Entrance to the docks, Portsmouth
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Entrance to the docks, Portsmouth
Entrance to the docks at Portsmouth, where Lieutenant Commander Lionel Kenneth Phillip Buster Crabb (1909-1956) disappeared on 19 April 1956. Crabb was a British Royal Naval frogman and MI6 diver (some would say sabotage agent and alleged double agent), who disappeared during a reconnaissance mission investigating the Soviet cruiser Ordzhonikidze in Portsmouth Harbour. A body was found months later, but it was difficult to identify as the head and hands were missing. Date: 1972
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Media ID 14346280
© Mary Evans Picture Library/DAVID LEWIS HODGSON
Agent Buster Crabb Cruiser Disappeared Diver Double Frogman Investigating Kenneth Lieutenant Lionel Mission Ordkhonikidze Ordzhonikidze Phillip Portsmouth Reconnaissance Soviet Ussr
EDITORS COMMENTS
Entrance to the Docks, Portsmouth: A Haunting Reminder of the Disappearance of Lieutenant Commander Buster Crabb This evocative photograph captures the entrance to Portsmouth Docks in the 1950s, where a mysterious disappearance took place on 19 April 1956. The scene is set against the backdrop of a bustling harbor, with ships anchored and cranes in operation. But this tranquil image conceals a darker story. At the heart of the mystery is Lieutenant Commander Lionel Kenneth Phillip 'Buster' Crabb, a British Royal Naval frogman and MI6 diver. Crabb was a skilled and daring operative, known for his expertise in underwater reconnaissance and alleged double agent status. He was tasked with investigating the Soviet cruiser Ordzhonikidze, which had arrived in Portsmouth Harbour. Crabb's mission was shrouded in secrecy, and on the day of the operation, he was last seen swimming towards the cruiser. Despite an extensive search, no trace of him was found, and a body was discovered months later in the harbor. However, the identification was difficult, as the head and hands were missing. The disappearance of Buster Crabb remains one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in British military history. Some speculate that he may have been captured or even assassinated by the Soviets, while others believe he may have defected or gone rogue. Regardless of the truth, the entrance to the docks at Portsmouth serves as a poignant reminder of this enigmatic figure and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
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