Amazing War Stories with Bruce Crompton

The Commandos that Grinched Christmas

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Episode notes

Former Special Forces Operative (and star of Channel 4's SAS Who Dares Wins) Jason Fox joins Bruce along with Royal Marines Colonel Nik Cavill to tell the story of this remarkable Commando Raid that started on Boxing Day 1941


Summary


On the 27th December, 1941, in a small island town in the north Norwegian fjords, a German soldier crunched through the snow back to his barracks. All was calm apart from the sounds of Christmas songs still emanating from some of the bars and houses.  


Suddenly, in the distance, the thump of explosions and the bright lights of fireworks clearly showed people were still enjoying the yuletide celebrations.


However, on the edge of the town, a massive assault was actually underway.  The fireworks were flares and the explosions were the sound of HMS Kenya’s huge guns firing from the middle of the fjord.  Within a few moments hundreds of British Commandos would be assaulting the peaceful hamlet...



Contributors-


We have also joined forces with the fantastic Royal Marines Charity to help raise awareness of their Lift the Lid campaign to raise awareness for of support available to veterans, serving personnel and their families of the armed forces suffering from mental health issues.

Please visit their website theroyalmarinescharity.org.uk/lifting-the-lid/ for further information of help available 24/7

Further information and support for veterans is also available at nhs.uk/veterans-nhs-mental-health-services/

Follow them on social media at Facebook: The Royal Marines Charity Twitter: @theRMcharity Instagram: @thermcharity


This episode has also partnered with the dedicated fundraising team for the Royal Marines Museum to raise money to have the new museum open to visitors by 2022. To donate, please visit JustGiving page: Royal Marines Museum Donate

Follow them on social media at Facebook: @RoyalMArinesMuseum Twitter: @RoyalMarinesMus


Track played at the end of the show kindly provided by-

Military Wives Choirs – Brave

Written for the Military Wives Choirs by Sean Hargreaves, John Haywood and Laura Wright

Featuring Laura Wright and the Royal Marines Corps of Drums

To support the Military Wives Choirs charity, please visit militarywiveschoirs.org


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Episode Credits-

Written & Researched by Charlie Phillips

Director & Executive Producer Ed Sayer

Associate Producer Lois Crompton

Editor Tony Simmons

Sound design & 3D mastering by Vaudeville Sound Group


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