Phil Shanahan is the author of History Press title The Real Enigma Heroes which highlights one of the greatest but least known stories of WW2. As a journalist Phil led a campaign to bring the three unknown heroes at the centre of his book to worldwide attention. Their actions played a major part in shortening the war, but the mission was kept secret for decades. Here Phil describes the excitement of seeing the daring mission at the heart of his book spectacularly brought back to life at the British Military Tournament:
The U-boat model stretched virtually the length of the Earls Court arena. Nearly two hundred feet long and bathed in a moody blue light, it made a dramatic start to the show.
With the sub crippled at the surface, we watched a small vessel arrive from the British destroyer HMS Petard. The thrilling capture of the Enigma codebooks from the U-599 was then played out to a packed audience. Projected images of all three men appeared on giant screens high above the action.
Around 50,000 people witnessed the re-enactment at the weekend including Prince William and other members of the Royal Family. As the U-boat rose from the floor the men’s profile went through the roof. Former SAS man and novelist Andy McNab narrated their story to thunderous applause.
It was yet another amazing milestone in an incredible saga which began on the night of October 30, 1942 when First Lieutenant Tony Fasson and Able Seaman Colin Grazier lost their lives capturing Enigma material from the sinking German U-boat. They were helped by a young NAAFI canteen assistant, Tommy Brown, who survived the incident only to die in a house fire while still a teenager.
The material enabled Bletchley Park’s codebreakers to crack the German’s naval Enigma code, shortening the war by up to two years. But the mission was kept secret for decades after the war ended. Not even the men's families could be told they had paved the way for peace.
The need for secrecy turned the men into the ultimate unsung war heroes. During my research for my book, The Real Enigma Heroes, I even came across old Tamworth Herald cuttings declaring the men had died in an ‘unsuccessful’ action. In reality, they had played a major role in winning the Battle of the Atlantic, a battle Churchill described as crucial to the outcome of the Second World War.
It was fitting then, that Grazier, Fasson and Brown should be celebrated in such style at the UK’s biggest fundraiser for the Armed Forces. It was an extremely moving performance, heightened by the beautiful music played by the Central Band of the RAF (Filandia, op 26, by Jean Sibelius).
After decades of anonymity, I’m proud that news of what these three men achieved is continuing to spread. At Earls Court I chatted to people from across the UK who had read my book or the features I have written in the national press.
The show itself was an extremely emotional experience for me as I reflected on the three individuals and the amazing journey they have led me on since I started the campaign to bring them to public attention.
In addition to a fabulous sculpture in St Editha’s Square, Tamworth, we’ve had roads named after all three of them, their ship and even Bletchley Park where the material they seized enabled codebreakers to finally crack Enigma. A large corporate building and a £1m hotel have both been named after Colin Grazier. A stunning glass window celebrates Tommy Brown in his home town of North Shields. Two annual events to celebrate them man are organised each year by the Royal British Legion and Tamworth Royal Naval Association. There is an engraved bench to the heroes at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and I also accepted an award in their honour from the Celebrity Guild of Great Britain at a glittering occasion in London.
I was invited to present a copy of my book to Prince Charles and Camilla, I met the Duke of Kent, and I was granted the freedom of Bletchley Park. I also officially opened Hut 8 to the public, the very hut where the German naval Enigma code was finally broken.
I have the three men to thank for so many extraordinary experiences. The book has led to coverage on TV, radio and somewhat surprisingly on the CIA website. My clash with a Hollywood director over the controversial film U-571 was reported on both sides of the Atlantic.
It’s been some journey and it remains a big part of my life today. I give talks in various parts of the country and I’ve named my publicity and copywriting business – Enigma Communications.
For me this story has been life-changing. But far more importantly than that, three courageous men, who helped change the course of history, have received fitting accolades for what their brave and hugely significant actions achieved.
To find out more about the unsung war heroes and the struggle to gain them the recognition they deserve, check out 'The Real Enigma Heroes' by Phil Shanahan.