1st SSB is an Infantry division in Steel Division and one of four new divisions released with the Second Wave DLC, the other being the American 4th Armored, the German 9. Panzer and the 16. Luftwaffen-Felddivision. 1st Special Service Brigade brought several commando battalions together, supported by engineer vehicles and tank, into an elite assault unit. Fathers to all modern Western special forces, the British commandos are the best Allied soldiers, able to deal with any infantry force. But they are fragile and lacking in anti-tank guns to deal with armors.
A soldier and gentleman, Lord Lovat gallantly leads his commandos with composure and style … and in tune.
Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, Scottish peer of the kingdom, was an Oxford graduate and a young reserve army captain when he was recalled in service in 1939. Posted in his clan's own regiment, the Lovat Scouts, he requested in 1940 a transfer to the newly created commandos. Attached to 4 Commando, he took part in the Lofoten (Norway) and Hardelot (France) raids. During the failed Dieppe landing, in 1942, now commanding 4 Commando, his unit was among the few to complete its objectives, then managed to reembark most of its men. When the 1st Special Service Brigade (aka Commando Brigade, for the commandos hated the SS acronym) was formed in 1944, Lord Lovat was appointed as its brigadier.
Although coming in the second wave at Sword Beach, Lovat's commandos soon encountered tough resistance when penetrating inland to secure their objectives. Lovat famously landed with his piper Bill Millin playing the bagpipes against army regulations, for Lovat was of the opinion that the latter didn't applied to them Scotsmen ! Later in the day, Lovat and his men managed to reach Pegasus Bridge, two hours and half late on schedule for which Lord Lovat apologized. Six days later, he was seriously wounded by friendly artillery fire, ending the war for him.
The Commando Brigade relies mostly on its elite infantry, with few tanks and even less AT guns to back them up, trading those for massive naval artillery and Fleet Air Arms support.
Strong in Phase A, the Commandos are suffering from a major income drop in Phase B, having to « hold until relieved » to go back on the offensive in Phase C, with the full support of the 79th Armoured's troops.
Just like airborne divisions, commando units identified by wings on their cards can't be surrounded. Or at least, if they are, they don't care…
