Showing 224 results

Warning orders sent from Gen Weston to LAYFORCE, possibly part of a training exercise. 1 item

Captured documents translated into English relating to Commando operations including translation of an Italian report on Commando action in North Africa, 18 Nov 1941; translation of Italian intelligence report on the British Special Service units, translated by Capt Evelyn Waugh, 9 May 1942, and translation of captured German proposals for the improvement of defence measures against Commando operations in Crete, Aug 1942. 3 items

Training notes and memoranda including instructions for landing exercises; operation orders for training exercises for 4 Special Service Bn on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, 12 Dec 1940 and at Brodick, Scotland, 22 Dec 1940 and 4 Jan 1941; programme of lectures on demolition and sabotage for 8 Commando and training instructions for 8 Commando; notes on training issued to commanders of LAYFORCE by Brig Joseph Charles Haydon, Commanding Officer Special Service Brigade, immediately prior to their departure for the Middle East; memoranda on ciphers, disposal of casualties and anti gas training; memorandum on training parachutists in the Middle East by Capt (Archibald) David Stirling and Bde training instructions No 1, 30 Mar 1941 and Commando training orders, 10 Jan 1942. 1 file

Training material on chemical warfare including information on different types of gases, respirators, defence from gas attack, first aid, equipment and gas tactics. 1 file

Training instructions issued shortly after the formation of Special Service Brigade on topics including discipline, weapons, cliff climbing, constructing a bridge from ropes, fieldcraft, city fighting and mountaineering. 1 file

Training papers on topics including weapon training, boat pulling, night operations, consolidation after an attack, bayonet use and lessons learnt from Operation ADDITION (the evacuation of British troops from Bardia, Libya, Apr 1941); briefing of a training exercise simulating a night raid on an aerodrome and railway, May 1941; training timetables; training instructions for 6 Div (to which LAYFORCE was assigned); special order to the Scottish 'C' Bn on secrecy, 29 Mar 1941; training-related signals and correspondence; training directive of First Special Training Unit, US Army, 10 Apr-2 May 1942; training directive for 10 Commando, 1 Sep-31 Dec 1942; report on Exercise SEAWEED, 25 Mar 1943 and plan for training 26 Div in Europe. 1 file

Notes and transcripts of speeches made by Robert Edward Laycock to the Commandos including transcript of speech, 24 Oct 1945, and speech given to 1 Commando Bde on the disbandment of the Commando group, 23 Oct 1945. 1 file

Manuscript and typescript notes and transcripts for lectures on Special Service Brigade given by Robert Edward Laycock, including lectures on Commando action on the Litani River, Palestine, Jun 1941; bombardment units; the development of the technique of Combined Operations; sea and land warfare; development of amphibious techniques and the Commandos in the Middle East. 1 file

Transcripts and notes for speeches given by Robert Edward Laycock in support of John Irving, Conservative Party candidate for Bassetlaw, in the 1950 election. 1 file

Notes and transcripts of lectures on Special Service Brigade given by Laycock, including 'A tribute to the army Commandos', 5 Nov 1945; raiding operations and the lessons learnt from them and a script for broadcast on 'The disbandment of the Army Commandos', 27 Nov 1945. 1 file

War, 'Salerno diary' by Capt H H Blissett, issued by the Army Bureau of current affairs. 1 item

Transcript of lecture by Robert Edward Laycock on chemical warfare and notes and transcript of speech given to the British legion on its silver jubilee. 1 file

Address by Governor-General Sir Maurice Dorman at a Candlemas ceremony, Malta. 1 item

Text of speech in the House of Commons by AF Sir Roger Keyes "That this house…has no confidence in the central direction of the war" on failure to make proper use of amphibious forces. 1 item

Transcript of an interview with Monsieur Bonnamy on Operation CHARIOT (raid on St Nazaire, Mar 1942), broadcast by the BBC for the French Programme. 1 item

Telegrams reporting activities of LAYFORCE and the decision to disband due to heavy casualties. 2 items

Telegram on the return of Maj J A R Milman, commander of A/D details LAYFORCE.

Tables of volunteer officers for Special Service Brigade, detailing age, fitness and relevant qualifications, including entry for Robert Edward Laycock. 1 file

Signals, chiefly between Robert Edward Laycock and V Adm Lord Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Operations, on topics including Laycock's opposition to the reorganisation of Special Service Brigade with message from Laycock asking to be relieved of his command due to the 'mistrust and disregard of all my recommendations'; also signals on reinforcements, Polish and Belgium troops, the shortage of vehicles, and recalling Laycock to England, Sep 1943. 1 file