British Commandos

British Commandos. They were a special forces formation of the British Armed Forces during the Second World War, conceived to conduct disruptive raids against German-occupied Europe. Formed on the direct orders of Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1940, they became a key instrument of the Combined Operations Headquarters. Their daring operations provided a vital morale boost and pioneered tactics that influenced modern special forces worldwide.

Origins and formation

The concept emerged from the strategic shock following the Battle of France and the Dunkirk evacuation, which left Britain without a substantial force for offensive action in Europe. Inspired by the success of small, mobile units like the Boer Commandos of the Second Boer War, Churchill issued a directive to the Chiefs of Staff Committee demanding the creation of a "butcher and bolt" raiding force. The initial volunteers were drawn from across the British Army and formed into independent companies, with the first official commando unit, No. 3 Commando, established under John Durnford-Slater in July 1940. This initiative was coordinated by the newly formed Combined Operations Headquarters under Admiral of the Fleet Roger Keyes.

Organisation and structure

The basic operational unit was the commando, initially of approximately 500 men, later standardised to a strength of around 450 organised into six troops. Each troop was further divided into two sections, a structure designed for flexibility and self-sufficiency. While initially an army formation, the expansion led to the creation of Royal Marines commando units from 1942 onwards, such as those in the 1st Special Service Brigade. Overall command rested with Combined Operations Headquarters, led successively by Roger Keyes, Louis Mountbatten, and Robert Laycock. Notable army commandos included No. 2 Commando and No. 6 Commando, while key marine formations served with distinction in campaigns like the Battle of Normandy.

Training and selection

Selection was voluntary and notoriously rigorous, seeking men of exceptional physical fitness, initiative, and mental resilience. The primary training centre was established at Achnacarry castle in the Scottish Highlands, overseen by veterans like Charles Vaughan. The punishing course, known as the "Commando Basic Training Centre", included forced marches over terrain like Ben Nevis, live-fire exercises, amphibious warfare training, and instruction in demolitions, close-quarter combat, and reconnaissance. This regime, which emphasised speed, aggression, and fieldcraft, was directly influenced by the methods of Winston Churchill's military advisor, Dudley Clarke, and set a new standard for elite infantry training within the Allied forces.

Operations and campaigns

They conducted numerous raids across the European and Mediterranean theatres. Early raids included the Operation Claymore attack on the Lofoten Islands and the audacious but costly Operation Chariot raid on Saint-Nazaire. Larger-scale actions saw them serve as assault troops in the Dieppe Raid, the Allied invasion of Sicily, and the Landings at Salerno. Their most famous contribution was during the Normandy landings, where units like 1st Special Service Brigade under Lord Lovat fought at Sword Beach and Pegasus Bridge. They also saw action in the Italian Campaign, the Burma Campaign, and across the Aegean Sea.

Equipment and weapons

They were equipped with a mix of standard and specialised weaponry, often modified for their unique role. Standard small arms included the Lee–Enfield rifle and the Sten gun, but they also made extensive use of the American Thompson submachine gun and the Vickers K machine gun. For specialised tasks, they employed the Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife, a weapon synonymous with their identity, and a variety of explosives for demolition. Their amphibious nature required use of landing craft like the Landing Craft Assault and Landing Craft Infantry, and they often utilised folding bicycles for mobility ashore. Their distinctive headgear, the Commando green beret, was later formally adopted by the Royal Marines.

Legacy and influence

The unit was disbanded after 1946, but its legacy profoundly shaped postwar military structures. The expertise and ethos were directly inherited by the Royal Marines, with whom the commando title was permanently associated, leading to the creation of permanent units like 3 Commando Brigade. Their pioneering methods in selection, training, and amphibious raiding provided the foundational model for numerous other special forces, including the Special Air Service and the United States Army Rangers. The concept of a small, highly trained strategic raiding force, proven in operations from Saint-Nazaire to Normandy, became a cornerstone of modern warfare, influencing doctrines within NATO and allied nations globally. Category:British Commando units of World War II Category:Military units and formations established in 1940 Category:Special forces of the United Kingdom