The British Raid on Sark and Hitler's Commando Order – by Eric Lee
Cpl James Edgar, the last surviving commando from Operation Basalt.
On 21 May 2016, the book launch for Operation Basalt: The British Raid on Sark and Hitler’s Commando Order had a surprise guest: the last surviving member of the team of British commandos who participated in the raid.
Cpl. James Edgar, who turned 96 on the same day, sent us this extraordinary video greeting:
I have learned new details about Operation Basalt and will be incorporating these changes in future editions of the book, including the forthcoming paperback version.
The most important of these concerns the role of Cpl. James Edgar on the raid. Mr Edgar, who currently lives in Australia and is the last surviving commando from Operation Basalt, states categorically that he was the commando ordered by Major Appleyard to return to the cliff-top and signal to Motor Torpedo Boat 344 to wait for the delayed return of the men. As a result, he was not present during the firefight at the Dixcart Hotel.
In the current hardback version of the book, Mr Edgar’s account (as told to Tom Keene) is cited, but this is followed by contradictory accounts from two other historians which have no merit. These will be deleted in all future editions of the book.
The following is the text of the speech given by Eric Lee on Saturday, 21 May 2016, in the Island Hall on Sark at the launch of the book, Operation Basalt: The British Raid on Sark and Hitler’s Commando Order.
Author Eric Lee speaks to visitors and locals on Sark. (Photo credit: Amy Lee Hochman.)
Good evening, and welcome.
I want to thank all of you who have come here today, both those who live on this beautiful island and those who have come from the US, Israel and England to join us here today.
We are celebrating the launch of Operation Basalt: The British Raid on Sark and Hitler’s Commando Order, my new book published in March this year by The History Press.
Before I talk about the book, I want to acknowledge the help of some people here in this room, without whom the book would not have been possible. Here in Sark I had the help of a number of people, but above all want to acknowledge the support of Dr Richard Axton, who served as my guide through the archives and was a wonderful host during my visit in February 2015, as well as Jeremy LaTrobe-Bateman who took me on the commando route which we explored earlier today.
Graham Robinson, whose father Sergeant Henry ‘Tim’ Robinson participated in the raid, shared his memories including photos.
Some of those who read early versions of the manuscript are here today as well — Roger Darlington, Marty Lee, and Doerte Letzmann.
Cindy Berman visited Sark with me in July 2012 and again in 2014, and it was during those visits, walking the length and breadth of the island, that we discussed the possibility of this book. Her support throughout the many months of research and writing, having an entire wall of the house taken up with with maps and photos of the raiders, is greatly appreciated. (more…)
Yesterday’s edition of Guernsey’s daily newspaper featured a full page about Operation Basalt — both the raid itself and my new book.