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Sea soldiers back on dry land

During World War Two the Royal Marines resumed many of the brigades that had fought in World War One.

As before they established an RM Brigade on the outbreak of war. The Corps also reformed Howitzer and Anti-Aircraft Brigades as well as Siege and Field Artillery Regiments and Anti-Tank Brigades.

By late 1942 the battalions of the Royal Marine Brigade were becoming surplus to requirements as strategists allocated many of the land actions to the new Commandos.

By mid 1944 all Royal Marines Battalions were disbanded and converted to Commandos. Those not good enough to qualify to become a Commando were drafted to serve elsewhere.

The most notable actions undertaken by the Royal Marine Battalions were at Tobruk and the Allied invasion of Sicily.

During the Allied Invasion of Sicily in July 1943 the 7th Battalion performed a special role alongside the Corps' Commandos.

Also during World War Two the Royal Marines served for the first time in tanks - using their naval gunnery experience to bombard defences on the beaches of Normandy.

 

Article highlights

• Sea soldiers back on dry land

• The 11th Battalion at Tobruk

• The 7th Battalion and the Invasion of Sicily

• The Armoured Support Regiment

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Follow the links to find out more about -

• Sea service

• Landings and landing craft

• Land service - The Armoured Support Regiment, the 11th Btn at Tobruk and the 7th Btn at Sicily
  

• Commandos and Raiders - Walcheren Raid, the Cockleshell Heroes, Detachment 385

• Jungle Warfare - Force Viper, the Commandos in Burma

• Flying Marines

 

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