotted. Only solution : wait for the rising flows for hours.
On the last day, the three ships arrive at Bec d’Ambes. One hits a stump violently. Spotted by the Germans, the two Britons will be called by a German patrol before being killed.
They are only four when the commando takes action. The Major Hasler and the sailor Sparks takes care of the port of Bordeaux. wash and Mills target Bassens. Each places eight explosive charges on the German ships. The explosion causes damaging damage, six ships are destroyed, and interfere fear in the German camp.
In Bordeaux, the enemy weakened by this blow in the heart of their camp, decides to reinforce the number of soldiers, largely limiting the mobile operations. “These British soldiers had a tactical role, but also a strategic one to maintain fear. It is like Churchill’s desire to sow a wind of panic”explains Dominique Lormier.
It is an exemplary operation, on the psychological level. Their endurance, their extraordinary courage made it possible to waver the Germans.
Dominique Lormier, historian
Their mission accomplished, the four Britons escape to Ruffec, in Charente, where a network of French resistance fighters awaits them to take them to Spain. only two will arrive there, the others will be expected around Saintes and shot.
Back in 2022. This Thursday, December 8, the Mérignac canoe-kayak SAM replays history. The club traces for four days the epic of the British military.
“We will not start from a submarine and we will sail by day. But we want to redo the route as faithfully as possible, with fewer risks”, explains Christian cassouthe president of the canoe-kayak SAM.
Their more modern crews will leave from Montalivet. The conditions, better than in 1942, will remain difficult. “It is the mix of challenges that makes it successful: the length, but also the weight of the equipment, the navigation in autonomy and the very cool temperatures »summarizes Christian cassou.
Reconnaissance, leaving at low tide, the kayakers put all their chances on their side to complete the 170 km as quickly as possible. These 80 years serums also an opportunity to mark the club’s desire to open its doors to disabled sports. Mixed crews will also be afloat on the last day.