'Special Service troops fight their way inland from French beaches', June 1944

Photograph, World War Two, North West Europe, 1944.

Special Service was the name given to the first commando units raised in 1940. Although each unit was later designated as a 'Commando' the term continued to be used for brigade size units. For example, on 6 June 1944 1st Special Service Brigade comprising No. 3, No. 4, No. 6 and No. 45 (RM) Commandos landed on Sword Beach.

From a collection of 33 British official photographs, D-Day and Operation OVERLORD.