On arrival they became known as 'B' Battalion in an attempt at deception, not wanting the Axis forces to know there was a commando formation in the theatre of war.

8 Commando moved up to the small seaside town of Largs, on the coast in Ayrshire, Scotland where they were billeted by the townspeople and remained for about a month.

50 and 52 Commandos) in an effort to stem the tide of the German attack on the island long enough for the garrison to be evacuated.

8 (Guards) Commando began carrying out patrols in an effort to become familiar with the terrain and to practice moving at night.

It was then decided that they would carry out the a raid on an Italian position that was dominating the forward areas of the Indian 18th Cavalry.

The position, which was known as the Twin Pimples, consisted of two small hills that sat close together and from where the Italians were able to observe the Allied lines.

Using the cover of darkness and a carefully laid deception plan, the commandos managed to sneak up behind the Italians position on the hills, and move thorough the forward defensive pits unchallenged.

In the end they advanced to within 30 yards of the headquarters before they were challenged, and when they finally were, the force rushed the Italian defenders with sub machine guns and grenades and quickly overwhelmed them.

[16] They then withdrew from the position just before the Italians could call down an artillery barrage and returned to the garrison holding Tobruk.

[17] Its parent formation, Layforce, suffering from the losses suffered in the early raids and the evacuation from Crete, and stymied by lack of resources, changing strategic needs and a lack of enthusiasm for their employment by parts of the British high command, became ineffective and was itself disbanded in August.

[18] Shortly after this, though, upon the insistence of Sir Winston Churchill, the Middle East Commando was raised from the remnants of Layforce[19] and some of No.