Royal Marines 1939-93
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
First published in Great Britain in 1994 by Author's dedication Osprey, an imprint of Reed Consumer Books Ltd. To Penny and Imogen. Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London SW3 6RB and Auckland, Melbourne, Singapore and Acknowledgements Toronto Grateful thanks to Lee Johnson and Iain MacGregor of Reed International for their support and encourage- © Copyright 1994 Reed International Books Ltd. ment in the production of this book. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or Publisher's note review, as permitted under the Copyright Designs Readers may wish to study this title in conjunction with and Patents Act, 1988, no part of this publication the following Osprey publications: may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or MAA 65 The Royal Navy transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, MAA 112 British Battledress 1937-61 optical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, MAA 132 The Malayan Campaign without the prior permission of the copyright MAA 133 Battle for the Falklands (1) Land Forces owner. Enquiries should be addressed to the MAA 156 The Royal Marines Publishers. MAA 174 The Korean War 1950-53 ISBN 1 85532 388 5 Elite 44 Security Forces In Northern Ireland Filmset in Great Britain Artists's note Printed through Bookbuilders Ltd, Hong Kong Readers may care to note that the original paintings from which the colour plates in this book were pre- pared are available for private sale. All reproduction copyright whatsoever is retained by the publisher. All enquiries should be addressed to: Paul Hannon 90 Station Road, King's Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8LB The publishers regret that they can enter into no correspondence upon this matter. For a catalogue of all books published by Osprey Military please write to: The Marketing Manager, Consumer Catalogue Department, Osprey Publishing Ltd, Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London SW3 6RB ROYAL MARINES 1939-93 Brigade (3 Cdo Bde) fought the Japanese. Those not INTRODUCTION required for commando service re-mustered to the massive landing craft fleet in Europe and the Far On 28 October 1664, the newly-raised Duke of York East. Demobilisation commenced after the defeat of and Albany's Maritime Regiment, which was also Japan in August 1945. The Royal Marine strength known as the Admiral's Regiment, paraded on the dropped from its wartime 70,000 to 13,000 and City of London Artillery Ground 'to be in readiness settled into three broad functions of Sea Service, to be distributed in His Mat's Fleet prepared for sea Commandos and Amphibious. 3 Cdo Bde based service'. This marked the formation of the Royal around 40, 42 and 45 Cdos retained the green beret. Marines who served with the Royal Navy as snipers, The Commandos served, usually under Army landing parties, discouragers of mutinies, ceremonial command in Palestine, Malaya and Korea. In 1952, 3 guards and later gun turret crews and bandsmen. Cdo Bde moved to Malta and was assigned to the Two hundred and seventy-five years later, at the Middle East Strategic Reserve, which saw service in outbreak of the Second World War on 3 September the Canal Zone, Cyprus, where 45 Cdo developed ski 1939, the Royal Marine strength stood at about techniques, and Suez, where 45 Cdo carried out the 15,000. However, apart from ship's detachments and first heliborne assault. In 1959 National Service aircrew with the Fleet Air Arm, the Corps contrib- ceased, establishment dropped to 9000 men but all uted little in the first years of the war. In 1942, the members of the Royal Marines became commando formation of a Royal Marine 'A' Commando, which trained. participated at Dieppe, was significant and within a In 1960 the Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) year nine more Royal Marine Commandos had been HMS Bulwark embarked 42 Cdo which gave the raised and joined the Special Service Group. 4th Royal Marines a strategic role; this was tested when Special Service Brigade which landed at D-Day was Iraq threatened Kuwait and the Commando was entirely Royal Marine and in Burma 3rd Commando landed to reinforce the local garrison. Three more 41 RM Cdo land in Buffalos launched from an LCT at Westkapelle Gap, Walcheren, 1 November 1941. (RM Museum) 3 carriers were converted to LPH and participated in role in the Gulf War, but played a significant part in the confrontation with Indonesia. 45 Cdo went to Kurdistan in 1991. Aden in 1960 and stayed seven years, 45 went to The several Second World War amphibious Singapore and stayed eleven. 41 and 43 Cdos re- raiding units eventually became the Special Boat mained in UK for overseas operations. In 1962 HQ 3 Squadron (SBS), which is integral to the Corps. Cdo Bde and 40 Cdo moved to the Fleet Amphibious Mountain, winter and cliff assault was evolved into a Base Far East in Singapore where the helicopter 3 Royal Marine speciality and resulted in the formation Cdo Bde Air Squadron (3 Cdo BAS) was formed. In of the Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre (M&AW September 1969 41 Cdo was the first RM united to Cadre). be drafted to Northern Ireland. Army Commandos joined 3 Cdo Bde as gunners, engineers, specialists The Green Beret and technicians. In late 1942 No 1 (Army) Cdo had 79 different cap In 1971 as part of the defence re-organisation badges and a variety of headgear in its ranks. The with greater commitments to NATO, 3 Cdo Bde left officers decided on a uniform head-dress and en- the Far East and was assigned an independent role in gaged a local tam-o'-shanter firm to design a beret Norway with Allied Forces Northern Europe. In 1971 the Commando Logistic Regiment (Cdo Log Regt) was formed. Operations in Northern Ireland delayed deployment to Norway, but in 1973 the 45 Cdo Group began the first of many annual winter exercises. Royal Marine establishment was about 8000. The launch of two Landing Platforms Dock (LPD) gave the Royal Marines an extensive amphibi- ous capability, which proved invaluable in 1982 when 3 Cdo Bde landed on the Falkland Islands and played a major part in the defeat of the substantial Argentine garrison. The Royal Marines had a relatively minor Above: 26th RM Bn repair bomb damaged houses in south London, 1944-45. (RM Museum) Marines of 45 RM Cdo display captured German flags and Nazi trophies after crossing the Wesel, March 1945. (RM Museum) 4 using the now familiar lovat green. When the Army Commandos were disbanded in 1946, senior Com- mando officers wanted the green beret to also be dropped, however Lord Louis Mountbatten insisted this distinctive head-dress should be awarded to those who had passed the commando course and were serving with the Royal Marines. Lovat green is now accepted as the formal head-dress for most amphibious troops, an exception being the Soviet Naval Infantry who wear black berets. Individual cap badges continue to be worn. Why an Elite? What distinguishes the Royal Marines from the French Fusilier Marines, the US Marine Corps and the Soviet, now Russian, Morskaya Pekhota (Naval Infantry)? One word - Commandos. This role, which they inherited from World War II Army commandos, have ensured they have a distinctive role, and organisation, within the British Armed Forces. They are the one formation that is trained to be delivered to battle by helicopter, or landing craft from ships, perhaps to spearhead a landing or to carry out a raid. Their strategic role demands the Royal Marines must be familiar with all types of terrain ranging from amphibious operations to jun- gle, desert and arctic warfare. In 1982, a veteran Marine W.K. Lawlor Regardless' flag in Norwegian major who fought throughout the 1940 hoists B Troop, 45RM Osnabruck, 4 April 1945. Norwegian campaign and witnessed French, Soviet, Cdo's 'Bash on (RM Museum) German and Austrian mountain troops, described the Royal Marines as the best. However, unlike the cers are more rigorous. Inheriting the World War Army, Royal Marines are not trained in the intrica- Two army commando philosophy evolved at the cies of armoured and mechanised warfare. They may commando training centre at Achnacarry, CTC is a be required to mount rapid-response deployments or 'microcosm of war' and teaches basic and some fight as conventional troops in campaigns suitable for advanced military skills; including company support their role and organisation, although it is important weapons, section and troop communication. The to acknowledge that Royal Marines rarely operate in course tests stamina and strength and emphasises isolation. Their methods demand the Royal Navy, teamwork. Army and RAF provide air, artillery, engineer and After the Royal Marine has been awarded his technical support to ensure that 3 Cdo Bde is a self- green beret, he must then select his Specialist Quali- supporting formation. fication (SQ). The options are wide and varied: The Royal Marines set themselves high stand- sniper, air defence, divers, mechanics, signallers, ards in the selection of those who wish to serve with writers, illustrators, small boat and landing craft them. Those that wear the green beret do so in the crews, and pilots. For many Royal Marines, attend- knowledge they were selected members of an elite. ance at SQ courses will be their first exposure to Royal Marine officers and other ranks undergo iden- other elements of the Armed Forces. They will tical training at the Commando Training Centre recognise him to be a Royal Marine. When he has (CTC) at Lympstone, although timings set for offi- accrued sufficient experience, he may choose to 'go 5 BRIGADES DURATION SERVICE HISTORY RM BDE (Converted to 101 RM Bde 1940) 1 RM Bn 1939-40 2 RM Bn 1939-40 3 RM Bn 1939-40 5 RM Bn 1939-40 101 BDE 1 RM Bn 1940-43 Dakar: Converted to 42 (RM) Cdo/42 Cdo.