History

  Shorty before the entry of the United States into World War II, a group of young orphans in England were organized into a covert commando group (know officially as the second commando group) by Captain “Rip” Carter. After the entry of the US, the Commandos became a public relations tool as well as an effective fighting force as a Detached Service Unit. Their first few missions focusing on Northern Europe, slowing the advance of Nazi forces in Holland and Russia. The group also was searching for and rescuing surviving members of Jan’s family.

  Moving across the entire European theatre of conflict, the Commandos fought in Russia into the Middle East, occasionally finding time to return to America to appear in bond rallies and trying to continue their education in England while uncovering spy rings.

  On one trip to America, they aided the Newsboy Legion in breaking up the weapon smuggling activities of Agent Axis. On another unrevealed adventure, they aided The Sandman and Sandy.

  As the war drew to its bloody end, The Boy Commandos moved to the Pacific Theatre of Operations, finishing the war and returning to England to be mustered out and sent to orphanages. Soon after the end of the war, Jan discovered that he had family living and went off to live with them. Alfie discovered an aunt living and arranged for him to be sent to school to finish his education. Rip was going to be leaving the army and was taking Brooklyn and Andre to live with him in America. Leaving London on an overseas flight, the boys discovered Alfie stowed away on the plane. After the younger Commandos talked Rip into keeping the three together, he arranged for Alfie to postpone his entry into college and stay in America. After landing, Rip met with some friends in government and accepted a position as an agent for an “international police force” (probably a precursor to the later Task Force X) and invited the boys to join him.

  On a mission in 1947, the Commandos stopped a Hitler impersonator from using a atomic bomb developed by the Nazis in WWII. On another mission, the Commandos landed briefly on the moon. Soon after that mission, Alfie returned to England to begin his college education and Tex joined the group, leaving his travelling rodeo show that was touring Texas at the time.

  The Boy Commandos fought crime in America as much as abroad, thwarting the plans of Rollo, the world’s fattest crook, Crazy Quilt and Mr. Peg along with Nazi war criminals such as Case 13. They also discovered a lost Atlantean city that did not become water-breathers.

  In 1949, Andre returned to France to run his family’s farm and Percy Clearweather, a young detective who aided them in capturing Case 13 months earlier, joined the group. After making himself at home, Clearweather using spare parts in the headquarters warehouse built the Atomobile, a large transport vehicle. The team used it for a short time but due to other pressing matters disbanded shortly thereafter.