W.I?: British army create commando branch in the 1930s?

You started with a giggle.

I give you the Punjab Irregular Force (“piffers”) where “Its soldiers were not subject to parade ground drill and showed unconcern towards routine orders given to regiments of the line. They practiced swift tactical movements in small groups, showing special elan and flair.” Given they began operating in 1851, I doubt vehicles, air support or helicopters were in use.
Made up of native soldiers able to blend in and used to the terrain not British regulars.
 

Deleted member 94680

Made up of native soldiers able to blend in and used to the terrain not British regulars.

Even the officers? There will be skills that can be learnt nonetheless.

The main point I was relying to was that SF operations on the NWF did not require helicopters and drones, or massive air support.
 
The problem with that is I think most of the 1930 British line infantry would be capable of such actions? We are talking a very small professional long trained force with war experienced NCOs and officers....it's only after dilution in late 30s that it would show?
The problem with that is they will be sent to Norway so miss the decisive show...... but on the other hand they might win in Norway?(even better if they know how to load them)

It was a professional regular force granted and very capable of conducting conventional ops to a high standard as was the initial TA formations in the battle of France (for example 6th and 8th Durham Light Infantry at Arras who did very well although the whole thing was let down by a lack of combined arms experience by all forces involved when the tanks went off on their own).

One of the problems identified during the Battle of France was the disparity between the initiative shown by 1st tier Heer formation NCOs and their JOs compared to the British ones who were a bit wooden by comparison (not always - 3rd BR Division for example made a mockery of its opponents and it allies for that matter)

By installing a commando ethos into the various 'tribes' of the British army during the 30s and having this disseminated into the TA and subsequent formations of the planned 32/55 Division army - such initiative could be installed in Section commanders and JOs - that is rather than simply managing their Section/platoons they consider the bigger picture - ie immediately send out patrols etc and seek to seize the initiative where necessary. "Ohh look a Bridge - wonder what's on the other side?" sort of thing.

And it's not just amphibious ops, its things like certain terrain features like a river that might halt a 'conventional formation' until the RE can put a bridge across or one is seized, or clearing fortified positions and even FISH (fighting in someone's house) - the British army would get very good at FISH by 44 but having those skills disseminated in the late 30s would pay dividends and save lives by not having the survivors learn those lessons.
 

SwampTiger

Banned
Regarding Gallipoli, the Spanish analyzed the British reports and post-war studies to develop their plan for the Alhucemas landing. They also used surplus X-lighters in their landing. The Spanish Foreign Legion provided a solid corps of experienced soldiers. Joint Army-Navy co-operation, combined arms, and advanced planning allowed success. They still had problems with proper beach reconnaissance, which delayed the landing of tanks and artillery.

The British took the wrong lessons from Gallipoli. By reviewing the colonial wars of the 20's and 30's, the British may have better retained a modern amphibious foundation through the inter-war period. Certainly, the US marines and Japanese developed doctrine during the period.
 
You started with a giggle.

I give you the Punjab Irregular Force (“piffers”) where “Its soldiers were not subject to parade ground drill and showed unconcern towards routine orders given to regiments of the line. They practiced swift tactical movements in small groups, showing special elan and flair.” Given they began operating in 1851, I doubt vehicles, air support or helicopters were in use.
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PIFFERS. Nowadays the Frontier Force Regiment of the Pakistan Army. Old unit. With an unmatched combat record. Fought allover India. Plus, all,WW1 Theatres and Italy, N Africa and Burma in WW2. Saved Yank ass at Mogidishu in ‘93.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-units_of_the_Frontier_Force_Regiment
Look at the history of each unit above. Look at where they were raised. You might note all are either in the plains of the Punjab (where they operated, the “Punjab” bit is a big giveaway), in the Peshawar and Indus valleys. One was even raised in Karachi.
The units did operate on the Afghan Frontier, but as regular infantry. Indeed several were part of Sir Henry Havelocks operations in Delhi and Lucknow during the ‘57 Rebellion.
 
During WW2 there were quite a lot of arguments that assignments for Commandos were not beyond what well-trained regular troops could achieve, being put forward by officers who had led trench-raids during WW1.

Having participated in such training more than once in my career I can say that when you train a ordinary infantry battalion or company to such levels you end up turning them into a commando or special ops unit, which you cant afford to use for anything else. Training a few days or weeks for a ordinary raid or whatever is one thing, but setting aside a ordinary inf formation to make them special ops capable is something else.
 
Having participated in such training more than once in my career I can say that when you train a ordinary infantry battalion or company to such levels you end up turning them into a commando or special ops unit, which you cant afford to use for anything else. Training a few days or weeks for a ordinary raid or whatever is one thing, but setting aside a ordinary inf formation to make them special ops capable is something else.
True. Or do what Pakistan has done during the recent war, which is convert a regular line infantry unit into what’s known as a Light Commando Battalion, LCB.
That is done for a duration of a tour. It’s not permanent change. At the end of a tour, the battalion reverts to its original role.
 
The only official scout unit that the British Army had were the Lovats Scouts, and care to hazard a guess where most of the initial sniper and sneaky beaky stuff came from?

Perhaps raise equivilent English (Coldstream?), Irish and Welsh Scout regiments, then amalgamate the lot after WWI. Maybe an Indian, and/or Empire wide Scout Regiment as well.
 
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