1942: Four Swordfish biplanes of 830 Naval Air Squadron, based in Malta, succeeded in torpedoing a heavily escorted Italian supply ship in bad weather off North Africa.

In New Britain, the Japanese landed in overwhelming force at Rabaul. The town was converted by them into a formidable fortress.

1944: The Australian 7th Division succeeded in capturing Shaggy Ridge in New Guinea, severing Japanese supply routes.

In Italy, an advance by men from the London Scottish at Damiano Ridge was held up by intense machine-gun fire. Private Mitchell single-handedly charged up the hill, jumped into the weapon pit, and wiped out the crew. Shortly afterwards, the attack was pinned down a second time; once again, Mitchell broke the deadlock by charging the enemy, killing six and capturing twelve. He continued in similar style in two more attacks, until finally being killed by a German who had supposedly surrendered. Mitchell was awarded the Victoria Cross.

1945: 45 Commando Royal Marines distinguished itself in fighting around the Montforterbeek stream near the Maas in Holland. During the action, three Royal Marines from one troop fell wounded in open ground. Lance Corporal Harden, a Royal Army Medical Corps orderly attached to the Commando, braved enemy fire to reach them. Having dressed their wounds, he then hoisted the first casualty onto his back and carried him back to safety, but suffered a wound himself in the process. Despite this, he immediately returned with two stretcher bearers to collect the second Marine. Unfortunately, the Marine was hit as they carried him back and killed. Undeterred, Harden led the rescue party back for the third man, and this time was himself hit again and killed. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.