ARmy Rumour SErvice

My fellow Bootnecks and I, '79-88, were informed that we would never be allowed into Germany in rig.
The reason given was that some Germans still believed in WWII RM/Commando atrocity stories, such as POWs being tied and then shot (Waste of effort surely, don't worry about hog tying them just shoot 'em.)and other events that led to Hitlers Commando Order, ie that all Commandos should be shot on sight.
I can't say for sure if this is gospel, but as has been stated 42 and 45 Commandos were detailed to defend the Northern Flank against ...oh yes those Russian Hordes.

More likely the RM hierarchy were scared shitless of being assigned to BAOR because it would lead to their being subsumed into the Army and so no more RM in RN, just another regt. Hence their enthusiasm for the N Flank role and corporate survival. IIRC SAS were actually stationed in Germany in the late 50s early 60s, somewhere around Sennelager? Which makes the 'unacceptable cdo' stories a tad dodgy since Hitler's execute commandos order covered all types.

Originally Posted by Gungythree

Well they had Para regt in Berlin,then another Bn in Oznatraz,I dont remember the Russians going ape s*** though,
maybe its just thoroughly nice chaps that they dont like :D :D

Tell your Bootie friend Oh! Bollox, that if the krauts were angry about SHOCK troops on their soil - WTF were the PARAS doing there ? as per the above quote - and yes - he WAS there...

Arctic Warfare ? - yup - Booties !!

The rest ? well - it has to the PARAS... :D :D

OK, a few urban myths being bandied about here. Petardier, Royal has always worked closely with the Army particularly on the rotation of NI, Falklands Garrison, Belize, etc postings. They are however a Navy asset with their core skill being amphibious warfare. During that exciting time commonly referred to as 'the Cold War' (not much of a war as I never got a gong for it) they established an expertise in Mountain and Arctic Warfare a role more suitably fitting for their light infantry make up than running around BAOR. The Northern Flank task also did not require permanent posting in theatre which meant they could still maintain their core Naval role. Believe me the skills required to achieve and maintain a high level of military competence in the Arctic were and are very challenging hence the 3 month annual winter deployment of 3 Cdo Bde. The orbat of RM forces was set at 3 Cdos (Bn) so that the Bde could always deploy with at least 2 Cdo Bns as the remaining unit was usually involved in the rotations through NI, etc. It is interesting to note that 3 Cdo Bde were actually part of a NATO forces deployed to Norway and actually deployed as part of the UKNL Landing Force with a Dutch Marine Bn making up the Bdes 3 manoeuver unit. This relationship with the Dutch is a very good and important one. When we deployed to Nth Iraq (Op Haven) the Dutch Marine Bn deployed with us which nicely bound a NATO partner in on the deal and then became the basis for other NATO allies attaching their troops under our command. Of course the French sent their Bn (of about 60 blokes) who refused to come under anyone's command so sat there and did fukc all, other than give the French Govt boasting rights that they took part.

The story of the Sovs being concerned that Royal were storm troopers is total bollox. I doubt in the grand scale of things that they were concerned by any one unit. Equally they knew full well they were facing Royal through the fence in Nth Norway. No. The real reason was that as Light Infantry, same as the Paras they would have been a wasted asset being permanently posted to BAOR.

Chocolate Frog;
Many Infantry Bns rotated through the AMF(L) role, again as part of a larger NATO force, err AMF(L), able to be deployed to the flanks. I think you will find however the levels of training in the Arctic were considerably different between Royal and AMF(L) hence the difference in time spent training in theatre.

Originally Posted by Iscoed

Originally Posted by Gungythree

Well they had Para regt in Berlin,then another Bn in Oznatraz,I dont remember the Russians going ape s*** though,
maybe its just thoroughly nice chaps that they dont like :D :D

Tell your Bootie friend Oh! Bollox, that if the krauts were angry about SHOCK troops on their soil - WTF were the PARAS doing there ? as per the above quote - and yes - he WAS there...

Arctic Warfare ? - yup - Booties !!

The rest ? well - it has to the PARAS... :D :D

Just to add to this,there was also a Para Bn. in the artic role

Originally Posted by Gungythree

Originally Posted by Iscoed

Originally Posted by Gungythree

Well they had Para regt in Berlin,then another Bn in Oznatraz,I dont remember the Russians going ape s*** though,
maybe its just thoroughly nice chaps that they dont like :D :D

Tell your Bootie friend Oh! Bollox, that if the krauts were angry about SHOCK troops on their soil - WTF were the PARAS doing there ? as per the above quote - and yes - he WAS there...

Arctic Warfare ? - yup - Booties !!

The rest ? well - it has to the PARAS... :D :D

Just to add to this,there was also a Para Bn. in the artic role

When and why? I could only think in the AMF(L) role possibly.

Cpl_Clot, in that case, why send them to Norway and Turkey, both countries share a border with Russia.

In the '70s, the Booties also covered the southern flank with 41 Commando Group based in Malta. After Mintoff kicked us out the second time (coincident with yet another Labour defence cut), 41 was due to be disbanded. A case was put forward to retain it as there were not enough infantry batallions to cover the escalating violence in Northern Ireland and the commitment to NATO.

The booties then concentrated on the Arctic role (together with AMF(L)) as it was thought that if the Russians came from the north instead of the east there would be little that we could do about it. It was held that the booties could (possibly) hold Norway long enough until the good ol' US Marines came galloping up to save the day. However, I did a reinforcement exercise in the mid-70's (Teamwork 1) with the Yanks that was a cockup from start to finish.

1 Para took over as AMF(L) batallion from 1 PWO in the late 70's