British Commando 1940–45

Formed on the orders of Winston Churchill, the Commandos were Britain's first modern elite fighting unit. This is the perfect guide to the British Commando, appealing to anyone with an interest in British military history, World War II and the evolution of modern fighting units such as the SAS, SBS and Royal Marine Commandos.

With Hitler's army rampaging across Europe, Winston Churchill ordered the creation of a special fighting force – the Commandos. These valiant men were volunteers drawn from the ranks of the British Army, formed into a Special Service Brigade and put through a rigorous but highly effective training programme. Over the course of World War II they would see action in every major theatre of operation and are credited with numerous feats of gallantry during the D-Day landings. Although many units were disbanded after the war, the Royal Marine Commandos have maintained the standards of this elite fighting formation to the present day. Angus Konstam explores the history of the Commandos during their formative years, providing detailed descriptions of their training, weapons and equipment. Battle reports are accompanied by specially commissioned Osprey artwork and historical photographs, offering readers an in-depth analysis of some of the most famous fighting units in the British Army's history.