British Commandos

Lore & Background

The Commandos were formed after a request from Winston Churchill for specially-trained troops to carry out raids against German-occupied Europe. Volunteers were initially drawn from the British Army, and later from all branches of the British Armed Forces and foreign volunteers. By the end of the war, 25,000 men had passed through the Commando course at Achnacarry. The Commandos served in all theatres of war, from the Arctic Circle to South-East Asia. After the war, most units were disbanded, leaving only the 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines, now known as the UK Commando Force.

In Their Own Story

The hedgerow was slick with rain. He counted the seconds between the distant thump of artillery and the crack of a Sten round tearing through the night. Three men ahead, two behind, and a German MG42 nest somewhere in the barn that was supposed to be empty. It wasn't empty. He could hear the dry, mechanical rattle of the feed belt cycling. He pressed his back against the wet stone wall, tasted iron and cordite, and waited for the order. When it came, he moved low, fast, and silent—until it wasn't. The barn doors blew inward on a shaped charge, and the night turned white with muzzle flash. He was through the far wall before the first body hit the floor. Behind him, the rest of the team was already stacking on the next position. The war was not over. It was never over. But for tonight, the line held.

Reader's Guide

The Commandos were organized into units of about 450 men, divided into troops and sections. They were under the operational control of Combined Operations Headquarters. The first commando raid, Operation Collar, was conducted on 24/25 June 1940. By November 1940, the units were organized into a Special Service Brigade. In 1943, the formation changed to include a headquarters, five fighting troops, a heavy weapons troop, and a signals platoon.

Did You Know?

• The Commandos were modelled on the tactics of Boer commandos: 'hit sharp and quick – then run to fight another day'.
• No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando included volunteers from France, Belgium, Poland, Norway, the Netherlands, and a troop of enemy aliens.
• The United States Army Rangers and US Marine Corps Raiders were modelled on the Commandos.