Royal Marines Returning to Hastings from a Commando Raid 3/4 June 1942

I am a member of the Hastings Old Town appreciation Group on Facebook and a member put up this IWM film of the Commandos returning to Hastings after a raid on St Cecily Plage Le Touquet (Operation Bristle) filmed from an RAF Anson which I thought members might be interested in.

Watch Commandos Return to Hastings After Raid on St Cecily Plage, Le Touquet 3/4 June 1942 'Operation Bristle' - BFI Player

The above might have to be cut and pasted into an internet page to work

 

Link worked fine. Some great shots.

Tim

 

A really interesting link and many thanks for posting it. Fascinating views of the Old Town and interesting to see how the tank traps were placed to allow the fishing boats to operate off the beach. I wonder what AA cover was provided for this as the town was subject to marauding German fighters for much of this part of the war.

 

Here is an Extract from wikipedia on Operation Bristle: Operation Bristle was a British Commando raid over the night of the 3/4 June 1942 during the Second World War. The target of the raid was a German radar site, at Plage-Ste-Cecile between Boulogne and Le Touquet. The raiding force which was provided by No. 6 Commando was defeated by the strong German defences. During the return voyage at around dawn the naval force was attacked by German fighter aircraft which damaged two Motor Launches and one Motor Gun Boat, killing one Commando and two naval personnel and wounding another 19; only the arrival of Royal Air Force preventing further damage and losses. - Sorry it was not Royal Marines as I previously thought but Army Commandos

 

I've been watching the video again and at about 59s you can clearly see where the pier was cut about half way along to deter its use by possible invading troops

 

Commandos back in Hastings after the raid

 

A lot of confusion over "commando" units as they come from various units and forces and the loveable private armys. During WW2 you had Royal Marines still serving as navy infantry, commando units sponsored by the RN who become our present 40,42 units etc(even then some oddity units tucked away) and finally the SBS commando unit with links to the SAS(and again still present links. Not a op sec bit of info) With the final flourish that present day service men (possibly a few lady's) that pass the all arm selection will wear "Army Commando" flash not "RM Commando" as previously (but if you initially pass as RM basic and transfer to the army you will still wear RM and dagger badges! )

The late Richard Holmes said that tracing a regiments liniange bordered on the ocult. Try the Tier one specialist units that technically include the Army Air Corps.

Confusion was the aim and it continues. Who is in that order of battle

 

The first twelve Commando units raised mid 1940 were all Army Commandos. In 1942 these were then followed by the first two Royal Marine Commando units. The first simply known as The Royal Marine Commando in February 1942 before a second was introduced when they they were known as A and B before being quickly designated 40 and 41RM Commando. There were also Royal Naval Beach Commandos and Royal Air Force Servicing Commando units. also provided Commando. In August 1943 an additional six RM Commando units were formed 42 through to 47RM Commando. In 1944 an additional one, 48RM Commando unit was formed.

Commando Veterans Archive | ͏

 

There were also Middle East Commandos, 30 Commando Assault Unit, No.14 Commando, 62 Commando, Commando Signallers from both Army and Royal Marines, and other special forces such as L Detachment SAS and the SBS. All came after those first volunteers in 1940 for service of a hazardous nature in the Army Commandos.

 

Here is a bit more Pathe News on the raid with sound track posted up on Historical Hastings Facebook by Greg Heath. When I first put up the post I thought it Was Royal Marines. But it is Army Commandos see link: https://www.britishpathe.com/video/commandos-do-it-again...

 

The Devils in Skirts in Carry On Up The Khyber were also famously commando... I’ll get my coat.