“Oh Lord, when my time is near, let the god in me rise up
and break.” These powerful words encapsulate the essence of Major Gustavus
Henry March-Phillips, a man who lived his life with fearless conviction and
unwavering dedication. Born in 1908, March-Phillips epitomized bravery, facing
risks head-on with a resolve that was both inspiring and unyielding. His life,
though tragically cut short at 34, is immortalized in history, particularly
through his heroic actions during World War II.
March-Phillips met his untimely end on September 12, 1942,
on a French coast, succumbing to a barrage of bullets from German soldiers
after a miscalculated landing. Despite the short span of his life, his name and
deeds left an indelible mark, especially his leadership in Operation
Postmaster, a mission that significantly contributed to the Allied forces’
success in the war.
At the outset of World War II, Britain was under the
leadership of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, whose tenure was marred by a
series of military failures. This led to his replacement by Winston Churchill
in 1940. Despite Churchill’s previous military blunders, including the
disastrous Gallipoli campaign during World War I, he was undeterred and ready
to turn the tide of the ongoing war. One of his key strategies was the
formation of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a covert unit tasked with
carrying out clandestine missions in Nazi-occupied territories.
The creation of SOE was shrouded in secrecy, to the extent
that even Britain’s allies were unaware of its existence. Churchill’s directive
to the SOE was unequivocal: “Set Europe ablaze.” The unit, comprised of about
13,000 agents, was equipped with innovative spy gadgets and fake identities,
earning it the unofficial moniker “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.”
In early 1942, British intelligence learned of three Axis
ships—Duchessa d’Aosta, Likomba, and Bibundi—docked at Fernando Po (now Bioko
Island) in West Africa. The mission, codenamed Operation Postmaster, aimed to
neutralize these ships without violating Spain’s neutrality in the war, a task
that required cunning and precision.
March-Phillips, leading the elite No. 62 Commando unit,
embarked on this high-stakes mission. The commandos sailed from Dorset to
Fernando Po aboard the disguised corvette Maid Honour, flying a Swedish flag.
Upon arrival, the agents orchestrated a party to distract the Axis troops,
ensuring their intoxication while the commandos prepared to strike.
In a swift and flawless operation, March-Phillips and his
team set explosive charges to sever the ships’ anchors, secured the crew, and
navigated the vessels to Lagos, Nigeria, then British territory. The mission’s
success was bolstered by a clever counter-narrative penned by Ian Fleming, the
creator of James Bond, which misled the Germans and maintained the operation’s
secrecy.
Operation Postmaster’s success brought great joy to
Churchill and earned March-Phillips and his comrades significant accolades.
March-Phillips received the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire),
and his Danish colleague, Anders Lassen, was later awarded the Victoria Cross.
Beyond the accolades, March-Phillips’ legacy extends to
popular culture, inspiring Fleming’s iconic spy character, James Bond. His
daring exploits were chronicled in Damien Lewis’ 2014 book, “Ministry of
Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and
Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops,” which was adapted into a film directed by Guy
Ritchie. The film, starring Henry Cavill as Gus March-Phillips and Alan
Ritchson as Anders Lassen, blends action and comedy, reflecting the
extraordinary yet perilous missions these real-life heroes undertook.
Gus March-Phillips may have lived a brief life, but his
extraordinary courage and unwavering dedication have ensured his place in
history. His actions during Operation Postmaster stand as a testament to the
indomitable spirit of those who fought for freedom in the darkest days of World
War II.
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