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Combined Operations Headquarters facts for kids

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Combined Operations Headquarters
British Commandos Patch.svg
Combined Operations badge
Agency overview
Formed 1940
Dissolved 1947
Superseding agency
  • Amphibious Warfare Headquarters
Jurisdiction Government of the United Kingdom
Headquarters War Office building
Whitehall
London
Parent agency War Office

Combined Operations Headquarters was a department of the British War Office set up during Second World War to harass the Germans on the European continent by means of raids carried out by use of combined naval and army forces.

History

The command used air and naval units to deliver the Commandos to various targets, and then recover them. Thus, it was a combined arms coordination and command structure. Admiral of the Fleet Roger Keyes was the first director, from 17 July 1940 to 27 October 1941. He was replaced first by Lord Louis Mountbatten, who led the command for a year. He in turn was succeeded by Major General Robert Laycock (October 1943 – 1947).

It comprised background staff whose job was to plan operations and to develop ideas and equipment to harass the enemy in any way possible. It also covered all those who worked with landing craft up to and including the landing ships that were used in the various amphibious operations.

The badge of Combined Operations was an Albatross over a submachine gun over an anchor, reflecting the three service arms; the Royal Air Force, the British Army and the Royal Navy. In 1941 the title of Director of Combined Operations was changed to Adviser Combined Operations. In 1942 the title of Adviser Combined Operations was changed to Chief of Combined Operations.

The department existed until 1947 but later re-emerged under a new name in 1951 the Amphibious Warfare Headquarters.

Directors of Combined Operations

Adviser Combined Operations

Chiefs of Combined Operations

  • Commodore, Lord Louis Mountbatten (1942-September 1943).
  • Major General Robert Laycock (October 1943 – 1947).

Operations

Operations included:

Units

  • Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP) – a unit that surveyed landing sites for invasions, including those of Sicily and Normandy. The unit was made up of members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Corps of Royal Engineers and Special Boat Service.
  • Small Scale Raiding Force, also known as "No. 62 Commando".

Film

The Attack on the Iron Coast (film) depicts an account of Allied Combined Operations Headquarters commandos executing a daring raid on the German-occupied French coast during the Second World War.

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