COMMANDO

The real and exciting story of one of the most important units of World War Two. The Commando Unit played an important role in Britain's successes and here Durnford-Slater gives his first hand and unique point of view on everything that happened. Brigadier Durnford-Slater raised and trained the first Commando Unit in 1940, created to harry opposition forces in raids impossible for regular army units. He led No.3 Commando on an exploratory operation in Guernsey in summer 1940 and never looked back. From there No.3 Commando orchestrated raids on the Losten Islands and Vaagso in Norway and Dieppe, as well as operations in Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. The Commandoes were so effective at creating destruction that Hitler personally ordered that all fighters captured during these missions be executed. Nevertheless their spirit remained undented and extremely high. From their inception as a raiding force to their ultimate development into a battalion-sized spearhead, and their important support in the D-day landings, this first-hand account is a unique portrayal of the Unit's exploits and the personalities of the men who wore the green beret. The book was originally published in 1953 when the memories were still fresh and be warned there are descriptions of many deaths and damage. Paperback edition, 217pp with lovely big line art maps and archive photos reproduced in black and white to the best quality possible given their age.