Author: Quentin Rees
From Baird Maritime:
The British pride themselves on their secret, stealthy, subversive and deceptive military activities. During World War Two a number of such activities were carried out, some very successfully.
The use of various kinds of kayaks and canoes led to the name "cockleshell heroes" of whom the most notable was Royal Marines officer Major "Blondie" Hasler. He led a very successful raid on German shipping in Bordeaux.
Given the high personnel losses, though, arising from that and other raids, the craft should perhaps more accurately have been renamed "kamikaze kayaks".
Anyway, considerable time and effort was invested in the development of such craft. They were used in the English Channel and even in Ceylon. One development was a semi-submersible canoe. Others were motorised in various ways.
Obviously such craft still have a role in clandestine warfare. This book provides a very good history of their development. Using modern construction materials, such as carbon fibre, lightweight electric outboard motors and transparent sails, their potential is probably even greater today.
Ordering information:
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