What’s The Real Story Behind 'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare'?

This is the true story about Operation Postmaster, the capture of 3 enemy ships during WW2, that inspired the film "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare'

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:11 Operation Postmaster
4:14 The Team
5:46 The Neutral Harbour
8:56 Ian Flemming's Plan
12:09 Ungentlemanly Warfare
14:59 The Attack
17:28 Fallout
19:37 Impact of Operation Postmaster
21:42 What happened to the heroes?

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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[liammalarky]

I'm looking forward to seeing this film. I'm showing my age here, but it'll be odd watching a film of this genre without David Niven, Roger Moore, Gregory Peck, the Anthonys Quinn and Quayle, and Sophia Loren in it. Great storytelling as always. You bring history alive. Thank you.

[officialbritishtaxpayer]

Please create an episode of the story behind the African Queen! Love this channel!

[staffofdagda]

Fascinating story, and well told. Such brave people should never be forgotten.

[georgebailey]

We need more men-on-a-mission movies like The Guns of Navarone, Kelly's Heroes, The Wild Geese, The Dirty Dozen, The Eagle Has Landed and Where Eagles Dare.

[landonfolken]

Thank you for this! Instead of criticizing a movie for you know, being an entertaining movie, you talk about what really happened and the parts that are reflected in the movie.

[donofon]

Bravo !! A hard splash of wartime reality when the very short lives of so many key participants are described. On a tourist visit to San Diego habour over a decade ago .. I toured a classic wooden yacht that had seen service in the Mediterranean during the war, SOE asset David Niven among its alleged passengers. ( A side bar. The gleaming interior with limited but haunting sunlight just screamed of lemon oil wood polish .. leaving me transported to pre-school age visits to my maternal grandparents. No mistaking the scent.)

[jamesgarman]

This movie had a Tarantino style of filming but it was still entertaining none the less. Thanks for bringing out the real story Chris!!!!

[harryshriver]

Wow! What a creative and imaginative operation which actually worked! It is a real tragedy that most of the participants of this operation never lived to see a world without War. 💔 I want to salute you for a job well done my friend, kudos to you. I think it is wonderful that all the contributions of women to the efforts of World War II are being recognized, I think they should have been recognized all along but that's just me.

[martinhogg]

Brilliant video! Great to learn about this incredible undertaking!

[roberthutchins]

You should do the Seawolves movie, and the "Calcutta Light Horse?". Another wonderful story of spies and intrigue.

[SOE]

For your information, there was a third Dane who was awarded the Victoria Cross. His name was Thomas Dinesen and he was a good friend of Anders Lassen. It was Thomas Dinesen's efforts and experiences during W.W.I that inspired Anders Lassen to become the warrior he was.
Thomas Dinesen wrote an exceptionally interesting biography called "No man's land". A fantastic and fascinating read. A real page turner.

[bousquethouse]

Your closing statement on operation postmaster are bang on. I would have never known about this but if history had the film not been made, followed by the research into facts that followed.
Actually, I initially thought this was a remake of another British film ironically starring James Bond. “The sea wolves”.
Thanks for the video.

[NRTSean]

Thank you. Marvellous insight to a great industrious manoeuvre.

[WhereIsCynthia]

This guy is a much better narrator than almost anybody I have heard doing World War 2 documentary style commentary

[nickallen]

I made the mistake of reading Damien Lewis' excellent book before seeing the film. There's was so much more intrigue and deception going on in reality than the film covers. The film doesn't give a good indication of just how stealthy the operation was and how confused the Germans, Italians and Spanish were by what was going on. As for Andy Lassen, despite being a great archer, he didn't use bow and arrows in the raid, despite what the film makes. Having said that, the film is worth watching and I hope there are follow ups that focus on the other operations. I do recommend that everyone reads 'Churchill"s Secret Warriors' or 'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare' as it is now being published as.

[darrenvanderwilt]

I was excited at first when I saw the trailer for “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, ” but felt a little let down to see it had the familiar Guy Ritchie tropes, British underworld miscreants, near-do-wells, and misfits banding together to achieve an impossible task, with comedy and action. Even though I like his films, the actual story of Operation Postmaster is extremely exciting, noteworthy, and interesting on its own, without the use of fiery explosions and over-the-top action sequences. It’s like “The Guns of Navarone” on steroids. Great video.

[HTM]

Thanks for sharing this story Chris. I found it quite interesting. Keep up the good work.

[olaffulling]

What a great story! Thank you for sharing.

[jdgooner]

Thank you Chris, love your mini documentaries, you put so much detail & entertainment into your videos, love you make more videos, all the best John 👍

[mickofmorden]

We don't know what we don't know. These type of stories are great bits of history. Another great video Chris.👏