48 ROYAL MARINE COMMANDO The Story 1944-46

By Anon

48 (Royal Marine) Commando was formed in March 1944, the last British commando unit raised during the Second World War. Created from the 7th Royal Marine Battalion and Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisation units, it trained at Achnacarry under Lieutenant Colonel James Moulton before joining the all-Royal Marine 4th Special Service Brigade alongside No. 41, No. 46 and No. 47 Commandos.

The unit first saw action during the Normandy landings as part of the assault force tasked with clearing the coastal towns east of Caen. Landing on Juno Beach on 6 June 1944, 48 Commando was the first commando unit ashore near Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Fighting its way inland under heavy fire, it helped assault and liberate the strongly defended village of Langrune-sur-Mer, suffering severe casualties but securing the objective before holding the area while reinforcements and equipment were landed.

The brigade's next objective was the heavily defended German radar installation near Douvres. During the subsequent fighting, attacks against nearby German positions initially stalled. Reinforced by No. 46 and No. 47 Commandos, 48 Commando manoeuvred around the village of Dozule to seize the dominating high ground at Point 120, cutting off retreating German forces and destroying vehicles as they attempted to withdraw.

Although originally intended to hold its positions for only 48 hours, the brigade remained in action and joined the Allied advance across Normandy. During the rapid pursuit toward the River Seine, 48 Commando helped liberate a series of towns including Pont-l' v que, Saint-Maclou, Pavilly, Yerville, Motteville, Yvetot, Bermonville and Valmont, before being withdrawn from the line in mid-August 1944.

The unit returned to combat later that year during the campaign to clear the Scheldt estuary, a vital operation to open the port of Antwerp to Allied shipping. In October and November 1944, 48 Commando fought as part of the 4th Special Service Brigade during the Battle of the Scheldt and Operation Infatuate, the assault to capture the heavily fortified island of Walcheren.

From the beaches of Normandy to the battles for control of the Scheldt, 48 (Royal Marine) Commando established a reputation for aggressive assault tactics, resilience under fire, and determination in some of the most demanding amphibious and commando operations of the war.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1474543197
• ISBN13: 9781474543194
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Naval & Military Press
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"