1st Special Service Brigade
| 1st Special Service Brigade 1st Commando Brigade |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1941–1946 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 British Army
|
| Type | Commando |
| Role | Special Service Raiding |
| Size | Brigade |
| Engagements |
Operation Ambassador Operation Archery Operation Claymore Operation Jubilee Operation Overlord Operation Plunder |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Brigadier The Lord Lovat Brigadier Derek Mills-Roberts |
| Insignia | |
| Combined Operations Shoulder Patch |  |
The 1st Special Service Brigade was a commando brigade of the British Army. Formed during World War II, it consisted of elements of the British Army (including British Commandos) and the Royal Marines. The brigade's component units saw action individually in Norway and the Dieppe Raid (in France), before being combined under one commander for service in Normandy during Operation Overlord. On 6 December 1944, the Brigade was redesignated 1st Commando Brigade, removing the hated title Special Service and its association with the German SS.
Recruiting for the Commandos began in 1940 when a call was made for volunteers from certain formations that were still in Britain at the time. It was also decided that the Divisional Independent Companies that had been originally raised from Territorial Army Divisions would be disbanded and used to raise the new Commando units along with other men who had seen service in Norway and elsewhere. Subsequent recruiting for the Commandos was also conducted in the various theatres of war and among foreign nationals joining the Allies.
Initially, each 'Commando' was to consist of a headquarters plus ten troops of 50 men each, including three officers; this changed in 1941 to six troops of 65 men per Commando, including a Heavy Weapons Troop. Each Commando unit was initially responsible for the selection and training of its own officers and men. Commando soldiers received extra pay from which they had to find their own accommodation whenever they were in Britain. They trained in physical fitness, survival, orienteering, close-quarter combat, silent killing, signalling, amphibious and cliff assault, motor vehicle operation, weapons (including the use of captured enemy small-arms) and demolition. Many officers, NCOs and trainee instructors initially attended various courses at the all forces Special Training Centre at Lochailort in Scotland. Also in the Scottish Highlands, Combined Operations established a substantial all forces amphibious training centre at Inveraray, and in 1942 a specific Commando Training Centre at Achnacarry near Spean Bridge. All field training was conducted with live ammunition.
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