5 famous British Commandos from WWII
Discover the heroic stories of key figures from Britain’s fearless World War II commandos and their remarkable contributions to the war effort.
Image: Charles Augustus Newman | Public Domain
In 1940, shortly after the evacuation at Dunkirk, Winston Churchill asked Britain’s armed forces to start planning raiding missions 'with specially trained troops of the hunter class'. These special troops became known as the British Commandos. Their mission was to ‘develop a reign of terror’ on the coasts of Nazi-occupied territory.
We still remember the Commandos’ feats today for the impact they had on World War II. In fact, Sky HISTORY’s new series, Commando Missions, explores these men’s daring attacks, which were often behind enemy lines.
Join us at Sky HISTORY as we recall some of the most notable British World War 2 commandos.
1. Charles Augustus Newman
In 1942, Churchill wanted to destroy the French port of St Nazaire because it was important for German battleships and U-Boats.
Because St Nazaire had strong defences against air attacks, the British Commandos were sent to raid it by water. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Augustus Newman would be the leader of this mission, dubbed Operation Chariot.
Early on 29th March 1942, the old destroyer HMS Campbeltown, disguised as a German ship, sailed into the port and rammed into the port’s entrance gates.
The Nazis had no idea that a dangerous surprise was hidden in the Campbeltown’s hull. It contained explosives set to go off hours later.
The heavily armed British commandos rushed out of the disabled ship into the port. Using explosives, they destroyed key equipment that made the docks work.
But most of the small ships that the commandos were supposed to escape in had sunk.
So, Newman led his men into the town, where they fought hard to escape and hide from their foes before ultimately surrendering.
Yet the raid was not pointless. Hours afterward, the Campbeltown’s hidden explosives went off, destroying the St Nazaire dry dock.
Newman survived, and he was among the men awarded Victoria Crosses for their courage that day.
2. Jack Churchill
Lieutenant Colonel John Churchill, also known as ‘Mad Jack’ or ‘Fighting Jack’ Churchill, was an unusual character.
Jack Churchill was a champion archer who brought his bow to war with him – even using it to kill a Nazi soldier.
After surviving Dunkirk, Churchill became a British Commando. He served in many commando missions, including ones in Norway and Yugoslavia.
Churchill’s escapades on the battlefield were legendary. He fought with a sword and was particularly famed for playing the bagpipes to inspire his troops during combat.
Astonishingly, Churchill also escaped Nazi captivity twice.
Following the war, Churchill took up a quieter life. He had earned numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Order.
And if you’re wondering – no, he was no relation to Winston Churchill!
3. Geoffrey Appleyard and Patrick Dudgeon
Major John Geoffrey Appleyard and Captain Patrick Dudgeon are two men connected to a small mission that had a huge impact.
Late on 4th October 1942, 12 commandos landed on the small, Nazi-occupied island of Sark in the Channel. This was Operation Basalt, and its goal was to learn more about the enemy troops stationed in the island.
Major Appleyard led the raid, and Captain – then Lieutenant – Dudgeon was one of his men. Appleyard was awarded the Distinctive Service Order shortly afterward, while Dudgeon was given the Military Cross.
But this mission was the last straw for Hitler, who was furious about the commandos’ successes. He issued a deadly order – the ‘Commando Order.’
This order was illegal according to international law because it instructed Nazis to kill any Allied commandos they captured, even if the commandos surrendered.
In 1943 in Italy, Dudgeon was captured on a different commando mission. In accordance with Hitler’s order, he was shot and killed. His death was later investigated as a war crime.
As for Appleyard, he sadly went missing in action in 1943. But he’s remembered today as possibly the inspiration for the fictional character of James Bond.
4. Herbert Hasler
The ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ of 1942 undertook a daring raid on the port of Bordeaux, France, with the goal of hampering Nazi trade.
What made this mission unusual? It would be performed by commandos paddling six collapsible canoes for an astonishing 90 miles. This plan was led by Major Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler, who designed the canoes that were used.
On 7th December 1942, the mission – Operation Frankton – began. Four of the six two-person canoes never made it to their destination due to various mishaps and disasters. But two canoes managed to fulfil their mission. They stuck mines on the outsides of cargo ships, blowing them up.
The commandos then had to get back to Britain on their own. Only two of them made it – Hasler and his canoe partner Bill Sparks.
Despite its huge losses, the mission was seen as successful because it raised Allied spirits and frightened the Germans. Hasler earned the Distinguished Service Order for this valiant operation.
5. Roger Keyes
Roger Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes was the highest-ranking and the oldest of the men on our list. He was a naval admiral who had risen up the ranks over decades of service, including in World War I.
At the start of World War II, Keyes was actually retired – though still interested in military operations.
In June 1940, the British Commandos were created with Lieutenant General Alan Bourne in charge. Unfortunately, Bourne’s short stint in this position didn’t go well. In July, Churchill replaced Bourne with Keyes as Director of Combined Operations.
Keyes was in favour of the British Commandos project and keenly did his best to get it going. But he faced problems like struggles over resources and arguments with different service branches.
Ultimately, Keyes’ conflicts with the other armed service branches and his lack of successes caused Churchill to replace him, too.
In October 1941, Lord Louis Mountbatten took over as Director of Combined Operations.
Tragically, Keyes’ son Major Geoffrey Keyes participated in a commando raid in Libya the next month – and lost his life in it.
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