Royal Naval Commandos

The Royal Naval Commandos, also known as the Beach Commandos, were a specialist volunteer unit of the Royal Navy formed during World War II to lead and manage amphibious landings by directing the flow of troops, vehicles, and supplies on invasion beaches, often as the first personnel ashore and the last to evacuate.^[1]^[2] Their motto, "In Primo Exulto" (First In, Last Out), encapsulated their high-risk role in ensuring the success of major Allied assaults across Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific theater.^[2] Originating from ad hoc beach parties established after the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, the unit was officially organized into lettered commando groups (A through W) in spring 1942; the heavy losses in the subsequent Dieppe Raid (Operation Jubilee) highlighted the need for dedicated beach control experts.^[1]^[2] Each commando typically comprised 10 officers and 60–65 ratings, led by a lieutenant commander serving as beachmaster, with personnel drawn from volunteers across the Royal Navy and selected for their initiative and physical fitness.^[1]^[2] Training occurred at specialized facilities like HMS Armadillo in Ardentinny, Scotland, and the Commando training center at Achnacarry, emphasizing amphibious drills, weapons handling, rock climbing, signals, and unconventional tactics taught by experts such as William Fairbairn, who equipped them with the iconic Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife.^[1]^[2] The Royal Naval Commandos participated in nearly every major British amphibious operation from 1942 onward, including Operation Torch in North Africa (deploying 410 personnel), Operation Husky in Sicily (supporting over 3,000 ships), landings at Salerno and Anzio in Italy, the D-Day assault on Normandy's Sword Beach (with nine units committed), and later actions at Elba, Walcheren, as well as operations in the Pacific theater, such as in the Arakan and Malaya.^[1]^[2]^[3] They suffered significant casualties—such as 18 killed in one unit during the Elba landing (Operation Brassard)—due to their exposed positions under enemy fire, yet their expertise was pivotal in reducing chaos and enabling rapid build-ups of forces.^[2]^[3] Disbanded after the war's end in 1945, their functions were eventually absorbed by Royal Marine units, but their contributions were honored through the postwar Royal Naval Commando Association, founded in 1981.^[1]^[2]

Origins and Development

Formation

The Royal Naval Commandos, also known as Royal Navy Beach Commandos, were established in the spring of 1942 to address deficiencies in beach control during amphibious assaults, where standard Royal Navy landing craft crews proved inadequate for coordinating complex landings under fire.^[2] This initiative stemmed from lessons learned in early wartime operations, including ad hoc beach parties formed after the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, and the need for specialized personnel to manage unloading, traffic flow, and defense on invasion beaches as part of Combined Operations Command.^[4]^[1] The units were drawn primarily from general service ratings, reservists, and "hostilities only" volunteers, marking the Royal Navy's adaptation to the demands of large-scale joint operations.^[1] The formation process accelerated following the Raid on Dieppe in August 1942, which highlighted chaos in beach management and led to the official designation of these groups as Royal Navy Beach Commandos under Combined Operations.^[1] By late 1943, 22 company-sized units had been raised, each typically consisting of 10 officers and 65 other ranks, organized into sections for tasks such as signaling, engineering, and medical support, with a lieutenant commander serving as beachmaster.^[2]^[5] Training commenced at HMS Armadillo in Ardentinny, Scotland, in late 1942, emphasizing physical endurance, small arms proficiency, and amphibious tactics, later supplemented by commando-style instruction at Achnacarry Castle.^[4] Key figures in the formation included Vice Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, who as chief of Combined Operations from October 1941 drove the integration of naval specialists into raiding forces, and Colonel Charles Vaughan, who oversaw early training regimens and presented the iconic green berets and Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knives to the commandos.^[2] The first operational test came during Operation Ironclad in May 1942, the invasion of Madagascar, where provisional beach parties successfully demonstrated the concept's viability in securing and organizing beachheads against Vichy French forces.^[4] This paved the way for their expansion and deployment in subsequent Allied campaigns.

Training

The Royal Naval Commandos underwent specialized training to prepare for their role in directing and securing beachheads during amphibious assaults in World War II. Initial formal training began in late 1942 at HMS Armadillo, a shore establishment near Ardentinny on Loch Long, Scotland, which accommodated approximately 500-600 personnel for instruction in amphibious landing drills, beach reconnaissance, and specialized beach skills.^[2]^[6] This facility emphasized practical exercises in embarkation and debarkation under simulated battle conditions, including route marches and field survival techniques, to ensure commandos could efficiently manage the flow of men, vehicles, and supplies from landing craft to inland positions.^[5] Selection for the commandos drew from Royal Navy volunteers, including general service ratings, reservists, and "hostilities only" personnel, with a focus on those capable of enduring rigorous physical and mental demands.^[2] Trainees then progressed to the Commando Basic Training Centre at Achnacarry Castle near Spean Bridge, Scotland, where they completed the standard Army Commando course alongside other units. This included assault courses, rock climbing, weapons handling, and close-quarters combat instruction led by experts like William Fairbairn, who taught disarming techniques and the use of the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife.^[1] Successful completion earned the iconic green beret and the unit's motto, "In Primo Exulto" (First in, last out), with few trainees returned to unit due to the prestige attached to the role.^[2] Overseas training adapted to theater-specific challenges. In the Middle East, commandos trained at HMS Saunders in Kabret, near the Bitter Lakes and Suez Canal, focusing on desert conditions through exercises like Exercise Shallufa in November 1943, which involved charging drills, obstacle clearance, and mine detection.^[7]^[5] For Pacific operations, specialized jungle warfare training occurred at the Jungle Battle School in Chittagong, incorporating survival skills, underwater swimming for frogmen, and parachute jumps to support amphibious insertions.^[2] Core skills across all programs encompassed marking beach limits with lights or flags, taping safe routes through minefields, supervising prisoners, and establishing supply dumps, all practiced in combined operations with Army and Royal Marine units to simulate real invasions.^[5]

Organization and Equipment

Unit Composition

The Royal Naval Beach Commandos (RNBC), a specialized branch of the Royal Naval Commandos, were structured as self-contained units optimized for managing beachheads during amphibious operations in World War II. Each unit was commanded by a Principal Beach Master holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander, supported by a small headquarters element including an Assistant Principal Beach Master and administrative personnel. These units were integrated into the Combined Operations framework and attached to Army Beach Groups, with each responsible for controlling the landings of a brigade-sized force, including troops, vehicles, and supplies across a designated beach sector.^[5]^[2] Initially established in 1942, a standard RNBC unit comprised 10 officers and 48 other ranks, divided into three sub-units known as parties (e.g., C1, C2, C3). Each party consisted of 19 personnel: one Beach Master (typically a Lieutenant), two Assistant Beach Masters (Sub-Lieutenants), and 16 ratings, including a mix of Petty Officers, Leading Seamen, Able Seamen, and Ordinary Seamen tasked with signaling, boat handling, and logistics. This structure emphasized rapid deployment, with parties landing in the first assault waves to mark safe routes, clear obstacles, and direct landing craft traffic. Notably, Commando W was manned primarily by volunteers from the Royal Canadian Navy.^[5]^[1] In response to operational experience, particularly after the Dieppe Raid, the unit composition evolved by December 1942 to 10 officers and 66 other ranks, reorganizing the three parties into groups of 25 each: three officers (one Beach Master and two Assistants) and 22 ratings (one Petty Officer, two Leading Seamen, six Able Seamen, and 13 Ordinary Seamen). By April 1943, further refinements added dedicated headquarters roles, such as one Principal Beach Master, one Assistant Principal Beach Master, and one Ordinary Seaman for signals, while each party expanded to three officers and 24 ratings (two Petty Officers, two Leading Seamen, six Able Seamen, and 14 Ordinary Seamen). This adjustment improved coordination and resilience, incorporating specialized signals sections from Royal Navy Beach Signals units for communication with offshore forces.^[5]^[2]^[1] At their peak between October 1943 and September 1944, 21 such units operated (designated A through W, excluding B and I, with Z never activated), totaling thousands of personnel across theaters like North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Normandy. Variations occurred for specific operations; for instance, larger invasions like Normandy deployed up to nine units simultaneously, while smaller ones used subsets of parties. Post-war, these structures influenced modern naval beach operations but were largely disbanded by 1945, with responsibilities transferring to Royal Marine units.^[5]^[1]

Armament and Support Gear

The Royal Naval Commandos were equipped with lightweight personal weapons suited to self-defense during beach reconnaissance and control operations, emphasizing mobility over heavy firepower. Primary armament included submachine guns such as the Thompson M1928A1 "Tommy Gun," which provided rapid close-quarters fire, as carried by officers like Lieutenant Commander Maurice Vernon Redshaw during the 1943 Sicily landings.^[1] Light machine guns, notably the Lewis gun, were employed for suppressive fire against threats like enemy aircraft or positions; for instance, Leading Seaman Ray Bromley used one to neutralize a machine-gun pit in Sicily.^[1]^[2] Sidearms consisted of revolvers, including the Smith & Wesson .45, alongside standard pistols for officers and ratings.^[1] Each commando typically carried four hand grenades for immediate use in clearing obstacles or engaging patrols.^[1] The Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife, a double-edged dagger designed for silent combat and utility tasks like probing for mines, was standard issue from training at HMS Armadillo and proved vital in operations such as the 1944 Anzio landings, where it detected non-metallic mines invisible to detectors.^[1]^[2] Support gear focused on signaling, navigation, and logistical control to facilitate amphibious assaults. Royal Navy Beach Signals Sections carried wireless sets and flags for coordinating with offshore ships, establishing communication links essential for directing landing craft during invasions like Operation Torch in 1942.^[1] Navigation tools included binoculars and compasses, paired with 24-hour ration packs and ammunition pouches for sustained operations.^[1] Protective equipment comprised tin helmets for overhead threats, while utility items like tape were used to mark safe routes through minefields and beach exits, as seen in Normandy on D-Day.^[1]^[2] For mobility and heavy support, commandos utilized amphibious vehicles such as the DUKW truck to transport supplies and evacuate casualties, though these were prone to sinking in rough surf during Sicily.^[1] Jeeps and motorbikes were occasionally requisitioned for rapid mine clearance or reconnaissance, enhancing their role in managing beachheads under fire.^[1] Ammunition and supply dumps were rapidly established post-landing to sustain follow-on forces, underscoring the commandos' dual combat-logistical function.^[2]

Major Operations

North African and Mediterranean Campaigns

The Royal Naval Commandos played a pivotal role in the Allied amphibious operations during the North African Campaign, particularly in Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa launched on November 8, 1942.^[2] Units C, E, F, G, H, and J were deployed across the Western, Central, and Eastern Task Forces, landing with the initial assault waves to establish beach control and facilitate the disembarkation of forces.^[2] Their tasks included directing the movement of approximately 29,000 troops, 2,400 vehicles, and 14,000 tons of supplies across three primary beaches near Algiers, Oran, and Casablanca, while clearing obstacles and providing signals guidance for landing craft.^[2] To mitigate risks from Vichy French forces, the commandos wore American uniforms and engaged snipers and low-flying aircraft using Lewis guns, digging defensive trenches as needed; their efforts ensured efficient logistics despite initial resistance, contributing to the rapid securing of key ports.^[2] In the subsequent Mediterranean theater, the commandos supported Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily on July 10, 1943, where seven units—C, E, F, G, K, M, and N—operated under the Eastern Naval Task Force to assist the Eighth Army's landings across 27 beaches backed by over 2,000 vessels.^[8]^[2] They managed the influx of troops and supplies for several weeks, including the capture of Monte Cristo Island, which housed an enemy radio station, and provided critical support in the unopposed seizure of Pantelleria Island during Operation Corkscrew on June 11, 1943.^[2]^[8] These actions enabled the swift buildup of forces, with the commandos coordinating reinforcements and handling beach traffic amid Axis air attacks, ultimately aiding the Allied advance that liberated Sicily by mid-August.^[2] The commandos' involvement extended to the Italian mainland campaigns, beginning with Operation Baytown on September 3, 1943, in Calabria, where units N and G directed landings for the British 5th Infantry and Canadian 1st Divisions across sectors such as HOW, GEORGE, and FOX.^[8] In Operation Avalanche at Salerno on September 9, 1943, units K, M, and D facilitated the 56th Division's assault on beaches in the Sugar and Roger sectors, including detachments at Maiori and Vietri, while neutralizing threats and establishing supply lines under heavy German counterattacks.^[8] Further operations included support for the Termoli landings (Operation Devon, October 3-6, 1943) by elements of unit G and the Anzio beachhead (Operation Shingle, January 22, 1944), where units Able, King, and Nan cleared minefields using specialized F-S daggers, opened anchorages, and endured significant casualties while recovering escaped prisoners of war.^[8]^[2] Following Anzio, units A and O participated in Operation Brassard, the invasion of Elba on June 17, 1944, directing landings and securing the island despite heavy resistance, with O Commando suffering 18 fatalities from enemy fire.^[2] Throughout these Mediterranean engagements, the Royal Naval Commandos' expertise in beach organization and obstacle clearance was instrumental in sustaining Allied momentum against Axis defenses, from the initial Italian armistice to the push toward Rome.^[8]^[2]

Northwest Europe and Pacific Theaters

In the Northwest Europe theater, Royal Naval Commandos played a pivotal role in amphibious operations, beginning with the Dieppe Raid in August 1942, where units C and D were tasked with controlling beach traffic and marking safe routes amid intense German opposition, resulting in heavy casualties and numerous prisoners due to the operation's failure.^[2] Their expertise in beach reconnaissance and signaling proved essential for subsequent invasions, particularly during Operation Overlord on 6 June 1944, when nine commando parties—F, J, L, P, Q, R, S, T, and W—supported the Normandy landings across Sword, Juno, Gold, and other beaches.^[2] These units, often the first to land from landing craft, established communications with naval forces, directed the flow of troops and vehicles, cleared obstacles and mines under fire, and facilitated the unloading of supplies, enduring rough seas, enemy shelling, and booby traps that led to significant losses, including drownings and wounds.^[1] For instance, F Commando spearheaded the assault on Sword Beach, coordinating the arrival of over 28,000 troops in the initial waves and enabling the rapid buildup of the Allied bridgehead despite fierce resistance from German defenses.^[1] Following Normandy, Royal Naval Commandos continued operations in Northwest Europe, contributing to the liberation of key ports and waterways. In November 1944, parties L and M assisted in the Walcheren operation, landing on the Dutch island to direct amphibious assaults that breached German-held dikes and secured the Scheldt estuary, thereby opening the port of Antwerp for Allied supplies and shortening supply lines by hundreds of miles.^[2] They also supported efforts to cross the Rhine at Arnhem in September 1944 during Operation Market Garden, providing signaling and traffic control for ground forces advancing toward the bridges under fire.^[2] Throughout these campaigns, the commandos' ability to maintain order on chaotic beaches under combat conditions was critical to the success of larger Allied advances, with units like those at Normandy helping to offload millions of tons of materiel by war's end.^[1] In the Pacific and Far East theaters, Royal Naval Commandos shifted focus to support British amphibious efforts against Japanese forces, adapting their beach control tactics to tropical environments and monsoon conditions. Party H participated in the Arakan coast landings during Operation Screwdriver in February 1944, marking and securing beaches along the Burmese coast to enable the rapid disembarkation of Indian and British troops, which facilitated the advance against Japanese positions and contributed to the broader Fourteenth Army's push into Burma.^[2] Subsequent operations included Screwdriver II later that year, where similar roles ensured sustained logistics in the challenging terrain of the Arakan region.^[2] By 1945, parties C and E were deployed for Operation Zipper, the reoccupation of Malaya following Japan's surrender in September 1945, directing unopposed landings at Morib and Port Swettenham to secure key ports, though the atomic bombings preempted planned invasions of the Japanese home islands.^[2] These Far East engagements highlighted the commandos' versatility, as they navigated dense jungles, tidal mudflats, and enemy ambushes to support the final phases of the Southeast Asia campaign, ultimately aiding the liberation of territories without the scale of casualties seen in Europe.^[1]

Disbandment and Legacy

Dissolution

The Royal Naval Commandos were progressively disbanded towards the end of World War II, with the process accelerating in late 1945 as Allied victories reduced the demand for specialized beach reconnaissance and control parties during amphibious operations. Most units, including those designated by letters such as Able, Dog, and Nan, stood down amid broader post-war demobilization efforts, reflecting the winding down of wartime expansions in the Royal Navy.^[5] Their primary functions—coordinating the flow of troops, vehicles, and supplies on invasion beaches—were reassigned to the Royal Marines, who formed dedicated Amphibious Beach Units to maintain these capabilities in peacetime. This transition stemmed from inter-service preferences, with the Royal Navy reluctant to sustain sailor-led ground combat roles, and was influenced by post-war budgetary constraints aimed at streamlining forces.^[1] A notable exception was Royal Naval Beach Commando Jig, which avoided immediate dissolution and was redesignated as a Naval Beach Control Party in 1948 before merging with units like the Landing Craft Recovery Unit, marking the final absorption of Commando elements into standard naval structures.^[5]

Post-War Influence

Following the end of World War II, the Royal Naval Commandos were disbanded, with individual units such as the 'Nan' Commando standing down in November 1945 at HMS Dundonald in Scotland.^[2] Their specialized role in managing beachheads—controlling the flow of troops, vehicles, and supplies during amphibious assaults—proved instrumental in shaping post-war British naval and amphibious doctrines. Lessons from their operations, including efficient beach organization and signaling under fire, were integrated into subsequent training programs for combined operations, ensuring the revival and modernization of these tactics in peacetime exercises.^[2] The broader Commando legacy transitioned to the Royal Marines after 1945, as Army Commando units were largely disbanded and the Royal Marines assumed primary responsibility for such forces under 3 Commando Brigade.^[9] This shift incorporated the Royal Naval Commandos' expertise in maritime assault support, enhancing the Royal Marines' amphibious capabilities in conflicts like the Korean War and later operations. Memorials, such as those dedicated at Ardentinny in 1987 and Hythe, further commemorate their contributions to these enduring practices.^[2] To preserve their history, the Royal Naval Commando Association was established in 1981, encompassing veterans from the Commandos as well as related WWII units like the Royal Naval Beach Signals and Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Units.^[10] The group, which operated until 2003, fostered camaraderie and documented experiences through publications and events, while presenting tributes like a flag and plaque at St Augustine’s Church in Birmingham in 2003 to honor their sacrifices.^[11] This association underscored the lasting esprit de corps and ensured the Commandos' innovations in beach control influenced naval historiography and training manuals into the late 20th century.

Battle Honours and Recognition

Awarded Honours

The Royal Naval Commandos, serving in critical beach reconnaissance and control roles during World War II amphibious operations, earned individual gallantry awards from the Royal Navy for exemplary conduct under fire. These honours, primarily the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for officers and Mentions in Despatches (MiD) for all ranks, recognized leadership and bravery in assaults across Europe and the Mediterranean, though no unit-level battle honours were formally bestowed on the commandos as a distinct formation.^[2] A prominent DSC recipient was Temporary Lieutenant Desmond Terence Bibby, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (R.N.V.R.), attached to Royal Naval Beach Commando 'C'. During the Dieppe Raid on 19 August 1942, Bibby acted as Beachmaster under intense enemy fire and bombardment. With four of five landing craft destroyed, he maintained order on the beach, coordinated the withdrawal of surviving troops, and ensured efficient embarkation despite heavy casualties, exemplifying outstanding courage and seamanship.^[12] Mentions in Despatches were more commonly awarded to highlight contributions in larger operations. For instance, Leading Seaman Patrick Moran, P/JX 170231, of Royal Naval Beach Commando 'S' received a posthumous MiD for his role in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944. Moran assisted in marking and clearing beach obstacles amid fierce German resistance before being killed in action, aiding the successful establishment of the Allied beachhead. Other MiDs went to personnel like Sub-Lieutenant Alan Davis for gallantry during Operation Brassard, the Allied landing on Elba in June 1944, where he supported beach operations despite sustaining fatal wounds. These awards underscored the commandos' vital, often overlooked contributions to combined operations, with citations appearing in the London Gazette reflecting their exposure to frontline dangers from Dieppe to the invasion of Southern France.^[3]

Notable Personnel

One of the most distinguished officers in the Royal Naval Commandos was Lieutenant Commander Maurice Vernon Redshaw, RNVR, who served as beachmaster for 'N' Commando during several major amphibious operations in the Mediterranean theater. Redshaw commanded Naval Beach Party 'N', formed in January 1943 at HMS Armadillo, and led landings at Sicily in July 1943, where he swam ashore under heavy fire to establish beach control despite light opposition from Italian forces.^[13] His leadership extended to the Salerno landings in September 1943 and Anzio in January 1944, ensuring efficient offloading of troops and supplies under intense enemy fire. For his gallantry in the Sicily landing, Redshaw was awarded the Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau with Swords, and his wartime service was marked by multiple Mentions in Despatches.^[14] Sub-Lieutenant Derek Whitehorn, RNVR, of 'F' Commando exemplified the reconnaissance role of the unit during the Allied invasion of Sicily on 10 July 1943. As part of an advance party, Whitehorn led a team in surveying beach obstacles and defenses under sniper fire, feigning death to evade capture and successfully signaling safe landing zones for follow-on forces.^[1] His actions contributed to the minimal disruption of the initial assault phase, highlighting the commandos' critical function in guiding larger invasions. Whitehorn's survival and detailed reporting aided subsequent operations, underscoring the high-risk nature of beachhead intelligence gathering. Among the early pioneers was Sub-Lieutenant D.T. Kent, DSC, RNVR, who brought pre-war raiding experience to the commandos' formation. Kent participated in the Lofoten and Vågsøy raids in 1941, as well as the St Nazaire raid in 1942, earning the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery in these Combined Operations.^[3] Later serving as a training officer for Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP), closely aligned with commando beach reconnaissance, Kent's expertise in hydrographic surveys and obstacle clearance influenced the unit's tactics during Dieppe and subsequent landings.^[15] His prior awards and instructional role made him a foundational figure in preparing personnel for large-scale assaults. Sub-Lieutenant F.A.H. Leeke, RNVR, and Petty Officer Murphy also stood out for their involvement in the same early raids, including Lofoten, Vågsøy, and Boulogne, where they supported demolition and evacuation efforts against German-held positions.^[3] Leeke's leadership in navigating treacherous waters and Murphy's handling of beach signals under fire were instrumental in these high-stakes operations, setting precedents for the commandos' emphasis on rapid, coordinated beach establishment. Tragically, several personnel received posthumous recognition for their sacrifice. Sub-Lieutenant Alan Davis, RNVR, of a Royal Naval Beach Commando unit, was killed during Operation Brassard, the Allied assault on Elba in June 1944, while directing landing craft amid artillery barrages; he was Mentioned in Despatches for his devotion to duty.^[16] Similarly, Leading Seaman Patrick Moran of 'S' Beach Commando died during the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, also earning a Mention in Despatches for maintaining beach communications despite severe wounds.^[3] These honors reflect the commandos' vital, often fatal, contributions to securing invasion beaches across theaters.