​​Warsash Embarkation Point​

​This was the embarkation point where the Commandos of the 1st Special Service Brigade and 4th Special Service Brigade were loaded on to Landing Craft.

​The 1st Special Service Brigade were attached to the British 6th Airborne Division. They landed on Sword Beach, Normandy, on D-Day, shortly after H-Hour and the initial landings by the British 3rd Infantry Division. Their task was to knock out the defences of the Atlantic Wall before pushing inland at speed to link up with the men of the Airborne Division.

​The 4th Special Service Brigade consisted of four Royal Marine Commando units that landed at Sword, Juno and Gold Beach in Normandy.

​No. 41 RM Commando landed at Sword Beach on D-Day and pushed west to Luc Sur Mer to link up with units landing at Juno Beach.  

​No. 48 RM Commando landed at Juno Beach and pushed east through Langrune to link up with units landing at Sword Beach, thus effectively joining together the bridgehead between Sword and Juno Beach.

​No. 46 RM Commando were the reserve unit; on 7 June, they landed on at Juno Beach and linked up with the two other units in the area between Sword and Juno Beach.

​No. 47 RM Commando landed at Le Hamel, Gold Beach, then pushed west and tried to secure the small fishing village of Port en Besin. This had to be secured to enable PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) to come ashore at this location to supply the advancing Allied armies in France with petrol.

​The embarkation points were not just intended for the movement of men and equipment to Normandy. Wounded men from Normandy, as well as prisoners of war fighting for the German Army, were also received there.