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Silver Jubilee Fleet Review

Silver Jubilee Fleet Review

Disposition of the Fleet The Fleet is disposed in 10 lines which include Admiral J. D. E. Fieldhouse, Flag Officer Flotilla, and guided-missile and representative ships from Commonwealth , consists of nuclear and con- ships of the Third, Fourth, Seventh and navies and the navies of countries sharing ventional submarines of the First, Second and Eighth Squadrons forming the membership with the of the Third Squadrons of the Submarine Second Flotilla. The line continues with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Central Flotilla. These are followed by craft of the ships of the. Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service Treaty Organisation and the European Royal Naval Hovercraft Unit and of and British merchant vessels. Economic Community. A number of British the Fifth and Sixth Frigate Squadrons of the Line F, led by the guided-missile mercantile organisations are also represented First Flotilla. The line continues to the west HMS London, flying the flag of by vessels in the review lines. with representatives of the Royal Corps of Rear-Admiral R. R. Squires, Flag Officer Lines A and B contain fast patrol boats, Transport, the Sail Training Association, the First Flotilla, is composed of guided-missile representatives of the Corporation of Trinity Sea Cadet Corps, the Royal National Life- destroyers, the command helicopter House, the Commissioners of Irish Lights, boat Institution, Her Majesty's Coastguard, HMS Blake, and ships of the First and the Commissioners of the Northern Light- the Natural Environment Research Council, Second Frigate Squadrons of the First house Board, and sail training yachts of the Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, the Post Flotilla. three services. Office, and a yacht from Gordonstoun Lines G, H and K consist of Common- Line C, headed by the survey ship HMS School. wealth and foreign warships and British Herald, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral D. Line E is headed by the merchant vessels. W. Haslam, Hydrographer of the Navy, HMS Ark Royal, flagship of Admiral Sir Line J contains mine countermeasures consists of survey ships and craft, repre- Henry Leach, KCB, Commander-in-Chief vessels of the First and Second Mine sentatives of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Fleet, followed by HMS Hermes, flying the Countermeasures Squadrons, the Fishery Service, and vessels from the Fishing Fleet, flag of Rear-Admiral W. D. M. Staveley, Protection Squadron, the diving training ship the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Flag Officer Carriers and Amphibious HMS Laleston, the diving trials ship HMS Food, and the Department of Agriculture Ships, and the assault ship HMS Fearless. Reclaim and the Tenth Mine Counter- and Fisheries, . Next is HMS Tiger, a command helicopter measures Squadron (). Line D, headed by the nuclear submarine cruiser, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral M. This line is headed to the east by visiting HMS Superb, flying the flag of Rear- La T. Wemyss, Flag Officer Second warships.

Yacht Club Anchorages Yacht Clubs from all over the country will be No 38 Gp Offshore Yacht Club Royal Cruising Club represented by yachtsmen who have sailed to Old Worcester's Yacht Club Royal London Yacht Club the Solent to be present at the Review of the Yacht Club Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club Fleet. The chart shows the areas that have Royal Aircraft Establishment Sailing Club Tate and Lyle Sailing Division been allocated and the list shows the Yacht Royal Dart Yacht Club Venturers Search and Rescue Clubs occupying these areas. RN Club and Royal Albert Yacht Club White Rose Sailing Association Royal Naval Sailing Association NORRIS/OSBORNE HORSE SAND RNVR Sailing Club Aldeburgh Yacht Club Baltic Exchange Sailing Association Royal Ocean Racing Club Bank of England Sailing Club Arun Yacht Club Royal Southern Yacht Club Bembridge Sailing Club Bar Yacht Club Stokes Bay Sailing Club Barclays Bank Sailing Club Brading Haven Yacht Club Warsash Sailing Club Coral Yacht Club BBC Yacht Club Beaulieu River Sailing Club Fareham Sailing and Motor Boat Club BRAMBLE British Airways Offshore Sailing Club Gosport Cruising Club Central Electricity Generating Board Sailing Christchurch Sailing Club Haberdashers' Aske's School Club Christian Sailing Centre HM Coastguard, Shoreham Dorchester Sailing Club City Livery Yacht Club Littlehampton Sailing and Motor Club East Dorset Sailing Club ICI Slough Sailing Club Medway Yacht Club Harrison Butler Association Island Cruising Club Harbour Cruising Club Highcliffe Sailing Club Isle of Wight Motor Yacht Club Portsmouth Sailing Club John Lewis Partnership Sailing Club Law Society Yacht Club Royal Netherlands Yacht Club Keyhaven Yacht Club Lymington Town Yacht Club Rye Harbour Sailing Club Medina Mariners Association Midland Bank Sailing Club Sea View Yacht Club Metal Box Sailing Club Orford Sailing Club Second Life Cruising Club Mudeford Yacht Club Penton Hook Yacht Club Sussex Yacht Club Offshore Cruising Club Royal Fowey Yacht Club Tudor Sailing Club Parkstone Yacht Club Royal Motor Yacht Club Poole Harbour Yacht Club SPITSAND Royal Yacht Club Reading Offshore Club Birdham Yacht Club Royal Western Yacht Club of England Rickmansworth Sailing Club Bosham Sailing Club Sussex Motor Yacht Club Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club Chichester Cruiser Racing Club Thames Motor Yacht Club Royal Dorset Yacht Club Chichester Yacht Club Dell The British Motor Yacht Club Royal Lymington Yacht Club Quay Sailing Club Emsworth UK Offshore Boating Association Cruising Association Royal Solent Yacht Club MOTHER BANK Emsworth Sailing Club Royal Yacht Club Cruising Association Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club Seabird Yacht Club Guildford Coastal Cruising Club Havant Sea Angling Club Southampton School of Navigation Sailing Hardway Sailing Club Hayling Island Sailing Club Club Little Ship Club Itchenor Sailing Club Swanage Sailing Club Portchester Sailing Club Langstone Sailing Club Locks Wall's Sailing Club Royal Victoria Yacht Club Sailing Club Mengeham RYDE MIDDLE West Mersea Yacht Club Rythe Sailing Club Squadron Prinsted Boat Club RYDE SAND British Red Cross Society West Wittering Sailing Club Catamaran Yacht Club House of Commons Yacht Club Multihull Offshore Cruising and Racing LEE/BROWNDOWN Royal House of Lords Yacht Club Association Thames Yacht Club Army Island Sailing Club Silhouette Owners Association Sailing Association Civil Lloyds Yacht Club There will also be many thousands of yachts, not Service Sailing Association Lee- OCL Barge Club attached to clubs, berthed in the public anchor- on-Solent Sailing Club Netley Old Gaffers Association ages at Haslar, Hill Head, Peel Bank and Ryde Cliff Sailing Club Royal Burnham Yacht Club Sand ( bilge keels and multihulls ).

Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia

Just back from an extensive Royal Silver special benefits in terms of pay, allowances years since commissioning there have Jubilee Tour of the Pacific Islands, New or leave. been 24 Commonwealth cruises involving Zealand and Australia, the Royal Yacht Traditions of dress aboard the Royal 311 separate ports; 17 state and 60 other has already steamed 30,000 miles this Yacht include the wearing by seamen of foreign visits, and 154 visits to United year and completed her sixth circum- naval uniform with the jumper inside the Kingdom ports. Not surprising therefore navigation of the world. top of the trousers with a black silk bow that Britannia spends more time away The Royal Yacht is an independent at the back. White badges instead of the from home than the average frigate, and command, administered personally by the customary red are worn on blue in a busy year as much as 70% of her Flag Officer Royal Yachts, Rear-Admiral uniforms, and gym shoes are used time away from Portsmouth. H. P. Janion, an Extra Equerry to The extensively. As well as enhancing the impact of tours Queen and a member of the Royal By long tradition the customary naval such as those to celebrate the United Household. Britannia's crew numbers 21 mark of respect of piping the side is paid States Bicentennial and the Officers and 250 Yachtsmen including a only to The Queen. The Yacht is run Olympics last year, Britannia takes part in Royal Marine Band when Royalty is without the aid of a general broadcast Naval exercises, undertakes routine embarked. Officers are normally appointed system. hydrographic tasks at sea and is a regular for two-year periods of duty and half the HMY Britannia was built on Clyde- visitor to Cowes Week. With her blue ratings are permanent crew members who bank in 1953, is 413 ft long, about 5000 hull, red waterline, white upper works and remain for their whole service careers; tons displacement, and was designed with buff coloured masts and funnel, she is others are attached to the Yacht for a a wartime role. In peace- probably the cleanest and smartest ship normal Naval draft. All are volunteers from time, however, her main function has in- afloat. Certainly she is a great source of the , but receive no volved steaming 570,000 miles. In the 24 pride to all who serve aboard.

The portraits of The Queen (inside front continued the close links of the House of as a cadet at the Royal Naval College. cover) and of The Queen and The Duke Windsor with the Royal Navy. He joined The service of the then Duke of York in of were taken by Peter Dartmouth under the Graduate Entry World War I was dogged by ill health but Grugeon. His Royal Highness wears the Scheme as a sub-lieutenant and served he was at sea for the greater part of three dress uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet actively for five years, his last appoint- years, fought at the Battle of Jutland in and the sash of the Most Noble Order of ment being the command of HMS HMS Collingwood and was mentioned in the Garter. He began his naval career as Bronington, a minehunter. He trained as a despatches for coolness. a cadet at Dartmouth in May 1939 and helicopter pilot and was appointed to 845 The portrait of The Princess Anne, as served throughout World War II. He saw Squadron. His Royal Highness ceased is indeed appropriate, was taken by a active service in the Home, Mediter- active service on 31 December last and Royal Navy photographer. Her Royal ranean and Pacific Fleets and as a lieu- was promoted to the rank of commander. Highness was appointed Chief Com- tenant commander was placed on half In his Foreword The Prince of Wales mandant of WRNS in 1974. pay in October 1951. He was promoted recalls that his great-grandfather, King In Great Britain there are many families commander in June 1952 and made George V, as a young lieutenant, com- which have a long tradition of service to Admiral of the Fleet in January 1953. manded a at a in the armed forces but few can claim such a The portrait of The Prince of Wales is 1889. His grandfather, King George VI, close and continuous association with the also by Peter Grugeon. The Prince has like his own father, began his naval career Royal Navy as the House of Windsor. The

The first occasion when the Royal Navy The Fleet Air Arm entered World War II included eight aircraft carriers, two took to the air at sea was in August 1908 with aircraft which were few in numbers belonging to Commonwealth navies, and when trials were conducted in the use of and lacking performance when compared 36 naval air squadrons were represented man-carrying observation kites towed by to their enemies'. Nevertheless, great in the fly past. Two more operational surface ships. Even this event was pre- success was achieved during the course of carriers and a maintenance carrier, with dated by some five years when the Royal the war, most particularly the night attack four squadrons, were in the Far East, Navy first examined the potential of on the Italian battle fleet in the heavily where the Korean war had six weeks yet kites at Whale Island, Portsmouth, in defended port of Taranto which sank or to run. That the Royal Navy's aviation March 1903. In that same historic year, disabled half of the enemy in little more was entering a period of change was 1908, the Admiralty ordered their first than an hour for the loss of only two evident from the presence of the six rigid airship, confirming their interest in Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers. By squadrons of jet fighters and the flights aviation. In January 1912 a short S27 the end of the war the Fleet Air Arm had of turboprop strike and anti-submarine biplane took off from the cruiser HMS increased its first-line strength to 1,300 aircraft which took part in the fly past; a Africa and on 13 May that year the aircraft, with many more in support, hint of the more distant future was pro- Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps training and reserve. The end of the war vided by the one squadron of rescue was formed. The potential importance of witnessed a rapid demobilisation and helicopters and a flight of Sikorsky naval aviation was fully recognised reduction in strength but the Fleet Air Whirlwind general-purpose helicopters. when the Royal Naval Air Service was Arm was established as an essential The heavier jet aircraft, with their high established on 1 July 1914 and the new element of the fleet. landing speeds, required new launching and arm of the Royal Navy played a spirited Twenty-four years ago, the line-up landing techniques if they were to be role in the air, at sea and in the land for the Review of the Fleet operated efficiently and safely, and by the battles that were to follow. The Royal Naval Air Service was merged with the Royal Flying Corps on 1 April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force and in the lean years between the world wars naval air capability made only slow progress. Eventually the Navy's need to control its own air activity was recognised and the Admiralty became fully respon- sible for the Fleet Air Arm in May 1939.

Sixty years of aeronautical development link the two aircraft illustrated on this page. The Phantom is the Navy's latest and most potent strike aircraft; the World War I Short 184 , seen with a torpedo between her floats, took part in the Battle of Jutland. Her remains are preserved in The Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton. 17 beginning of 1953 teams of officers,of the of a spotlight with reference marks on the steam catapult was impressive: in Royal Navy and the Royal Aeronautical either side of a large polished steel mirror 1953, the hydraulic catapult could Establishment, Farnborough, had devel- set at the side of the landing area, the launch a 7-ton aircraft at 115 mph—ten oped and tested three inventions which pilot could make an approach at a steady years later the steam catapult was proved to be essential to the effectiveness angle of descent which was so accurate launching 18-ton aircraft at 160 mph. of the aircraft carrier. Of these by far the that a single arrester wire could be The adopted all most important was the angled deck : by designated as the 'target wire', although at three British inventions without delay— altering the centre-line of the landing area least three other wires were provided to indeed, the first carrier with an angled a few degrees to the left of the ship's cater for slight inaccuracies in flying. deck was the USS Antietam, which had centre-line, the pilot of an approaching Within 10 years, the mirror was replaced visited Spithead two months before the aircraft was given an unobstructed ` by a projector sight, using narrow beams review, and the first with steam runway' from the stern to a point on the of direct light instead of a single reflected catapults was the USS Hancock, port edge of the flight deck roughly in line source but working on the same principle. completed in January 1954, 13 months with the 'island' bridge structure—if he Also present at the 1953 review was before HMS Ark Royal. failed to catch an arrester wire, then he HMS Perseus, built as a maintenance Five new carriers were commissioned could simply open up the throttle and go carrier but modified in 1951 to evaluate a between 1953 and 1960, all capable of around again, whereas with the original revolutionary form of catapult in which operating jet aircraft. HMS Ark Royal and straight deck he had been confronted with the motive force was provided by steam the smaller Centaur, Bulwark, Albion and a large steel-wire or nylon barrier from the ship's boilers. The steam was Hermes joined HMS Eagle and the protecting aircraft parked ahead of the released at high pressure into a cylinder reconstructed Victorious to provide a landing area. Now the park area was to propel a piston to which the aircraft powerful fleet up to the mid-sixties, when safely to starboard of the approaching was attached by a wire 'bridle'. The yards defence economies began to take their aircraft and no barrier was needed for a of wire rope and heavy rams associated toll. By 1970, only the Ark Royal, Eagle normal approach. with hydraulic catapults were thus and Hermes were still operating jets, The 'batsman' had controlled deck eliminated, the piston (and aircraft) was Centaur and Victorious had been landings in the Royal Navy for 15 years, accelerated progressively instead of in withdrawn for scrapping, and Bulwark but his usefulness had declined as aircraft one convulsive jerk, reducing the stress and Albion were operating helicopters. approach speeds increased, and he was on the aircraft and crew, and deceleration The helicopter's advantages were replaced from 1954 by the mirror deck- of the only moving part at the end of the ` obvious to the Navy even before World landing system. By aligning the reflection stroke' was simplified. The potential of War II, and as early as 1937 a series of trials was conducted aboard an aircraft carrier with an autogyro—at that time the only practical rotary-winged aircraft. In 1943, an American-built Sikorsky helicopter was embarked on a British merchant ship for anti-submarine trials but not until after the end of the war was a suitable aircraft, capable of carrying either detection gear or a weapons load, available for service. The Sikorsky S-55, Continued on page 20

THIS PAGE: Two historic photographs from World War I. The top one shows an experimental launch on 31 July 1918 of a Sopwith Camel scout from a lighter towed by a destroyer. A few days later, using this technique the pilot destroyed German Zeppelin L.53. The aircraft had to be ditched after the sortie. In the bottom photograph a Sopwith '14 Strutter' is seen making the first successful landing on the deck of HMS Argus. FACING PAGE : ( 1) A Fairey Flycatcher over HMS Eagle in the early 1930s. Flycatchers were the standard front-line FAA fighters from 1924 to 1932. ( 2) A Fairey Swordfish taking off from an escort carrier during World War II. Escort carriers with their Hurricane and Swordfish aircraft provided air cover for convoys out of range of shore based aircraft. ( 3) Blackburn Skuas of 803 Squadron. The Skua was the FAA's first operational monoplane and although designed as a dive-bomber, one of 803 Squadron shot down a Dornier Do18 off Norway on 29 Sept 1939, the FAA's first ' kill' in World War II. (4) Arming Grumman Hellcats with rockets during the Pacific campaign in World War II. ( 5) The Hawker Sea Fury FBII, the last piston engined fighter in the FAA. This type of aircraft gave sterling service from 1947 to 1957, particularly in the Korean war. (6) The first ever operation of a jet aircraft from an aircraft carrier : a de Havilland Sea Vampire taking off from HMS Ocean on 3 December 1945. 18 19 named Whirlwind in British service and light attack tasks. The Leander and , the Whirlwinds and Wessex of later built under licence by Westland Tribal class frigates were designed to the four squadrons involved flew from Aircraft, was such a helicopter, but the carry such an aircraft and from 1964 the primitive bases hacked out of the jungle, first naval squadron was formed for the Westland Wasps of 829 Squadron have carrying supplies and troops with a speed assault transport role and was despatched seen world-wide service from these and mobility which would have been to Malaya at the beginning of 1953 to ships. The Westland Wessexes embarked impossible on the ground, where the operate against the Communist insur- in the County class guided missile terrain was difficult and tracks few. gents in the jungle. A year later, the first destroyers fulfil a similar role, but with The fixed-wing peak strength was RN anti-submarine (A/S) helicopter the added advantages of Sonar and radar reached in late 1956, at the time of the squadron was formed, its Whirlwinds fitted in the larger aircraft. From 1977, Anglo-French intervention in Egypt, equipped with detection equipment which the Anglo-French Lynx helicopter will when 199 Hawker Sea Hawks, Westland could be lowered into the water while the begin to replace the Wasp. Wyverns, De Havilland Sea Venoms, aircraft was hovering. Three times as fast Royal Navy survey ships also carry the Fairey Gannets and Douglas Skyraiders as the A/S ships with which they worked, Wasp helicopter in the 'H' class and Ice were serving in front-line squadrons. teams of helicopters could detect, track Patrol Ship HMS Endurance. The first Five years later, these aircraft had gone, and overtake even the fastest submarines, such ship to embark a helicopter was replaced by Supermarine Scimitars in the with one of their number delivering the HMS Vidal, in 1954, and her experience day fighter and strike roles, the De coup de grace with a homing torpedo. demonstrated that the use of the aircraft Havilland Sea Vixen night fighter and Since 1960, the helicopter has been the for landing, supplying and recovering the airborne early warning only shipborne A/S aircraft, and survey parties greatly increased the aircraft. In 1963, the first operational improvements in equipment, including efficiency of the ship. Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer squadron the fitting of radar and longer-ranging The Navy's experience of helicopter joined the fleet and the Scimitar was Sonar, has resulted in the Westland Sea troop-carrying operations, gained in the thereafter progressively retired. No suit- King—a 'flying frigate' which can not Malayan jungle between 1953 and 1956, able British-built replacement was pro- only detect and destroy submarines by was broadened at the end of 1956 when cured for the Sea Vixen and in 1968 the day and night in all weather conditions, Royal Navy helicopters flew from two McDonnell-Douglas F-4K Phantom was but can also control other helicopters, carriers to land troops to occupy vital placed in service, subsequently fixed-wing aircraft and even ships in a positions at Port Said. Covered by the embarking with 892 Squadron in HMS hunt. fixed-wing aircraft from the three strike Ark Royal. In the late fifties it was decided that carriers with the fleet, the helicopter- Although it had been intended that the the most effective method of delivering a borne landings were completely success- Royal Navy's shipborne aircraft should long-range A/S weapon from a ship ful and led to the formation of the first ` be a rotary-wing force by the end of the would be a light helicopter, launched and commando helicopter squadron' two years present decade, the decision to buy the controlled by the ship to drop a torpedo later. HMS Bulwark was converted as a Hawker Siddeley Sea Harrier vertical/ or depth-charges well outside maximum commando carrier to operate one large short take-off and landing (VSTOL) submarine torpedo range. Such a squadron of helicopters and became strike fighters and to proceed with the helicopter could also be used for visual operational in the Far East early in 1960. construction of the Invincible class anti- searches, communications and even for She was later joined by the Albion and, in submarine means that the fleet the early seventies, by the Hermes. Royal will be able to take its own 'organic' air Marine commandos from these ships were defence force to sea until the end of the century at least. At the same time, the ABOVE (left): A Lynx of 700L Squadron at landed at Kuwait in 1962, to bolster the RNAS at Yeovilton in Somerset where the British presence when that small country helicopter will continue to be the Fleet Air Arm Museum is situated. Here was threatened by Iraq, and in East numerically most important aircraft the history of the Royal Naval Air Service Africa in 1963 to quell mutinies by local afloat : today almost all surface warships takes visible form in a display of aircraft, troops, and they were the last British and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are capable equipment and mementoes. Some of the forces to leave Aden, in 1967. Between of operating A/S helicopters. aircraft on view are regularly flown. 1963 and 1966, all the commando The Fleet Air Arm is as important These include the legendary Swordfish. helicopter squadrons saw extensive today as it was in 1939 and the personnel The Museum is open to the public 10.00 to and aircraft are fully capable of meeting 17.30 Monday to Saturday; 12.30 to 17.30 service in Borneo, during the Sunday. (right): A Sea King over HMS confrontation with Indonesia. As well as the many and varied needs of the Fleet in Ark Royal. operating from airfields in Sarawak and both peace and war. 20 The For centuries sea power has enabled the the Corps were at Trafalgar—whilst they In the early years of the 20th century, United Kingdom to protect her interests all also gained much experience and distinc- sea-going service remained the main over the world. An essential element of tion in innumerable raiding and other commitment of the Corps, but the war of that sea power has been the ability to amphibious operations. In 1802, at the 1914 soon saw the provision of battalions extend influence ashore by the landing of end of the French Revolutionary War, once again. A brigade was landed ashore military forces. and largely due to their great supporter in Belgium within days of war being The Royal Marines derive from the Admiral the Earl St Vincent, the services declared and this same formation landed Duke of York and Albany's Maritime of the Corps were rewarded by the at Gallipoli with the Royal Naval Regiment of Foot, otherwise known as granting of the title 'Royal'. Division in 1915, and later, reduced to the Admiral's Regiment, which was Soon afterwards, in 1804, artillery two battalions, served on the Western formed in 1664, and the traditional role companies were added and later, when Front. Meanwhile the Royal Marine of the Corps has been to provide soldiers small-arms men no longer had a part to Artillery provided not only howitzer and for service with the Royal Navy. Its play in sea warfare, all marines were anti-aircraft brigades but also a heavy motto Per Mare Per Terram, `By sea and trained to man a portion of the armament siege train in France and Flanders, and an by land', accurately describes its role. of the ships in which they served. This artillery brigade in East Africa. Originally largely recruited from the gunnery role became a traditional duty of After World War I sea-service became trained bands of the City of London, the the Corps afloat. Nevertheless Royal once more the main duty of the Corps. In Corps today is proud of the privilege of Marine battalions served in the Crimea, 1923 the two branches, the RM Artillery marching through the City with colours China and Japan, West Africa, Egypt and and RM Light Infantry, were flying, drums beating and bayonets the Sudan, whilst marines formed part of amalgamated under the old title, 'The fixed, an honour enjoyed by very few the naval brigades during the Indian Royal Marines'. other regiments. Since 1664 the history Mutiny, in Abyssinia, and South Africa; World War II found the Corps being of the Corps can be traced through and detachments served ashore in Malaya, called upon to perform a whole range of successive regiments of marines, raised New Zealand and . new tasks—complete formations for the at the outbreak of a war and disbanded again each time peace returned, until early in 1775, in the days preceding the outbreak of the Seven Years War, the Corps was permanently established under the control of the Board of Admiralty, and since then it has continued to provide a military force as an integral part of the Royal Navy. During the French wars the 'soldiers of the sea' were present at every naval battle—nearly 3,000 officers and men of

As the two photographs on this page show, `Over the Sea and Under the Sea' could justly be added to the Corps motto. (above) : A detachment of Royal Marines landing from Wessex helicopters of the commando ship, HMS Bulwark, during an exercise in . (right): Royal Marine commandos embarking on a submarine after an exercise sortie ashore. 21 defence of naval bases overseas, Corps as being on NATO's northern of troop-carrying helicopters, to gather providing crews for landing craft and men flank, in Norway. The northern flank intelligence on the latest enemy positions, for beach-control parties, armoured units reinforcement role means that Royal or to mark a beach. They could also be for close support on the beaches—all Marines must train to fight in and be used to raid behind enemy lines. these in addition to the traditional role of equipped for the harsh Arctic environ- As the landing-force element of the furnishing detachments for HM ships and ment, including extreme winter con- United Kingdom Amphibious Force, the the familiar tasks of forming battalions, ditions. 45 Commando Group has shown Royal Marines can expect to operate siege regiments and antiaircraft units. the way and has been fully Arctic- alongside their counterparts in the other New roles were developed and three trained for some five years. Other Royal NATO marine corps. Co-operation and remain among their post-war ones— Marines units started their training in joint exercising is frequently practised commandos, landing craft and swimmer Norway in January 1977. with these other marine corps and in canoeists. The capture of Walcheren in The primary skill of every Royal particular there has been a considerable 1944 demonstrated the versatility of the Marine is to he a commando, but the amount of standardisation of equipment Royal Marines, when their Commandos Corps also trains a wide range of experts. with the Royal Netherlands Marine landed from craft manned by Royal These include specialists in mortars, anti- Corps. Marines and supported by their comrades tank guided weapons and anti-tank guns, Landing operations are carried out manning the guns of the bombarding as well as signallers, assault engineers, from specialist amphibious ships ships. clerks, cooks, carpenters, metalsmiths, equipped with landing craft, which can vehicle mechanics and drivers. The Royal also carry troop-lift helicopters. The The Corps Role Today Marines also provide landing-craft crews speed of helicopter operations and the The role of the Royal Marines in 1977 and a Special Boat Squadron. The Special distances over which a force may be continues to be that of the United Boat Squadron men, called swimmer dispersed demand high standards of Kingdom's specialist sea-soldiers : the canoeists, are frogmen, canoeists and training and individual expertise. Oper- military arm of the Royal Navy. How- parachutists who are trained to land ations inside the Arctic circle in mid- ever, over the years, the tasks of the Royal unseen on an enemy coast to carry out winter, for example, require specialist Marines have changed to meet national clandestine operations. They often go in knowledge and equipment. The battle is requirements and the Defence Review of ahead of the main force either to mark a as much against the elements as it is 1974 confirmed the major role of the landing zone for a wave against the enemy, when to survive in temperatures of 40 degrees below freezing is an art in itself. The specialist amphibious shipping is augmented by logistic landing ships and possibly by merchant ships, particularly of the roll- on roll-off type. To support the Royal Marines ashore there is a specially trained Royal Artillery Regiment and a Royal Engineers Squadron. The Royal Marines continue with their longest standing role of providing Marine detachments in ships of the fleet. Some 10 frigates, deployed world-wide, have detachments whose tasks range from shipboard employment to providing a landing force for operations ashore. At the scene of a natural disaster, a detach- ment could be among the first British members of an assistance force. There is a Royal Marines detachment in HMS Endurance, the Antarctic ice patrol ship, and a larger detachment is based ashore in the Falkland Islands. The Royal Marines Band Service has its origins as long ago as 1767. Since then it has provided bands for both the Royal Navy and Royal Marines ashore and afloat. At the Royal Marines School of Music at Deal, Kent, musicians are taught both a band and an orchestral instrument, and those who aim for leading positions in the Band Service

THIS PAGE (top): The Royal Marines School of Music band at the RM Depot at Deal on Corps Remembrance Day. (bot- tom): A RM raiding craft in Arctic waters.

FACING PAGE (top left): Marines race ashore from a landing craft during a NATO exercise. (top right): Inspection by the Captain General of the Corps, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. (bottom left): Public relations in Northern Ireland : a more relaxed moment for a Royal Marine patrol in the troubled province. (bottom right): Snow patrol, a scene during an exercise in Norway. 22

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