Royal Marines Division
Encyclopedia
The Royal Marines Division was activated as the Royal Marines
expanded during the first days of World War II
. Its primary objective was to act as a specialised amphibious assault formation for the United Kingdom
, much as the divisions of the United States Marine Corps
did for the United States
in the campaigns against Japan
from 1942 onwards. However, it never saw service in its intended role, being broken up in 1942. Its headquarters controlled the attack on Madagascar
, but its infantry battalions were re-roled as Commando units. The Commandos did see action in amphibious assaults from Normandy
to Burma.
Royal Marines
The 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...
expanded during the first days of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Its primary objective was to act as a specialised amphibious assault formation for the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, much as the divisions of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
did for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the campaigns against Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
from 1942 onwards. However, it never saw service in its intended role, being broken up in 1942. Its headquarters controlled the attack on Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, but its infantry battalions were re-roled as Commando units. The Commandos did see action in amphibious assaults from Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
to Burma.