I am interested in the time that this unit spent in North africa. Does anyone have dates? Exploits? War Establishment? Thanks in advance, David.
Here is a summary for 11th Bn, Royal Marines 11th Royal Marine Battalion Raised February 1940 at Fort Cumberland The battalion was raised as the Land Defence Force of Mobile Naval Base Defence Organization (later MNBDO I). It served under this organization until August 1941. It moved to Plymouth in March 1940 and to Hayling Island in May 1940. In June 1940 it formed part of the defence of Deal (Sub-Area A6 of the Home Command). The battalion was designated 11th Royal Marine Battalion in 1941. It embarked for Egypt on 4 February 1941 and moved to Tahal Camp in Egypt on arrival on 23 April 1941. It did not go to Crete with the rest of the MNBDO elements on 9 May 1941. During the summer of 1941 it served in Egypt on various duties until August 1941. The battalion was then attached to Commander in Chief Mediterranean as an independent battalion. One hundred all ranks of B Company raided Kupha Nisi island near Crete on 15/16 April 1942, destroying enemy installations. It served in the raid on Tobruk from 13-15 September 1942 and suffered heavy losses. The battalion was then rebuilt. It then served in India and Ceylon during 1942-43 and on other duties until June 1944, when it was disbanded at West Kilbride in the United Kingdom.
David, I received only yesterday a series of books, containing Volume 11 of "British Armies in World War Two - An Organizational History" by Hughes, Ryan and Rothwell. It deals with airborne forces and Royal Marines. Included is a sketched version of the war establishment for the MDBDO Battalions as of 1941, quite differing from the 1927 scheme. If you are interested, let me know. Quite a bit of typing ... ;-)
I am interested yes. Perhaps just the exact No of men, and a list of the heavy weapons (Tommy guns & above) to save on the typing.
Here it comes exactly as in the source: Battalion HQ with - 1 x Mortar Platoon with 2 x 3'' mortars - 1 x Pioneer Platoon with - - Platoon HQ (3 men) - - 3 x Half Sections (6 men) each with 6 x Rifles 4 x Rifle Companies each with - Company HQ (14 men) with - 3 x Platoons each with - - Platoon HQ (7 men) 1 x 2'' mortar, 1 x ATR - - 3 x Sections (10 men) each with 1 x LMG, 9 x rifles - 1 x Defence/Employment Platoon - - Platoon HQ (7 men) 1 x PIAT, 1 x 2'' mortar - - 3 x Sections (10 men) each with 1 x LMG, 1 x SMG, 8 x rifles. I doubt the PIAT, at least for 1941. 4 x 162 (14 + 3 x 37 + 37) men in Rifle Companies: 648 Pioneer Platoon: 21 men Mortar Platoon and rest of Battalion HQ: no numbers given.
Superb, thanks. Perhaps Boyes anti tank rifles for PIATs in 1941? Yes, surely, as mentioned in the Rifle Platoons.
I forgot about Volume 11. I wrote it! terrible thing, senility! I for one can never remember if I have amnesia or not!
Aixman: I forgot about Volume 11. I wrote it! DRyan67 David (Ryan), Interesting people around here ... You mentioned in volume 11 another volume to come, about SAS, LRDG. I cannot find any volume 12 ...!?
Unfortunately, Volume 12 never got off the ground. Other events in our lives took over. In my case, it was the arrival of grandchildren and taking care of them each day. I have been working on a book on the Canadian Home Army in WWII but the process has been slow as time is limited.
In this case I want to thank you for the lots of information, you - and your co-authors, of course - made available.
I would like to echo that vote of thanks. David has answered so many of my queries recently. THANK YOU.
Hello and please forgive me crashing this topic. My uncle served in the 11th Bat of the RM and was listed as "died of Wounds" on the 21st of september which was 7 days after the Raid on Tobruk, operation Agreement. RM 11th Battalion, MNBDO I, Raid on Tobruk, operation Agreement FREEGARD, Ernest C, Marine, EX/4672, DOW This makes me wonder, if he was wounded on the operation and then lay wounded somewhere then someone must have some records. Any ideas?
