The British Commando
The Commando organisation was adopted to provide small scale raiding units to launch assaults on the German fortified coast. As the conflict developed, the Commando also became used to spearhead seaborne landings and was involved in more conventional operations in both Europe and the Far East. The Royal Marines reorganised their Battalions along Commando lines and served as Royal Marine Commando units.
Because of their nature as 'irregular' troops, Commando organisation was fluid, and could be tailored for specific requirements in individual operations. However, in their more conventional role, there appears to have been more traditional fire and movement formation used.
The Army Commando, circa 1943 to 1944
Commando Headquarters (7 Officers, 82 men) * increased by 3 men during 1944
Heavy Weapons Troops (2 Officers and 37 men)
Troop HQ (2 Officers, 4 men)
3-inch Mortar Section (17 men)
Medium Machine Gun Section (16 men)
Five Assault Troops (3 Officers and 63 men), each comprised of;
Troop HQ (1 Officer, 9 men)
Two Sections, each comprised of;
Section HQ (1 Officer, 1 man)
Two Sub-Sections, each 13 men
Total Strength of 458 all ranks (24 Officers and 434 men) * increased to 461 all ranks during 1944
Points of note
The terminology used for Commando units can be a little confusing. The Section refers to a unit much larger than its Infantry equivalent, while the Sub-Section is practically identical!
Authors have described several variations of the Troop organisation used, the above is taken from official sources. It is clear however that an alternative to the Troop outlined below was also used, so both options are covered.
The elements of the Commando
Commando HQ - provided the same functions to the Commando as to other units, but in a much abbreviated form, including an eighteen man Signal Section, plus transport and intelligence troops.
Heavy Weapons Troop - the light weapons of the Assault Troops were partially augmented by the three 3-inch mortars and three medium machine guns of the Heavy Troop's two Sections. The machine gun used was initially the heavy Vickers, but this was replaced in some formations by the Vickers K Gun which was far lighter and mobile, but could not provide the same kind of sustained firepower as its predecessor.
It was known for men to be withdrawn from the Rifle Troops to act as additional ammunition bearers in difficult terrain, especially in mountain areas where the assigned Jeeps could not reach.
Assault Troop - here's where things become clouded. There are two distinct versions of Troop organisation varying between 60 and 66 men. The smaller unit is generally ascribed to the Royal Marine Commando, particularly to the Normandy landings of 1944. The larger Troop is detailed for the Army Commando during the Mediterranean campaign of 1943. It may be that the Royal Marines adopted a different organisation, while the Army Commando continued with the previous one. Equally it is just, if not more likely, that the officially sanctioned organisation was heavily amended by both types of units for the D-Day operations. Both options are therefore detailed below.
HQ comprised of the Troop Commander, a Captain, and Sergeant Major. The officer's batman acted as a runner, and there was also a stretcher bearer and attached RAMC nursing orderly. Two men were detailed to act as gunners for the two 2-inch mortars, and no less than three men served the single PIAT.
The two Sections each comprised of a Subaltern and Sergeant at HQ, with two Sub-Sections, each with a Lance Sergeant, Corporal and eleven men. The Troop also had four Bren guns, undoubtedly one per Sub-Section, plus two sniper rifles and two rifles fitted with grenade discharger cups. There is no indication from the official tables of personal weapons, but nine Thompson submachine guns were authorised, meaning the majority of the Troop would have carried rifles. Two silenced Sten guns were also allocated.
The Royal Marine Commando Troop of 1944 is somewhat different. Troop HQ was reduced to a Captain, two Subalterns, the Sergeant Major and an orderly. There were now two Assault Sections, each with two Sub-Sections and a Support Sub-Section, totalling twenty seven men..
Each Sub-Section comprised of eleven men, led by a Sergeant with submachine gun. The six man rifle group was led by a Corporal, again with SMG, and five rifle armed men. The gun group was led by a rifle armed Corporal, with a Bren gunner and two rifleman to assist him. The five man Support Sub-Section was led by a Corporal with SMG, and contained a sniper and a three strong 2-inch mortar team. The gunner carried a pistol and the mortar, his two ammunition bearers both rifles.
This leaves one man unaccounted for. I had presumed he was an attached medic, but I have seen a reference to a Sergeant in Charge with the first Section. This same source, from the RM Museum, also mentions both sniper and demolition sections as part of the Commando HQ, but gives no specific detail, other than to reduce strength to approximately 450 all ranks.
Summary
Given the nature of the Commando it is probably foolish to think there would be a nice, standard type of formation to review. It was the willingness and ability to adapt which gave the Commando its flexibility. In preparation for D-Day, No.3 Commando doubled the allocation of Bren guns to each of its five Troops. That would have enabled each Sub-Section to deploy as two perhaps equal 'fire teams' under a leader. The above organisation does betray its infantry origins though; take a Rifle Company, delete the third platoon (the reserve), and then delete the third section in both remaining platoons. Cut the Company HQ to the minimum level, and your left with a unit very similar to a Commando Troop.
The Commando often found itself called upon to carry out operations more suited to a regular infantry unit. It was in such circumstances that its lack of heavy firepower and reduced strength counted against it. But when deployed in its intended role, as a lightning fast unit unfettered by a lumbering support echelon, it was the perfect tool.
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The British Infantry Battalion