Commandos

Commandos
Cpl Barry Lloyd RLC · OGL v1.0 · source
Unit name	Commandos
Dates	1940–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Special forces
Role	Raiding, reconnaissance, direct action
Command structure	Royal Marines, Special Air Service
Battles	Second World War, Falklands War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Notable commanders	Winston Churchill, Adrian Carton de Wiart, Robert Laycock

Commandos. Commandos are specialized light infantry and special forces units, originally formed within the British Army during the Second World War for conducting raids and irregular warfare. The concept, championed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, was designed to take the offensive against Axis forces and bolster morale. Their success led to the formation of similar units by Allied nations, including the United States Army Rangers and Marine Raiders, influencing modern special operations forces globally.

Origins and history

The Commando concept was formally established in June 1940 following the Dunkirk evacuation, as Britain sought means to strike back at Nazi Germany. The first units were drawn from volunteers across the British Army and were initially under the command of the Combined Operations Headquarters. Early raids, such as the St Nazaire Raid and the Dieppe Raid, though costly, demonstrated their potential for strategic impact. Their tactics and aggressive raiding philosophy were later adopted by allied formations like the United States Army Rangers, which were activated after observing British training.

Organization and structure

Historically, a Commando unit was organized into troops, each specializing in skills like signals, mortar, or machine gun operations, answering to a headquarters troop. Today, within the British Armed Forces, the principal Commando formation is 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines, which includes units like 40 Commando and 42 Commando. This structure is integrated within the framework of the Royal Navy and often works alongside other elite units such as the Special Boat Service and the Special Air Service for complex joint operations.

Training and selection

Selection is notoriously rigorous, focusing on extreme physical endurance, mental resilience, and mastery of fundamental infantry skills. The hallmark course for United Kingdom commandos is the Commando Course, held at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, which includes grueling tests like the Endurance Course and a loaded march across Dartmoor. Similar high-intensity selection processes are used by descendant units worldwide, including the Australian Army's 2nd Commando Regiment and the Netherlands Korps Commandotroepen.

Roles and missions

Their primary missions encompass amphibious warfare, direct action, reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism. They are trained to operate from the sea, air, and land, often behind enemy lines in small, self-sufficient teams. During the Falklands War, they played a crucial role in actions such as the Battle of San Carlos and the Battle of Mount Longdon. In contemporary conflicts like the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), their roles expanded to include training allied forces and conducting high-value targeted raids.

Equipment and weaponry

Commandos utilize specialized equipment tailored for mobility and rapid deployment, often from Royal Navy ships or Royal Air Force aircraft. Their personal weaponry has evolved from the Sten gun and Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife of the Second World War to modern systems like the SA80 rifle and Glock 17 pistol. They employ a wide array of support weapons, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, and use advanced platforms such as the BV206 tracked vehicle and AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat helicopters.

Notable units and operations

Beyond the original British units, notable Commando forces include the French Army's 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment and India's MARCOS. Famous historical operations include the successful destruction of docks at St Nazaire and the capture of a German weather station during Operation Musketoon. In the modern era, units like 45 Commando have been deployed in Helmand Province and participated in operations against ISIL in Iraq.

Cultural impact and legacy

The Commando legacy is deeply embedded in popular culture through films like *The Guns of Navarone* and video games such as *Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines*. Their iconic insignia, the Combined Operations badge, remains a symbol of elite service. The ethos and tactics pioneered by the original Commandos directly shaped the development of contemporary NATO special forces, including the United States Navy SEALs and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, ensuring their foundational impact on modern warfare endures.

Category:British special forces Category:Military units and formations of the Second World War Category:Royal Marines