MAJOR HERBERT ‘BLONDIE’ HASLER, DSO & THE COCKLESHELL HEROES

 A keen sportsman, Blondie was commissioned into the Royal Marines and served with them throughout the war. In post-war life he achieved global recognition as a single-handed sailor.

“THEY ATTACHED THEIR MAGNETIC MINES TO THE HULLS OF SIX SHIPS, CRINGING AT THE ‘CLUNK’ THAT THEY MADE ON CONTACT, AND THEN WITHDREW, HAVING SET THE TIMERS FOR NINE HOURS AND 15 MINUTES”

“THEY ALL TOOK THE DISCLOSURE IN THEIR STRIDE, DESPITE THE NATURE OF THE OPERATION: ‘WE