Editing Commando

{{Short description|Elite light infantry combatant}}
{{Other uses}}

[[File:Royal_Marines_in_Sangin_MOD_45151554.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2| [[Royal Marines]] from [[40 Commando]] on patrol in the [[Sangin]] area of [[Afghanistan]] are pictured]]A '''commando''' is a combatant, or operative of an elite [[light infantry]] or [[special operations force]], specially trained for carrying out raids and operating in small teams behind enemy lines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/commando|title=Commando definition and meaning &#124; Collins English Dictionary}}</ref>

Originally, "a commando" was a type of combat unit, as opposed to an individual in that unit. In other languages, ''commando'' and ''kommando'' denote a "[[Command (military formation)|command]]", including the sense of a military or an elite special operations unit. In the militaries and governments of most countries, commandos are distinctive in that they specialize in unconventional assault on [[high-value target]]s.

In English, to distinguish between an individual commando and a commando unit, the unit is occasionally capitalized.<ref name="Dobbie">{{Cite journal |last=Dobbie |first=Elliott V. K. |date=April 1944 |title=The Word 'Commando' |journal=[[American Speech]] |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=81–90 |doi=10.2307/487007 |jstor=487007}}</ref>

The term "para-commando" may be used to combine the roles of [[paratrooper]] and commando.

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== Etymology ==
[[File:Cape Mounted Burghers - CaledonSquare - 1846-05 CBell.jpg|thumb|Cape Mounted Burghers, or "kommando," assembling for action in 1846 during the [[Seventh Xhosa War]]. The term originally referred to the mounted infantry of this type.]]

The term ''commando'' originally derives from the [[Latin]] word ''commendare'' ("to recommend") via the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] word ''kommando'', which translates as "a command or order" and or roughly to "mobile infantry unit". ''Kommando'' in turn originated from the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] word ''comando'', which was used in [[Portuguese India]] to refer to an early type of [[special forces]]. The word was adopted into [[Afrikaans]] from [[Boers|Boer]] interactions with the Portuguese in neighboring African colonies.{{cn|date=April 2025}} In [[Southern Africa]], the term originally referred to units of locally raised [[mounted infantry]] which fought during the [[Xhosa Wars]], [[Anglo-Zulu War]] and the [[First Boer War|First]] and [[Second Boer War]]s.<ref>''Encyclopædia Britannica'' (14th ed.), Vol. 6, p. 106</ref> The British were exposed to the concept during the 19th and 20th centuries, in particular during the Boer Wars. During [[World War II]], the [[British Armed Forces|British military]] established the [[Commandos (United Kingdom)|Commandos]], a formation of special forces units which engaged in raids against [[German-occupied Europe]]. ''[[Wehrmacht]]'' special forces units were also referred to as "''kommandos''". Some historians have argued the term is a [[High German]] loan word originating from German colonists who settled in the [[Dutch Cape Colony]].<ref name="Dobbie" />

The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' ties the English use of the word meaning  "[a] member of a body of picked men ..." directly into its Afrikaans' origins:<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Commado |title=Oxford English Dictionary|edition=online|chapter-url=http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/36974?redirectedFrom=Commando#eid|title-link=Oxford English Dictionary}}</ref>
{{blockquote|1943 Combined Operations ([[Ministry of Information (United Kingdom)|Min. of Information]]) i. Lt.   Lieutenant-Colonel D. W. Clarke... produced the outline of a scheme.... The men for this type of irregular warfare should, he suggested, be formed into units to be known as Commandos.... Nor was the historical parallel far-fetched. After the victories of [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Roberts]] and [[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|Kitchener]] had scattered the Boer army, the guerrilla tactics of its individual units (which were styled 'Commandos')... prevented decisive victory.... His [sc. Lt.-Col. D. W. Clarke's] ideas were accepted; so also, with some hesitation, was the name Commando.}} During [[World War II]], newspaper reports of the deeds of "the commandos" only in the plural led to readers thinking that the singular meant one man rather than one military unit, and this new usage became established.

== Selection ==
[[File:Servicemen of the Turkish Special Forces Command, led by the Captain Harun Ergin 3.jpg|thumb|[[Turkish Land Forces]] commando units with their distinctive blue berets]]
Due to the special mental and physiological requirements made of the applicants, there are restrictions entering "commando" units. Applicants have to fulfil special requirements. Selecting applicants with the highest motivation, modern special forces run special selection processes.

Historically there is evidence of selection for the ''Otdelnly Gwardieskij Batalion Minerow,'' predecessors of the modern Russian [[spetsnaz]]. Soldiers had to be younger than 30 years, were mostly athletes or hunters and had to show the highest motivation. During training and selection some participants died since they were exhausted and left to their devices.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/75619581 |title=Eliteverbände der Welt Ausbildung, Bewaffnung, Einsätze |date=1995 |others=Terry White, Karl P. E. Veltzé |isbn=978-3-613-01688-0 |edition=1. Aufl |location=Stuttgart |pages=120 |oclc=75619581}}</ref>

The German [[Kommando Spezialkräfte]] (KSK) demands from their applicants high levels of physical resilience, teamwork, willingness to learn, mental resilience, willpower, sense of responsibility, flexibility, secrecy and adaptation. These skills are proven during assessment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Werde Teil des Teams beim KSK |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/heer/aktuelles/werde-teil-des-teams-beim-ksk-5083388 |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=www.bundeswehr.de |date=5 July 2021 |language=de |archive-date=2022-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921141617/https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/heer/aktuelles/werde-teil-des-teams-beim-ksk-5083388 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The fitness test of the [[United States Navy SEALs|U.S. Navy SEALs]] tests swimming speed over 500 yards, number of push-ups and sit-ups within 2 minutes, pull-ups and running 1.5 miles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Physical Screening Tests |url=https://navyseals.com/nsw/physical-screening-tests/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=Navy SEALs |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Long Range Desert Group]] hired their personnel after a very long interrogation. First [[Special Air Service|SAS]] members had to complete a march of 50km, and the [[Royal Marines|Royal Marine commandos]] tested their applicants' motivation during an obstacle course using real explosives and machine gun fire close to [[Achnacarry|Achnacary]] in Scotland. The [[French Foreign Legion]] assesses their applicants through medical, intelligence, logic, and fitness tests as well as interrogations, small drills and solving small tasks. 

Commando soldiers are supposed to think independently. This is unusual in the context of most [[Military recruit training#Control and conformity|military training]], but is necessary for work in small groups and avoiding enemies' reconnaissance.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/75619581 |title=Eliteverbände der Welt Ausbildung, Bewaffnung, Einsätze |date=1995 |others=Terry White, Karl P. E. Veltzé |isbn=978-3-613-01688-0 |edition=1. Aufl |location=Stuttgart |pages=14–18 |language=de |oclc=75619581}}</ref>

== Boer name origin and adoption by Britain ==
{{Main|Boer Commando}}

[[File:Afrikaner Commandos2.JPG|thumb|upright|left|The first appearance and use of the term "commando" was taken from the [[Afrikaner]] guerilla units known as "Kommandos" in [[Republic of South Africa|South Africa]] during the [[Second Boer War]] of 1899–1902]] 

After the [[Dutch Cape Colony]] was established in 1652, the word was used to describe bands of militia. The first "Commando Law" was instated by the original [[Dutch East India Company]] chartered settlements, and similar laws were maintained through the independent [[Boer]] [[Orange Free State]] and [[South African Republic]].  The law compelled [[Burgher (Boer republics)|burghers]] to equip themselves with horses and firearms when required in defense. The implementation of these laws was called the "Commando System".  A group of mounted [[militia]]men was organized in a unit known as a ''commando'' and headed by a [[commandant]], who was normally elected from inside the unit.<ref name="Dobbie" /> Men called up to serve were said to be "on commando".<ref>"On Commando", Dietlof Van Warmelo, Methuen, 1902</ref> British experience with this system led to the widespread adoption of the word "[[commandeer]]" into English in the 1880s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mw4.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commandeer |title=Commandeer – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Mw4.merriam-webster.com |access-date=2012-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303202836/http://mw4.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commandeer |archive-date=2012-03-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the [[Great Trek]], conflicts with [[Southern Africa]]n peoples such as the [[Xhosa people|Xhosa]] and the [[Zulu people|Zulu]] caused the Boers to retain the commando system despite being free of colonial laws.  Also, the word became used to describe any armed raid.  During this period, the Boers also developed [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]] techniques for use against numerically superior but less mobile bands of natives such as the Zulu, who fought in large, complex formations.<ref name="Dobbie" />

In the [[First Boer War]], [[Boer commando]]s utilised superior marksmanship, fieldcraft, camouflage and mobility to great effect against British forces, who wore conspicuous [[Red coat (military uniform)|red uniforms]] and were poorly trained in marksmanship. These tactics continued to be used during the [[Second Boer War]]. In the final phase of the war, 25,000 Boer commandos engaged in [[asymmetric warfare]] against [[British Empire|British Imperial]] forces numbering 450,000 strong for two years after the British had captured the capitals of the two Boer republics. During these conflicts the word entered the [[English language]], retaining its general Afrikaans meaning of a "militia unit" or a "raid". [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Robert Baden-Powell]] recognised the importance of fieldcraft and was inspired to form the [[scouting]] movement.

[[File:No. 3 Commando men after Dieppe raid.jpg|thumb|upright=.9|The "commando" name was permanently established with the introduction of the [[British Commandos]] in 1942 the elite special forces units of the [[British Army]] in [[World War II]]]]

In 1941, Lieutenant-Colonel D. W. Clarke of the British Imperial General Staff, suggested the name ''commando'' for specialized raiding units of the British Army Special Service in evocation of the effectiveness and tactics of the Boer commandos.<ref name="Dobbie" /> During World War II, American and British publications, confused over the use of the plural "commandos" for that type of British military units, gave rise to the modern common habit of using "a commando" to mean one member of such a unit, or one man engaged on a raiding-type operation.<ref name="Dobbie" />

== Green berets and training ==
[[File:Commando jauber1.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Naval commandos (France)|French Navy commando]] unit ''[[Commando Jaubert|Jaubert]]'' storms a naval vessel in a training assault]]Since the 20th century and World War II in particular, commandos have been set apart from other military units by virtue of their extreme training regimes; these are usually associated with the awarding of [[green beret]]s which originated with [[British Commandos]]. The British Commandos were instrumental in founding many other international commando units during World War II. Some international commando units were formed from members who served as part of or alongside British Commandos, such as the Dutch [[Korps Commandotroepen]] (who still wear the recognition flash insignia of the British [[Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife]]), the Belgian [[5th Special Air Service]], or Greek [[Sacred Band (World War II)|Sacred Band]]. In 1944 the [[Special Air Service Troops|SAS Brigade]] was formed from the British 1st and 2nd SAS, the French 3rd and 4th SAS, and the Belgian 5th SAS. The French Army special forces ([[1er RPIMa]]) still use the motto ''Qui Ose Gagne'', a translation of the SAS motto "Who Dares Wins".

In addition, many [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] nations were part of the original British Commando units. They developed their own national traditions, including the Australian [[Special Air Service Regiment]], the [[New Zealand Special Air Service]], and the [[Rhodesian Special Air Service]], all of whom share (or used to) the same insignia and motto as their British counterparts. During the Second World War, the British SAS quickly adopted sand-coloured berets, since they were almost entirely based in the North African theatre; they used these rather than green berets to distinguish themselves from other British Commando units. (See [[History of the Special Air Service]]). Other Commonwealth commando units were formed after the Second World War directly based on the British Commando units, such as the Australian Army Reserve [[1st Commando Regiment (Australia)]], distinct from the Regular Army [[2nd Commando Regiment (Australia)]], who originated from the [[4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment]] in 1997 .

The [[United States Army Rangers|US Rangers]] were founded by Major General [[Lucian Truscott]] of the US Army, a liaison officer with the British General Staff. In 1942, he submitted a proposal to General [[George Marshall]] that an American unit be set up "along the lines of the British Commandos". The original US Rangers trained at the British Commandos centre at [[Achnacarry Castle]]. The [[US Navy SEALs]]' original formation, the [[Observer Group]], was also trained and influenced by British Commandos.<ref>{{cite book|last=Meyers|first=Bruce F|title=Swift, Silent, and Deadly: Marine Amphibious Reconnaissance in the Pacific|date=2004|publisher=Naval Institute Press. |isbn=978-1-59114-484-7}}</ref> The US Special Forces originated with the [[First Special Service Force]], formed under British [[Combined Operations]]. The [[First Special Service Force]] was a joint American-Canadian unit and modern Canadian [[Canadian Special Operations Regiment|special operations forces]] also trace their lineage to this unit and through it to British Commandos, despite existing in their modern incarnation only since 2006.

Malaysian green beret special forces [[PASKAL]]<ref name="Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL">{{cite web|url=http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0429&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Polis_%26_Tentera&pg=te_01.htm|title=''KD Panglima Hitam lahirkan Paskal berwibawa''|access-date=4 May 2009|language=ms|work=[[Utusan Malaysia]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503231606/http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0429&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Polis_%26_Tentera&pg=te_01.htm|archive-date=3 May 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Grup Gerak Khas]] (who still wear the Blue Lanyard of the [[Royal Marines]]) were originally trained by British Commandos. The [[Portuguese Marine Corps]] Fuzileiros were originally trained by British Commandos in 1961. Other British units, such as the [[Special Air Service|SAS]], led to the development of many international special operations units that are now typically referred to as commandos, including the Bangladeshi [[Para-Commando Brigade (Bangladesh)|Para-Commando Brigade]], Pakistani [[Special Services Group]], the Indian [[MARCOS]], Jordanian [[Special Operation Forces]] and [[Philippine National Police]] [[Special Action Force]].

A Dutch study found that a sampling of Dutch male special forces operators were more emotionally stable, conscientious, but also more closed minded than matched civilian controls and other types of soldiers.<ref name="CommandoReview">{{Cite journal |last=Huijzer |first= R. |date= March 2022|title=Personality Traits of Special Forces Operators: Comparing Commandos, Candidates and Controls |journal= Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=369–381 |doi= 10.1037/spy0000296|s2cid= 248337705 |url= https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/1350d44e-e0e3-46d0-8b90-637078d7ade1 }}</ref>

== World War I ==

===Austro-Hungarian assault units===
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2018}}
During the winter of 1914–1915 large parts of the Eastern Front switched to trench warfare. To cope with the new situation many Austro-Hungarian regiments spontaneously formed infantry squads called ''Jagdkommandos''. These squads were named after the specially trained forces of Russian army formed in 1886 and were used to protect against ambushes, to perform reconnaissance and for low intensity fights in no-man's-land.

Austro-Hungarian High army command (''Armeeoberkommando'', AOK) realized the need for special forces and decided to draw on German experience. Starting in September–October 1916 about 120 officers and 300 NCOs were trained in the German training area in Beuville (near the village of [[Doncourt-lès-Conflans|Doncourt]]) to be the main cadre of the newly raised Austro-Hungarian army assault battalions. The former ''Jagdkommandos'' were incorporated into these battalions.

=== Italy ===
{{See also|Arditi}}
The first country to establish commando troops was Italy, in the summer 1917, shortly before Germany.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}

Italy used specialist trench-raiding teams to break the stalemate of static fighting against [[Austria-Hungary]], in the [[Italian Campaign (World War I)|Alpine battles]] of World War I. These teams were called "[[Arditi]]" (meaning "daring, brave ones"); they were almost always men under 25 in top physical condition and, possibly at first, bachelors (due to fear of very high casualty rates). Actually the Arditi (who were led to the lines just a few hours before the assault, having been familiarised with the terrain via photo-reconnaissance and trained on trench systems re-created ad hoc for them) suffered fewer casualties than regular line infantry and were highly successful in their tasks. Many volunteered for extreme-right formations in the turbulent years after the war and (the [[National Fascist Party|Fascist Party]] took pride in this and adopted the style and the mannerism of Arditi), but some of left-wing political persuasions created the "[[Arditi del Popolo]]" (People's Arditi) and for some years held the fascist raids in check, defending Socialist and Communist Party sections, buildings, rallies and meeting places.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.storiaxxisecolo.it/antifascismo/antifascismo3f.html|title=Gli Arditi del Popolo: la storia|website=www.storiaxxisecolo.it|access-date=16 May 2017}}</ref>

== World War II ==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2021}}

=== Australia ===
{{Main|Australian commandos}}
The [[Australian Army]] formed commando units, known as [[Australian Army Independent Companies|Australian independent companies]] in the early stages of World War II. They first saw action in early 1942 during the [[Battle of Rabaul (1942)#New Ireland|Japanese assault on New Ireland]], and in the [[Battle of Timor]]. Part of the 2/1st Independent Company was wiped out on [[New Ireland (island)|New Ireland]], but on [[Timor]], the 2/2nd Independent Company formed the heart of an Allied force that engaged [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] forces in a [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]] campaign. The Japanese commander on the island drew parallels with the Boer War, and decided that it would require a 10:1 numerical advantage to defeat the Allies. The campaign occupied the attention of an entire Japanese division for almost a year. The independent companies were later renamed commando squadrons, and they saw widespread action in the [[South West Pacific Area]], especially in [[New Guinea]] and [[Borneo]]. In 1943, all the commando squadrons except the 2/2nd and 2/8th were grouped into the 2/6th, 2/7th and 2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiments.

Later in the war the Royal Australian Navy also formed commando units along the lines of the Royal Naval Commandos to go ashore with the first waves of major amphibious assaults, to signpost the beaches and carry out other naval tasks. These were known as [[Royal Australian Navy Beach Commandos|RAN Commandos]]. Four were formed—lettered A, B, C and D like their British counterparts—and they took part in the [[Borneo campaign (1945)|Borneo campaign]].

[[Z Special Unit|Z Force]], an Australian-British-New Zealand [[military intelligence]] commando unit, formed by the Australian [[Services Reconnaissance Department]], also carried out many raiding and reconnaissance operations in the South West Pacific theatre, most notably [[Operation Jaywick]], in which they destroyed tonnes of Japanese shipping at [[Singapore]] Harbour. An attempt to replicate this success, with [[Operation Rimau]], resulted in the death of almost all those involved. However, Z Force and other SRD units continued operations until the war's end.

=== Canada ===
A joint [[Canadians|Canadian]]-American Commando unit, the 1st Special Service Force, nicknamed the [[First Special Service Force|Devil's Brigade]], was formed in 1942 under the command of Colonel Robert Frederick.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kemp|first=Ted|title=A Commemorative History: First Special Service Force|year=1995|publisher=Taylor Publishing|location=Dallas|page=15}}</ref> The unit initially saw service in the Pacific, in August 1943 at [[Kiska]] in the [[Battle of the Aleutian Islands|Aleutians campaign]]. However most of its operations occurred during the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian campaign]] and in southern France. Its most famous raid, which was documented in the film ''Devil's Brigade'', was the battle of [[Monte la Difensa]]. In 1945, the unit was disbanded; some of the Canadian members were sent to the [[1st Canadian Parachute Battalion]] as replacements, and the American members were sent to either the [[101st Airborne Division]] or the [[82nd Airborne Division]] as replacements or the [[74th Infantry Regiment (United States)|474th Regimental Combat Team]]. Ironically they were sent to serve in Norway in 1945, the country they were formed to raid.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Black Devil Brigade: The True Story of the First Special Service Force in World War II, An Oral History: Joseph A. Springer: 9780935553505: Amazon.com: Books|isbn=0935553509|last1=Springer|first1=Joseph Adam|year=2001|publisher=Pacifica Military History }}</ref>

===Finland===
The Finns fielded the [[Erillinen Pataljoona 4]] and about 150 men were trained before the beginning of summer 1941. At first, the units had as few as 15 men, but during the war this was increased to 60. On July 1, 1943, the units were organised in the 4th Detached Battalion. In 1944, a special unit with amphibious [[He 115]] planes was founded to support the battalion. The total strength of the battalion was 678 men and 76 women (see [[Lotta Svärd]]).

In the [[Battle of Ilomantsi (1944)|Battle of Ilomantsi]], soldiers of the 4th disrupted the supply lines of the Soviet artillery, preventing effective fire support. The battalion made over 50 missions in 1943 and just under 100 in 1944, and was disbanded on November 30 of that same year.

[[Sissiosasto/5.D]] is another Finnish Commando unit of the World War Two era. The Detachment was founded on August 20, 1941, under the [[Lynx Division]] (5th Division, Finnish VI Corps). It was a self-contained unit for [[Long-range reconnaissance patrol|reconnaissance patrol]]ling, [[sabotage]] and [[guerrilla warfare]] operations behind enemy lines.

=== Germany ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R81453, SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny an der Oder.jpg|thumb|Skorzeny with soldiers of the 500th SS Parachute Battalion (1945)]]

In December 1939, following the success of [[Nazi Germany|German]] infiltration and sabotage operations in the [[Invasion of Poland|Polish campaign]], the German [[Abwehr|Office for Foreign and Counter-Intelligence]] (OKW Amt Ausland/Abwehr) formed the [[Brandenburger Regiment]] (known officially as the 800th Special Purpose Training and Construction Company).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundesarchiv.de/DE/Content/Virtuelle-Ausstellungen/Die-Brandenburger-Kommandotruppe-Und-Frontverband/die-brandenburger-kommandotruppe-und-frontverband.html|title="Die Brandenburger" Kommandotruppe und Frontverband|last=Dr. Herrmann|first=Tobias|date=2019|website=Bundesarchiv.de}}</ref> The Brandenburgers conducted a mixture of covert and conventional operations but became increasingly involved in ordinary infantry actions and were eventually converted into a Panzer-Grenadier Division, suffering heavy losses in [[Russia]]. [[Otto Skorzeny]] (most famed for his rescue of [[Benito Mussolini]]) conducted many special operations for [[Adolf Hitler]]. Skorzeny commanded [[Sonder Lehrgang Oranienburg|Sonderlehrgang z.b.V. Oranienburg]], Sonderverband z.b.V. Friedenthal, and [[SS-Jäger-Bataillon 502]], [[500th SS Parachute Battalion]], [[SS-Jagdverband Mitte]] and all other [[SS-Sonderkommando|SS]] commando units.

The German [[Fallschirmjäger (World War II)|Fallschirmjäger]] were famous for their elite skills and their use in rapid commando style raids and as elite "fire brigade" infantrymen.<ref>McNab P.50</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=February 2018}} [[Fort Eben-Emael]] on the Belgian border was [[Battle of Fort Eben-Emael|captured]] in 1940 by Fallschirmjäger troops as part of the German invasion and occupation of Belgium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.koelner-luftfahrt.de/ebenemael.htm|title=Eben Emael|website=www.koelner-luftfahrt.de|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref><ref>Kommandounternehmen des zweiten Weltkriegs, Robin Cross, Karl Müller Verlag 1999, {{ISBN|3860708252}}</ref>

A report written by [[Robert Laycock|Major-General Robert Laycock]] in 1947 claimed that there was a German raid on a radar station on the Isle of Wight in 1941.<ref>Commando Country, Stuart Allan, National Museums Scotland 2007, {{ISBN|978-1-905267-14-9}}</ref><ref>Raids in the Late War and their Lessons, R. Laycock, Journal of the Royal United Service Institution November 1947 pp 534-535</ref>

=== Greece ===
{{Main|Sacred Band (World War II)}}
The Sacred band ({{langx|el|Ιερός Λόχος}}) was a [[Greece|Greek]] [[special forces]] unit formed in 1942 in the [[Middle East]], composed entirely of Greek officers and officer cadets under the command of Col. [[Christodoulos Tsigantes]]. It fought alongside the [[Special Air Service|SAS]] in the [[Libyan Desert]] and with the [[Special Boat Service|SBS]] in the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]], as well as with General [[Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque|Leclerc]]'s ''[[Free French Forces]]'' in [[Tunisia]]. It was disbanded in August 1945.

=== Italy ===
Italy's most renowned commando unit of World War II was ''[[Decima Flottiglia MAS]]'' ("10th Assault Vehicle Flotilla"), which, from mid-1940, sank or damaged a considerable tonnage of Allied ships in the Mediterranean.

After Italy surrendered in 1943, some of the ''Decima Flottiglia MAS'' were on the Allied side of the battle line and fought with the Allies, renaming themselves the ''Mariassalto''. The others fought on the German side and kept their original name but did not operate at sea after 1943, being mostly employed against Italian [[Partisan (military)|partisans]]; some of its men were involved in atrocities against civilians.

In post-war years the Italian marine commandos were re-organised as the "[[Italian commando frogmen|Comsubin]]" (an abbreviation of ''Comando Subacqueo Incursori'', or Underwater Raiders Command).  They wear the green Commando beret.

=== Japan ===
In 1944–45, Japanese ''[[Teishin Shudan]]'' ("Raiding Group") and ''[[Giretsu]]'' ("heroic") detachments made airborne assaults on Allied airfields in the [[Philippines]], [[Marianas]] and [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]. The attacking forces varied in size from a few paratroopers to several companies. Due to the balance of forces concerned, these raids achieved little in the way of damage or casualties, and resulted in the destruction of the Japanese units concerned. Considering that there were no plans to extract these forces, and the reluctance to surrender by Japanese personnel during that era, they are often seen in the same light as ''[[kamikaze]]'' pilots of 1944–45.

[[Nakano School]] trained intelligence and commando officers and organized commando teams for [[sabotage]] and guerrilla warfare.

The navy had commando units "S-toku" (Submarine special attack units, see [[:ja:呉鎮守府第101特別陸戦隊|Kure 101st JSNLF(in Japanese)]] ) for infiltrating enemy areas by [[submarine]]. It was called the [[Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces]] of [[Kure Naval District|Kure]] 101st, [[Sasebo Naval District|Sasebo]] 101st and 102nd.

=== New Zealand ===
New Zealand formed the [[Southern Independent Commando in Fiji]] 1942.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

=== Poland ===
{{Main|Cichociemni}}
'''''Cichociemni''''' ({{IPA|pl|t͡ɕixɔˈt͡ɕɛmɲi}}; the "Silent Unseen") were elite [[special operations|special-operations]] paratroopers of the [[Polish Armed Forces in the West|Polish Army in exile]], created in [[Great Britain]] during [[World War II]] to operate in [[occupied Poland]] (''Cichociemni Spadochroniarze Armii Krajowej'').<ref name="Osmecki350">[[:pl:Kazimierz Iranek-Osmecki|Kazimierz Iranek-Osmecki (pl)]], ''The Unseen and Silent:  Adventures from the Underground Movement, Narrated by Paratroops of the Polish Home Army'', Sheed and Ward, 1954, p. 350.</ref>

=== Soviet Union ===
Voyennaya Razvyedka (Razvedchiki Scouts) are "Military intelligence" personnel/units within larger formations in ground troops, airborne troops and marines. Intelligence battalion in the division, reconnaissance company in the brigade, a reconnaissance platoon in the regiment.<ref name="ReferenceB">Spetsnaz:Russia's Special Forces by Mark Galeotti</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2018}}

'''Soviet Naval Frogmen'''
The legendary Soviet Naval Scout [[Viktor Leonov]] commanded an elite unit of Naval Commandos. The 4th Special Volunteer Detachment was a unit of 70 veterans.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> Initially they were confined to performing small scale reconnaissance missions, platoon sized insertions by sea and on occasion on land into Finland and later Norway.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> Later they were renamed the 181st Special Reconnaissance Detachment.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> They began conducting sabotage missions and raids to snatch prisoners for interrogation.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> They would also destroy German ammunition and supply depots, communication centers, and harass enemy troop concentrations along the Finnish and Russian coasts.<ref>Heroes of the Soviet Union 1941-45 by Henry Sakaida</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2018}} After the European conflict ended, Leonov and his men were sent to the Pacific theatre to conduct operations against the Japanese.

=== United Kingdom ===
{{Main|Commandos (United Kingdom)}}
[[File:Landing on Queen Red Beach, Sword Area.jpg|upright=.9|thumb|left|alt=Men wading ashore from a [[landing craft]]|British Commandos wearing the green beret and carrying the Bergen rucksack during the [[Normandy landings]], June 1944. ]]

In 1940, the [[British Army]] formed "independent [[Company (military unit)|companies]]", later reformed as [[battalion]] sized "commandos", thereby reviving the word. The British intended that their [[British Commandos|commandos]] be small, highly mobile surprise raiding and [[military reconnaissance]] forces. They intended them to carry all they needed and not remain in field operations for more than 36 hours. Army Commandos were all volunteers selected from existing soldiers still in Britain.

During the war the British Army Commandos spawned several other famous British units such as the [[Special Air Service]], the [[Special Boat Service]] and the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]]. The British Army Commandos themselves were never regimented and were disbanded at the end of the war.

The [[Special Operations Executive]] (SOE) also formed commando units from British and displaced European personnel (e.g., [[Cichociemni]]) to conduct raiding operations in occupied Europe. They also worked in small teams, such as the SAS, which was composed of ten or fewer commandos because that was better for special operations. One example is [[Norwegian Independent Company 1]], which destroyed [[Norwegian heavy water sabotage|heavy water facilities]] in Norway in 1941.

The [[Royal Navy]] also controlled [[Royal Naval Commandos|Royal Navy Beach Parties]], based on teams formed to control the [[Battle of Dunkirk|evacuation of Dunkirk]] in 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historynet.com/royal-navy-commandos-in-world-war-ii.htm |title=World War II &#124; Royal Naval Commandos in World War II |publisher=TheHistoryNet |date= 2006-06-12|access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref> These were later known simply as RN Commandos, and they did not see action until they successfully fought for control of the landing beaches (as in the disastrous [[Dieppe Raid]] of 19 August 1942). The RN Commandos, including Commando "W" from the [[Royal Canadian Navy]], saw action on [[Normandy landings|D-Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/beach_organisation.html |title=Beach Organisation for the Invasion of Normandy, 1944 |quote=The Royal Navy Beach Commandos controlled the arrival and departure of vessels that were landing their cargoes on the beaches. In each RN Beach Commando was a Principal Beachmaster (PBM), an Assistant Principal Beachmaster and two or three beach parties each consisting of a Beachmaster, two Assistant Beachmasters and about 20 seamen. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113212651/http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/beach_organisation.html |archive-date=January 13, 2009 }}</ref>

[[File:The Commando Memorial by night.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Commando Memorial]] unveiled in 1952 in Scotland is dedicated to the British Commandos of the Second World War.]]

In 1942, the Royal Navy's nine [[Royal Marines]] infantry battalions were reorganized as Commandos, numbered from 40 to 48, joining the British Army Commandos in combined Commando Brigades. After the war the Army Commandos were disbanded. The Royal Marines form an enduring Brigade-strength capability as [[3 Commando Brigade]] with supporting Army units.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Raiders&nbsp;— the Army Commandos 1940-46|author=Neillands, Robin|year=1989|isbn=978-0-297-79426-4|publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson}}</ref>

The [[Royal Air Force]] also formed 15 commando units in 1942, each of which was 150 strong. These units consisted of trained technicians, [[armourer]]s and maintainers who had volunteered to undertake the commando course. These [[Royal Air Force Commandos]] accompanied the Allied invasion forces in all theatres; their main role was to allow the forward operation of friendly fighters by servicing and arming them from captured air fields. However, due to the forward position of these airfields, the RAF Commandos were also trained to secure and make safe these airfields and to help defend them from enemy counterattack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/dday/scus.html |title= |website=www.raf.mod.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915162624/http://www.raf.mod.uk/dday/scus.html |archive-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref>

=== United States ===
{{Main|United States Army Rangers|Marine Raiders|Paramarines|Underwater Demolition Team|Air Commando}}

During 1941, the [[United States Marine Corps]] formed commando battalions.  The USMC commandos were known collectively as [[Marine Raiders]]. On orders from President Franklin D. Roosevelt through a proposal from OSS Director Colonel William J. Donovan and the former Commander of the United States Marine Detachment Major Evans F Carlson, directed the formation of what became the Marine Raiders. Initially this unit was to be called Marine Commandos and were to be the counterpart to the British Commandos. The name Marine Commandos met with much controversy within the Marine Corps leading Commandant Thomas J. Holcomb to state, "the term 'Marine' is sufficient to indicate a man ready for duty at any time, and the injection of a special name, such as ''commando'', would be undesirable and superfluous." President Roosevelt's son James Roosevelt served with the Marine Raiders. The Raiders initially saw action at the [[Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu–Tanambogo#Battle of Tulagi|Battle of Tulagi]] and the [[Battle of Makin]], as well as the [[Battle of Guadalcanal]], the [[Battle of Empress Augusta Bay]], and other parts of the [[Pacific Ocean Areas]]. In February 1944 the four Raider battalions were converted to regular Marine units. Additionally, as parachuting special forces units, [[Paramarines]] arguably also qualified as commandos<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZEeaBgAAQBAJ&q=paramarine+commandos&pg=PA5|title=America's Commandos: U.S. Special Operations Forces of World War II and Korea|first=Leroy|last=Thompson|date=11 February 2001|publisher=Frontline Books|access-date=16 May 2017|via=Google Books|isbn=9781853674587}}</ref>- though they too were assimilated into regular Marine units in 1944.

In mid-1942, the [[United States Army]] formed its [[United States Army Rangers|Army Rangers]] in [[Northern Ireland]] under [[William Orlando Darby|William O. (Bill) Darby]]. The Rangers were designed along the similar lines to the British Commandos. The first sizable Ranger action took place in August 1942 at the [[Dieppe Raid]], where 50 Rangers from the 1st Ranger Battalion were dispersed among Canadian regulars and British Commandos. The first full Ranger action took place in November 1942 during the invasion of Algiers in [[Northwest Africa]] in [[Operation Torch]], again by members of the 1st Ranger Battalion.<ref>Thomson, W.R., "Massacre at Dieppe," ''History of the Second World War'', BPC Publishing, LTD, London, GB, 2nd ed., 1972.</ref>{{page needed|date=February 2018}}

== After 1945 ==
{{main|List of commando units}}

=== Israeli ===
{{main|Oz Brigade}}
The primary commando units of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] include [[Shayetet 13]], [[Sayeret Matkal]], and the [[Shaldag Unit]], as well as the [[Oz Brigade]] (which contains the subordinate commando units [[Duvdevan Unit]], [[Egoz Reconnaissance Unit]], and [[Maglan]]).

Shayetet 13 is the elite naval commando unit of the [[Israeli Navy]]. S'13 specializes in sea-to-land incursions, counter-terrorism, sabotage, maritime intelligence gathering, maritime hostage rescue, and boarding. The unit is one of the world's most well reputed special forces units.<ref name=STimes>{{cite news |title=Operation calamity |accessdate=2010-06-07 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7144753.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507013533/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7144753.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 7, 2011 |location=London |work=The Times |first1=Uzi |last1=Mahnaimi |first2=Gareth |last2=Jenkins |date=2010-06-06}}</ref>

Sayeret Matkal (General Staff Reconnaissance Unit) is a [[special forces]] unit of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) directly subordinate to the [[Aman (IDF)|Directorate of Military Intelligence]]. Primarily a field intelligence-gathering unit specializing in [[special reconnaissance]] behind enemy lines, Sayeret Matkal is also tasked with [[counter-terrorism]], [[hostage rescue]], and foreign [[espionage]]. Modeled after the [[British Army]]'s [[Special Air Service]]—from which it emulated the motto, "[[Who Dares Wins|Who Dares, Wins]]"—the unit is considered to be the Israeli equivalent to the famed [[Delta Force]] of the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sayeret Matkal – Israeli Special Operations|url=http://www.shadowspear.com/israel-special-operations/sayeret-matkal.html|accessdate=2008-07-27|archive-date=2009-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930091105/http://www.shadowspear.com/israel-special-operations/sayeret-matkal.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As one of Israel's most important commando units, the Sayeret Matkal has reputedly been involved in almost every major counter-terrorism operation since its inception in 1957.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Cohen|first1=Rich|title=Stealth Warriors|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2001/12/israeli-counterterrorism-200112|magazine=Vanity Fair|accessdate=27 April 2016}}</ref>

The [[Egoz Reconnaissance Unit]] is an Israeli [[Special forces|Special Force]] commando unit, in the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF). Egoz is a unit that specializes in [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla]], anti-guerrilla warfare, behind enemy lines intelligence gathering, and more complicated ground activity. Egoz is part of the Commando Brigade but still completes basic training with the [[Golani Brigade]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=IDF to unite elite units in new commando brigade|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4677041,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews|accessdate=2015-11-26|date=2015-07-07 |last1=Zitun |first1=Yoav }}</ref>

[[Maglan]] (Also known as '''Unit 212''') is an Israeli special forces unit which specializes in operating behind enemy lines and deep in enemy territory using advanced technologies and weaponry.

Unit 217, frequently called [[Duvdevan Unit]] is an elite [[special operations force]] within the [[Israel Defense Forces]], part of the [[Oz Brigade]]. Duvdevan are noted for [[undercover operation]]s in [[urban areas]], during which they often wear [[Arab]] civilian clothes as a [[disguise]].<ref>Steve Macko, [http://www.emergency.com/idfduvan.htm ''The IDF Duvedevan Unit''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071125074326/http://www.emergency.com/idfduvan.htm |date=2007-11-25}}, Emergency Response & Research Institute (August 11, 1997)</ref>

[[Shaldag Unit]], also known as '''Unit 5101''', is an elite [[Israeli Air Force]] commando unit. Shaldag's mission is to deploy undetected into combat and hostile environments to conduct special [[reconnaissance]], establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control and commando actions.
=== Philippines ===
{{main|Special Action Force}}
The [[Special Action Force]] (SAF) is the elite commando unit of the [[Philippine National Police]]. It is required to undergo the SAF Commando Course to be allowed to wear the SAF Beret. It also serves as the foundation course or requisite for other SAF specialization trainings such as Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Basic Airborne Course (BAC), Urban Counter Revolutionary Warfare Course (SURESHOCK), SCUBA-BUSROC (Basic Under-Water Search and Rescue Operations Course), SAF Seaborne Warfare Course (SSWC) and others.

=== Turkey ===
[[File:First Turkish Paratroopers into the rocks in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus. (20.07.1974, Peace Operation).jpg|thumb|upright|Turkish paratrooper commandos in [[Cyprus War]]]]
In 1963, the [[1st Commando Brigade (Turkey)|1st Commando Brigade]] of [[Turkish Land Forces]] was officially established in [[Kayseri]], marking the formal beginning of Turkey’s modern commando forces. Initially structured to handle high-altitude and unconventional warfare, these units quickly gained prominence within the Turkish Armed Forces. By the 1970s, the commandos had already demonstrated their operational value, most notably during the [[1974 Cyprus War]], where they executed airborne and amphibious landings under combat conditions.<ref name="trcommando">{{cite book |last1=Gürcan |first1=Metin |title=Turkey's Military Operations: A Glimpse Into the Turkish Way of Warfare |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-3-030-58304-1}}</ref>

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, as the insurgency led by the [[PKK]] escalated, Turkish Army Commandos were heavily deployed in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq. This period saw the expansion of commando units, including the formation of mountain and special operations brigades specifically trained for counter-terrorism, high-mobility engagements, and night operations in rugged terrain.<ref name="trcommando"/>

In the 2000s and 2010s, Turkish commandos participated in several cross-border military campaigns, including [[Operation Sun]] (2008), and later, [[Operation Euphrates Shield]] (2016), [[Operation Olive Branch]] (2018), and [[Operation Peace Spring]] (2019) in Syria. These missions aimed to secure Turkey’s borders, eliminate terrorist threats, and establish safe zones. The role of the commandos in these operations often involved spearheading assaults, securing urban areas, and conducting joint missions with armored and air support units. Their adaptability, advanced training, and experience in asymmetric warfare have cemented their status as one of the most capable ground forces within the Turkish military structure.<ref name="trcommando"/>

=== UK ===
{{Main|British Commandos}}

[[3 Commando Brigade]], [[Royal Marines]] is under the command of the Royal Navy's [[Commander-in-Chief Fleet]].  All Royal Marines (other than those in the [[Royal Marines Band Service]]) are commando trained on entry to the Corps, with supporting units and individuals from the other armed services undertaking the [[All Arms Commando Course]] as required.

The Brigade is made up of 30 (IX) Commando, 40 Commando (home base: [[Taunton]]), 42 Commando ([[Bickleigh, South Hams]], Plymouth), [[43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines|43 Commando Fleet Protection Group]] ([[HMNB Clyde]], [[Argyll and Bute]]), 45 Commando ([[Arbroath]], Scotland), the [[Commando Logistic Regiment]], the [[Royal Marines Armoured Support Group]] ([[Bovington Camp]] (Royal Armoured Corps Centre), [[Dorset]]), [[539 Assault Squadron RM]], [[29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery|29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery]] and [[24 Commando Regiment (United Kingdom)|24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers]].

The Royal Marines is the largest force of its type in Europe and the second largest in [[NATO]].

=== US ===
{{main|Recondo}}
The United States continues to have no designated "commando" units; however, the closest equivalents remain the U.S. Army's [[75th Ranger Regiment]] and [[United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions]], which specialize in most of the same tasks and missions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Plaster|first=John|title=SOG: The Secret War of America's Commandos in Vietnam|date=Sep 7, 2010|publisher=NAL Trade|location=New York}}</ref> 

During the Vietnam War the U.S. Army's [[5th Special Forces Group]] (Airborne) instituted, "Special Operations Augmentation Recondo School," an acronym for Reconnaissance Commando. The school was at Nha Trang Air Base, north of the massive U.S. Navy and Air Force Base at Cam Ranh Bay. Recondo School trained small, heavily armed long-range reconnaissance teams the art of patrolling deep in enemy-held territory. All students were combat veterans and came from the ranks of the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps Force Recon Battalions, and the Army of the Republic of South Korea. The Army of the Republic of Vietnam had their own school. The modern U.S. Army's [[Long-range surveillance]] (LRS), [[Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition]] (RSTA), and [[United States Marine Air-Ground Task Force Reconnaissance]] all derive some portion of their legacies from the Recondo program and utilize the name "Recondos" informally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-02 |title=Recondo School – MACV-SOG |url=https://sogsite.com/recondo-school/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=11th MEU on X |url=https://twitter.com/11thmeu/status/1451669749201506305 |website=X.com |quote=Just doing Recondo things with my friends. Recon #Marines with the All Domain Reconnaissance Detachment, @11thMEU, conduct free-fall jumps while training at Camp Buehring, #Kuwait, Oct. 4.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-13 |title=Long Range Reconnaissance veterans make Fort Benning their home |url=https://www.army.mil/article/174951/long_range_reconnaissance_veterans_make_fort_benning_their_home |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=www.army.mil |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation ENDURING FREEDOM RECONDO School {{!}} Small Wars Journal |url=https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/operation-enduring-freedom-recondo-school |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=smallwarsjournal.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Major James F. Gebhardt, US Army (Retired) |title=Eyes Behind the Lines: US Army Long-Range Reconnaissance and Surveillance Units |url=https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/gebhardt_LRRP.pdf |website=Small Wars Journal}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Going commando]]
* [[Gurkha]]
* [[List of commando units]]
* [[Long-range reconnaissance patrol]]
* [[Recondo|Recondo School]]
* [[Special Forces Command (Turkey)]]
* [[United States Army Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course]]
* [[Yank Levy]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|20em}}

[[Category:Combat occupations]]
[[Category:Combat occupations of the late modern period]]
[[Category:Commandos| ]]
[[Category:Boer Wars]]