This cache commemorates the achievements of a small group of Royal Marines during World War 2.
Lumps Fort
The brick structure you will find at GZ is a fortress that was build in the late 18th century as part of the defences of the city of Portsmouth. It fell out of use by the 1820s before being rebuilt in the 1860s as part of Prime Minister Lord Palmerston's series of defensive forts surrounding the city. It was still in use as a gun emplacement during World War 1, after which it was declared obsolete. Ownership passed to the city council in 1932. After World War 2, the fort was made into the rose garden you can still enjoy today. There is a Japanese garden to the eastern side, opened in 2000 to commemorate Portsmouth's twinning with the city of Maizuru.
The RMBPD
During World War 2 a small Royal Marines unit known as the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment were based in what remained of the fort. Their task was to patrol Portsmouth Harbour. While stationed at the fort plans for drawn up for a daring covert operation behind enemy lines. The men of the RMBPD trained in secret, often at night, in the sea in front of the fort. Thirteen were eventually selected for the missions, lead by Major Herbert Hasler.
Operation Frankton
On 7th December 1942 a submarine carrying the thirteen Marines arrived off the coast of occupied France. Twelve men were to set off in six two-man canoes, known as cockles, while the last man stood by in reserve. One of the canoes was damaged beyond repair while being unloaded from the submarine, so only ten men in five canoes departed. (The damaged canoe, incidentally, was called Cachalot! If you have read this far down, be sure to use the phrase 'cache a lot' in your log.) For the next few nights the men paddled in total darkness up the Gironde Estuary towards the port of Bordeax. One canoe was lost, its occupants swimming to land only to die of hypothermia the next day. The remaining canoes reached Bordeaux on 11th December. After dark the Marines attached mines to a number of German vessels. The mines exploded later that evening, resulting in four enemy ships being sunk and two more being damaged beyond repair. The eight remaining Marines attempted to escape to Spain, but six were captured and executed by German forces. Only two returned home, including Major Hasler, who was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his role in Operation Frankton.
In 1955 a film was made based on these events, and the Marines have since then been known as The Cockleshell Heroes.
The cache
You are looking for a small box, with room for small trackables. In the summer this area is likely to be busy, so stealth will be essential. In the winter you are likely to have the whole place to yourself!.
