41 Cdo Form up for Korea

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.

Camp McGill,

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:

Search: 41 CDO RM 'Dits'

Or more related Royal Marines 'Dits' Here;

1. 41 Commando - Chosin Reservoir Korea November/ December 1950 - Task Force Drysdale

2. Poundforce - Diversionary landings in Korea

3. Commando Raid on the East Coast Railway - North Korea

4. HMS Belfast to Victory the story of Ron Knight a Royal Marine on operations in Korea and Malaya

5. Amphibious Raid from USS Perch

6. Lt Colonel Drysdale, Royal Marines, Commanding Officer 41 Independent Commando