Editing Layforce (section)

==Prelude==
Although upon Layforce's formation the commando concept was embryonic, when it embarked from the United Kingdom it had been intended that the force would be employed to carry out a campaign of harassment and dislocation against enemy forces in the Mediterranean.<ref name=Chappell15/> At the time that Layforce was raised, the British were largely in the ascendency in the theatre, having defeated the Italians; and it was felt that the commandos could be employed in the capture of the Greek island of [[Rhodes]] as part of Operation Cordite.<ref name=Saunders52/><ref name=Moreman20/><ref name=website>{{cite web|url=http://www.combinedops.com/Bardia_North_Africa.htm|title= Combined Operations at Bardia, North Africa|publisher=www.combinedops.com|access-date=14 August 2009}}</ref> The arrival of the [[Afrika Korps]] in [[Cyrenaica]] and the invasions of [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Greece]] greatly changed the strategic outlook and by the time that Layforce arrived in Egypt in March, the situation had deteriorated.<ref name=Saunders52/> There was still a role for commando-style operations; and, arguably, a series of successful small-scale raids at vital points in the German rear areas might have forced Rommel to divert some of his offensive capability to defend his [[Line of communication|lines of communications]].<ref name=Saunders5455>Saunders 1959, pp. 54–55.</ref> Circumstances undermined the Layforce concept almost as soon as it became established.<ref name=Saunders5455/>

[[File:HMS Glengyle.jpg|right|thumb|alt=A black and white photograph of HMS Glengyle, an infantry assault ship|HMS ''Glengyle'']]
Following the invasions of the Balkans, a large part of the British forces in North Africa were deployed to Greece in an attempt to turn back the German advance. Layforce was not sent, although the three infantry assault ships brought with them from the United Kingdom and which were invaluable in carrying out amphibious operations were taken from them due to a lack of resources in the theatre. This robbed the commandos of one of their most important capabilities; and, although later the [[HMS Glengyle|''Glengyle'']] was released to Laycock's force, the other two ships were not, which severely constrained the forces that he could deploy.<ref  name=Saunders55>Saunders 1959, p. 55.</ref> The British loss of air superiority severely hampered their ability to carry out landing operations, while the deployment of forces to Greece meant that the commandos became the only troops in general reserve; and as the strategic situation worsened it became increasingly difficult to employ them in the manner for which it had been intended, as they were called upon to reinforce the rest of the army elsewhere.<ref name=Saunders55/>