Beach groups

Beach Group (Brick)

Shoulder insignia worn by beach groups

Active| 1943–1944
Country| Britain
Branch| Tri-Service
Role| Beachhead organisation
Size| Brigade
Engagements| Sicily Landings
Salerno
Normandy Landings
Insignia
Patch worn by beach commandos|

Military unit

During the Second World War, the Allies realised the need for the landing zone of an amphibious assault to be organised for the efficient passage of follow on forces. The British formed such units from all three services – the Royal Navy (Commandos), British Army and the Royal Air Force, with the Army component comprising Infantry, Engineers, Ordnance, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Medical and Service Corps.

The equivalent U.S. units were called "beach battalions."

## Formation

[edit]

After the Operation Torch landings, the need for a beach organisation became apparent for the larger planned operations. Beach Groups were formed in the UK and began to train in Scotland. In the Mediterranean, the equivalent organisations were called Beach Bricks and were formed in Egypt and trained at Kabrit. The Chief of Combined Operations Lord Louis Mountbatten described the functions of a beach group in late 1942:[1]

* Arrange and control the movement of all personnel and vehicles from the landing craft to inland assembly areas.
* Move stores from ships' holds and craft to dumps in the beach maintenance areas.
* Develop and organise the beaches and beach maintenance area in regard to defence, movement and administration, including the evacuation of all casualties and recovery of vehicles.
* Provide the beach signal organisation.
* The removal to the UK of casualties, prisoners of war and salvaged equipment.
* The creation of dumps to hold petrol, ammunition and rations that were being landed.
* Assembly areas for the arriving personnel and their vehicles.

For this, a tri-service formation was created around an infantry battalion, added to this were smaller units from the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Royal Pioneer Corps, Royal Army Service Corps and the Corps of Military Police. The Navy provided Royal Naval Beach Commandos and a signal unit, and the Royal Air Force provided for beach anti-aircraft defence. The complement of a Beach group or brick was up to 3,000 men.[2]

The beach commandos were composed of 76 officers and men, led by the one Principal Beach Master and three Beach Masters, who would land with the assaulting troops and have the following duties:[3]

* Marking the limits of the beachhead
* Set up a protected area for the beach commander to operate from
* Calling in landing craft to the beach via radio, signal lamp or loud-hailer.
* Unloading landing craft according to priority.
* Providing salvage parties to recover damaged landing craft, stores and equipment.
* Providing fire fighting parties, using modified DUKWs
* Ensuring personnel and equipment could move through the beachhead as quickly as possible
* Mooring landing craft correctly

Each commando, which was to control the landing area for a brigade, was subdivided into a headquarters and three sub units (Beach Parties), each controlling a battalion landing area. The men wore army battledress with navy headgear. Nine beach commandos were formed for Operation Overlord, designated F, J, L, P, Q, R, S, T and W, the latter was composed of Canadians.[3]

The Royal Navy Beach Signals units were to provide communications between the beach and the offshore forces. Included in the units were men from the army and RAF.

The infantry component was intended to be a fighting force if any pockets of resistance remained on the beach immediately after the landings.[4] After the beach had been secured, the battalion was to provide manpower for any other tasks, for example 6th Battalion Border Regiment was split up as follows,[5]

* A and D Companies - beach companies
* B Company - a labour unit of the ammunition section of the beach ordnance detachment
* C Company - reserve
* S Company - (the Universal Carrier, mortar and anti-tank platoons), to provide labour for the petrol depot.

As well as the treatment and dispatch of casualties back to Britain, the Medical Corps was also tasked with the provision of drinking water for the troops.[6]

The Military Police (MPs) were to be used to control the flow of traffic on the beach and to guard and document the prisoners of war collected in the initial stages and brought back to the beach. These units also included RAF MPs.[7]

The pioneer companies were called on to perform many duties; construction of roads, air-fields and stores, mine clearance, collection and evacuation of wounded, collection and burial of the dead, transport, guarding POWs and, where necessary, fight.[8][9]

The RASC was responsible for the transport and distribution of the supplies needed by the troops.

The REME was tasked with keeping the beaches clear of disabled vehicles, including the removal of stranded landing craft. Repairable vehicles were repaired in place or at a vehicle park. The men used normal and specialised recovery vehicles for the task, such as the BARV.[10]

The precise mix and number of units depended of the perceived need of each location.

### Training

[edit]

From spring 1942, on the formation of the beach commandos, training was begun at the shore establishment HMS Armadillo Ardentinny, with amphibious training on Loch Long. RAF units and other formations destined for the beach groups were trained at Gailes Camp near Irvine, North Ayrshire.[11]

Units formed in the Mediterranean trained at Kibrit on the Great Bitter Lake on the Suez Canal.

## Beach Groups

[edit]

### No. 3 Beach Group

[edit]

Formed in the UK, it sailed to Sicily with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, landing on 10 July 1943. It contained the 68th RAF Beach Unit.[12] Utilised again for the Salerno landings, and attached to the British 56th Infantry Division, landing on Rodger beach on 9 September 1943, for this operation it contained the 68th and 69th RAF Beach Units.[13]

### No.4 Beach Group

[edit]

This unit also sailed with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division from Britain and landed with them during the invasion of Sicily. It contained the 69th RAF Beach Unit.[12] It was the reserve Beach group for Juno.

### No.5 Beach Group

[edit]

Military Police dispatch riders of No.5 or 6 Beach group greet French Civilians

Supported the 3rd Infantry Division on Sword, Queen beaches.

Men of 84 Field Coy RE (foreground) on Sword Beach Group troops look out from Queen beach, Sword, littered with beached landing craft and wrecked vehicles and equipment, 7 June 1944 Composition[14] Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Royal Navy | Beach Commando Unit F
13th Beach Signals
Army | Infantry | 5th Battalion The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
R.A.M.C. | 20th, 21st, 30th, 39th Field Dressing Stations
1st Field Sanitary Section
39th, 40th, 55th Field Surgery Units
21st, 29th Field Transfusion Units
16th Gas Clearing Station
R.A.O.C. | 44th Ordnance Ammunition Company
11th Ordnance Beach Detachment
Pioneer Corps | 53rd, 102nd, 129th, 267th, 292nd, 303rd Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. | 20th Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. | 96th Detail Issue Depot
H.Q. 21st Transport Column R.A.S.C.
39th, 101st, 635th General Transport Companies
257th Petrol Depot
Royal Engineers | 84th Field Company
18th G.H.Q. Troop Engineers
940th Inland Waterway Transport
8th Stores Section
20th Port Detachment
Military Police | 241st Provost Company
Royal Air Force | 101st RAF Beach Flight

### No.6 Beach Group

[edit]

No.6 Beach Group was the reserve for Sword.

Composition[15] Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Royal Navy | Beach Commando Unit R
18th Beach Signals
Army | Infantry | 1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
R.A.M.C. | 9th, 12th, Field Dressing Stations
2nd Detachment Field Sanitary Section
37th, 38th Field Surgery Units
R.A.O.C. | 12th Ordnance Beach Detachment
Pioneer Corps | 85th, 149th Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. | 21st Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. | 138th Detail Issue Depot
299th General Transport Company
238th Petrol Depot.
Royal Engineers | 91st Field Company
50th Detachment Mechanical Equipment Platoon
1028th Port Operating Company
Military Police | 245th HQ Provost Company
Royal Air Force | 102nd RAF Beach Flight

### No.7 Beach Group

[edit]

Supported the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed on Mike in the Juno landing area.

Composition[16]

Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Royal Navy | Beach Commando Units L, P & S
Army | Infantry | 8th (Irish) Battalion The King's Regiment
R.A.M.C. | 1st, 2nd Field Dressing Stations
3rd Field Sanitary Section
39th, 40th, 55th Field Surgery Units
13th, 14th Field Transfusion Units
R.A.O.C. | 45th Ordnance Ammunition Company
7th, 14th Ordnance Beach Depots
Pioneer Corps | 190th, 225th, 243rd, 293rd Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. | 20th Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. | 139th Detail Issue Depot
282nd General Transport Company
240th Petrol Detachment
Royal Engineers | 72nd, 85th Field Companies
11th Port Operating Group
19th Stores Section
Military Police | 242nd Provost Company
Royal Air Force | 103 RAF Beach Flight

### No.8 Beach Group

[edit]

Landed on Nan, in the Juno landing area.

Composition[17]

Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Royal Navy | Beach Commando Unit P
19th Beach Signals Section
Army | Infantry | 5th (Hackney) Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment
R.A.M.C. | 32nd, 34th Field Dressing Stations
32nd Casualty Clearing Station
R.A.O.C. | 45th Ordnance Ammunition Company
Pioneer Corps | 115th, 144th, 170th Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. | 23rd Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. | 140th Detail Issue Depot
30th Transport Company HQ
199th General Transport Company
242nd Petrol Company
Royal Engineers | 20th Field Company
1034th Port Operating Company
20th Stores Section
59th Mechanised Equipment Section
966th Inland Water Transport
Military Police | 242nd Provost Company
Royal Air Force | 104 RAF Beach Flight

### No.9 Beach Group

[edit]

Men of 98th Balloon Squadron R.A.F. pull a balloon winch over King Beach

Supported the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division landing on the King sector of the Gold, landing area.

Composition[18]

Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Royal Navy | Beach Commando Units J, G & T
B10 Beach Signal Section
Army | Infantry | 2nd Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment
Royal Artillery | Heavy Anti-Aircraft Detachments
Light Anti-Aircraft Detachments
R.A.M.C. | 3rd, 32nd, 35th Field Dressing Stations
47th, 48th Field Sanitary Units
3rd, 10th Casualty Clearing Stations
24th, 30th Field Transfusion Units
R.A.O.C. | 7th, 36th Ordnance Beach Detachment
Pioneer Corps | 75th, 208th, 209th Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. | 24th Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. | 2nd Detail Issue Depot
305th General Transport Companies
247th Petrol Depot
Royal Engineers | 69th, 89th, 183rd Field Company
74th Mechanised Equipment Section
961st Inland Waterway Transport
1043rd Port operating Company
22nd Port Detachment
Military Police | 243rd Provost Company
Royal Air Force | 107th RAF Beach Flight
98th Balloon Squadron

### No.10 Beach Group

[edit]

Landed on the Jig beaches, within the Gold sector.

Composition[19]

Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Royal Navy | Beach Commando Unit Q
7th Beach Signal Section
Army | Infantry | 6th Battalion Border Regiment
Royal Artillery | Anti-Aircraft Detachments
R.A.M.C. | 25th, 31st Field Dressing Stations
30th, 41st, 42nd Field Sanitary Units
24th, 30th Field Transfusion Units
R.A.O.C. | 12th Ordnance Beach Depot
Pioneer Corps | 73rd, 112th, 120th, 173rd, 243rd Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. | 25th Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. | 5th Detail Issue Depot
356th, 705th General Transport Companies
244th Petrol Depot[20]
Royal Engineers | 90th Field Company
51st Mechanised Equipment Section
23rd, 1035th Port Operating Companies
23rd Stores Section
Military Police | 240th Provost Company
Royal Air Force | 108th RAF Beach Flight
55th Balloon Squadron

### No. 20 Beach Group

[edit]

Highlanders assist with the unloading, while the beach group engineers prepare roads off the beach

This unit landed with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on Sicily on 10 July 1943.[12] The infantry component was two companies of the 2/4th Hampshire Regiment.

### No. 21 Beach Group

[edit]

This unit also landed with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on Sicily on 10 July 1943.[12] The unit was used again and landed at Salerno on Sugar beach, supporting the 56th Infantry Division. It contained two companies of the Hampshire Regiment and the RAF's 81st and 82nd Auxiliary Embarkation Units.[13]

### No.31 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed on 13 April 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt, around the 7th Battalion Royal Marines. This unit was charged with training itself and then other units that were to form other Beach Bricks.[21] It landed on Sicily supporting the 231st Infantry Brigade at Marzamemi.[22]

### No.32 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed around the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, the Brick supported the 5th Infantry Division during the Sicily landings at Cassibile (beaches Nos. 45 and 46) south of Syracuse. The Brick again supported the 5th Division (13th Infantry Brigade) in the landings at Calabria on 3 September 1943 on George Beach.[23]

### No.33 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed on 1 April 1943 around 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the Brick supported the 17th Infantry Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division at George Beach (beach No. 44). On 27 July, the Highlanders were sent to the front line and the 1st Battalion Welch Regiment took their place from No. 34 Beach Brick. The Brick was reassembled with the Highlanders for the landings at Calabria, again with 17th Brigade, on How beach north of Torrente. The Brick was disbanded in November 1943.[24]

### No.34 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed on 1 June 1943 at Kabrit Egypt around the 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment, the Brick supported the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division during the Sicily Landings at Avola. For the landings at Calabria, the Brick supported the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade on Fox beach north of Reggio de Calabria.[25] The Brick supported the Anzio landings with D Company of 18th Durham Light Infantry as the infantry component.[26] Denis Healey was a Beach Master for this operation.[27]

### No.35 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed around the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at Kabrit, it transferred to Algeria in July for training and then to Tunisia for more training with the 46th Infantry Division, whom it supported in the landings at Salerno on Uncle beach.[28]

### No.36 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed on 20 July 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt around the dismounted men of 8th Royal Tank Regiment. The brick was sent to Palestine in August, around plans for capture of Rhodes in late 1943. This was cancelled and the Brick transferred to the UK in early 1944. By this time, 8th Royal Tank Regiment had left the Brick and been re-equipped with tanks; 18th Durham Light Infantry took their place.[29] For the Normandy landings, the Brick was in reserve for Gold.

Composition (Normandy)[30]

Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Army | Infantry | 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Royal Artillery | HQ 100th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment
305th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery
328th Light Anti Aircraft Battery
R.A.M.C. | Detachments
R.A.O.C. | Detachments
R.E.M.E. | Detachments
R.A.S.C. | Detail Issue Depot
Royal Engineers | 503rd Field Company
Mechanised Equipment Company
Military Police | Provost Detachment
Royal Air Force | 15th RAF Beach Flight (?)

## Awards

[edit]

Men of the Beach Groups and Bricks received the following awards during their service. This list is incomplete.

During the Salerno landings, the Distinguished Service Order was awarded to Wing Commander Rowland George O.B.E., and the Military Cross was awarded to Major Cameron (18th Durham Light Infantry) and Flight Lieutenant John Dobbin, who organised the beaches and cleared vehicle congestion while under fire.[29][31]

During the Normandy Landings, the following Beach Commandos of Nos 5 and 6 Beach Groups received Awards.[32]

Award  | Commando

|

Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) | Lt Cdr Edward F. Gueritz RN
Sub Lt James H Speed RNVR
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) | Sub Lt William Pittendrig RNVR
Sub Lt S.E. Willis RNVR
Sub Lt P.D. Anderton RNVR
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) | AB Sidney Compston
AB William D Crook
LS Albert Charles Davy
AB Charles William Day
AB Donald Emery
LS Thomas William Gooding
AB Thomas Hunt
PO Frederick Raymond Smith
PO George Colin Richards
AB Edward George Saunders
PO George Graham Tapley
Croix de guerre | Sub Lt Richard H Dongar RNVR
AB Alan Watersworth

Members of the Royal Navy beach signals sections won the following.[33]

Award  | Recipient

|

DSC | Lt Robert Billington RNVR
DSM | Telegraphist Ronald Arthur Bateson
Coder Geoffrey Harris
Telegraphist Harry Monks
Telegraphist William George Quinn
Telegraphist Abraham Acton Parr
Telegraphist Kennet Eifon Penny
Acting Telegraphist Edwin William Sutton
Croix de Guerre | Coder Willian B Leggate

On 8 June, a German fighter plane dropped a bomb on the petrol and ammunition depot on Sword, with the ensuing fire threatening to destroy large quantities of supplies. Men of 5 and 6 Beach Groups worked to save the supplies; seven of whom were awarded the George Medal.[34]

* Lt.Col. R D R Sale (1 Bucks)
* Maj. L Pepper (RAOC)
* Lt. E Fairbrother (RE)
* Sgt H Grant (Pioneers)
* Sgt J S MacGowen (RAOC)
* Sgt A G Wakeford (RASC)
* Pte A Catley (Pioneers)

## Australian Beach Groups

[edit]

Two Australian beach groups were formed in June 1944, and saw action in the Borneo campaign in 1945.

### 1st Beach Group

[edit]

Supported the 9th Division in the landings at Brunei and Labuan. It was commanded by Colonel C. J. Cummings.[35]

Composition [35]

Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Royal Australian Navy | Beach Commando A
Beach Commando C
2nd Beach Signals Section
Army | Pioneers | 2/4th Pioneer Battalion
Medical | 1st A.A.M.C. Company
20th Malaria Control Unit
Ordnance | 2nd Ordnance Beach Detachment
A.E.M.E. | 1st Beach Workshop
A.A.S.C. | HQ 2/166th General Transport Company
2/47th Transport Platoon
2/48th Transport Platoon
2/166th Workshop Platoon
2/240th Supply Depot Platoon
57th B.I.P.O.D.
Engineers | 2/15th Field Company
1st Mechanical Equipment Platoon
1st Engineer Stores Platoon
Provost | 15th Independent Brigade Group Provost Platoon
Salvage | 3rd Armoured Division Salvage Unit

### 2nd Beach Group

[edit]

Supported the 9th Division in the Battle of Tarakan and the 7th Division in the Battle of Balikpapan. It was commanded by Colonel C. R. Hodgson.[35]

Composition [35]

Service  | Arm of Service
(Army only)  | Unit

|
|

Royal Australian Navy | Beach Commando B
Beach Commando D
1st Beach Signals Section
Army | Pioneers | 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
Medical | 2nd A.A.M.C. Company
23rd Malaria Control Unit
Ordnance | 1st Ordnance Beach Detachment
A.E.M.E. | 2nd Beach Workshop
A.A.S.C. | HQ 2/108th General Transport Company
2/45th Transport Platoon
2/46th Transport Platoon
2/108th Workshop Platoon
2/235th Supply Depot Platoon
58th B.I.P.O.D.
Engineers | 2/11th Field Company
2nd Mechanical Equipment Platoon
2nd Engineer Stores Platoon
Provost | 17th Independent Brigade Group Provost Platoon
Salvage | 1st Armoured Division Salvage Unit

## See also

[edit]

* Colin Maud

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 14.
2. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 19.
3. ^ a b Rogers (2012), pp. 31–33.
4. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 20.
5. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 167.
6. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 134.
7. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 131.
8. ^ Forty (1998), p. 137.
9. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 67–68.
10. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 58–59.
11. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 30.
12. ^ a b c d Fenton, J. M. (2016). "Operation "HUSKY" – The Invasion of Sicily". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
13. ^ a b Fenton, J. M. (2016). "Operation "AVALANCHE" – Assault Landings at Salerno". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
14. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 99–100.
15. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 115.
16. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 127–128.
17. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 138–139.
18. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 156–157.
19. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 166–167.
20. ^ Latham, H.B. (1958). "The Assault Landings in Normandy: Order of Battle, Second British Army". Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
21. ^ "Royal Marines in Combined Operations 1939-45". Royal Marines Museum. 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
22. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "31 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
23. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "32 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
24. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "33 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
25. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "34 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
26. ^ Ward p. 463
27. ^ "Obituary: Denis Healey". The Daily Telegraph. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
28. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "35 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
29. ^ a b Fenton, J. M. (2016). "36 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
30. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 21.
31. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "Honours and Awards for R.A.F. Beach Unit Personnel". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
32. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 110 & 117.
33. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 63.
34. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 96.
35. ^ a b c d "Order of Battle 1 and 2 Beach Groups", 22 June 1944, AWM54 721/29/11

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Forty, George (1998). Companion to the British Army 1939–1945 (3rd ed.). Stroud: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-5240-1.
* Rogers, Joseph & David (2012). D-Day Beach Force: The Men who Turned Chaos into Order (1st ed.). Stroud: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-6330-8.