The Great Cherbourg Heist: Israel’s Audacious Naval Caper
In the annals of military history, few operations have the audacity, intrigue, and sheer chutzpah as Israel’s 1969 Cherbourg Boats Affair. This isn’t just a tale of a nation defying international pressure; it’s a story of cunning, daring, and a masterful sleight of hand that left the French government red-faced and the Israeli Navy triumphant.
The Spark That Ignited the Fuse
The story begins with a tense backdrop of the late 1960s, a time when the Middle East was a tinderbox of conflict. Israel, surrounded by hostile neighbors, was in the throes of an existential struggle. In 1968, Israeli paratroopers launched a bold raid on Beirut Airport, striking at Palestinian militias. This act of defiance did not go unnoticed by the international community, especially by French President Charles de Gaulle, who was determined to keep France’s relations with the Arab world intact. In a move that would set the stage for one of Israel’s most daring operations, de Gaulle slapped a full arms embargo on Israel in 1969.
This embargo wasn’t just a diplomatic slap on the wrist; it was a stranglehold on Israel’s military capabilities. Among the assets caught in the crossfire were five state-of-the-art missile boats that Israel had ordered, paid for, and desperately needed. These boats were languishing in the French port of Cherbourg, the property of Israel in theory but firmly under lock and key due to the embargo. For a nation whose survival depended on naval strength in a volatile region, this was unacceptable.
Diplomatic Dead Ends and Rising Tensions
Initially, Israel held out hope that diplomacy might break the deadlock. French officials assured the Israelis that the embargo was a temporary measure, a mere blip that would be resolved with time. When Georges Pompidou succeeded de Gaulle as president, Israel’s hopes soared. But as weeks turned into months, it became painfully clear that the embargo wasn’t going anywhere. Israel’s navy, already stretched thin in the ongoing War of Attrition, grew increasingly desperate for those boats.
With the clock ticking, Israeli naval officers began to explore alternatives. One idea floated was to sell the boats to a third country and then repurchase them — an idea that was feasible but fraught with risks. It could further sour already strained Franco-Israeli relations. But with regional tensions simmering and the threat of a broader conflict looming, Israel’s need for those boats became urgent. Desperation was breeding innovation.
Crafting the Perfect Deception
Enter Retired Rear Admiral Mordechai Limon, a man with a mind as sharp as a dagger and the nerves to match. As the head of Israel’s defense mission in Paris, Limon wasn’t about to let a little thing like an international embargo stand in his way. He concocted a plan so audacious that it seemed ripped from the pages of a spy novel: Israel would “steal” its own boats.
But this wasn’t a simple smash-and-grab. It required finesse, subtlety, and a flair for deception. Limon knew that any operation needed a cover story, something that would fly under the radar. The idea of selling the boats to a civilian company, which would then ferry them to Israel before selling them back, began to take shape. For this, he needed a front — someone with a legitimate reason to buy the boats.
Milo Brenner, a retired Navy commander and now a maritime entrepreneur, was the perfect partner. Brenner connected Limon with Martin Siem, a Norwegian boat-builder with a taste for adventure and a history of resisting Nazi occupation during World War II. Together, they created “Starboat,” a front company ostensibly in the business of delivering supplies to North Sea oil rigs. With the cover in place, the plan was ready to roll.
The Great Escape
The operation was set for December 24, 1969 — Christmas Eve, a time when the French bureaucratic machine would be winding down for the holidays. Limon banked on the holiday lull to give his team the advantage they needed to pull off this audacious caper.
As the day approached, everything was falling into place. The boats were fueled and ready, Israeli naval officers had been discreetly embedded in Cherbourg, and all that remained was to slip out of the harbor undetected. On that fateful night, under the cover of darkness, the five missile boats quietly began their perilous journey. The weather was unforgiving, with a Force Nine gale whipping the seas into a frenzy. But the Israeli crews, steely-eyed and resolute, pressed on.
The French Get Wise
Back in France, it didn’t take long for the authorities to realize something was amiss. By the time they did, the boats were already miles away, heading south toward the safety of international waters. French officials scrambled to save face, but their efforts were too little, too late. The Israeli boats were on their way to Gibraltar and then on to the Mediterranean, well beyond the reach of any last-ditch French intervention.
The French media, catching wind of the story, whipped up a frenzy. Where were the boats? Why hadn’t anyone noticed them leave? And perhaps most importantly, how had the Israelis managed to pull this off right under their noses? French Defense Minister Michel Debré was livid, demanding action, but cooler heads prevailed. The last thing France wanted was an international incident with Israel that could further tarnish its reputation.
Sailing Into Legend
As the boats sped toward Israel, the French government’s embarrassment was palpable. Yet, in Israel, the atmosphere was electric. When the boats finally arrived in Haifa after their harrowing journey, they were met with jubilation. The operation was an undeniable success, a testament to Israeli ingenuity, bravery, and, above all, their refusal to be boxed in by international politics.
But the impact of this operation went beyond just the immediate military gain. The Cherbourg Boats Affair sent a clear message to the world: Israel was a nation that would stop at nothing to defend its interests, even if it meant playing fast and loose with the rules. The boats themselves would go on to make history in the Yom Kippur War, particularly at the Battle of Latakia, where they decimated the Syrian Navy, forever changing the course of naval warfare.
Conclusion
The Cherbourg Boats Affair is a story of boldness, brilliance, and a bit of mischief — a perfect storm of elements that came together to create one of the most extraordinary naval operations of the 20th century. It’s a reminder that in the high-stakes world of international relations, sometimes the best way to outmaneuver your opponents is to rewrite the rules entirely.
In the end, what began as a desperate attempt to secure military assets became a legendary chapter in Israel’s storied history of survival. The Cherbourg operation wasn’t just a victory for Israel’s navy; it was a triumph of creativity and courage over bureaucracy and bluster — a classic tale of David outwitting Goliath on the high seas.
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