Train Wreckers and Ghost Killers

[Dave D]

The British Royal Marines 41 Independent Commando. Some of the other Marines that fought in the Korean War.
Here are a few photos I found of them earning their names.
Their first actions in the War was to take out the enemy railway supply lines along the eastern coast of Korea.

[Ralph P]

Dave - thanks for posting your photos...did these come from your dad's collections? It is interesting to see a ear piece in the soldier's ear...

[Dave D]

Hi Ralph.
No, they're not from my dads' collection. I scanned the photos from some old magazines that my dad had. The first one is from a 1951 Life magazine.

[Dave D]

Yes it is interesting to see the use of an ear piece.
But what's also interesting that I was reading is that the British 41 independent commandos was issued the same weapons and equipment as the USMC to alleviate any logistical problems. They weren't to happy to give up their Brens and Stens for BARs and M3s. The radio set is the ANG/RC9.
But I see the far left commando has a couple of Mills grenades on his chest.
And they were also allowed to wear their green berets with the US issued uniforms.

[Ralph P]

I did also see that they were using US equipment, but I thought that was the norm...now I see that it was not from what you wrote from your last post...thanks.

[Dave D]

I didn't know it either until I started reading about them.
The Brits, Aussies, and Canadians all used their own weapons ans equipment. But the 41 Independent Commandos was attached to the command of Major General O.P. Smith of 1st Marine Division. And the "Independent" in the unit designation meant the commanding officer (Lt. Colonel Douglas Drysdale) had sole responsibility for the unit and didn't have to consult with British headquarters on operational or logistical matters.

[Ralph P]

Thanks for the latest info...

[birdie]

wow cool photos

Nice info and pictures Thanks

[hucks216]

Was it this Royal Marine unit that was with the US Marines at the retreat from the Chosin Reservoir?

[Dave D]

Was it this Royal Marine unit that was with the US Marines at the retreat from the Chosin Reservoir?

Yes it was. Task Force Drysdale.
Funny thing, fifty years earlier, the U.S. Marines and Royal Marines had fought together during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. Now they were doing the same thing against the same enemy, the Chinese.

[azyeoman]

Yes it was. Task Force Drysdale.
Funny thing, fifty years earlier, the U.S. Marines and Royal Marines had fought together during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. Now they were doing the same thing against the same enemy, the Chinese.

Great photos. Thanks for posting them. Is there a nominal roll for this unit?