Troop Organization for No. 1 and No.6 Commando, Nov-1942 thru Jan-1943

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 14/02/2011 13:38:59

I would appreciate any help in constructing a roster of the Americans who served with No. 1 and No. 6 Commando Groups from the landings near Algiers through reorganization in early 1943.

I believe (4) additional U.S. Troops (7 Troop thru 10 Troop) were added to each group. I would like to locate copies of any rosters with the names of any of the American volunteers (and the troop each was posted to) or any detailed reports relating to the actions during this period. The only rosters I have currently are related to some of the Americans who became killed, missing, or wounded.

In regard to the American Troop commanders for No. 1 Commando Group, I believe those leaders to be the following (I do not know which troop each led though):

1st Lt. Thomas M. Holt (Captured on/about 05-Dec-1942)
1st Lt. Jack A. Marshall
1st Lt. Mark T. Martin, Jr.
1st Lt. Devere O. Thompson (Captured, but escaped - died in 1944)

In regard to the American Troop commanders for No. 6 Commando Group, I believe those leaders led the following Troops:

7 Troop
1st Lt. 1st Lt. Nelson F. Kibbler

8 Troop
1st Lt. Joseph W. Milling, Jr.

9 Troop
1st Lt. Paul E. Batchelor (Wounded), believe 2nd Lt. Earl A. Ferguson took command afterwards

10 Troop
1st Lt. John D. Meador (Wounded 12-Dec-1942)

I would appreciate any assistance in building this list and confirming and correcting this information. This will be related to my research on the wartime casualties of the U.S. 34th Infantry Division during WWII.

Thanks,

Craig Johnson

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 14/02/2011 13:39:16

I would appreciate any help in constructing a roster of the Americans who served with No. 1 and No. 6 Commando Groups from the landings near Algiers through reorganization in early 1943.

Hello

This information may be in the units individual War Diaries.

The Diaries reside in Kew National Archives.

You can hire researchers to look at them if you can't do this yourself.

Regards

John M

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 20/03/2009 16:11:09

Hi Craig

I don't know if you are aware but two relatives of fomer American volunteers with of No1 during Operation Torch have contacted this site looking for info on their familly members. One of these is Jackie Schulze, whose uncle was William McGuiniss, Jackie is a regular visitor to this site. The second person is Dan Thobe who has only just posted a message on the CVA concerning his late father in law Maurice Brown. In his initial message he mentioned the name Marshall, see the attached image of an envelope that belonged to Maurice also a scanned image of Maurice's No1 Commando salamander insignia. He wanted to know if Lt Marshall was an American or not.
With regards to No6 Commando I am in contact with an American veteran of No6 who has provided a number of photos for this site see attached image. His name is Gaylord McCurdy or Mac and you can read an account of his exploits on the Combined Operations Memorial website just click on Index then click on the American flag. After leaving No6 he rejoined the American Army and went on to win the Silver Star in Europe. If you wish I could email Mac, Jackie and Dan and ask them if it is ok for you to contact them. However Dan's original message is still in the "Looking For Information Section" as it was only recently posted so you could contact him directly yourself.

Good luck Andy

Andy,

Thanks for the reply. I did contact Maurice Brown's son-in-law (Dan) and will send him my work-in-progress roster for the No.1 and No.6 Commando.

I am familiar with Mac McCurdy of No.6 Commando. I had corresponded with him a few years back after learning of his existence from another 34th Division man who had served with the No.6 Group (E.G. Leapley "Buss"). I believe that photo actually came from Leapley originally. It is at least part of No.2 Section - 7 Troop - No.6 Commando (taken sometime between 08-Nov-1942 and 21-Nov-1942).

Your father was a member of No.1 during the Torch and Bizerte Operations, right? I having been trying to piece together the Troop Names and Leaders for No.1 Commando since the Americans joined and split the force into (2) halves for the Torch and Bizerte Operations (on/about 08-Oct-1942). They referred to the two halves as the "Left Half" and the "Right Half"? At that time did the No.1 Commando retain their Troop Numbers (i.e., No.1 Troop thru No.6 Troop) and just add four additional Troops (Troop No.7 thru Troop No.10)?

During Torch, I believe the "Left Half" Troops were led by Major. Ken R.S. Trevor and took part in the assault on Battery du Lazaret. Those Troop leaders were the following: Captains Davidson, Davies, Pollitt and 1st Lieutenants Marshall and Martin? I believe the "Right Half" Troops were led by Ltc. Tom H. Trevor and took part in the surrender of Fort Sidi Ferruch. Those Troop leaders were the following: Captains Craven, Bradford, Morgan, 1st Lieutenants Holt and Thompson?

If that is the case, perhaps you can confirm or correct what I have for at least the Troop Commander under which your dad served? Below is what I have. The underlined fields represent unconfirmed data or guesses on my part.

?Left Half?
Led by Major Ken R.S. Trevor

No. 4 Troop British Capt. Douglas M. Davidson
No. 5 Troop British [u]Capt. Davies (xxxxx)[/u]
No. 6 Troop British Capt. C.J.B. Pollitt (xxxxx)
No. 9 Troop American 1st Lt. Jack A. Marshall (O-451717)
No. 10 Troop American 1st Lt. Mark T. Martin, Jr. (O-408197)

?Right Half?
Led by Ltc. Tom H. Trevor

No. 1 Troop British Capt. John Craven (xxxxx)
No. 2 Troop British Capt. John M. Bradford (70669)
No. 3 Troop British Capt. Harold R. Morgan (88079)
No. 7 Troop American 1st Lt. Thomas M. Holt (O-422344)
No. 8 Troop American 1st Lt. Devere O. Thompson (O-408651)

There is one thing which does not seem to fit if this organization is correct and was maintained for the Bizerte Operation. I think the "Left Half" was west of Bizerte guarding cross-roads waiting to link up with the attacking forces from the south (which never arrived). The "Right Half" attacked east toward the Bizerte airfield. During the afternoon of 01-Dec-1942, two troops were ambushed together while going through a valley (I believe, north of Lake Bizerte a couple of miles from the airfield). These two Troops were Davidson's (British) and Holt's (American). These Troops were from differents halves though. So that may be the "hole" to my organization above? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig

Craig Johnson

You may want to look at my website for a list of those that I know about serving with No.6 Commando.

Peter Bowe

My father was John C H Southworth MM , of No 1 Commando - 4 Troop. He served alongside Capt Davidson (known as 'Granite') in Operation Torch, and my Dad's account of the battle of Sedjenane 1 is on the CVA website. There is also an article on the 16 Durham Light Infantry website - under gallantry awards for Commandos and 'the White Flag' which you mayalso find interesting.
Elaine