
Maj Hibbert led a team of 500 Commandos to seize the port at Kiel A British World War II veteran who led a team of Commandos that seized a key German port, allowing the Allies to then secure Denmark, is to be honoured.
Germany is bestowing the Great Seal of Kiel on Maj Tony Hibbert, who lives in Cornwall, for leading the 500-strong team in capturing the port of Kiel.
In May 1945, Operation Eclipse led to the surrender of a large German garrison and all the Nazis in Denmark.
The award is for his role in delivering Kiel from Soviet occupation.
Captured coastline
Germany's UK Consul will present the award to Maj Hibbert at his home later.
Operation Eclipse's success meant the Western Allies captured a swathe of Germany's Baltic coast as the Soviet Union marched on central Europe.
It involved Maj Hibbert's team operating deep behind enemy lines to seize the port, which then forced the surrender of the far larger garrison.
Earlier in the war, the Military Cross holder, who calls himself "The Maverick Major", had been evacuated from Dunkirk and had fought at Arnhem.

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