Operation Judgement: The Swordfish biplane, considered obsolete, sunk more enemy ships (by tonnage) than any other aircraft in the war.
Operation Judgement: A Swordfish drops its 1,500lb torpedo. At Taranto, the bi-planes dived almost vertically before pulling up at the last moment.
Operation Judgement: A Swordfish bi-plane on the deck of HMS Illustrious. The attack on the Italian Fleet by two squadrons of Swordfish swung the balance of power in the Mediterranean.
Operation Judgement: Luftwaffe dive bomber pilots were amazed to learn that HMS Illustrious survived their savage attack to avenge the Taranto raid.
Operation Archery: A wounded Commando is helped back to a landing craft in the Norwegian fishing town of Vaagso.
Operation Archery: The Combined Operations’ dawn raid at Vaagso caused widespread devastation.
Operation Archery: A British Bren gunner takes aim during bitter fighting.
Operation Biting: The Paras arrive at Portsmouth Harbour the morning after the Bruneval raid. Major John Frost, the C.O. of the assault force, is on the bridge, second from left.
Operation Biting: An aerial picture of the Würzburg radar the Paras were tasked with commandeering. Frost’s men landed undetected in the snow to the right of the picture.
Operation Gunnerside: Jens Anton Poulsson, leader of the advance party that became severely weak and malnourished as they waited for the assault team.
Operation Gunnerside: The Vemork Power station today. The raiders scaled the cliffs out of picture, to the left.
Operation Gunnerside: The winter conditions on Norway’s Hardangervidda mountain plateau are amongst the harshest on the planet. The advance raiding party, all expert outdoorsmen and skiers, were pushed to the limit of endurance for four months leading up to the assault.
Operation Gunnerside: Joachim Rønneberg led the attack on the night. The escape on skis to Sweden proved to be an even greater challenge.
Operation Chariot: HMS Campbeltown wedged into the outer lock gate. The German troops on deck were unaware of the giant explosive charge below their feet.
Operation Chariot: A German soldier passes the body of a dead Commando in the morning after the remarkably bold raid on St. Nazaire dockyard.
Operation Deadstick: Royal Marine Commandos move through Colleville-sur-Orne on their way to relieve forces at Pegasus Bridge.
Operation Deadstick: Three of the six Horsa gliders that brought Howard’s force in the first hours of D-Day to capture the bridge over the Caen Canal at Bénouville, subsequently known as ‘Pegasus Bridge’.
Operation Deadstick: Pegasus Bridge, safely under British control, thanks to the efforts of Howard and his small force. The gliders can be seen in the distance.