47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines

47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines
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Unit name	47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines
Dates	1943–1946; 1961–2019; re-roled 2019
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Marines
Type	Commando / Raiding Group
Role	Amphibious raiding, small boat operations, demonstration force
Garrison	Stonehouse Barracks, Plymouth

47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines was a specialist formation within the Royal Marines responsible for amphibious raiding, small-boat operations, and training for littoral operations. Originating in the Second World War era and reconstituted during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods, the unit developed expertise in amphibious warfare, commando raids, and maritime interdiction. Its lineage connects to wartime operations in the Italian Campaign, the North-West Europe campaign, and postwar deployments alongside Royal Navy carrier groups and multinational exercises.

History

47 Commando traces roots to Second World War formations raised for operations in the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel, participating in raids during the Sicily campaign and operations linked to the Allies in Italy. Post-1945 reorganisations of the British Armed Forces saw commandos disbanded and later reformed amid Cold War exigencies, tying 47 Commando to NATO-oriented amphibious doctrine developed alongside Standing Naval Force Atlantic, Royal Navy, and United States Marine Corps concepts. During the late 20th century the unit supported commitments in the Falklands War era readiness posture, multinational exercises with NATO partners such as Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, French Navy, and German Navy, and deployments linked to operations in the Gulf War framework. In the early 21st century 47 Commando provided specialised raiding capability and training until 2019, when the organisation was re-roled to consolidate littoral strike functions within the United Kingdom Littoral Strike Group and elements redistributed across 3 Commando Brigade and dedicated small boat units.

Role and Organisation

As a raiding group, 47 Commando combined expertise in small craft handling, amphibious assault planning, and ship-to-shore movement, operating in concert with platforms such as the HMS Albion (L14), HMS Bulwark (L15), and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. Organisationally it integrated commando troops, small boat squadrons, and training cadres to prepare detachments for operations with Fleet Air Arm rotary-wing support and Royal Navy amphibious task groups. The unit worked closely with organisations like the Joint Forces Command (United Kingdom), United Kingdom Special Forces, and NATO maritime components to provide a scalable raiding option, liaison for Amphibious Task Group headquarters, and specialist input on doctrine for littoral warfare and maritime interdiction operations.

Operations and Deployments

47 Commando elements supported amphibious demonstrations, interdiction patrols, and force-protection duties during multinational exercises such as Exercise Cold Response, Exercise Joint Warrior, and Exercise Neptune Warrior. Historically, antecedent units participated in raids related to the Salerno landings, the Anzio campaign, and supporting operations in Normandy follow-on actions; later deployments aligned with Operation Telic and Operation Herrick support tasks, force projection training with the United States Navy and Royal Australian Navy, and contingency patrols during tensions in the Gulf of Aden. The unit also contributed to humanitarian and disaster-relief surge operations coordinated with Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) agencies and international partners, providing ship-to-shore logistics and evacuation capabilities during crises such as regional instability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Training and Selection

Selection for 47 Commando required candidates to be qualified Royal Marines who had completed the All Arms Commando Course and to possess specialist small-boat and amphibious warfare qualifications taught at establishments including the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone and the Royal Marines School of Music for ceremonial coordination. Training syllabi emphasized boat handling in Rhibs, surf launching techniques used in Operation Jubilee-era doctrine, embarked operations with the Fleet Air Arm, navigation skills referencing Admiralty charts, and close coordination with Naval Commanders and Joint Helicopter Command. Personnel undertook advanced courses in maritime interdiction, ship boarding procedures aligned with United Nations sanctions enforcement precedents, and interoperability exercises with NATO marine infantry counterparts.

Equipment and Insignia

Equipment fielded by 47 Commando included a mix of rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), fast rescue craft, and assault landing craft compatible with Landing Platform Dock and Landing Ship Dock platforms such as the Bay-class landing ship dock. Small arms aligned with Royal Marines issue like the L85A2 family and specialist maritime weaponry, along with communication suites interoperable with UK MOD standards. Insignia drew on Commando dagger symbology and incorporated unit identifiers used across Royal Marines units, with cap badges conforming to Royal Marines cap badge traditions and colours reflecting historic links to wartime commandos and amphibious heritage.

Notable Personnel and Honors

Personnel associated with 47 Commando and its predecessors included decorated officers and non-commissioned officers recognised in honours lists such as the Military Cross, the Distinguished Service Order, and mentions in despatches for leadership in amphibious operations. Veterans went on to serve in senior appointments within 3 Commando Brigade, the Royal Navy, and joint headquarters, and some contributed to doctrine development at institutions like the Joint Services Command and Staff College. Unit citations and campaign affiliations recorded connections to major operations commemorated by institutions such as the Imperial War Museums and regimental histories preserved at Royal Marines Museum.

Category:Royal Marines units