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British Commandos

British Commandos
Stone statue of three Second World War Commandos in the Scottish Highlands
Active 1940–1946
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Branch  British Army
 Royal Navy
 Royal Air Force
Type Commando
Role Coastal raiding
Assault infantry
Special operations
Part of Combined Operations
Engagements Second World War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Robert Laycock
John Durnford-Slater
Lord Lovat
Ronnie Tod
Insignia
Combined
Operations
Tactical
recognition
flash
Insignia of Combined Operations units it is a combination of a red Thompson submachine gun, RAF wings and an anchor on a black backing

The British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe. Initially drawn from within the British Army from soldiers who volunteered for the Special Service Brigade, the Commandos' ranks would eventually be filled by members of all branches of the British Armed Forces and a number of foreign volunteers from German-occupied countries.

Reaching a wartime strength of over 30 units and four assault brigades, the Commandos served in all theatres of war from the Arctic Circle to Europe and from the Mediterranean and Middle East to South-East Asia. Their operations ranged from small groups of men landing from the sea or by parachute, to a brigade of assault troops spearheading the Allied invasions of Europe and Asia.

After the war most Commando units were disbanded, leaving only the Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade. The modern Royal Marine Commandos, Parachute Regiment, Special Air Service and Special Boat Service trace their origins to the Commandos. The Second World War Commando legacy also extends to mainland Europe and the United States, the French Naval commandos, Dutch Korps Commandotroepen, Belgian Paracommando Brigade and the United States Army Rangers were influenced by the wartime Commandos.


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Wikipedia

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