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Tony Hibbert

In a week when one bunch of hyped ‘heroes’ have shown their true worth, it makes sense to look at what real heroism and achievement mean. Our hero this week is Major Tony Hibbert, to whom millions of Germans, Danes and Norwegians should give thanks – indeed the German city of Kiel very recently did so. In 1945 as the war drew to a close Major Hibbert, acting against local orders, with just 500 commandoes captured Kiel and prevented Stalin from surging into Scandinavia. In spite of breaking a leg he secured the surrender of the German Baltic Fleet and all Nazi troops in Denmark. Not only were many casualties thus avoided in that conflict, but he may have personally prevented World War Three. That’s achievement.

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I've always said there's a place for the press but they haven't dug it yet. - Tommy Docherty
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On this day:
Tolpuddle Martyrs Sentenced - 1834, Argentine Forces land on South Georgia - 1982
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