Army Commandos

They were very Special Forces

The previous page was: "No.9 Army Commandos"

The original Army Commandos were formed in June 1940.

At the time when the British empire no longer had an ally in the field. The British Army had been compelled to quit Europe.

It was Winston Churchill himsef who ordered the formation of the Commando Units to 'go and bash the enemy and abolt.'

It was an idea he had picked up from the 'Bore War' where he had seen the South African Kommandos successfully using this method.

The men who trained to be commandos were all volunteers from the Regiments and Corps of the British Army.

They were the first Army Commandos who were instantly recognised as Secial Forces. They had some of the best equipment and the very latest weapondry that was around.

When they were completely set-up then they took the fight to the enemy. Their Commando Raids and fighting abilities earned them great distinction.

They gained the remarkable number of 38 battle honours and in such a short time.

No.9 Army Commandos

Three landings in three weeks

The 3rd Commando Brigade completed three landings against Japanese forces in three weeks, along the Arakan coast of Burma.

An exceptionally tough battle was fought at Kangaw it lasted for ten days.

When the gun barrels of their weapons overheated with over-use and siezed up. The Commandos tackled the Japanese fighting them to the death with their knives, bayonets and bare hands.

It was the Commandos last battle with the Japanese; when the Commandos had the Japanese escape routes covered they inflicted over 2000 casualties.

The Japanese recorded this battle as the most ferocious of their Burma Campaign.

Army and Navy Commandos unite

In 1943 the Commando Brigades were made up with half army Commandos and half Navy-Royal Marine Commandos in each Brigade.

The 3rd Commando Brigade comprised of No.1 and No.2 Army Commando Units and 42nd Commando and the 44th Commando Units of the Royal Marines.

The No.1 and No.4 CDO Brigades fought in North-West Europe and Yogoslavia.

No.2 CDO Brigade fought in Italy.

And the 3rd CDO Brigade fought in the South-East Asia Command of Lord Louis Mountbatten.

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Very brave men

The Men of the 4 Commando Brigades were indeed very brave men.

Between all of them they won 8 Victoria Cross Medals, 37 Distinguished Service Order Medals with nine bars, 162 Military Crosses with thirteen bars, 32 Distinguished Conduct Medals, 218 Military Medals.

It was stated that every Commando deserved a Medal for Bravery. They were gained, as those who received them would be the first to admit, by the more fortunate among the ranks.

Yet though fortune favours the brave, she is always prepared to be met half-way, and the men of the Commandos decorated for bravery received this distinction because they were the most outstanding examples of a well disciplined organization which aimed at perfection and would not stop at anything less.

Perfection was the Commandos aim, and all the efforts that went towards achieving it; they are sufficient reasons for their excellence.

The next Link below will be: "Two Commandos Part Three"

Army Commandos Two Commandos Part Three

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