3 Commando Brigade

This might seem a silly question, but why is the "3 Commando Brigade" called this, and not just "The Commando Brigade"?? I can't see any possibility of there being more than one commando brigade so why not make it simple?

 

Every brigade has a number e.g. 16th Air Assault Brigade, 4th Armoured Brigade.

Hope this clears it up.

K

 

3 Commando Brigade

It was one of several during WW2.

It survived post war cuts.

 

I see why they normally have numbers, ie to differentiate between different units, but when there will only ever be one such unit... why not just call it that?

 

Because there may well be additional Cdo Brigades, you never know. Plus it's tradtional, which is not something to be sneezed at in the Forces....

 

Confuses the enemy they think there are zillions over here waiting to kick ass. All the others are in stealth mode!!

 

What, just like all those 40 or so Commando Units?? And the 90 or so frigates and destroyers.....

 

"The first casulaty of war is the truth"

... this includes the number of formations you have.

 

Special Service Group ORBAT 1943 - 1945:

Special Service Group

1 Special Service Brigade (UK - Normandy - Europe)
3 Cdo
4 Cdo
6 Cdo
45 (RM) Cdo

2 Special Service Brigade (Middle East - Italy)
2 Cdo
9 Cdo
40 (RM) Cdo
43 (RM) Cdo

3 Special Service Brigade (Far East)
1 Cdo
5 Cdo
42 (RM) Cdo
44 (RM) Cdo

4 Special Service Brigade (UK - Normany - Holland)
41 (RM) Cdo
46 (RM) Cdo
47 (RM) Cdo
48 (RM) Cdo

The Brigades were renamed from Special Service Brigades to Commando Brigades in late 44. On demobilisation and disbandment of the Army Commandos, 3 Cdo Bde was retained as an RM formation (presumably because that was the one already based in the Far East).

The Commandos were numbered 1-12 & 14 (Army), 30 (joint service, intelligence), 40 - 48 (RM), 50 - 52 (Army, Middle East) and 62 (Small Scale Raiding Force).

Hence why 3 Cdo Bde remains, and why the RM Cdos are numbered 40, 42 and 45. FPGRM = Commachio Gp = 43 Cdo; I presume the other RM Cdos were disbanded on the basis of their location no longer needing to be garrisoned (41 Cdo - Malta) or on the unluck of the draw!

That is just a very brief summary garnered from Chappell M, Army Commandos 1940 - 45 (Osprey, Oxford, 1996)... more than happy for those who know more to expand / rip to bits!

 

Stumpy.

I've got 2 of their cast off Land Rovers (you know; one careful owner, the Royal Marines!) and I love 'em to bits (the Rovers, not the Booties).

PS

Sod all to do with the Thread!

P o L