Editing 45 Commando (section)

==History==
[[File:Royal Marine Commandos attached to 3rd Division move inland from Sword Beach on the Normandy coast, 6 June 1944. B5071.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Black and white photograph of marines walking away from a beach in single file|Royal Marine Commandos attached to 3rd Division move inland from Sword Beach on the Normandy coast, 6 June 1944.]]

===5th RM Battalion===
The 5th RM Battalion was originally raised for a brief period at the end of [[World War I]] (September 1918-February 1919), and was again raised on 2 April 1940 following mass [[mobilization|mobilisation]] and the influx of "hostilities only" (HO) marines.  The battalion was raised at Cowshot Camp in [[Brookwood, Surrey|Brookwood]] (now part of the [[Pirbright]] Camp complex), being incorporated into 101 RM Bde, along with the 1st RM Battalion.  Between August and October 1940 the battalion took part in operations in [[Battle of Dakar|Dakar]].  On return until August 1943 the battalion conducted extensive training in [[Wales]], [[Scotland]], the [[Isle of Wight]] and [[Burley, Hampshire|Burley]], where the battalion reformed as 45 RM Commando on 1 August 1943.<ref name=cops>{{cite web|url=http://www.combinedops.com/45%20Royal%20Marine%20Commando.htm|title=45 Royal Marine Commando: The Normandy Landings|publisher=Combined Operations|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref> It was commanded between March 1940 and February 1942 by [[Arnold Reading]].<ref name="UNIT">{{cite web|url=https://www.unithistories.com/officers/RM_officersR.html |title=Royal Marine (RM) Officers 1939-1945 |publisher=www.unithistories.com |access-date=2019-12-25}}</ref>

===45 RM Commando===
[[File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H39038.jpg|thumb|right|Men of 45 (RM) Commando, [[1st Special Service Brigade]], in high spirits as they prepare to embark for the invasion, 3 June 1944.]]

After reforming and retitling, the unit transitioned to the Commando role as a formed unit, by-passing the individual volunteer and selection process undertaken by [[British Army|Army]] Commando candidates. Personnel undertook, and completed, the Commando Basic Training Course at [[Achnacarry]], [[Scotland]]. As part of the [[1st Special Service Brigade]], the Commando participated in [[Operation Overlord]] (the [[D-Day]] [[Normandy]] landings), before going on to move through Europe into Germany, including Brachterbeek on 23 January 1945.<ref name=memorial>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/~/media/Files/Navy-PDFs/The-Fleet/RMBS/Unit%20Memorial%20Dates.pdf|title=Memorial dates|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref> During the [[Battle of the Bulge|Ardennes Offensive]], the retitled 1st Commando Brigade was given the task of holding a stretch of the River [[Meuse]]; it was during this period of operations that Lance Corporal [[Henry Eric Harden|H. Harden]], a medical orderly of the [[Royal Army Medical Corps|RAMC]] attached to 45 (RM) Commando, won the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue= 36972|date=6 March 1945|page=1297|supp=y}}</ref>

===Post-World War II reorganisation===
Following the [[World War II|Second World War]] both [[1st Special Service Brigade|1st Commando Brigade]] (Nos 3, 4 and 6 Army Commandos and 45 RM Commando) and [[2nd Commando Brigade]] (Nos 2 and 9 Army Cdos and 40 and 43 RM Cdos) disbanded, leaving 3 Cdo Bde (then comprising 1 and 5 Army Cdos and 42 and 44 RM Cdos) in place in the [[Far East]].  3 Cdo Bde reorganised, disbanding 1 and 5 Army Cdos, and took on 45 RM Cdo, which joined the Bde in Hong Kong, from the UK, in January 1946.  In order to preserve the heritage of a 2 Cdo Bde unit, as well as that of 1 Cdo Bde (45 RM Cdo), [[44 Commando]] was retitled [[40 Commando]] (which had been disbanded in UK in October 1945) and took on 40 RM Cdo's colours, battle honours and traditions, albeit with 44 RM Cdo's manpower.  The three remaining commandos were restyled 40, 42 and 45 Commandos RM in March 1946.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/laterday/RM+Commandos/|title=Royal Marines Commando and Special Boat Service|publisher=Commando Veterans Association|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

===1940s/1950s===
[[File:Westland Whirlwinds taking off from HMS Theseus (R64) Suez 1956.jpg|thumb|alt=|Royal Navy Westland Whirlwind helicopters taking the first men of 45 Royal Marine Commando into action at Port Said from HMS ''Theseus''.]]
The Commando unit was based in [[Hong Kong]] between January 1946 and May 1947, conducting internal security duties, as part of 3 Cdo Bde RM.  Between May 1947 and December 1948 the Commando moved to [[Malta]], during which time it deployed to [[Libya]], [[1947–1948 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]], [[Suez]] and [[Jordan]].  The Commando unit returned to [[Hong Kong]] in December 1948 and from there deployed to [[Malay Peninsula|Malaya]] between 1950 and 1952 taking part in operations during the [[Malayan Emergency|Emergency]].  Between 1952 and 1959 the Commando was once again based in Malta. In September 1955 45 Commando was deployed to [[Cyprus]] to undertake anti-terrorist operations against the [[EOKA]] guerrillas who were fighting against British control of the island. EOKA were a small, but powerful organisation of Greek Cypriots, who had great local support from the Greek community. The unit traveled to the Kyrenia mountain area of the island and in December 1955 launched Operation Foxhunter, a failed operation to destroy EOKA's main base.<ref>French, p. 134</ref>

Then in 1956 the unit deployed to Egypt as part of the response to the [[Suez Crisis]], conducting the first helicopter assault in history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/6/newsid_3115000/3115888.stm|title= 1956: Allied Forces take control of Suez|date= 6 November 1956|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref>

===1960s===
Between 1960 and 1967 the Commando was based in [[Aden]], from where it conducted 10 operational tours in the [[Radfan]] during the [[Aden Emergency]].  The Commando unit also deployed briefly to [[Kuwait]] following an [[Iraq]]i threat to her Independence in 1961. In January 1964, part of then Tanganyika, later to become the [[Tanzanian Army]] mutinied. 45 Commando who were in Aden boarded [[HMS Centaur (R06)|HMS Centaur]] and sailed to East Africa and anchored off-shore from Dar es Salaam. The revolt was put down after 45 Commando landed by helicopter at Colito Barracks with other operations around the country over the coming days.
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalmarineshistory.com/post/revolt-in-tanganyika|title=Revolt in Tanganika|date=25 January 2021 |publisher=Royal Marines History|access-date =14 August 2022}}</ref>

The last elements of the 45 Commando left Aden on 29 November 1967 to return to the UK for the first time since the end of [[World War II]].  They set up home in [[Stonehouse Barracks]], [[Plymouth]].<ref name=bau>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-marines/air-squadron-air-troops.html|title=Air Troop 45 Commando RM|publisher=British Army Units 1945 on|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

===1970s/1980s===
In 1970 the Commando began Arctic training for the first time, taking on the role of Britain's mountain and Arctic warfare experts (joined later by the other Commandos). 45 Cdo RM deployed to [[Norway]] for the first of many winters in 1971, which coincided with a move of the unit from [[Stonehouse, Plymouth]] to the old [[Royal Naval Air Station|Naval Air Station]], [[RNAS Arbroath]] (now [[RM Condor]]) in [[Arbroath]], [[Scotland]], where the unit still remains.<ref>{{cite news|title=Arbroath's military men|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/1880794.stm|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=19 March 2002}}</ref> This period in the unit's history is characterised by the alternation of [[Northern Ireland]] tours<ref name=bau/> and winters in Norway, protecting [[NATO]]'s northern flank.<ref>Fowler, p. 25</ref>

====Falklands War====
{{main|Falklands War}}
Following the [[Argentine]] invasion of 2 April 1982, 45 Cdo RM, under the command of [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Andrew F. Whitehead RM, had their Easter leave cancelled and hastily deployed to the Falklands, travelling in a mix of [[Royal Navy]] (RN) and [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] (RFA) ships. Having made a tactical landing at Red Beach, [[Ajax Bay]] on 21 May 1982, the men of 45 Cdo RM [[yomp]]ed across [[East Falkland]], via Port San Carlos, New House, Douglas Settlement, Teal Inlet and [[Mount Kent]] to take part in the Battle for [[Port Stanley]]. They conducted a night attack on the [[Battle of Two Sisters|Two Sisters]] feature over the 11/12 June 1982,<ref name=memorial/> during which the Commando unit lost 8 men killed and 17 wounded.  The Argentinians surrendered on 14 June 1982. Lt. Col Whitehead was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]] (DSO).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=49134 |supp=y|page=12834|date=8 October 1982}}</ref>

===1990s===
[[File:British Royal Marine with anti-tank weapon.jpg|thumb|alt=Colour photograph of a marine with an anti-tank weapon pointed at the camera.|A British Royal Marine from 45 Commando watches for enemy tanks and armoured personnel carriers from behind his anti-armour weapon as part of Combined Joint Task Force Exercise '96.]]
The Commando unit deployed to [[Iraqi Kurdistan|Northern Iraq]] on [[Op Haven|Operation Haven]] at the end of the [[Gulf War]], where it spent 2 months in the [[Zakho]] area, withdrawing at the end of June. In 1993 The Commando unit was deployed to [[Belize]] for the last operational jungle tour in that country.  In a mirror image of its 1961 deployment to [[Kuwait]], the Commando returned on Operation Driver in 1994, in support of Kuwait, following some threatening troop movements by the Iraqis on their side of the border. In 1998 the Commando unit was redirected from an exercise in Belize, to assist [[Nicaragua]] and [[Honduras]] following the devastation caused by [[Hurricane Mitch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1998/11/98/hurricane_mitch/216906.stm |title=Mitch: Picking up the pieces|publisher=BBC|date=18 November 1998|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

===2000s===
[[File:Groundcrew Sheltering from Helicopter Downwash in Norway MOD 45155036.jpg|thumb|alt=Colour photograph of five fully covered marines in a huddle underneath a helicopter.|Ground crew with the Commando Helicopter Force huddle from the downwash of a Sea King helicopter on exercise in Norway.]]
[[File:45 Cdo Royal Marines in Afghanistan MOD 45149706.jpg|thumb|alt=Colour photograph of marines patrolling in single file over rough, almost barren, terrain with buildings on the horizon.|Members of Whisky Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines patrolling across barren landscape from FOB (Forward Operating Base) Jackson at Sangin in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.]]
At the turn of the Millennium, the Commando unit was deployed to [[Kosovo]] under [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] as part of 3 Cdo Bde RM on Operation Agricola IV.<ref>{{cite news|title=UK's mountain warfare elite|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1880048.stm|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=18 March 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite hansard|house=[[House of Commons (United Kingdom)|House of Commons]]|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmhansrd/vo041004/text/41004w31.htm|title=House of Commons - Written Answers for 4 Oct 2004 (pt 31)|date=4 October 2004}}</ref> From April 2002, the unit deployed to [[Afghanistan]] on [[Operation Jacana]], and also took part in [[Operation Telic]] 1, the 2003 invasion of Iraq. X-Ray [[Company (military unit)|Company]] Group was attached to the [[Special Boat Service]] (SBS), Whisky [[Company (military unit)|Company]] Group attached to the [[Special Air Service]] (SAS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eliteukforces.info/royal-marines/operations/operation-telic-iraq.php|title=Royal Marines - Operation Telic|publisher=Elite UK Forces|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

In September 2003, 45 Commando was granted the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom]] of Angus in recognition of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan and contribution to the local economy of [[Arbroath]], where they are based.<ref name="dailyrecord">{{cite news|title=Thousands turn out in Arbroath to greet returning Royal Marines|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/thousands-turn-out-in-arbroath-to-greet-1024089|newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|date=22 May 2009}}</ref>

In January 2004 the unit deployed to [[Northern Ireland]] ([[Operation Banner]]) for 6 months in support of peacekeeping operations, returning home in June. On return, it became the [[Spearhead Land Element|Spearhead Lead Commando]], a role assumed on a rotational basis. The Lead Commando is at a high level of readiness, able to deploy at short notice on operations worldwide.<ref>Ministry of Defence annual report 2005-2006</ref>

In September 2004, whilst still Lead Commando unit, the Group deployed to the [[United States]] on Exercise BLACKHORSE.  This was split into two phases, the first of which took place with the [[United States Marines Corps]] Ground-Air Combat Centre at [[29 Palms]], [[California]].  This 900 square miles of desert, allowed realistic live firing, involving artillery and air strikes.  The second phase took place at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Centre, high in the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada Mountains]].  An early snowfall meant the Commando was able to carry out cold weather warfare training, operating between 7000 and {{convert|11000|ft|m}}.  2006 saw the Unit deploy to Norway for further Arctic training which culminated with a [[NATO]] led exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-10-23b.171164.h|title=Defence written question |date=23 October 2013|publisher=House of Commons|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

The focus switched to preparation for deploying to Afghanistan on [[Operation HERRICK]] 5 in late 2006.  This deployment saw the Commando take on a number of different roles, the principal one being that of the [[Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team]] (OMLT).  The OMLT task was to work alongside the [[Afghan National Army]] and develop it into a self-sufficient organisation. The Unit returned from Afghanistan in April 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Handover in Helmand as 3 Cdo Brigade replace 16 Air Assault Brigade|url=http://ia201119.eu.archive.org/tna/20071204180435/http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencenews/militaryoperations/handoverinhelmandas3cdobrigadereplace16airassaultbrigade.htm|date=9 October 2006|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]}}</ref>

October 2008 saw the Commando unit return to Afghanistan as Northern Battle Group in [[Helmand Province]] on Operation HERRICK 9.  The operational area of responsibility was the Upper Sangin Valley which extended for 80&nbsp;km along the length of the [[Helmand River]].  The Battle Group was in excess of 1200 strong, half of whom came from 45 Commando.<ref>{{cite news|title=3 Commando Brigade to replace 16 Air Assault in Afghanistan|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/3CommandoBrigadeToReplace16AirAssaultInAfghanistan.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708202330/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/3CommandoBrigadeToReplace16AirAssaultInAfghanistan.htm|date=8 July 2008|archive-date=8 July 2008 |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]}}</ref>

April/May 2009 saw the return of the Commando to Arbroath in Scotland for reorganisation ahead of a winter deployment to Norway to practice cold weather and amphibious tactics.<ref name="dailyrecord"/>

===2010s===
45 Commando deployed to [[Afghanistan]] again, as part of 3 Commando Brigade, for 6 months in March 2011 on [[Operation Herrick]] 14. They returned home in October 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=3 Commando Brigade Take Command of Task Force Helmand|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/3CommandoBrigadeTakeCommandOfTaskForceHelmand.htm|date=11 April 2011|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=3 Commando Brigade to replace 16 Air Assault Brigade in Helmand|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/3-commando-brigade-to-replace-16-air-assault-brigade-in-helmand|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]|date=17 December 2010}}</ref>

45 Commando was the lead commando group for the UK until May 2013, able to deploy at short notice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/March/12/130312-CHF-Norway|title=Royal Marines end cold weather training with three-hour battle|access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref> In October 2013 Whisky Company from 45 Commando exercised in Ghana with US, Dutch and Spanish Marines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/October/09/131009-African-winds|title=Exercise African Winds blows through Ghana|access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/October/17/131017-Evacuation-Drills-Benin|title=Marines rehearse casualty evacuations in Benin|access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref>

45 Commando Royal Marines provided the guard of honour during the Beating Retreat Ceremony of the [[Royal Marines Band Service]] to celebrate the birthday of their [[Captain General]] [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]] at [[Horse Guards Parade]] in May 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2016/05/26/defence-in-the-media-26-may-2016/|title=Defence in the Media – 26 May 2016|date=26 May 2016 |access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref>

It became clear in 2018 that 45 Commando would, as would [[40 Commando]], form the infantry component of a [[Littoral Response Group]], as part of restructuring in the [[Future Commando Force]] programme.<ref>{{cite web |title='No Comms, No Bombs': Optimising the Signals Branch for the Future |url=https://www.puzzle-palace.com/community-articles/no-comms-no-bombs-optimising-the-signals-branch |website=Puzzle Palace |access-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223141300/https://www.puzzle-palace.com/community-articles/no-comms-no-bombs-optimising-the-signals-branch |archive-date=23 February 2022 |date=25 July 2019}}</ref>

===2020s===
In 2022, 350 marines from 45 Commando supported diplomats from the [[Embassy of the United Kingdom, Kyiv|British embassy]] in Ukraine, and a small number may have provided weapons and training to Ukrainian troops.<ref name=times-20221214>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/royal-marines-deployed-on-high-risk-covert-operations-in-ukraine-r7b50gv3p |title=Royal Marines deployed on 'high-risk covert operations' in Ukraine |last=Grylls |first=George |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |url-access=subscription |date=14 December 2022 |access-date=20 December 2022}}</ref><ref name=kp-20221214>{{cite news |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/5744 |title=Senior British General: Royal Marines Deployed in "Covert Operations" in Ukraine |last=Beecher |first=Jay |publisher=Kyiv Post |date=14 December 2022 |access-date=20 December 2022}}</ref>