Royal Naval Commandos

Royal Naval Commandos
Royal Navy Beach Commandos
A beach party from the Royal Naval Commandos at Normandy, 13 June 1944
Active1942–45
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
BranchRoyal Navy
TypeCommando
RoleAmphibious warfare Beachhead duties
Size22 units each consisting of 10 officers and 65 ratings
Motto(s)In Primo Exulto (Latin: "First in last out")[1]
EngagementsSecond World War
Insignia
Combined Operations Shoulder FlashInsignia of Combined Operations units it is a combination of a red Thompson submachine gun, a pair of wings, an anchor and mortar rounds on a black backing

The Royal Naval Commandos, also known as RN Beachhead Commandos, were a commando formation of the Royal Navy which served during the Second World War. The first units were raised in 1942 and by the end of the war, 22 company-sized units had been raised to carry out various tasks associated with establishing, maintaining and controlling beachheads during amphibious operations. The Beach Commando's principal duty was "the quick and safe turnaround of all boats on the beaches"[2]

Royal Naval Commando parties took part in all Allied amphibious landings from early 1942 to the end of the war, when they were disbanded. Operations included the landings at Diego Suarez on Madagascar, Operation Torch (North Africa), Operation Neptune (Normandy landings), the Screwdriver operations in Burma, Operation Market-Garden, Invasion of Elba (codename Operation Brassard) and the assault on Walcheren.

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