I'm not sure why this episode is called "The Paras and Commandos" since, if I followed the narration, the Paras were all Commandos, but I think I must have missed something.
The Commandos were formed early in World War II, when Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany. They were named after the roving combatants of the Dutch forces in South Africa during the Boer War, around the turn of the century. They were shortly split into two units -- those trained for airborne operations and those trained for landings by sea.
They fought in every theater of the war. Some of their better-known raids are described in some detail -- the daring raid on the locks at St. Nazaire. I read a book about it that described the action in considerable gripping detail. What I remember most is the Commandos, their planned means of escape having been destroyed, running through the streets of St. Nazaire shouting to the civilians "Dedans vite!" while being shot at from every side.
I won't go on about their other activities. No mention is made of Southeast Asia.
It's a superior series -- even-handed and balanced, and a succinct sketch of the subject. Recommended for anyone interested in this sort of thing. There are also a number of books about that describe the more prominent actions in detail.
The Commandos were formed early in World War II, when Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany. They were named after the roving combatants of the Dutch forces in South Africa during the Boer War, around the turn of the century. They were shortly split into two units -- those trained for airborne operations and those trained for landings by sea.
They fought in every theater of the war. Some of their better-known raids are described in some detail -- the daring raid on the locks at St. Nazaire. I read a book about it that described the action in considerable gripping detail. What I remember most is the Commandos, their planned means of escape having been destroyed, running through the streets of St. Nazaire shouting to the civilians "Dedans vite!" while being shot at from every side.
I won't go on about their other activities. No mention is made of Southeast Asia.
It's a superior series -- even-handed and balanced, and a succinct sketch of the subject. Recommended for anyone interested in this sort of thing. There are also a number of books about that describe the more prominent actions in detail.
