Special forces heroes

Over the last century, Britain's Special Forces have performed a whole host of operations with unequalled skill, secrecy and bravery. From the Cockleshell Heroes' daring 1942 raid deep into Nazi-occupied Europe, to the dangerous sorties into enemy territory during the Gulf wars. It takes a truly special sort of courage to go undercover behind enemy lines, or to be part of a small, elite unit in a hit-and-run raid against a far larger power. Michael Ashcroft set about assembling what is believed to be the largest private collection of British Special Forces medals in the world. Here he traces the origins of those teams as well as detailing the action-packed accounts behind over 40 medals, recognising the astonishing valour and ingenuity displayed by servicemen.