A note in a nco service record reads instructor SPECIAL SERVICE BRIGADE OCT 1940 - FEB 1942 Where was this unit first formed and was there a War Diary for it. When did it become known as a Commando and renamed? What was the first SSB badge?
If you meant the First Special Service Force, please click on the following link. www.firstspecialserviceforce.net
An SSB was a group of Commandos. For example the SSB landing at Termoli was comprised of 40 RM Commando, 3 Commando and 1 SRS. It should not be confused with the SSF.
There were 4 Special Service Brigades each made up of a number of Commandos they saw combat in Norway, Italy, France, Holland Germany and Burma. No 1 SSB 3 Commando 4 Commando 6 Commando 45 (RM) Commando Elements of 10 (IA) Cdo No 2 SSB 2 Commando 9 Commando 40 (RM) Commando 43 (RM) Commando Elements of 10 (IA) Cdo No 3 SSB 1 Commando 5 Commando 42 (RM) Commando 43 (RM) Commando Elements of 10 (IA) Cdo No 4 SSB 41 (RM) Commando 46 (RM) Commando 47 (RM) Commando 48 (RM) Commando 4 Commando replaced 46 Commando in Holland in late 44 Elements of 10 (IA) Cdo
From October 1940 until early 1941, there was only one Brigade, called the Special Service Brigade. It was organized into four Special Service Battalions, each of two Commandos. In early 1941 to November 1943, there still was only the Special Service Brigade but the Battalion organization was dropped and it managed all the Commandos. This was changed again in November 1943 when the Brigade was expanded into 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Special Service Brigades (later Commando Brigades) each of four Commandos.
1,2 and 4 Commando Brigade also had a 30 man section of Royal Marine Commando Engineers with 3 Commando Brigade getting theirs in 1944. Group HQ and the HQ for each of the SS/Commando Brigades was predominantly made up of Royal Marines from the disbanded Royal Marines Division and Brigade HQ's
Here are the Battalions that were organized under the of the Special Service Brigade: No. 1 Special Service Battalion Raised 24 October 1940 The battalion was based at Darmouth and Paignton. It was formed from Nos. 1-5, 8 and 9 Independent Companies and consisted of two 500-man companies. It was reformed as Nos. 1 and 2 Commandos on 5 March 1941. No. 2 Special Service Battalion Raised 24 October 1940 The battalion was based on Whitney Bay, Scotland. It was formed from Nos. 9 and 11 Commandos and Nos. 6 and 7 Independent Companies. It formed two 500-man companies. On 26 February 1941 it was reorganized as No. 9 Commando. No. 3 Special Service Battalion Raised 24 October 1940 The battalion was based on Girvan, Scotland. It was formed from Nos. 4 and 7 Commandos and formed two 500-man companies. It was disbanded on 26 February 1941. No. 4 Special Service Battalion Raised 24 October 1940 The battalion was based on Largs, Scotland. It was formed from Nos. 3 and 8 Commandos and formed two 500-man companies. It was disbanded on 26 February 1941. No. 5 Special Service Battalion Raised 24 October 1940 The battalion was based on Helensburgh. It was formed from Nos. 5 and 6 Commandos and formed two 500-man companies. It was disbanded on 26 February 1941.
dryan, can you please point me in the way, of any books that cover the 2 Special Service Commandos that landed at Anzio? The Devil's Brigade, The Thugs, Freddy's Freighters, The Braves. Alderman & Walton has been a book i could not put down. The story of the First Special Service Force, a military unit known as the above (them chaps did not .... about). Its probably the best book that i paid £12.00 for. Your advise would be appreciated. Regards Stu.
Stu, You might want to get a hold of the following regimental history of the 43rd RM Commando: McConville, Michael. Nothing Much To Lose: 2nd Bn RM; 43rd RM Cdo 1940-45. Bournemouth: Bourne Press, 1992. If you can't, let me know and I might be able to copy the appropriate sections. There are also two excellent general resources: Ladd, D. The Royal Marines 1919-1980. London: Jane’s, 1980. Ladd, James. Commandos and Rangers of World War II. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, 1989. I am not sure of any book on No. 9 Commando. David
Stu Excellent book on the Devil's Brigade penned by James A. Wood titled " We Move Only Forward" ISBN 1-55125-112-4
David, thanks for your advise.The first book that you have mentioned, should be with me by the weekend. I just hope its has funny as the book that I've mentioned. The liberties that these guys took, would not be believable, unless it was in print. I'm pleased at the price that I've paid for it ( lots of it at 480 pages). That Brigadier General Fredrick, was some chap. 17th DYRCH, thank you for your input. Its something I may look into in time. Hats off to these head less chickens. Regards, & thank you to both. Stu.
No 3 SSB 1 Commando 5 Commando 42 (RM) Commando 43 (RM) Commando Elements of 10 (IA) Cdo I think there is an error since 43 RM was not part of this brigade. It should in fact be 44 (RM) Commando
