Monthly WW2 Commando History

The following pages are a brief insight into Commando History listed monthly encompassing all of WW2. There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one but here are some. Touch/click photos and links for more information.
 
Work in progress...November, and December to follow
 
A History of the Commandos and their operations can be found at the beginning of this booklet on The Commando Association.
 
View a timeline of Commando Operations here [Commando Raids and Operations].
 

WW2 Monthly History - January


There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one here.
4th Jan ‘43 ; - Operations in the Djebel Azzag (Sedjenane) area involving No 6 Commando. The Paras were involved in this area as well.  The following months would see two great battles in the region involving Allied Forces that would include No 1 Commando.
 
23rd Jan ’43 - Operation Cartoon - Lillebe Stord - No 12 Cdo (Northforce). Discover more about No 12 Commando here [view].
 
20-26th Jan’44 - Operation Shingle - Anzio - HQ 2 Cdo Bde., No  9 Cdo and 43 Cdo.
 
12th Jan – 22nd Feb. ’44 - Crossing of the River Garigliano - 40 Cdo.
 
Dec ’44 - Jan’45 - Policing Salonika - No 9 Cdo.
 
Dec ’44 - Jan’45 - Operation Houndforce - Policing Corfu - 40  Cdo.
 
Dec ’44 - Jan’45 - Operation Floydforce -  Harrassing ops , Bileca area Yugoslavia - 43  Cdo.
 
24th Dec’44 - 15th Jan’45 – Defensive patrolling on the Lower Maas, N of Breda - 47 Cdo.
 
January 1945 also saw No 4 Commando involved in operations in Holland on the island of Schouwen accompanied by 1 troop of No 10 Commando.
 

Victoria Cross 

Lance Corporal Henry Eric Harden VC
23 January 1945. 1 Commando Brigade consisting of No.3 (Army) and No.6 (Army) Commandos and Nos.45 and 46 Royal Marine Commandos were operating across the Maas patrolling the Linne area, along with No.41 Royal Marine Commando patrolling the Lower Maas. Amongst their many casualties was Lance Corporal Henry Eric Harden, R.A.M.C. attached to 45RM Commando, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry. His citation can be found here on our Victoria Cross section [view].

Victoria Cross

Lieutenant George Arthur Knowland VC.
31 January 1945. 3 Commando Brigade consisting of No.1 (Army) and No.5 (Army) Commandos, and Nos.42 and 44 Royal Marine Commandos (with 1 troop from No.10 Commando) had been engaged in operations in the Akyab region of Burma and the Myebon Peninsula. On 22 January operations began that would result in the capture of Kangaw and Daingbon. On 29 January the battle commenced for Hill Pt. 170 in Kangaw. Amongst the many casualties was Lieutenant George Arthur Knowland of No 1 Commando who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry. His citation can be found here on our Victoria Cross section [view].
 

WW2 Monthly History - February

There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one here.
February/March 1942 - Courses commence at the new Commando Basic Training Centre located in the grounds of the existing Commando Depot, at Achnacarry [more......].
February 1943 - Allied forces involved in ongoing fighting in North Africa after Operation Torch in Nov'42. No.1 Commando were involved in Operation Scorch at Serrat on the 7th and 8th, and later in the continued fighting at Sedjenane on the 26th -28th. Follow this link to read  'An account by Sgt John Southworth MM' of one part of that action.
February 1943 - No.6 Commando action at what became known as the Battle for Steamroller Farm near Mejas-el-Bab, Tunisia. Already depleted through casualties to about 250 Commandos, they came up against a much larger German force which included tanks. No.6 Commando managed to halt the German advance at the Farm for a much needed 6 hours during which they suffered many casualties, killed, wounded, or missing [more....]. 
Later the Commando returned to bury their dead described in detail in by their CO Brigadier Mills Roberts in his excellent and highly recommended book Clash by Night.
February 1944 - 40RM Commando were being reinforced at the River Garigliano and Monte Ornito and Monte Faito area of Italy by HQ 2 Cdo Bde., No.9 Commando, 43RM Commando, and the Belgian troop of No.10(IA) Commando. The subsequent ferocious fighting in the area saw many Commando casualties. Post war No.9 Cdo. Veterans built a cairn and placed a small memorial at the location which is still there to this day. 
Amongst the many casualties were:
View 'Photos of the graves of some of the Fallen' within our war graves albums for Italy. 
5 February 1944 - The burial service for Captain Jack Stormont Bare of No.2 Commando took place in the afternoon at the British Naval Cemetery at Vis, the first British serviceman to be interred there for over 130 years. Read the No.2 Cdo War Diary entry about the original ceremony by clicking on his name above.
In the photograph Lt Col Jack Churchill, CO of No.2 Commando at the time, plays his bagpipes alongside his brother Tom Churchill, at a memorial service beside the British plaque in July 1973.
27 February 1944 Operation Premium at Wassenaar - a raid by a handful of commandos from No.10 Inter Allied Commando (French troops) on the Dutch Coast landing from an MTB. Captain Charles Trepel and the five other commandos were never seen alive again [more.......].
February 1945 - Operations continued in the Far East involving 3 Cdo Bde consisting of Nos.1 and 5 Army Commandos and 42 and 44RM Commandos, as well as the SBS. The fighting in the Arakan campaign was tough and casualties high.
3 Commando Brigade were commended by the CO of 15 Indian Corps to which the Brigade had been attached. 'Read the commendation.' 
View 'Photos of some of the Commando graves' from the Arakan campaign in our war graves album for Burma (Myanmar).
End of February 1945 and the next few months saw 2 Commando Brigade involved in the patrolling and holding of the 5 Corps winter line along the River Reno in Italy, whilst 41RM Commando were involved in patrolling the Lower Maas.
February 1945 - The executions of those involved in Operation Checkmate.

This was a Combined Operations raid grouped under the unit title of No.14 Commando. The raid was on Axis shipping in the harbour at Kopervik, Norway on the 29th April 1943. Amongst those executed was Sergeant V.J. 'Jack' Cox attached from No.12 Commando. Read on here to learn 'More about the raid'.

WW2 Monthly History - March

There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one here.

4th March 1941 - Nos.3 and 4 Commandos were taking part in Operation Claymore, on the Lofoten Islands. The Force also included approx 50 Royal Engineers and a group from the Free Norwegian Forces. They were transported on board two converted ships, the Princess Beatrix and the Queen Emma, now loaded with LCA's or Landing Craft Assault vessels. Leaving from, and returning to Scapa Flow, they were escorted by 5 Royal Navy destroyers. Two of the Commandos were later photographed with a couple of souvenirs in a newspaper after returning from the raid - L/Cpl Ernie Brooks and Pte. Fred Brooking. That photo can be viewed [here......].

February/March 1942 - Courses commence at the newly designated Commando Basic Training Centre located in the grounds of the existing Commando Depot at Achnacarry [more......].
 
28th March 1942 - No.2 Commando, accompanied by small detachments varying in size from Nos 1,3,4, 5, 9, and 12 Commandos, took part in Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, France. A combined operations raid with heavy casualties after which many of the Royal Navy personnel and Army Commandos would be awarded gallantry medals including five Victoria Crosses.
Nominal Roll of the Commandos (Operation Chariot):  [ Commando Personnel.... ].

Nominal Roll of the Royal Navy (Operation Chariot) : [ Royal Navy Personnel.... ].

Much has been written about the raid but for the best accounts we recommend Storming St Nazaire by James Dorrian and St Nazaire Commando by Stuart Chant-Sempill.

The gallantry of so many Commandos and Royal Navy personnel, many of whom would never return home, justify it being known as the "Greatest raid of all" [more......].

March 1943 - Operations continued in North Africa involving No.1 Commando, whilst the Northforce half of No.12 Commando were engaged in operations along the Norwegian coast and fjords.

March 1944 - No.9 Commando (Army) along with Nos.40 & 43 Royal Marine Commandos took part in operations at Anzio. Private Robert Rose Urquhart No.9 Commando was one of many casualties. He recovered from his wounds at Anzio only to be killed the following year at Lake Comacchio. We have copies of 2 of his letters home, the first when injured and in hospital, and the second dated the 29th March 1945 having just rejoined No 9 Commando in Italy. He was killed in action 4 days later. Click [here....] for more about Pte Urquhart and to read those and other letters.

3rd March 1944 - No.9 Commando 5 Troop, led by Capt. Les Callf, made their famous bayonet charge to clear the enemy from the wadis at Anzio [more........].

18th March 1944 - No.2 Commando were involved in Operation Detained 1 at Grohote village on the island of Solta (Yugoslavia) [more.......]. 
43RM Commando also took part this month in a raid on Hvar Island (Yugoslavia). 

March 1944 - Operations continued in the Far East involving HQ 3 Cdo Bde and Nos 5 (Army) Commando and 44RM Commando, one particular being Operation Screwdriver. The fighting in the Arakan campaign was tough and casualties high. Photos of some of the No 5 Commando graves from the Arakan campaign can be seen in our war graves album for Burma (Myanmar) [more......].

March 1945 - 48RM Commando took over from 41RM Commando in patrolling the Lower Maas whilst 1 Commando Brigade we're involved in operations clearing the Rhine- Maas triangle, and the crossing of the Rhine and capture of Wesel (Operation Widgeon) [more......].

March 1945 was also the month that two former members of No 12 Commando were executed, Lt Ross Littlejohn MC and Cpl Joseph Crowley. 
Both were now members of 2SAS and were captured during an operation in Italy and then executed at Bolzano, Italy. After a War Crimes trial the two German SS officers involved were both convicted of this and other atrocities and murders, and sentenced to death which was carried out on the 26th July 1946. The picture shows Lt Littlejohn MC and Cpl Crowley whilst attached to No 12 Commando, along with Corporal Stanley Bolden MM who was killed in action in March 1945 also whilst attached to 2SAS. Click or touch the photo for more detail.

March 1947 was of course after the war had ended but the date is significant for the post war Commandos. All Army Commandos had been disbanded along with six RM Commandos. Unit designations were also changing. 3 Commando Brigade was now 3 Commando Brigade RM.

On 16 March 1947 the then 44 Commando of 3 Commando Brigade RM was redesignated as 40 Commando, Royal Marines. The intention being to perpetuate a Commando representative of the Dieppe raid and the Italian theatre of war, and to recognise their contribution to the Allied victory in Europe as with that of 45 Commando, combined with 42 Commando's contribution to Allied victory in the Far East.
 

WW2 Monthly History - April

There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one here.
April 1940 saw the first call for volunteers for new Independent Companies for service of a 'Hazardous Nature'. These were the forerunners of the Commandos [more].

19th April 1941 saw No.7 Commando involved in Operation Addition as part of Layforce ('A' Battalion) at Bardia. We have an account of Layforce [view].

1st April 1942 saw the joint burial service permitted by the Germans for the casualties after Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. [view]. Additional photos of the burial party can be seen in our Gallery. A quite unique joint ceremony in a time of world war.

April 1942  No.4 Commando took part in Operation Abercrombie, the raid on Hardelot. More detail can be found in 2 messages on our forum: [view 1st]  [view 2nd].

12/14 April 1943 the Northforce section of No.12 Commando took part in Operation Carey in the Norwegian Fjords. After this raid the Commando split into two, one half operating against the Norwegian Coast , ‘Northforce’, the remainder operating against the French coast in the Forfar operations. Men from No.12 also operated with the Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF).
View the No.12 Commando archive [here].
28/29th April 1943 saw a raid on Axis shipping in the harbour at Kopervik, Norway. They managed to sink several ships using limpet mines, but they were all eventually captured.
The raiders, a R.N.V.R. Lieutenant, two Petty Officers, three Seamen, grouped as No.14 Commando [view] were assisted by a Sergeant from No.12 Commando.
They ended up at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp where they were forced to march 30 miles a day on cobblestones testing German army boots. All but Mayor and Roe were later executed at Sachsenhausen. Mayor and Roe were transferred to Belsen where Mayor was executed and Roe died of Typhus. Read more about the individuals and raid [view].
 
Memorial for those interned at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and who perished there or elsewhere at the hands of their captors. Included are the Commandos and Naval personnel from Operation Checkmate, and the Commandos from Operation Musketoon.

April-July 1944 Continuing operations in the Far East involving 3 Commando Brigade in the Silchar, Assam, region. The Brigade included units from the SBS. The fighting in the campaign was tough and casualties high. Photos of some of the No.5 Commando graves from the Arakan campaign can be seen in our war graves album for Burma (Myanmar) [view]. 

April 1945 saw operations continuing in North West and Western Europe with major river crossings including the rivers Elbe and Aller. We have some good photos in our photo gallery, and the memories of some of those involved, including Corporal Eric Taylor, 46RM Commando, about their experiences [view Cpl. Taylor's account].

When checking the photo galleries of individual units involved, we recommend you also check our photo gallery of the Special Service (Commando) Brigades to which they were attached [view]. 

April 1945  2 Commando Brigade with units from the SAS/SBS were involved in Operations Roast, Impact, and Impact Royal in the regions of Lake Commachio and the Argenta Gap, Italy. There were many Commando casualties.  Major Lassen MC** and Corporal Hunter were both posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
  • Read more about Major Lassen. [view] 
  • Read more about Corporal Hunter. [view] 

They are both buried at Argenta War Cemetery. [view]

30 April 1945, and only days to go before before VE day, casualties continued.Trooper Stephen Greenwood, his No.7 Commando long since disbanded, was a prisoner of war in Germany. He was killed at Waganitz on the 30th April 1945 when they were fired on by a Russian tank whilst being force marched by his german captors West away from the advancing Russian army.   
Trooper Stephen Greenwood  [more....]. 

During the 30 days of April 1945 a total of one hundred and thirty six (136) Commandos died. They are remembered in cemeteries or on memorials across Europe. Of those 136 two were posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. A few days later on 8 May 1945 war in Europe ended with the surrender of Germany. Our Roll of Honour can be viewed in surname or date order. View the Commando Roll of Honour [HERE.....].

WW2 Monthly History - May

There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one but here are some.  Photo below depicts No 3 Commando at Limehouse during training there in the months preceding D Day. [view in gallery]

26-31st May 1941 saw 'D' Bn of Layforce / 52ME Commando involved in the defence of Crete. Many were taken prisoner of war through no fault of their own, the ships leaving without them. 

History of Layforce [view].

We also have a gallery of photos of Prisoners of War [view]. 

1st May 1942. Chief of Combined Operations Louis Mountbatten formally submits a request to the Under Secretary of State for War for distinctive head-dress in the form of a green beret for the Special Service Brigade. [view the report].

5th May 1942 No 5 Commando were taking part in Operation Ironclad at Diego Suarez, Madagascar. The total campaign lasted 6 months but the bulk of the special work of Combined Operations and the Commandos was concentrated into a few days in early May 1942. 

Our Gallery has images of some of the graves of the Fallen [view]. 

The image below is of an early No 5 Commando troop [view].

15-18th May 1944  Hiltforce were taking part in the Tarbrush raids along the French coastline gathering intelligence in preparation for D Day. 
Leading one of these raids was Lieut. George Henry Lane (see image) , No 10(IA) Commando 3 troop, who was born on the 18th January 1915 as Dyuri Länyi. Born in Hungary but came to England in the 1930s. 
3 troop also known as X troop consisted solely of German speaking refugees, many of the Jewish Faith. They included different nationalities, primarily German and Austrians, but also Hungarians and Czechs. 
George Lane was awarded the Military Cross for his part in the commando “Tarbrush” raids on the Pas de Calais coast in May 1944,the citation commending his “tenacity of purpose in obtaining vital information”. He died on March 19, 2010, aged 95. His obituary is in our Gallery. [view].

 22/23 May 1944 Commando operations from Vis. 

Operation Foothound on Miljet island. Units involved were No 2 Commando, 43 RM Commando, and one troop from 40RM Commando. This was a large scale raid which is summed up with tongue in cheek by the unknown author of a document we have on No 2 Commando overseas under the heading "Miljet". [view].

The image below is of some from 43RM Commando [view].

24th May 1944 No 9 Commando were involved in Operation Darlington 11 along the East coast of Italy.

 27th May 1944 Issue 25 of the Daily Vis-a-Vis was issued to Commandos operating with the Central Mediteranean Force from the island of Vis giving an update on the progress of the war [view].

8th May 1945 VE day or Victory in Europe day.  C in C 21st Army Group, Field Marshall Montgomery, sent a message to all troops. [view].

Twelve Commandos died in May 1945.

WESTWOOD, Albert '2 Cdo. Roll of Honour' Rifleman  28/05/1945 Coriano Ridge War Cemetery Italy
O'REILLY, John '44RM Cdo. Roll of Honour' Marine  26/05/1945 Kirkee War Cemetery India
SIMMONDS, Frederick John 'ME Cdo. Roll of Honour' Lance Sergeant  21/05/1945 Brussels Town Cemetery, Belgium
PEASLEY, Edward John 'RN Beach Cdo. Roll of Honour' Leading Seaman  18/05/1945 Staglieno Cemetery, Italy
KERR, Francis 45RM Cdo. Roll of Honour Sergeant  17/05/1945 Kiel War Cemetery Germany
TOOTH, Eric Roger '5 Cdo. Roll of Honour' Private  17/05/1945 Madras War Cemetery India
WEBBER, Ernest George William 1 Cdo. Roll of Honour Private  12/05/1945 Kirkee War Cemetery India
MACDONALD, Alan Kenneth 3 Cdo. Roll of Honour Corporal  11/05/1945 Hamburg Cemetery, Germany
LUMBRERA, Francisco 'ME Cdo. Roll of Honour' Private  08/05/1945 Athens Memorial, Greece
ALLARD, Camille '10 Cdo Roll of Honour 1+8 tps.' Lance Corporal  08/05/1945 Bordeaux Gironde, France
HERAS, Bravlio 'ME Cdo. Roll of Honour' Private  08/05/1945 Athens Memorial, Greece
FOSTER, Bernard Basil 45RM Cdo. Roll of Honour Marine  01/05/1945 Hamburg Cemetery, Germany

 

WW2 Monthly History - June

There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one but here are some. Touch/click photos for more information.
24th/25th June 1940 Operation Collar, a raid on the coast of France by men from the Independent Companies grouped together as No 11 Ind. Coy. and led by Major Ronnie Tod [more] and accompanied by Lt Col. Dudley Clarke acting as an observer. 
 
Learn more about the Independent Companies [read on......].
8th June 1941 Operation Exporter.
The original objective assigned to No. 11 'Scottish' Commando, who at the time formed 'C' Bn. of Layforce, was to land on two beaches to the north of the River Litani and one to the south, then seize and hold the Qasmiye bridge over it until relieved by 21 Australian Infantry Brigade.
 
Of the 406 men that landed, 130 were killed or wounded in nearly 29 hours of fighting. The Fallen included their Commanding Officer, Lt Col Dick Pedder [more]. 
 
We have a gallery of over 140 images relevant to No 11 Commando [view]. 
 
A book by Ian McHarg provides some comprehensive background information on the battle.

3rd June 1942  Operation Bristle, a raid on the French coast North of Plage St. Cecily by men from No 1 Commando. Read more in our Forum [go to Forum] .

6th June 1943  Exercise Brandyball. This was a No. 4 Commando mock seaborne raid on cliffs near Zennor, St Ives, Cornwall known as The Brandys. The exercise was a seaborne landing on an area with no beach, followed by a climb with full kit up vertical cliffs to seize a target.

On the rehearsal day of 6 June 1943 the weather was not good with rough seas, and one of the boats capsized with the loss of two Commandos. These events were filmed by an Army Film Unit present with Allied officers as observers. The film is now in the archive of the Imperial War Museum. The two Commandos who drowned were Lance Sergeant John Albert Chitty [view] and Lance Corporal Donald Samuel Hoodless [view].
 
Despite this tragedy the exercise took place successfully in much calmer seas on the following day. 
20th June 1943  The Old Comrades Association of the Special Service Brigade was formed at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry [view].
 
Membership number 1 was given to the Commandant, Lt Col Charles Vaughan [view.....]. Later it would be renamed the Old Comrades Association of the Army Commandos, before finally being shortened to the Commando Association. The Commando Association stood down at a service on 18 September 2005 [view....]. Since then a new Association has been formed and in 2019 re-named itself as Commando Association.
 
The history of the original Commando Association can be found in our archive [view.....].
6th June 1944  D Day. The allied landings at Normandy.
Thousands of British and Allied troops took part in these landings. The Commando Units involved were HQ Commando Group, Nos. 1 and 4 Special Service Brigades (later resignated as Commando Brigades), troops from No.10(IA) Commando, Royal Naval Beach Commandos, and Royal Engineer Commandos. Much has been written in the past about the Normandy landings and we could not hope to cover it in this small piece.
16/17th June 1944  RN Commandos took part in Operation Brassard [view], an operation to liberate the enemy held island of Elba. The attack was launched from the now liberated island of Corsica. There were several casualties and these can be viewed in our archive 
June 1944  Below are a few more of the Commando operations taking place around the world.
No 5 Commando and 44RM Commando were involved in Operation Silchar in Assam. Read more about 3 Cdo. Bde. Operations in our Archive [view].
 
Nos.40 & 43RM Commandos, with a reserve from No.2 Commando were involved with other allied units and Partisans in Operation Flounced at Brac island, Yugoslavia [view in archive].
 
No 9 Commando were taking part in Operation Pipsqueak on the East coast of Italy.  We have a gallery of over 150 images relating to No 9 Commando [view in gallery].
June 1945 The following Commandos died this month. 

WW2 Monthly History - July

There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one but here are some. Touch/click photos or highlighted words for more information.
14/15 July 1940 Operation Ambassador, a raid on the coast of Guernsey by men from the Independent Companies [more....] grouped together as No 11 Independent Company led by Major Ronnie Tod and also No 3 Commando. 
July 1941 'B' Bn Layforce (No 8 Commando) were in action at Tobruk and some of No 12 Commando were taking part in Operation Chess at Ambleteuse, France. 
July 1942 No.2 Commando's losses after the St Nazaire Raid in March resulted in large numbers of new Officers, NCO's and OR's joining those who had either made it back from the raid or were not on it. On the 1st July 1942 Lieutenant Colonel J.M.T.F.  'Jack' Churchill M.C. assumed command of No. 2 Commando and is seen here with their Boxing Team.
July 1943 Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. The Special Raiding Squadron (SRS) and Commandos were amongst the allied forces taking part. Whilst the SRS were engaged at Bagnara and Augusta and other areas, No 3 Commando's time in Sicily included one notable action at Agnone. 
14/15 July 1943 No.3 Commando were tasked with taking and holding a bridge at Malati until the arrival of the 50th Division. After capturing the bridge from the Italians and removing the demolitions they had laid, a counter attack by the Germans with support of tanks inflicted heavy casualties on No.3 Commando. Eventually they were ordered to withdraw but the bridge had been saved from demolition. General Montgomery later ordered that a stone be carved with “3 Commando Bridge” and this stone cemented into the Malati bridge.
  • An excellent account can be found in Lieut. Erskine’s recollections [more....].
  • Information on some Commandos who took part [more...].
  • One of the pillboxes still remains at Malati bridge [view....].
  • Gallery photos of some No.3 Command graves [view....].
July 1944 The allied advance into NW Europe after D day continued with heavy fighting in many areas. Thousands of British and Allied troops took part in these landings. Much has been written in the past about the landings and we could not hope to cover it in this small piece. Our thoughts are with them all. Suffice to say that those Commandos who made that original journey and did not come home are remembered with honour. 
  • Search the WW2 Commando Roll of Honour [here....].
  • View Gallery War Graves albums for France [here....].
14 July 1944 a memorial service was held at Le Plein where Captain the Abbe Rene de Naurois addressed the men of No.1 Special Service Bde. 
16 July 1944 a medal ceremony took place at L'Ecarde Quarry, Amfreville, where Field Marshall Montgomery issued gallantry medals to some Commandos. Photos of individual Commandos receiving awards at this ceremony can be found in their respective Commando Unit galleries.
July 1944 Commando operations were taking place around the world. 
South East Asia Command (SEAC)
No.5 Commando and 44RM Commando in Operation Silchar at Assam.
They were part of the 3rd Special Brigade [more....].

Central Mediterranean Force
28/29 July 1944
No.2 Commando in Operation Healing 2 at Spilje, Albania [more....].
They were part of the 2nd Special Service Brigade.
British Pathe News video [view....].
Photos about the Spilje raid [view....].

WW2 Monthly History - August

There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one but here are some.

18/25 August 1941 Operation Gauntlet, a Combined Operations raid on the island of Spitsbergen with units from the Canadian and Free French along with the British including the Special Service Brigade.  

14/15 August 1942 Operation Barricade, a group from the Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF), also referred to as 62 Commando, attacked a radar post at Pointe de Saire near Barfleur, crossing the Channel using a MTB. 

19th August 1942 Operation Jubilee, the Combined Operations raid at Dieppe. This raid is well documented and resulted in heavy Allied losses. The primary Commando units involved were Nos 3 & 4 Army Commandos and No. 40 Royal Marine Commando. 

Amongst the many gallantry medals awarded was that of the Victoria Cross to Captain Patrick Anthony Porteous, No 4 Commando. Read more about him [here....].


His citation for gallantry, along with those of all the Commando Victoria Cross recipients, can be viewed in our Victoria Cross section [here.... ].

A Nominal Roll of those from No 4 Commando who took part can be viewed [here....].

A Roll of Honour for the Commando Fallen at Dieppe can be found [here....].

The graves of some of the fallen during this operation can be viewed on this link to our gallery for [Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery.]

Amongst those who accompanied the Commandos on the Dieppe raid were Rangers from the Ist Ranger Bn., United States Army, including Lieutenant Edward Loustalot who was killed in action. Read more about him [here....].

These Rangers had attended a course on commando training at the Commando Depot, Achnacarry. We have in our gallery an album with information and photos about the US Rangers, including the diary of Leilyn Young which contains a great amount of detail of his journey to the UK, and his training and time with the Commandos : [US Rangers Gallery.]

August 1943 saw the continuation of the Forfar raids along the French coastline involving men from No 12 Commando, the SSRF, and the SBS.

15/16th August 1943 No 2 Commando were involved in Operation Blackcock at Scaletta, Sicily.

During this operation No 2 Cdo. Captain Dickie Hooper [view] was awarded the Military Cross, "Captain Hooper led his troop, No.6, with great gallantry and determination in the street fighting in Scaletta village in the early morning of the 16th August 1943, which resulted after the Commando landing just North of this village. In this action with German troops, he was wounded in the shoulder by a rifle bullet. After his area of the village was cleared, he continued to lead his troop to its correct position, three miles further down the coast. Later the troop was ordered to march North on the road to Messina, Captain Hooper again leading until restrained by the medical authorities, and removed to the casualty clearing station."

Captain Hooper also took part in the Commando raids at Vaagso, and St Nazaire where he was badly wounded. (L.G.18.11.43) . 

Amongst the casualties at Scaletta were Lieutenant John Jeffreys, Sergeant Anthony Patrick Duffy and Gunner Edward Cox. Images of all 3 men and many other of the No.2 Commando Fallen throughout the war can be viewed here:  [No 2 Commando FALLEN]

August 1944 saw the continued advance into NW Europe after D day with heavy fighting in many areas. Thousands of British and Allied troops took part in these landings. We have a collection of photos in the Gallery specific to 1 Special Service Brigade HQ some of whom can be seen resting at St. Maclou in this image [view photos...].

Much has been written in the past about the Normandy landings and we could not hope to cover it in this small piece. Our thoughts are with them all. Suffice to say that those Commandos who made that original journey and did not come home are remembered with honour. Some of their graves can be seen in our War Graves albums for France [here....].

On the 19/20th Aug.'44 units from 1 Special Service Brigade were involved in action crossing the River Dives, whilst 4 Special Service Brigade were in the Dozule region of Normandy. Some photos of the Normandy invasion are here [Normandy - Operation Overlord.]
VJ Day 15 August 1945
Victory over Japan would come at a heavy price, and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks the day Japan surrendered on the 15 August 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.
 
Commandos who never came home from the Far East

WW2 Monthly History September

These are just a few of the many operations, events, and other notable dates.
The above happy photo depicts Officers of No 2 Commando taken in Gibraltar mid 1943. Five of the 17 Officers in this photo would, just a few months later, be killed in action during the Salerno operations [view in gallery....].
27/28 September 1941 Operations Chopper and Deepcut
65 men of 5 Troop No1 Commando took part in a twin raid against the coast of Northern France, code named Operation Chopper and Deepcut. One raiding party landed at Luc sur Mer (Chopper) and took a number of casualties including two killed, Pte Elwyn Edwards and L/Cpl Cyril Evans. The other raiding party landed at St Vaast Bay (Deepcut) and ambushed a German cycle patrol [view gallery...].
September 1942 Operation Musketoon - a raid on an electricity generating station at Glomfjord in German occupied Norway. Ten Commandos from No 2 Commando and 2 Norwegian corporals working for the SOE took part in the raid. They were taken by submarine to a remote Fjord, completed a difficult overland route, approaching their target from the rear and successfully destroyed it. Seven were captured and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentraion Camp under Hitler's infamous Commando Order.
 
Memorial to those interned at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and who perished there or elsewhere at the hands of their captors. Included are the Commandos and Naval personnel from Operation Checkmate [view], and the Commandos from Operation Musketoon.
September 1942 saw raids along the French coast by the SSRF including Operations Dryad, Hanford, and Aquatint. Click/touch this link to view our album of photos and information about the Small Scale Raiding Force
9th-18th September 1943  Operation Avalanche.
Amongst the Allied forces taking part were No 2 Army Commando and 41RM Commando. During the fighting in and around Salerno, the Commandos lost many good men. Amongst the No.2 Commando Fallen were Captain Richard Broome of 5 Troop and Captain Henry Valerian George Wellesley - 6th Duke of Wellington, of 2 troop. 
  • The Commando Fallen at Salerno can be viewed [here....]
  • A publication about the raid by Major H.H. Blissett can be read [here....]  
  • The graves of some of the fallen during this operation can be viewed here [Salerno War Cemetery]
September 1943 saw the continuation of the Forfar raids along the French coastline involving men from No 12 Commando, the SSRF, and the SBS. There were a number of Raids called Forfar raids - Forfar- Beer -Dog -How -Love-Item. During Forfar Item the men went into France by parachute and returned by MTB.
September 1944 was a busy period for the Central Mediterranean Force. No 9 Army Commando and 43RM Commando were involved in Foxforce operations around the Peloponnese peninsula of Southern Greece, including Athens. 43RM Commando would later participate in Operation Detained 3 at Solta, and Nos. 2 and 40 Commandos were fighting along the Sarande area of Albania in Operation Mercerised * (see below and also October's account). Additionally elements of the SAS and SBS were operating with the Greek Sacred Squadron on the islands of the northern Aegean sea and the Dodecanese. 
*Below is a transcript from the No 2 Commando War Diary relating to the first few days of Operation Mercerised at Sarande:
  • 23 Sept 44:
  • Landed Sugar beach. Recce patrol met on beach. Conference on board LCI due to information received. German patrol had proceeded down the valley on Friday morning and very nearly surrounded Recce party. Beach was pounded with light mobile gun and neighbouring woods were raked with spandau fire, but on movement back Germans were caught by Partisans at head of valley. They killed or captured more than half of the 150 men in the patrol without loss to themselves. C.O. decided to occupy feature in centre of valley with Troops on either side of it. All positions were occupied by dawn. 4 Troop were then moved up to Point 586. Spitfires attacked Sarande. Rest of day spent diggin in.
  • 24 Sept 44:
  • Arrival of HQ No.2 SS Brigade under Brig. T.B.L. Churchill, MC. First day and night of rain. Corfu guns fired into Bay during afternoon. Partisan report received that 5 Germans had been killed in attack on Sarande yesterday. Patrol by 3 Troop down road towards Vermero, by 2 Troop to bridge at SHIAN, by 1 and 4 Troops towards Sarande.
  • 2300hrs Demolition Party under Capt. Whitehouse, S.O.R.E., 2 SS Bde., blew crater in SHEN VASIL- SARANDE road at 315845
  • 25 Sept 44:
  • 0500 Arrival of Brig.Davey, Comd L.F.A. for brief visit. Shown over positions by C.O. More firing from Corfu guns.
  • 1150 Venturas bombed S.E. of Delvine.
  • 1450 Spitfires attempted to bomb bridge SHIAN without success.
  • Another night of rain. Patrol by 4 Troop reported enemy extremely active in Sarande area, but no enemy positions contacted. Engagement between Partisans and Germans at M.R.323828. 5 Troop reported considerable shell fire on position. Report from 3 Troops that Germans had taken to hills around Sarande. No civilians allowed in area. This patrol reached point 400 yards North of town of Sarande. Considerable M.T. activity on road and Naval activity in Sarande.
  • 26 Sept 44:
  • 0830 5 Troop returned from GHASHTE. 4 Troop reported Germans in occupation of METOG and LEKURES. Albanian militia with Italian uniform but unarmed reported in Sarande area - estimated 60 strong. 5 Troop reached VERMERO Church, then Eastwards down track to VERMERO ridge. Bumped small patrol but uncertain whether German or Partisan. Reached GJASHTE, threw H.E. Grenades but received no reaction. Fwd troops moved to Points 586 and 469. F.O.O. set up on latter. Telephone lines laid to link up these points with Brigade and Commando HQ.
  • 1130 Brigadier and B.M. visited Commando HQ. Request to L.F.A. for bombing of DELVINE as soon as possible. Brigadier gave orders for a Troop (3 Troop) to be moved to area of SHIAN Bridge, to be followed by two more Troops and Commando fwd. HQ. Partisan diversion towards DELVINE arranged.
  • 1510 Shelling of Commando valley from DELVINE. 4 Troop reported fire came from M.R. 345844. Informed 25 pounders would arrive BORSI approximately 1500 hours on the 27th.
  • 27 Sept 44:
  • Attempt by 3 Troop to bow up bridge failed. Demolition party lost contact with main body and unable to locate bridge. Lieut. ROE returned with demolition party to report. 3 Troop and Med. Det. left on ridge overlooking bridge and defended localities at VANE 337861. C.O. went out to recce positions and possibilities
  • 1125 Report from 5 Troop of 5,000 ton ship lying off Corfu
  • 1305 Shelling of Commando valley from German guns at 347843
  • 1340 Counter battery work by R.S.R.
  • 1500 C.O. reported by wireless on condition of 3 Troop.Shelling of bridge area good and would recce further forward with Os.C. 1 and 3 Troops
  • 1900 Order received from B.M to send Patrols to Pt. 802 290883. Sections of 2 Troop detailed for this.
  • Rain during night
  • 28 Sept 44:
  • Sections from 2 Troop on Point 802 reported no enemy in area
  • 1300 25 pounders reported in position SHEN VASIL
  • 1708 5 Troop report enemy guns at 410878 and 395880firing at top of Commando valley
  • 1900 Shelling of beach area
  • Rain during night.
  • 29 Sept 44:
  • 0900 C.O. told not to advance from present position except to move from Pt. 586 to Pt. 469
  • 1200 Rain continuous for 16 hours stops at last - temporarily
  • 1700 Orders received to send out 2 Patrols of 3 Subalterns each to shoot up transport on main road
Meanwhile in North West Europe the allied advance continued, and the Casualties mounted. View our War Graves albums here [WW2 War Graves].
 

WW2 Monthly History - October

 

23rd October 1942 - Execution of the Commandos captured after Operation Musketoon.
This operation was a raid on an electricity generating station at Glomfjord in German occupied Norway. Ten Commandos from No.2 Commando and 2 Norwegian corporals working for the SOE took part in the raid. They were taken by submarine to a remote Fjord, completed a difficult overland route, approaching their target from the rear and successfully destroyed it. Seven were captured and executed at Sachsenhausen Concentraion Camp under Hitler's infamous Commando Order.
Read more in our Archive about Operation Musketoon [view].
View our gallery entry about the raid [view].
There is a Memorial to those interned at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and who perished there or elsewhere at the hands of their captors.
The Commandos and Naval personnel from Operation Checkmate [view] 
The Commandos from Operation Musketoon [view].
 
3rd/4th October 1942 - Operation Basalt - a raid on the island of Sark by a small group from No.12 Commando and the S.S.R.F. Read more in our Archive about the Small Scale Raiding Force [view].
23rd October 1942 - The body of Lance Corporal Norman Drew, Scots Guards, was found in the River Arkaig Achnacarry, 100 yards South of the Iron Bridge. He had been missing for 20 days. It is suspected that he was part of a Scots Guards detachment attending the C.B.T.C. Thus any Commando service is not yet established. [view].  
We have listed those we have discovered to have died at, or in the vicinity of, Achnacarry and Lochailort. [view].
3rd October 1943 - Operation Devon - Termoli. Amongst the Allied forces taking part were No.3 Army Commando, 40RM Commando, and the Special Raiding Squadron (SAS). They captured Termoli, thus unhinging the German defensive position along the river Bifurno. The enemy counter-attacked violently. For a time confusion reigned and the situation was critical, but the great steadiness of the Commando troops under Durnford-Slater, saved the town.
Read an account of No 3 Commando 6 troop's action written by Jack Cox who served in 6 troop [view].
October 1944 - the continuation of Operation Mercerised with operations in the Sarande and Delvine areas of Albania. The force known as Houndforce consisted of Commandos from HQ 2 Cdo Bde., No 2 Commando, and 40RM Commando, assisted by units of the Special Raiding Squadron, the Raiding Support Regiment, Assyrian paratroopers under the command of Maj. Guy Hudson, along with Albanian partisans. This operation took place between the 22nd September and the 21st October. Read extracts from the No.2 Commando War Diary [view....].

3rd October 1944 - 42 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, embarked with No 1 Commando on board HMT Nevasa for Calcutta. From there they proceeded by rail and river steamer to a transit camp in Chittagong whre they remained for a week. They then proceeded by LCI to Teknaf to relieve the 1st Ox and Bucks in the line at Maungdaw. We have several documents in our Archive about 3 Special Service (later Commando) Brigade operations in the Far East. [view].

12th October 1944, 40RM Commando, Royal Marines, joined Houndforce deploying to the island of Corfu. They would return again in the New Year.

28th October 1944 - 43 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines, participated in Operation Floxo at Dubrovnik.

31st October 1944 - In North West Europe the allies continued their advances with No.4 Commando preparing with units from No.10(IA) Commando, and Nos. 41, 47, and 48 Royal Marine Commandos for their assault on Walcheren the following day. This will be documented in next month's edition.
 

WW2 Monthly History - November

There are too many operations and/or notable dates to mention each and every one but here are some.
November 1941 - Operation Flipper.
Attack on Rommel's HQ by a small group from 'C' Bn Layforce. It was during this operation that their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Keyes M.C., No.11 Commando, was killed and later posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. 
 
November 1942 - Operation Torch.
The Allied invasion of French North Africa. The Commando units involved, Nos. 1 and 6 Commandos, were part of Eastern Task Force landing on beaches close to Algiers operating alongside the US Rangers, who were commando trained units of the US 34th Infantry Division. 
 
We have a section in our Archive dedicated to those from Allied countries who operated with Commando Forces  [more ....]. This does not include those of No.10 (Inter Allied) Commando who have a dedicated section within our WW2 Commando Units pages [go to that section].
November 1942 - French coastal raids by No 12 Commando and the Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF).
Operation Farenheit - Brittany, November 1942
Operation Batman - France, November 1942
 
Read more about No.12 Commando [HERE].
Read more about the SSRF [HERE].
November 1944 - Operation Infatuate
This was the amphibious assault on the island of Walcheren, off the coast of Holland, the capture of which was essential to the opening up of Antwerp as the major Allied supply port for the final push into Germany.
The major role for the assault landings was allotted to 4 Commando Brigade, which had previously consisted of four RM Commandos, but for this operation No.4 (Army) Commando replaced 46 RM Commando. No 4 Commando, including 1 and 8 troops of No.10 (Inter Allied) Commando, landed at Flushing. The three RM Commando units 41, 47, and 48 Commando, with detachments from the Belgian and Norwegian Commandos of No.10 (Inter Allied) Commando, landed at Westkapelle [more about Operation Infatuate 1 and 2].
 
The Commando Fallen during this Operation: [Walcheren Commando ROH].
November 1944 - Operations and patrols by the Commandos of 3 Commando Brigade were taking place in the Far East, and would continue through Xmas and into the New Year. We have some interesting documents relevant to this Commando Brigade which can be viewed here [3 Commando Brigade Burma Operations].
2SBS were also operating in this theatre of war. Image depicts Lt Peters and others of 2SBS, 'B' Group. Lt. Peters was later killed in action [read more...]
 
View our gallery for them here [HERE].
View a document about their timeline [HERE].
 
We would also recommend you reading up on all the additional entries in our Archive for each of the Commandos that comprised the Brigade.
 
8th November 1944 - Veere Patrol
A patrol from 48RM Commando was sent to Veere on the North East of the island of Walcheren travelling in a convoy of 4 amphibious Buffaloes, one of which hit a submerged explosive device. [read more.....]
November 1944 - No.9 Commando were engaged in operations within Greece.
Image is 1 troop No.9 Commando near the Strymon Bridge, Greece, November 1944. Collection of Lt Angus Ferguson, No 9 Commando, courtesy of his son Gregor Ferguson.