14 Commando

This was a very short lived Commando unit raised for the specific purpose of operations in Norway. Mountbatten wrote to the Chiefs of Staff in November 1942 expressing his view for the need of Arctic specialists from any source for winter operations in Norway. They agreed and No.14 Commando was formed on the 3rd December 1942, initially under Lt Col. E.A. M. Wedderburn, Royal Scots, with a total of 15 Officers and 40 OR's including some Canadian RNVR's. Their first HQ was at Ewe Bank Cottage, Beauly, Inverness-shire.
 
The Commando consisted of two troops,  a boating troop and a skiing troop, and at some stage were in the Shetlands along with some from 12 Commando (North Force) , 6 Cdo (101 tp), Norwegians, Canadians, and some others.
 
Lieutenant John Godwin and 4 ORs were attached to No 12 Commando for Operation Crackers [view]  in Norway. Not long after their return he led another raiding party of No 14 Commando for Operation Checkmate. [view]
 
On the 15th July 1943 authority was given for No. 14 Commando to be disbanded this being completed in August 1943, although the skiing troop remained for a period. 
 
Sources
[1] No 14 Cdo War Diary, National Archives refs. WO 218/58 and Unit Card for 14 Cdo. WO 379/ 115.
[2] Commandos -The Definitive History of Commando Operations in the Second World War author Charles Messenger. The book was endorsed by Brigadier Peter Young, and met with approval of the Commando Association. 
[3] Godwin's Saga, A Commando Epic author Kenneth Macksey. 
 

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