Page "No. 4 Commando" Paragraph 2

As part of the 1st Special Service Brigade, No. 4 Commando took part in the Normandy Landings in June 1944.

Landing on Sword beach 30 minutes before the rest of the brigade, their first objectives were to capture a strong point and gun battery in Ouistreham.

After the commandos eliminated these positions they rejoined the brigade, reinforcing the 6th Airborne Division at the Orne bridges.

Before the invasion the brigade had been informed that they would stay in France for only a few days.

The commando remained there for a further 82 days, protecting the beachhead's left flank.

During that period, No. 4 Commando endured over 50 percent casualties.

Finally withdrawn to Britain in September 1944, they were reassigned to the 4th Special Service Brigade for the assault on Walcheren island.

At the end of the war No. 4 Commando became part of the occupation force in Germany, but together with all other army commando units were disbanded in 1946.