British naval infantry -or- The Royal Marines

The question about German marine forces got me to wondering about British Marines.

What was the largest Marine unit to function as a group in an operation? A battalion?

Did the British Marines form a large formation such as a brigade or division, even if it never participated in combat as such?

 

Hello Jeff,

As far as I know, Royal Marines never fought in formations bigger than 'Commandos', which are roughly equivalent to an infantry battalion. Several Commandos were grouped together in a brigade for Op. Overlord but appeared to have operated as seperate Commandos, without a substantial Brigade support, signals or HQ element. Have a look here:
45 ROYAL MARINE COMMANDO IN WW2

H

 

Some of the formations were called Special Service Brigades (Well at least one I can think of- 3 SSB .) early in the war the titles were eventually changed as it wasn't liked due to the abbreviation being SS.

Cheers

 

Slip,

Its the Royal Marines, thankyou, to differentiate them from that lot little lot of copy cats you lot have. Next you'll be saying what good kit they have.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:



Kev

 

Actually It Royal Marine Commandos Kev ---------------------> Big suttle grin

 

Well, I guess I should have typed British marines, (big B, little m)to denote that I was talking about naval infantry who happened to be British, instead of the actual group itself. Thanks for the corrections. :p

<<<grumble grumble..royal this and British that...why can't they be simple like us and call eveything "US"? grumble grumble>>>>

 

Thanks everyone.

So I can assume that the intent was for the British Army to conduct any and all large scale, seaborne assaults? If so, what was the intended role of Royal Marines? Mostly hit and run, commando-type operations?

 

Actually It Royal Marine Commandos Kev ---------------------> Big suttle grin

Look dont let the facts get in the way.

didnt they become Commando's after WW2...

 

It depends on how far back you want to go Jeff?

The Royal Marines go back to the 16 or 1700's (My history beyond 1900 is very poor). During WW2 I think it's fair to say they did small scale Commando Raids early on as was dicussed on another thread in my opinion to show the British Public we weren't down and out after Dunkirk.

They then evolved into bigger fighting units and worked as a full brigade (I believe) for the first time on D-Day.

They also worked quite closely with their parent unit the Royal Navy-I'm not very familiar with their roles on ship but think they worked within the gunnery side of things aswell as the provost side as do (I believe) the US Marines.

Andy

 

Hi Jeff,

In Italy the 2nd Commando Brigade operated as a complete unit - 9th and 40th Commandos and 43rd Royal Marine Commandos.

The North Irish Horse supported the Brigade capturing the strip land between Lake Comacchio and the Adriatic. This was a pivotal operation as it opened up the subsequent left hook across the lake, the success of which was the beginning of the end of the campaign in Italy. It was during this action that the Royal Marines won their only VC of the war.
Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter - posthumously.

Gerry

 

I'm not very familiar with their roles on ship but think they worked within the gunnery side of things aswell as the provost side as do (I believe) the US Marines.

Andy

yes.

Hi Jeff,

In Italy the 2nd Commando Brigade operated as a complete unit - 9th and 40th Commandos and 43rd Royal Marine Commandos.

The North Irish Horse supported the Brigade capturing the strip land between Lake Comacchio and the Adriatic. This was a pivotal operation as it opened up the subsequent left hook across the lake, the success of which was the beginning of the end of the campaign in Italy. It was during this action that the Royal Marines won their only VC of the war.
Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter - posthumously.

Gerry

Thanks Mr. Chester.

 

Slip,

Its the Royal Marines, thankyou, to differentiate them from that lot little lot of copy cats you lot have. Next you'll be saying what good kit they have.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:



Kev

Don't make me come over there

 

Not really the same thing are they the US & UK Marines, same names but pretty different forces from what I can see... I bet our chaps would love some of that funding though .
Did you encounter any of our variety while you were in FJH?

Can't say that I ever actually saw a "Royal Marine". Went in to a bar in Hong Kong, The Bull & The Bear, in 1989 and several had just left. Thought I spotted some from a distance once on Diego Garcia; but, that was never confirmed.

US Marines don't usually work and play well with others even within our own Battalions and Companies. There is a reason there are no pool (billiard) tables in day rooms - anymore.

 

FJH,


I did some work with the USMC IN 2003, they were pussy cats...I've still got a Eureka Tent to prove it

I've got a Royal Marine and a USMC PTI book (amongst others) some where from when I was a PTI and one of them has a the RM PTI working with the USMC in America (The Later I think). I believe he was on a 12 month exchange.

I always found the testing requirements for both services quite different and interesting.

 

FJH,


I did some work with the USMC IN 2003, they were pussy cats...I've still got a Eureka Tent to prove it

I've got a Royal Marine and a USMC PTI book (amongst others) some where from when I was a PTI and one of them has a the RM PTI working with the USMC in America (The Later I think). I believe he was on a 12 month exchange.

I always found the testing requirements for both services quite different and interesting.


What on earth is a "Eureka Tent" ? You got along so well because they had one of us as collateral.........lol

Brad

 

Apparently the pride of the USMC....All the squaddies were nicking them


It even has the globe and anchor printed inside

 

Jeff, Just to confuse you there were Army Commandos & Royal Marine Commandos.

1st Commando Brigade was involved in the Rhine crossings.

1st Special Service Brigade - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They also played a major part in the waterborn landings in the Battle of the SCHELDT and the taking of WALCHEREN ISLAND Nov 44.
Rob D