Harpoon Force to the Rescue! Daring British Mission to Save the Dutch Government

In May 1940, the Irish Guards were tasked with a seemingly impossible mission: land in the Netherlands, then being overrun by the Germans, and rescue the Dutch Royal Family, government and British diplomats and get them all to England. Reinforced by some Welsh Guards, only 651 soldiers formed 'Harpoon Force'. With Stukas overhead and German paratroopers closing in, would Harpoon Force succeed in a seeming 'mission too far'?

Special thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Ben Irwin-Clark, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards & Major Bryn Reeves, Officer Commanding No.4 Company, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards.

Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, is a wellknown British historian, the author of 22 nonfiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at

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Sources:

'British forces in Hoek van Holland',

'British troops in the Netherlands in May 1940',

'Rescue of the Dutch Royal Family by the Irish and Welsh Guards',