When Shall Their Glory Fade?: The Stories of the Thirty-Eight Battle Honours of the Army Commandos

James Dunning

Apr 2011 · Pen and Sword

About this ebook

Written by a Commando veteran of World War II, this is a remarkable, vivid and honest account of the battles and actions behind the award of the thirty eight Battle Honours that were awarded to the Army Commandos by Her Majesty the Queen in 1958. These Battle Honours are emblazoned on the Commando Flag that hangs in Westminster Abbey in London, almost opposite the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The story of each honour is presented in the most direct way, using the stories and experiences of the commandos, officers and men who actually took part in the fighting. It should be emphasised that the operations mentioned as battle honours recognised only those deemed to be thoroughly outstanding feats of arms and represent only a fraction of the raids and battles fought by the Commandos in their five years of active service. The formation of the Commandos was due to Winston Churchill, who proposed their formation in a directive dated 18 June 1940, which advocated limited offensive action against the enemy's extended and vulnerable coastline. This compilation includes photographs of training and combat in Norway, Dieppe, Normandy, Flushing and many more locations.

About the author

James Dunning is a veteran of the Commandos who went on become one of the Commando Association's post-war presidents. He joined the Regular Army in 1939 and in 1940 volunteered to serve in No.4 Commando as a founder member, a unit with which he attained the rank of sergeant.