Messages posted by: mike beckett

Pete
I guess this all makes the War Diary WO 218 / 165 even more interesting. It would be good to know something of this 'Cyprus Commando' our attention has been drawn to.
Regards
Mike

It is great that this tribute has been complied - A story well worth telling, and one worthy of commemoration. Excellent illustrations throughout.
Mike

Following the links above you can see the model Peter built is a real credit - great to see old warhorses like HMS Princess Beatrix remembered in this way!.
Mike

My posting of 5/8/12 assumed additional items were required for the Commando Museum Spean Bridge - please excuse me if I was incorrect. It would be very interesting to view an inventory of exhibits there.

I think someone has already mentioned 'The Middle East Commandos' by Charles Messenger as a source of unit information (a more specialised account than his book 'The Commandos 1940-1946)
It may be worth mentioning that William Seymour, author of 'British Special Forces' served in 52 (Middle East) Commando, and also includes several references to Nos 50, 51, and 52 (Middle East) Commandos in his book.

Thanks for this Alan. You can not really beat War Diary references.
Two very good friends of mine - Walter Marshall and Jack 'Pop' Anderson - both left No11 for Mission 204. I believe that as well SAS another choice on breakup of the Commando was G(R) Raiding pool or of course voluntary RTU. (sorry to digress slightly from the subject of Cyprus Commando)
Mike B

The Royal Marines Historical Society - Special Publication 34, published in 2008 - was 'Vertical Assault: The Story of Royal Marines Mountain Leaders' Branch' by Mark Bentinck. I believe there are some references to climbing in Malta and certainly I recall a group of Climbing Instructors at St Andrew's Barracks, Malta, and the 'Flying Angel' demonstrated in Malta in 1959 are illustrated on page 30. However, much of the content concerns locations in the United Kingdom, development of equipment and techniques, and various expeditions. Copies of the 127 page booklet may be available through the RMHS Office at the Royal Marines Museum - Tel (023) 9236 1617 - manned 10.00am to 12.30pm - Thursdays.

Dare I mention it ... The Royal Marines Historical Society published a 'Special Publication No 14' booklet of 132 pages concerning 'Royal Marines in Wales' This includes several interesting locations (largely RM connected). It dates from 1992 and was by Anthony J Perrett. I don't think it cost a great deal and is certainly good for the 'glove box' if visiting Wales. Copies may be available from:
RMHS Publication Sales
RMHS Office
Royal Marines Museum
Southsea
Hants
PO4 9PX
Tel (023) 9236 1617 - manned 10.00am to 12.30 Thursdays
email: [email protected] - manned same hours as above

The Czechoslovakian and Yugoslavian (Jugoslavian) elements of No10 Commando (in their various troops) are surely two of the great enigmas in Commando research. Very little is known about both, and more research is to be encouraged. While 'X' Troop members have rightly captured the imagination, No7 Yugoslavian (Jugoslavian) troop remains even more of a mystery in my experience. More about both elements needs to be found and recorded.

Bill
This is exceptional. I concur with the thoroughness of Ron Youngman - who helped me a great deal with my academic studies and who always displayed great rigour in verifying his own findings and opinions. As well as providing sound guidance and advice.
Mike

Graham

Please do keep us updated of developments. It would be interesting to learn more of 'The Cyprus Commando' drawn from The Cyprus Regiment etc.

To be sure No11 Cdo were based on Cyprus before the Litani River action, as well as afterwards, having been sent in Mid May 1941 'to strengthen the defences there' - again per Charles Messenger 'The Commandos 1940-1946' see pages 96, 103, 106.

You may well be familiar with 'Litani River' by Ian McHarg, an exceptional account of the action. Chapter 4 deals with No11 Cdo deployments on Cyprus during April - June 1941, subsequent Chapters are primarily concerned with the Litani River action itself

Mike

Hello Graham

Looking through the computer index of files held at the National Archive / Public Record Office, Kew - there is a War Diary reference: WO (War Office) 218 (Series) 165 (Item) - abbreviated as: WO 218/165 relating to 'The Cyprus Commando' June 1941 to Jan 1942. I have not seen this file but imagine it is a good source of information.
If anyone has accessed this file I would also be interest to learn more.
Regards Mike Beckett

PS - I am not sure if this link will work:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=26958&j=1

PPS - For a time the remnants of former No11 Commando (C Bn Layforce) were based on Cyprus, after the Litani River action of 8 June 1941, awaiting eventual break up.
I note Charles Messenger does mention formation of the Cyprus Commando from the Cyprus Regiment with British Officers and NCO's - organised as five squads each of eleven men - to operate behind enemy lines if the enemy invaded the island. I wonder if there were any links with No11 Cdo given the chronology (re training/secondment of personnel) - purely conjecture on my part without evidence from the file

If you are interested in a Broad Outline of the activities of each Commando you will find some details in War Diaries held at the National Archive (Public Record Office) Kew. From memory, one set of copies, for each Commando, can generally be found in the WO (War Office) 218 series. They vary in detail and volume, and as may be expected there is usually a separate file for each year, for each Commando (not always complete). Good hunting!
Mike Beckett

By the looks of it, two years have passed since the last posting ... is there any news of progress etc. I am sure that Forum readers / CVA Members would love to know. Regards and wishing all involved good luck! Mike

See the following site for examples and history

http://www.combinedops.com/INSIGNIA%20SPECIMENS.htm

Regards
Mike

PS - I am sure I have posted this link on our site previously - not sure where though