Anecdotes

Four actual German survivors of the raid on Goa by the Hopper Barge "Phoebe" acted as advisors on this movie.

As indicated in this movie's story and in the real-life mission, no medals, awards, or commendations were issued by the British Government for the successful raid on Goa. James Leasor's book "Boarding Party" states: "The authorities kept faith with the Light Horse over one particular promise. They would have no credit for what they volunteered to do, and there would be no medals. So closely was this last pledge adhered to, that the men who had willingly risked their lives and careers, at their own expense, to carry out a task which produced unparalleled benefits, were categorically refused the right to wear one of Britain's humbler issue medals of the Second World War, the 1939-45 Star."

The Boarding Party Operation raid on Goa remained a British Government secret for thirty-five years, from 1943 until 1978.

The occupations of the real Calcutta Light Horse, who partook in the raid on Goa, included civilian businessmen, bankers, merchants, insurance agents, part-time soldiers, jute merchants, lawyers, accountants, and solicitors.

The lead character, Colonel Lewis Pugh, was played by Gregory Peck in this movie. The real Lewis Pugh, credited as Major General Lewis Pugh, CB., CBE., DSO., JP. in this movie's closing credits, actually acted as this movie's Chief Military Technical Advisor. A photograph of the real Pugh is seen in the film's end-credits, where it may be remarked that the real man not only looked nothing like Gregory Peck, but was, at the time of the events depicted, about thirty years younger than Peck was making the film. Also, the real Pugh was Welsh, not English.