Overview
In 1942 a heroic team of Commandos from the Royal Marine Boom Detachment launched an audacious raid to destroy German shipping in the Port of Bordeaux. Only two of the 12 men survived. Major ‘Blondie’ Hasler and Marine Bill Sparks managed to place their bombs, before beaching and burying their canoe on the shore of the Gironde Estuary. They then moved on foot to a rendezvous with the French resistance in Ruffec, 100 miles away. From their they were moved south via various means of transport until they were linked with a guide who would lead them across the Pyrenees into neutral Spain.
CS22 Veteran Expeditions CIC is a social enterprise which was formed in 2022 to complete an expedition for the 80th anniversary of Operation Frankton and has since been able to provide more overseas expeditions for members of the armed forces family based on famous Commando raids. This expedition is led by the CS22 team and will allow a historically accurate expedition to be completed which will see the team walk the same route that Hasler and Sparks took as they made their way to freedom.
The participants of this expedition, like those who have completed previous expeditions, will be overwhelmed by being able to walk in the footsteps of giants, they will form lasting bonds through this shared experience and they will be sense great benefit physically and mentally as a result of this transformative expedition.
With a highly experienced IML guide and military historian, follow the route of Hasler and Sparks as they joined Flying Officer de Merode, a Belgian Prince and Flt Sgt Dawson RAF in crossing the Marie-Claire and Pat O’Leary escape lines with their French resistance guides.
Highlights
- Learn about the escape routes used by French resistance to move SOE agents, Commandos and downed airmen across France to safety during WW2
- Trek from Ceret to Besalu
- Carry out a battlefield tour of Perpignan
- Visit the French veterans facility in Perpignan
- See where the Marie Claire and Pat O'Leary escape lines operated
