The 11th Battalion of the Royal Marines appears in some O.o.B for North Africa in late 1941 & early 1942. Can anyone tell me if they saw any action?
Were they just 2 Companies strong?
Any special equipment?
Any heavy weapons?
11th Battalion R.M
In
1) British and Commonwealth Armies 1939 - 1943 M Bevis
2) British and Commonwealth Armies 1939 - 1945 Supplement Volume 1 M Bevis
There are the following brief references to 11th Bn Royal Marines:
(1) p.78 Royal Marine Naval Base Defence Organisation 1 6.40 - 2.41, Britain
Included 11th Royal Marine Bn. Which had
“A total of 427 men and 20 MG in 3 Companies, each including a HQ and 3 platoons, including a support platoon.”
(1) p. 77 11th Royal Marine Bn.
“Crete and Tobruk raids 4.42 - 10.42
Organisation as a typical infantry battalion with rifles and some Bren LMG.”
(2) p. 82 Ceylon Garrison
11th Royal Marine Bn.
“420 men, 1942 - 1943
Bn HQ (1 rifle section)
1 Firepower Platoon: 4 x 7 man rifle sections, 8 Bren LMG
4 Rifle Companies, each:
Co. HQ ( 1 8 man rifle sec, 1 Boys)
3 platoons each 4 x 7man sections, 1 2” mortar, 1 Boys, 2 Lewis MG.”
The above suggests the heaviest weapon was likely to be a 2" mortar and that it had at least 3 companies. However I have no further details for the organisation, equipment or for when it moved to N Africa.
I hope this helps.
1) British and Commonwealth Armies 1939 - 1943 M Bevis
2) British and Commonwealth Armies 1939 - 1945 Supplement Volume 1 M Bevis
There are the following brief references to 11th Bn Royal Marines:
(1) p.78 Royal Marine Naval Base Defence Organisation 1 6.40 - 2.41, Britain
Included 11th Royal Marine Bn. Which had
“A total of 427 men and 20 MG in 3 Companies, each including a HQ and 3 platoons, including a support platoon.”
(1) p. 77 11th Royal Marine Bn.
“Crete and Tobruk raids 4.42 - 10.42
Organisation as a typical infantry battalion with rifles and some Bren LMG.”
(2) p. 82 Ceylon Garrison
11th Royal Marine Bn.
“420 men, 1942 - 1943
Bn HQ (1 rifle section)
1 Firepower Platoon: 4 x 7 man rifle sections, 8 Bren LMG
4 Rifle Companies, each:
Co. HQ ( 1 8 man rifle sec, 1 Boys)
3 platoons each 4 x 7man sections, 1 2” mortar, 1 Boys, 2 Lewis MG.”
The above suggests the heaviest weapon was likely to be a 2" mortar and that it had at least 3 companies. However I have no further details for the organisation, equipment or for when it moved to N Africa.
I hope this helps.