The Coastal Forces Museum pays attention to what will grip the imagination of visitors coming to discover the bravery of those who took the fight to the Nazi war machine, in multi-knot warships, unarmoured, packed with fuel and ammunition. Always mindful of their superb tactician Lieutenant-Commander Hichens’ (picture) dictum: “Hit him hard and quickly – and get out!” There were many fierce boat-to-boat fights in Coastal Forces’ war too – but lying quietly in wait for the enemy, often at night, then getting stuck in was the way to go. The matter-of-fact but courageous ‘Hitch’ (2 DSO’s, 3 DSC’s) fell leading just such an attack, from his favoured position – standing above the bridge holding onto his MGB’s mast. His portrait was painted by leading naturalist Peter Scott, himself a Coastal Forces C.O. It now hangs in the Army and Navy Club, St James’, London.
NO STEPPING BACK
17 June 2022
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About Rob
Rob is a TV producer, reporter and camera operator with 30 years’ experience at the BBC, Channel 4 and ITN, in news, factual and documentary production. He is a four times award winner, whose awards include a coveted Royal Television Society award for his work on Channel 4 News. His association with The Maritime Foundation goes back to 1995, when he won the first Desmond Wettern Maritime Media Award for a series of reports that led to a major documentary on the loss of the bulk carrier Derbyshire.