29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
Encyclopedia
29 Commando Regiment is the Commando-trained
unit of the British Army's
Royal Artillery
. The regiment is under the operational control of 3 Commando Brigade
providing artillery support and gunnery observation.
(Italian Mountain Gun) and manned with approximately 65 men.
The early commando training was initiated in the Royal Citadel at Plymouth
with a four week 'beat up' to select those who would go on to CTCRM Lympstone and complete the five week Commando course (X Troop) with the Royal Marine trainees where all qualified for the Green Beret.
In 1965, 95 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery formed with 8 (Alma) moving from 29 and
7 (Sphinx) came out of mothballs. From 1965 until 1970 the two regiments were based alternately in Singapore or The Royal Citadel in Plymouth.
The Naval gunfire support batteries were 20 Battery with 29 Regiment and 148 (Meiktila) Battery with 95 Regiment.
During this period the regiments saw action in Aden
and Borneo
as well as spending time on HMS Albion
, HMS Bulwark
, HMS Intrepid
, and HMS Fearless
travelling to trouble spots world wide.
In 1971 the two regiments joined together and formed 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery with four gun batteries. The Naval Gunfire Support batteries became 95 Commando Forward Observation Unit.
The Gun Batteries where then attached to a Royal Marine Commando as part of a Commando Group. For example 45 Commando Group consisted of 45 Commando Royal Marines, 145 (Maiwand) Commando Battery Royal Artillery, 45 Commando Air Squadron, Condor Troop Royal Engineers and an Ordnance section.
The regiment was stationed in Northern Ireland
in the early 1970s.
During the 1982 Falklands War
, 29 Commando Regiment accompanied the Royal Marines, providing much needed support with their L118 Light Gun
s.
In 1996, during the celebrations of the regiment's centenary in the Citadel in Plymouth
, the honorary Freedom of the City of Plymouth was conferred on the regiment (with the unanimous support of Plymouth City Council).
They were also sent to Afghanistan
to help with the operations against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants.
workshop which includes a Royal Logistic Corps
stores section. The gun batteries are equipped with six L118
105MM light guns and three Observation Posts each.
In addition the regiment is supported by 266 (GVA) Commando Battery
, their affiliated Territorial Army unit, who train with and support 29 Regiment on operations.
, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
, and other attached arms and services (e.g. chefs, clerks etc.) and are required to undergo Commando training following entry to the Regiment.
Personnel are inducted into Batteries and provided with a pre-commando schedule, based around a gym assessment. Candidates then enter Pre-Commando Course Training within the Batteries in Plymouth and the training concentrates upon physical training, fieldcraft, skill at arms and personal administration in the field.
The All Arms Commando Course
is an eight-week course conducted at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
at Lympstone
, Devon
culminating in the Commando tests and leading to the award of the Green beret
.
Gunners then go on to complete further specialist training as required.
British Commandos
The British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe...
unit of the British Army's
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
. The regiment is under the operational control of 3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
providing artillery support and gunnery observation.
History
29 Field Regiment Royal Artillery became 29 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery in 1962. This consisted of three gun batteries numbered 8 (Alma), 79 (Kirkee), and 145 (Maiwand). At that time, each battery consisted of 4 x 105mm pack howitzersOTO Melara Mod 56
The OTO-Melara Mod 56 is an Italian-made 105 mm pack howitzer built and developed by OTO-Melara. It fires the standard US type M1 ammunition.-History:...
(Italian Mountain Gun) and manned with approximately 65 men.
The early commando training was initiated in the Royal Citadel at Plymouth
Royal Citadel, Plymouth
The Royal Citadel in Plymouth, Devon, England, was built in the late 1660s to the design of Sir Bernard de Gomme. It is at the eastern end of Plymouth Hoe overlooking Plymouth Sound, and encompasses the site of the earlier fort that had been built in the time of Sir Francis Drake.During the Dutch...
with a four week 'beat up' to select those who would go on to CTCRM Lympstone and complete the five week Commando course (X Troop) with the Royal Marine trainees where all qualified for the Green Beret.
In 1965, 95 Commando Light Regiment Royal Artillery formed with 8 (Alma) moving from 29 and
7 (Sphinx) came out of mothballs. From 1965 until 1970 the two regiments were based alternately in Singapore or The Royal Citadel in Plymouth.
The Naval gunfire support batteries were 20 Battery with 29 Regiment and 148 (Meiktila) Battery with 95 Regiment.
During this period the regiments saw action in Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
and Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
as well as spending time on HMS Albion
HMS Albion (L14)
HMS Albion is a Landing Platform Dock of the Royal Navy, the first of the two-ship Albion class. Built by BAE Systems Marine in Barrow-in-Furness, Albion was launched in March 2001 by the Princess Royal...
, HMS Bulwark
HMS Bulwark (L15)
HMS Bulwark is an , the UK's newest class of amphibious assault warship and built in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. For numerous reasons, delays caused the delivery date to be put back, with the ship entering service in December 2004. Together with Albion, Ocean, and other amphibious ships, she...
, HMS Intrepid
HMS Intrepid (L11)
HMS Intrepid was one of two Fearless class amphibious warfare ships of the Royal Navy. A Landing Platform Dock , she served from 1967 until 1999...
, and HMS Fearless
HMS Fearless (L10)
HMS Fearless was a Royal Navy ship which served from 1965 until 2002. One of two from the Landing Platform Dock class she was based in HMNB Portsmouth and saw service around the world over her 37 year life...
travelling to trouble spots world wide.
In 1971 the two regiments joined together and formed 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery with four gun batteries. The Naval Gunfire Support batteries became 95 Commando Forward Observation Unit.
The Gun Batteries where then attached to a Royal Marine Commando as part of a Commando Group. For example 45 Commando Group consisted of 45 Commando Royal Marines, 145 (Maiwand) Commando Battery Royal Artillery, 45 Commando Air Squadron, Condor Troop Royal Engineers and an Ordnance section.
The regiment was stationed in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in the early 1970s.
During the 1982 Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, 29 Commando Regiment accompanied the Royal Marines, providing much needed support with their L118 Light Gun
L118 Light Gun
The L118 Light Gun is a 105 mm towed howitzer, originally produced for the British Army in the 1970s and widely exported since, including to the United States, where a modified version is known as the M119A1...
s.
In 1996, during the celebrations of the regiment's centenary in the Citadel in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, the honorary Freedom of the City of Plymouth was conferred on the regiment (with the unanimous support of Plymouth City Council).
They were also sent to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
to help with the operations against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants.
Organisation
The regiment consists of an HQ battery, three gun batteries, a Naval Gunfire Support Forward Observation battery and an attached Royal Electrical and Mechanical EngineersRoyal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army from Challenger II main battle tanks and WAH64 Apache...
workshop which includes a Royal Logistic Corps
Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
stores section. The gun batteries are equipped with six L118
L118 Light Gun
The L118 Light Gun is a 105 mm towed howitzer, originally produced for the British Army in the 1970s and widely exported since, including to the United States, where a modified version is known as the M119A1...
105MM light guns and three Observation Posts each.
- 7 (Sphinx) Battery Royal Artillery – Commando trained L118 gun battery based at RM Condor, ArbroathArbroathArbroath or Aberbrothock is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland, and has a population of 22,785...
- 8 (Alma) Battery Royal Artillery – Commando trained L118 gun battery based at the Royal Citadel, PlymouthRoyal Citadel, PlymouthThe Royal Citadel in Plymouth, Devon, England, was built in the late 1660s to the design of Sir Bernard de Gomme. It is at the eastern end of Plymouth Hoe overlooking Plymouth Sound, and encompasses the site of the earlier fort that had been built in the time of Sir Francis Drake.During the Dutch...
- 23 (Gibraltar 1779–1783) Battery Royal Artillery – The Headquarters Commando Battery, and Radar Troop, for 29 Commando Regiment are based at the Royal Citadel, Plymouth
- 79 (Kirkee) Battery Royal Artillery – Commando trained L118 gun battery based at the Royal Citadel, Plymouth
- 148 (Meiktila) Battery Royal Artillery – The battery are based at RM PoolePoolePoole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
. Their primary role is as a Naval Gunfire Support Forward Observation (NGSFO) battery. Roled to direct naval gunfire supportNaval gunfire supportNaval gunfire support is the use of naval artillery to provide fire support for amphibious assault and other troops operating within their range. NGFS is one of a number of disciplines encompassed by the term Naval Fires...
from Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
ships, air strikes from Royal Navy and Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
aircraft and artillery fire from the regiment's gun batteries, when landed in support of 3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
. - 29 Commando Royal Artillery Regimental Workshop Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers – Workshop main HQ is based at the Royal Citadel, Plymouth with battery fitter sections permanently attached to, and based with each battery.
In addition the regiment is supported by 266 (GVA) Commando Battery
100th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery
100th Regiment Royal Artillery is a British Territorial Army Royal Artillery regiment that has three gun batteries, all equipped with the L118 Light Gun.- The Batteries are :...
, their affiliated Territorial Army unit, who train with and support 29 Regiment on operations.
Selection and training
Soldiers volunteer for 29 Commando Regiment from the regular units of the Royal ArtilleryRoyal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army from Challenger II main battle tanks and WAH64 Apache...
, and other attached arms and services (e.g. chefs, clerks etc.) and are required to undergo Commando training following entry to the Regiment.
Personnel are inducted into Batteries and provided with a pre-commando schedule, based around a gym assessment. Candidates then enter Pre-Commando Course Training within the Batteries in Plymouth and the training concentrates upon physical training, fieldcraft, skill at arms and personal administration in the field.
The All Arms Commando Course
All Arms Commando Course
The All Arms Commando Course lasts for 9 weeks and is run by the Royal Marines at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines , Lympstone. Members from any of the United Kingdom's Regular Armed Forces and overseas exchange personnel can attend in order to serve with 3 Commando Brigade...
is an eight-week course conducted at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines is the principal military training centre for the Royal Marines of the British Armed Forces. It is situated near the village of Lympstone, between the city of Exeter, and the town of Exmouth in Devon...
at Lympstone
Lympstone
Lympstone is a village and civil parish in East Devon in the English county of Devon. It has a population of 1,754. There is a harbour on the estuary of the River Exe, lying at the outlet of Wotton Brook between cliffs of red breccia...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
culminating in the Commando tests and leading to the award of the Green beret
Green beret
The green beret was the official headdress of the British Commandos of World War II. It is still worn with pride by members of the Royal Marines after passing the Commando Course and any member of the British Military who has passed the All Arms Commando Course.There are certain other military...
.
Gunners then go on to complete further specialist training as required.
See also
- British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
- Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
- Royal MarinesRoyal MarinesThe Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
- Royal ArtilleryRoyal ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
- 3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...