Born from a desperate need for offense, British Commandos redefined special operations in wartime.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Formed in June 1940 at the behest of Winston Churchill, the British Commandos were designed to strike German-occupied Europe with hit-and-run tactics. These elite units evolved from small, independent raiding parties into a formidable force that influenced modern special operations units across the globe, including the United States Army Rangers.

The Commandos emerged in the wake of the disastrous Battle of France and the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk. Seeking to bolster morale and inflict damage on German forces, Winston Churchill directed the military to develop 'hunter class' troops capable of a 'butcher and bolt' policy. Lieutenant-Colonel Dudley Clarke proposed a force modeled on the tactics of Boer commandos, emphasizing speed and surprise. By November 1940, these volunteers were organized into a Special Service Brigade, eventually expanding to over 30 units and four assault brigades.

Training was centered at Achnacarry in the Scottish Highlands, where Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Vaughan enforced a rigorous, innovative regime. Volunteers faced immediate assessment, including an 8-mile march with full equipment, and were threatened with being 'returned to unit' if they failed to meet standards. The training utilized live ammunition and explosives to simulate combat, covering everything from mountain climbing and river crossings to unarmed combat. By the war's end, 25,000 men had passed through this demanding course, which also trained foreign volunteers from nations including France, Belgium, and Poland.

While initially focused on small-scale raids, the Commandos' role shifted as the war progressed. By 1943, they were increasingly organized into brigades to spearhead major Allied landings. This transition saw the disbandment of units dedicated to smaller raids, such as No. 12 and No. 62 Commando, by the end of 1943. The legacy of these units is profound; they pioneered specialized equipment like the Bergan rucksack and the Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife, and their operational philosophy directly influenced the formation of the Special Air Service, the Special Boat Service, and various international special forces units that remain active today.

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