No. 2 Commando

     While No. 2 Commando was never a part of the First Allied Airborne Army, it is included here as one of the Airborne Units of the NMHA. It is important to remember that No. 2 Commando is a key unit in British Airborne history. 2 Cdo fathered both the 2nd SAS and the 1st Airborne Division.

... A ceaseless offensive against a whole German occupied coastline, leaving a trail of German corpses behind..."

     Such was the image Winston Churchill had of the British Commandos when the suggestion of the formation of "small, lightly armed groups, that could conduct guerilla-like operations behind enemy lines" was submitted for his approval in 1940 after the evacuation of Dunkirk. The Prime Minister was quick to approve the plan and later that year eleven Commando units were formed from volunteers eager to have a crack at the Germans.
     No. 2 Commando was formed from parachute-qualified recruits of all commands, since this unit as envisioned as an airborne commando unit. No. 2 immediately distinguished itself in the 1941 raid on the Maloy and Vaagso Islands, which were complete successes, and the 1942 raid on the German-occupied naval base at Saint-Nazaire that earned the No. 2 five Victoria Crosses and was proudly remembered as "the greatest raid of all."
     The goal of our Unit is to accurately portray the original No. 2 Commando, his uniform, weapons, equipment and tactics. No. 2 is, at present, the largest operational British unit in the NMHA, and, like our namesakes are "...romantic, independent, often fanatical, sometimes eccentric, and require two exceptional characteristics: outstanding courage and an unquenchable lust for war...."
     A correct commando impression can be put together for about $250.00 in colonial currency, if the purchaser is careful. However, it is important that the buyer be observant and get the correct UK equipment to avoid embarrassment (and expense) later.
     We invite those of you who may be either British militaria collectors, historians or those who may be seeking an exciting and rewarding hobby to make application to the recruiter for the No. 2 Commando.

Minimum Equipment Requirements:
1.  WWII British battledress blouse and trousers;
2.  1937 pattern web gear: waist belt, universal pouches, pair of braces, water bottle and carrier,
      bayonet frog, small pack, and pair of gaiters
3.   British ammunition boots
4.   British Mk I Steel helmet and green beret
5.   No. 4 Mk I Lee Enfield .303 caliber rifle and No. 4 Bayonet and sheath.

Commander: Steve Herrod              Phone: (770) 928-3307
                                                        E-mail: Steve Herrod