Gregory Blake

‘Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left of them, Cannon in front of them, Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell. Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of hell, Rode the six hundred.’ — Alfred Lord Tennyson. Into the Valley of Death brings to life the story behind...

The Independent Companies and Commandos were a unique form of sub-unit within the Australian army during the Second World War. They were units composed of an exceptional group of individuals with very special attributes and skills who thrived on the unconventional and doing things very much in their own way. The army found it very hard to accept this at...