Editing Layforce (section)

{{Short description|British Army unit}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Layforce
|image=
|caption=
|dates=1941
|country= {{flag icon|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance=[[United Kingdom]]
|branch=[[British Army]]
|type=  Ad hoc (Commando)
|role= [[Amphibious warfare]]<br>[[Artillery observer]]<br>[[Close-quarters combat]]<br>Coastal raiding<br>[[Desert warfare]]<br>[[Direct action (military)|Direct action]]<br>[[Irregular warfare]]<br>[[Long-range penetration]]<br>[[Mountain warfare]]<br>[[Patrolling]]<br>[[Raid (military)|Raiding]]<br>[[Reconnaissance]]<br>[[Special reconnaissance]]<br>[[Urban warfare]]
|size=2,000 men organised into four "Special Service" Battalions
|command_structure= [[6th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|British 6th Division]]
|garrison=
|garrison_label=
|nickname=
|motto=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=[[Second World War]]
* [[Bardia raid]]
* [[Battle of Crete]]
* [[Syria-Lebanon Campaign]]
* [[Siege of Tobruk]]
* [[Twin Pimples raid]]
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|disbanded=
<!-- Commanders -->
|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|commander3=
|commander3_label=
|notable_commanders= [[Robert Laycock]]
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=
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}}

'''Layforce''' was an [[ad hoc]] military formation of the [[British Army]] consisting of a number of [[Commandos (United Kingdom)|commando]] units during the [[Second World War]]. Formed in February 1941 under the command of Colonel [[Robert Laycock]], after whom the force was named, it consisted of approximately 2,000 men and served in the Middle Eastern theatre of operations. Initially tasked with conducting raiding operations to disrupt Axis lines of communication in the Mediterranean it was planned that they would take part in operations to capture the Greek island of [[Rhodes]].

As the strategic situation in the theatre turned against the Allies, however, the commandos were largely diverted from their original role and were used primarily to reinforce regular troops throughout the Mediterranean theatre. Elements of the force saw action in [[Bardia]], [[Crete]], [[Syria]] and [[Tobruk]] before they were disbanded in August 1941. Afterwards its personnel either returned to their former units or went on to serve with other special forces units raised in the Middle East.