Sublime

Three years of fighting across arid parts of Egypt and Libya was now entering its final bloody phase among towns and fields. General Rommel had called the war in the desert Krieg ohne Hass – war without hate. Though dust and sand grimed and gritted everything, some people had still talked romantically of a ‘clean’ war, perhaps because civilians wer

While still nursing their wounds they were given lessons in field-craft by David Stirling (who went on to found the SAS) and Lord Lovat (who was to become captain of the Lovat Scouts).

In May 1941, Layforce was sent to reinforce the British garrison on Crete, but on landing was told that the Commonwealth troops there were in retreat and the island was being evacuated. The news was ignored and the Commandos disembarked. Brigadier Laycock decided to set up a blocking position in the hills, covering the line of retreat towards the i