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Abstract EMILY LAWRENCE British and American Special Forces in World War II: Easy Company and the No. 4 Commando (Under the Direction of DR. JOHN MORROW JR.) A study of the British No. 4 Commando and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by EMILY MARIE HAGGARTY LAWRENCE A Thesis Submitted to the Honors Council of the University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree BACHELOR OF ARTS in HISTORY with HIGHEST HONORS Athens, Georgia 2009 BRITISH AND AMERICAN SPECIAL FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: EASY COMPANY AND THE NO. 4 COMMANDO by EMILY MARIE LAWRENCE Approved: Dr. John Morrow Jr. 12/11/2009 Dr. John Morrow Jr. Date Faculty Research Mentor Approved: Dr. Kirk Willis 12/11/2009 Dr. Kirk Willis Date Reader Approved: Dr. David S. Williams 12/16/2009 Dr. David S. Williams Date Director, Honors Program, Foundation Fellows and Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Approved: Dr. Pamela B. Kleiber 12/16/2009 Dr. Pamela B. Kleiber Date Associate Director, Honors Program and Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities DEDICATION My Great Great Uncle David Kenyon Webster inspired me to write this work, and as such I dedicate this thesis to him. He bravely volunteered to fight in WWII with intent to fight for his country and gain the experience needed to write about the experience of a paratrooper in WWII. Webster’s memoir, Parachute Infantry: An American Paratrooper’s Memoir of D-Day and the Fall of the Third Reich, is nothing short of brilliantly captivating and eye-opening. His memoir’s foreword by Stephen Ambrose and his character on the HBO series Band of Brothers lend credibly to his memory and all the members of Easy Company. Though I have never met my Great Grandmother’s incredible brother, he died exploring the world of sharks in the Pacific Ocean, his spirit for adventure, his courage, and his intellect are attributes I desire to achieve daily. The love of history that is fostered by those close to me, first and foremost by my dad who encourages me and shares my enthusiasm along with the support that comes from my mom, sister, grandmother, extended family and friends leaves me forever grateful. Without a doubt, I owe my passion for history and decision to make it my field of study to my high school history teacher Mr. Westphal, and also to the many great history professors at UGA including Dr. Morrow and Oxford University’s Dr. Archer. I hope that in writing this thesis I not only captured my enthusiasm for the discipline, but that I have made those who have lent their support proud. Thank you to all of you for your constant support, encouragement, and enthusiasm for a subject I love so much. I dedicate this thesis to you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he British Commandos, particularly the No. 4 Commando, and Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the United States 101st Airborne Division both exemplify the courage, brotherhood, determination, skill, and the utmost mental and physical strength of men fighting in World War II. Though they originated on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the formulation of both the No. 4 Commando and Easy Company as Special Service Forces unites them historically, as does the dire need of new tactics to help create an offensive to counter the advancing Germans and Axis powers in the 1940’s. Similarly, all the men in these forces were volunteers; thus bravery and determination were necessarily marked qualities of the men freely joining those initially independent regiments intended for particularly dangerous assignments. While similarities abound, so too do differences. The Commandos and the Parachute Infantry Regiment were both devised in 1940; however, British Commandos saw combat anywhere from three to four years before the Americans would have their chance. While the paratroopers of Easy Company dropped from planes, the No. 4 Commandos made amphibious landings by sea-craft. No. 4 Commando is best known for its attack on Dieppe August 19, 1942; and Easy Company, for its heroic actions on D-Day June 6, 1944. An even closer look at both of these Special Forces avails itself through the two men who led them. Strong courageous leadership was common to both Easy Company and the No. 4 Commando. Brigadier Lord Lovat and Major Dick Winters, head of No. 4 Commando and Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) Easy Company respectively, were exemplary individuals of great integrity and courage under fire, with a rare ability to take men beyond where they thought 1 they could go. The similarities and differences in tactics across nations fighting for the same objective are vital to historical understanding. Historians and World War II enthusiasts alike will recall much about Easy Company from the sheer volume of literature and film devoted to these men. However, British Commandos were arguably as impressive, daring, and essential to the war effort and the ultimate Allied victory, as a comparative study of the British Commandos and American Paratroopers will show. Therefore it is fitting to start at the beginning with the creation of the new Special Forces both in the United States and in Great Britain. Formed in 1940, the British Commando began fighting almost immediately thereafter. The Commandos evolved as a reaction to the fall of France and the evacuation of Dunkirk. Determination drove Winston Churchill to create an offensive force to harass and slow the ever- invading German forces. The overall objective was to create the opportunity to “Strike back hard and effectively against German- occupied Europe.”1 What Churchill had in mind were seaborne hit-and- run raids against the German Wehrmacht. One might wonder, why not simply use a pre-existing unit and train them to reach Commando status instead of recruiting men from the rank and file of the British forces? The problem was that no singular unit could be spared; they were all desperately needed to defend the Isle from Hitler and Mussolini and to prevent the fall of Great Britain. To take a few men from regiments already in place was less taxing on each unit and still provided the opportunity for an aggressive offensive. On June 10, 1940 Lt. Col. Dudley Clarke began to draw up extensive plans for the new raiding force.