4 unbelievable commando missions from WWII
Ahead of Sky HISTORY's brand new series 'Commando Missions', learn the true story of four of the most audacious and high-risk missions from WWII
Image: Commando Missions on Sky HISTORY tells the story of the most daring missions from WWII, including the Musketoon Operation of September 1942 | Commando Missions
During WWII, elite commando forces carried out some of the most audacious and high-risk missions in military history. Operating behind enemy lines, these specially trained units executed daring raids, sabotage operations and strategic assaults that turned the tide of the war.
Some you may be familiar with, while others are less well-known. Now, in Sky HISTORY’s new series, Commando Missions, these remarkable stories and the people behind them are brought to life.
In this article, we take a closer look at four epic operations featured in the series. Read on to discover remarkable feats of courage, ingenuity and determination against all odds.
1. Heraklion Operation – June 1942
On 10th June 1942, Major Georges Bergé and his team of British Special Air Service commandos landed on a hidden beach in northern Crete. Their objective: to infiltrate the Heraklion airfield and destroy Luftwaffe planes that were wreaking havoc on Allied convoys in the Mediterranean.
The mission, however, faced immediate challenges. The commandos landed 25 kilometres from their intended drop point, forcing a gruelling three-day march through Crete’s arid terrain. The island, occupied by German forces for two years, was crawling with patrols, and its population could betray the commandos at any moment.
Despite these hurdles, Bergé’s men pushed forward with ingenuity and determination. Hiding by day and marching under the cover of darkness, they finally arrived at their target.
Aided by a bombing raid by the RAF, the group of six entered the airfield undetected and destroyed 20 German bombers using Lewes bombs. All saboteurs escaped from the airfield, but their retreat was compromised. 17-year-old Pierre Léostic was killed, while three others were arrested.
2. Musketoon Operation – September 1942
On 15th September 1942, a team of 12 commandos from the Special Operations Executive launched a near-suicidal mission in Northern Norway. Their target was a massive hydroelectric plant critical to German aluminium production, a vital resource for Luftwaffe aircraft.
The plant’s remote location posed unique challenges. To avoid detection in the polar region, where even distant silhouettes could be spotted, the commandos traversed a high-altitude glacier. Laden with weapons, food and equipment, the team endured extreme cold and treacherous terrain.
Among them were two Norwegians, recruited for their expertise in navigating the region. Yet even with local knowledge, Captain Graham Black knew the risks. The mission’s success would deliver a significant blow to the German war effort, but the odds of all his men returning alive were slim.
Ultimately, despite the peril, Operation Musketoon succeeded in its goal. The commandos attacked the hydroelectric plant, and the resulting damage caused it to close for the remainder of the war. The mission demonstrated the physical endurance of the commandos and dealt a significant and crucial blow to the German war effort.
3. Frankton Operation – December 1942
On a frigid night of 7th December 1942, 10 British commandos, led by Major Herbert Hasler, embarked on one of the most audacious missions of the war. Known as Operation Frankton, their goal was to sabotage German warships in the strategic port of Bordeaux.
The commandos disembarked from the submarine Junon and boarded five small kayaks in the middle of the ocean. These rudimentary craft, prone to capsizing in rough seas, were the only way to navigate through the heavily guarded Atlantic Wall. Paddling up the Gironde estuary, the men faced treacherous waters, mines, warships and reconnaissance aircraft.
The operation was a gamble, but the stakes were immense. The successful attack on Bordeaux’s port helped cripple German supply chains and demonstrated that the Allies could strike deep into enemy territory. Though only two commandos survived the mission, their destruction of two ships and damage to four others earned them the nickname 'The Cockleshell Heroes' and inspired future Allied operations.
4. Raincoat Operation – December 1943
In December 1943, the Allies faced a daunting challenge as they attempted to break through the Winter Line – an impregnable German defence line in the mountains of Italy. After suffering heavy losses, they turned to a unique unit: the First Special Service Force, a group of hunters, trappers and mountaineers recruited from across North America.
Tasked with scaling a near-vertical cliff to dislodge entrenched German positions, these men faced hostile terrain, bitter winter conditions, and an enemy that knew the landscape intimately. Many of the soldiers had never seen combat before, but their specialised skills and rigorous training made them the Allies’ best hope of success.
The mission required not just physical prowess but also exceptional teamwork and determination. Against all odds, the First Special Service Force managed to break through, clearing the path toward Rome and proving that ingenuity and grit could overcome even the most formidable defences.
Discover more unbelievable stories on Sky HISTORY
These missions were just a few of the many daring operations carried out by Allied commandos during World War II. The men’s courage, resourcefulness and willingness to take on impossible odds continue to inspire to this day, and mean these stories will never be forgotten.
Want to learn more about these incredible missions? Watch Commando Missions on Sky HISTORY from 14th April. Plus, for more fascinating history stories and news about exclusive series, sign up to the SKY History newsletter today.
