Unit/ Formation: 41 Cdo RM
Location: Great Britain
Period/ Conflict: Korean War
Year: 1950
Date/s: 16th August 1950
41 Independent Commando RM, commanded by Lt. Col. D.B. Drysdale, was formed on 16th August 1950 at Bickleigh Camp.
Initially the unit comprised three separate groups; volunteers from UK establishments who were flown out by BOAC to Japan in plain clothes; some volunteer sailors and marines from the British Pacific Fleet, these were already in training when the UK contingent arrived and formed a rifle section known as the Fleet Volunteers; and a reinforcement draft destined for 3 Commando Brigade, aboard the troopship Devonshire, which was diverted to Japan by air via the Philippines.
The unit assembled at Camp McGill, a US Army post at Takehama near the US Naval Base of Yokosuka.
41 Commando was to be under US Naval operational command and was supplied, armed and equipped by the Americans. The first task was to train each component, as it arrived, on US weapons and raiding techniques.
41 Cdo would have a very successful operational tour in Korea, see more 41 CDO operations here:
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