By late 1940 commando volunteers faced frustration because landing craft and other resources were committed to higher-priority theatres. The excerpt recalls No. 8 Commando waiting in Scotland before deployment to the Middle East. Its members included Evelyn Waugh, an older admiral serving as an observer, and Randolph Churchill. Waugh is remembered as brave in Crete but poorly suited to commando life, while Churchill's presence helped ensure that the unit's views reached senior political circles.
Notable Point · 4:24:50-4:26:03
Early commandos, scarce landing craft, and political connections
The early British commandos combined eager volunteers with scarce landing craft, long inactivity, and unusually well-connected personalities.