Largs was a secret base for secret wartime conferences during the Second World War.

Amid the stunning setting of the local seafront, seaplanes would land on the front shore as important officials and worldwide figures including Winston Churchill arrived undercover to carry out important negotiations concerning allied operations.

The Battle Conference in June 1943 was intended as a course in Combined Operations for staff officers but Lord Mountbatten and General Morgan (then Chief of Staff as yet unappointed Supreme Commander) conspired to use the occasion to make some history. It seems that it was here that the invasion point of the French coast was mapped out, and that from Largs, one of the greatest technical achievements of the Second World War was achieved - the Mulberry Harbour.

Largs was the headquarters of the Combined Operations. A conference was held there between 28 June 1943 and 2 July 1943, code name RATTLE, under Lord Louis Mountbatten and was known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold because of the number of high ranking officers taking part.

According to the Brigadier's book, the Battle Conference held at H.M.S Warren (Hollywood) there were 20 assorted generals, 11 air marshals and air commodores with eight admirals and brigadiers galore. Among those present were Early Mountbatten and Field Marshall Alexander.

Vanduara was also used by Combined Operations and instead of being prepared for the onset of the busy tourist season in Easter 1942, the summer holiday residence became H.M.S Monk - headquarters of the Combined Operations and nerve-centre of many attacks on German-held Europe.

Vanduara owner Mr W.Derby said: "One morning I answered a knock on the front door. On the front steps stood General Harold Alexander, who went on to become Lord Alexander of Tunis. He asked if he could see around the house. I showed him around . he said he would come back. That night I answered the door and found a party of about 20 high ranking officers." Leading the party was a commanding figure in Admiral's uniform.

"At first I thought it was the King." said Mr Derby ....

STORY CONTINUED IN THIS WEEK'S LARGS AND MILLPORT NEWS