Château Magnol, previously known as Château du Dehez, was requisitioned by the Nazis during World War II. This Bordeaux estate became linked to an audacious mission in 1942, involving twelve Royal Marine volunteers. Historical documents reveal that the estate was occupied by German forces, with detailed records showing requisitions for supplies and accommodation modifications made for the soldiers stationed there.
The château was transformed into a crucial base during the war, serving as headquarters for the Kriegsmarine (German Navy). Its strategic location made it valuable for housing ships that traveled between Europe and Japan, despite being a target for the Allies. The German forces fortified their presence, building a Blockhaus for weapons storage on the estate’s grounds.
In Britain, as the war reached a low point for the Allies, a plan emerged dubbed Operation Frankton. The aim was to halt the flow of German ships through Bordeaux, which had become a primary port for essential military supplies. A specialized unit of commandos, led by Herbert "Blondie" Hasler, was assembled. These men, known as the Cockleshell Heroes, underwent intense training for a highly dangerous mission that would culminate in a daring assault on enemy shipping.
On November 30, 1942, the group left Scotland aboard the submarine HMS Tuna, making their way to the French coast. They launched into the treacherous waters of the Gironde River, with a mission to place limpet mines on German vessels. However, tragedy struck immediately, as some kayaks capsized, and several members of the team fell into enemy hands or drowned.
Despite the dangers, Hasler and another marine, Bill Sparks, managed to execute the plan successfully on December 11, planting explosives on enemy ships and escaping before the detonation the next morning, which resulted in significant damage to the German fleet.
The operation’s brutal aftermath saw two captured marines, Samuel Wallace and Robert Ewart, executed per Hitler’s Commando Order, which mandated the death of commandos. They were tortured but remained silent about their mission, a testament to their bravery.
In the years following, the significance of Château Magnol was further revealed as records showed its role in the interrogation and execution of captured commandos. Landmark events commemorating the Cockleshell Heroes continue today, including memorials in Bordeaux and surrounding areas.
Château Magnol now serves as a wine cellar, with remnants of its wartime past preserved in a local memorial honoring the fallen Marines, reminding us of the courageous acts that unfolded within its grounds during a tumultuous time in history.