British Army Commando

British Army Commando
Phil Sangwell from United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	British Army Commando
Established	1940
Branch	British Army
Type	Special forces
Role	Amphibious assault, raiding, reconnaissance
Garrison	Aldershot Garrison
Motto	"For King and Country"
Notable commanders	Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, Lord Louis Mountbatten
Battle honours	Dieppe Raid, Normandy landings, Burma Campaign

British Army Commando British Army Commando units were specialised assault formations created during World War II to execute amphibious raids, reconnaissance, and irregular warfare. Emerging from directives by Winston Churchill and naval planners, commandos blended techniques from Royal Navy boarding parties, Royal Marines detachments, and volunteer British Army infantry to forge expeditionary capabilities for operations across the North Sea, English Channel, and global theatres. Their doctrine influenced postwar SAS and SBS developments and left a lasting imprint on allied commando, ranger, and special operations forces.

History

Initial commando concepts arose after the 1940 campaign in France and Low Countries and the evacuation from Dunkirk; planners including Noel Mason-MacFarlane, Viscountess Astor, and naval figures such as Admiral Sir Roger Keyes advocated for organised raiding forces. The first numbered commando units were formed under orders from Prime Minister Winston Churchill and coordinated with the War Office and Admiralty, creating units drawn from regiments like the Coldstream Guards, Royal Welch Fusiliers, and King's Royal Rifle Corps. Early operations such as raids on Lofoten Islands, the St. Nazaire Raid and the Dieppe Raid shaped doctrine; critics including members of the British Expeditionary Force and proponents like Louis Mountbatten debated scale and risk. Reorganisation in 1942 placed commandos into brigade formations under the Combined Operations Headquarters led by figures such as Lord Louis Mountbatten and incorporated lessons from the North African Campaign and Mediterranean Theatre.

Organisation and Units

Commandos were organised into numbered units (No. 1 Commando through No. 62 Commando) and specialised troops such as boat, signals, and engineering sections; notable units included No. 3 Commando, No. 2 Commando, and No. 40 (Royal Marine) Commando. Operational command often coordinated with the Royal Navy, RAF Coastal Command, and Allied expeditionary forces such as the United States Army Rangers and Free French Forces. Higher formations included the 4th Special Service Brigade and the 1st Special Service Brigade which were used in large-scale landings like Operation Overlord and the Salerno landings. Postwar restructuring saw many commando traditions absorbed into the Royal Marines and influenced units such as the Special Air Service squadrons and the Parachute Regiment.

Training and Selection

Selection emphasised endurance drawn from harsh training at centres such as Achnacarry, Lulworth Cove, and Devonport; candidates were tested on navigation, marksmanship, demolitions, and unarmed combat. Instructors included veterans of the North African Campaign, Norwegian Campaign, and experienced sailors from Royal Navy boarding parties who taught small-boat handling and amphibious assault techniques. Physical conditioning mirrored practices from the SAS selection pipeline and incorporated cold-water immersion, live-fire exercises, and cliff assault training derived from operations in the Aegean Campaign and the Dodecanese Campaign. Medical and psychological screening came under scrutiny after high-casualty raids such as Dieppe Raid prompted reviews by the War Office and Combined Operations leadership.

Roles and Operations

Commandos conducted raids, sabotage, beachhead assaults, reconnaissance-in-force, and guide assaults for larger amphibious landings. They conducted operations in the Norwegian Campaign, on the French Atlantic coast, and in the Mediterranean Theatre during battles for Sicily and the Italian Campaign. In the Burma Campaign and Southeast Asian Theatre commando-style operations complemented jungle warfare by units operating with the Chindits and coordinating with FOCAL intelligence elements. Cooperation with allied formations such as the United States Marine Corps and Canadian Army created joint doctrinal exchanges that later influenced NATO special operations concepts.

Equipment and Insignia

Commandos used specialised equipment: landing craft supplied by Royal Navy flotillas, Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knives, Sten submachine guns, Lee–Enfield rifles, and explosives for demolition. Uniform adaptations included khaki battledress modified with camouflage smocks adopted during operations in the Mediterranean Theatre and jungle kit for the Burma Campaign. Distinctive insignia such as the green beret adopted by adviser units, the famed red or green commando shoulder titles, and unit flashes became symbols recognised by peers including members of the Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines. Decorations awarded to commandos included the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, and Military Cross for acts during raids and assaults.

Notable Engagements and Campaigns

Prominent actions encompassed the St. Nazaire Raid (Operation Chariot), the costly Dieppe Raid which informed Operation Overlord planning, raids on the Lofoten Islands, and amphibious operations during the Sicily Campaign and Salerno landings. No. 2 Commando at Bardia and No. 3 Commando in the Anzio Campaign demonstrated commando utility in both raiding and holding vital positions. In Southeast Asia, operations in Burma and riverine operations on the Chindwin River displayed adaptation to jungle logistics and cooperation with the Fourteenth Army.

Legacy and Influence

The commando movement catalysed postwar special operations doctrine across the United Kingdom and allied militaries including the United States Army Rangers, the Canadian Forces'], special operations elements, and the formation of modern Special Air Service doctrines. Museums such as the Imperial War Museum and regimental museums preserve commando history alongside monuments at sites like St Nazaire and Dieppe. Personnel traditions—green beret symbolism, tactics in amphibious warfare, and small-unit leadership—remain embedded in contemporary units including the Royal Marines Commandos, Special Boat Service, and NATO naval raiding doctrines.

Category:British Army units and formations