6 Commando

History of the Unit

6 commando
No.6 Commando was formed on 23 June 1940 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel T. Fetherstonehaugh. During the invasion threat of that year No.6 moved twice. First to Romney Marsh and then onto Brightlingsea Essex. Moving on again after a short while to Bristol and a spell of Landing Craft training was then undertaken at Milford Haven being transported there on the SS Malines.

Like all the other units No.6 was absorbed into the Special Service Battalion formations before being redesignated again as No 6 Commando in Feb1941. No 6 Comando raised a special troop for sea raiding using Folbot canoes (101 troop).

Chosen for Operation ‘Kitbag’ at Floro in Norway on 11th December 1941 proved a disappointment. The operation was aborted late into the planning stage. Half of the strength of No.12 Army Commando was also due to take part in this raid.

After this frustration No.6 finally saw action when it embarked to take part in ‘Operation Torch in’ November 1942. No.6 fought several critical actions during this campaign before being withdrawn back to the UK to prepare for ‘Overlord’. No .6 had the task of landing and advancing to the Orne bridges where it was to link up with other Commando units and relieve the airborne forces. By the evening of the first day a spectacular success had been recorded and the Commando was dug in at its objective.

Despite severe losses No.6 fought on across Europe eventually reaching Germany before returning home.

In June 1945 No 6 Commando, along with No 3 Commando, were back in the UK preparing for the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland. No 4 Commando were still in Germany at Recklinghausen. At this time 233 OR's from No.4 Commando were posted to Nos. 3 and 6 Commandos, to bolster their numbers for the invasion, however Japan surrendered and the war ended.

No 6 Commando was disbanded along with other wartime Commando units.  The war diary of No 6 Commando for the 19th November 1945 has the following entry "Order of the day from Brig. P. Young DSO. MC.  Commando officially disbanded."


View our Gallery images of No 6 Commando

Click/touch No 6 Commando below for additional content, or follow the links below to specific content entries.


Ask Questions / Add Information / Add Photos

Use the Archive Forum for research enquiries, or to add information or photos. [register now]
Read some frequently asked questions here [FAQ's].
Contact the Archive via the [contact form].
 
All content is researched and administered by the Commando Veterans Archive.