26-31st May 1941 saw 'D' Bn of Layforce / 52ME Commando involved in the defence of Crete. Many were taken prisoner of war through no fault of their own, the ships leaving without them. 

History of Layforce [view].

We also have a gallery of photos of Prisoners of War [view]. 

1st May 1942. Chief of Combined Operations Louis Mountbatten formally submits a request to the Under Secretary of State for War for distinctive head-dress in the form of a green beret for the Special Service Brigade. [view the report].

5th May 1942 No 5 Commando were taking part in Operation Ironclad at Diego Suarez, Madagascar. The total campaign lasted 6 months but the bulk of the special work of Combined Operations and the Commandos was concentrated into a few days in early May 1942. 

Our Gallery has images of some of the graves of the Fallen [view]. 

The image below is of an early No 5 Commando troop [view].

George-Lane.jpg

Leading one of these raids was Lieut. George Henry Lane (see image) , No 10(IA) Commando 3 troop, who was born on the 18th January 1915 as Dyuri Länyi. Born in Hungary but came to England in the 1930s. 

 22/23 May 1944 Commando operations from Vis. 

Operation Foothound on Miljet island. Units involved were No 2 Commando, 43 RM Commando, and one troop from 40RM Commando. This was a large scale raid which is summed up with tongue in cheek by the unknown author of a document we have on No 2 Commando overseas under the heading "Miljet". [view].

The image below is of some from 43RM Commando [view].

24th May 1944 No 9 Commando were involved in Operation Darlington 11 along the East coast of Italy.

 27th May 1944 Issue 25 of the Daily Vis-a-Vis was issued to Commandos operating with the Central Mediteranean Force from the island of Vis giving an update on the progress of the war [view].