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Commando unit’s vital wartime role
out jumped soldiers in their dozens. They formed up on the side of the platform and out of nowhere an officer appeared, immediately calling them to attention.
“You lot are about to be given orders to, on your own volition, find a billet for the night, and report to me back here at 6am.”
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These men were to be replacements for the many lost at Dunkirk.
This month’s contribution from Alvin Hopper discusses the daring No 4 Commando unit, formed in Weymouth, who completed a string of successful operations during the Second World War A train pulled into Weymouth station on July 21, 1940 and
Mr Churchill wanted retaliation and he was going to be sure of getting it.
The next morning, July 22, the first Commando Brigades were formed near the old Weymouth Pavilion, where the men were addressed, officially formed, and enjoyed a hearty lunch.
Things after that were very different, with troops exercising, learning judo, sprinting, close combat drills and cross- country races in and around Osmington. The local Home Guard would be invited to join in on the exercises, sometimes to act as the enemy. After several months, it was time to leave Dorset and travel to Scotland for more intensive training. But that was not the last the No 4 unit would see of Weymouth. They would return two years later, having completed a series of raids in Norway, to train for a combined operation. In July 1942, No 4 Commandoes were training in climbing the cliffs at Worbarrow Bay near Lulworth Cove in preparation for their role in Operation
Jubilee, the assault on German held Dieppe.
Their objective was to knock out heavy artillery overlooking the sea and the landing beaches. Although the Dieppe operation was a tragedy, with Canadian forces losing many troops in the frontal attack on the town, No 4 Commandoes went on to win one of only two Victoria Crosses earned that day, August 19, 1942. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the raid, two plaques were unveiled both on the same day.
One at Worbarrow Bay and one on Weymouth Promenade. The Worbarrow Bay plaque was unveiled by the Army and the one on Weymouth Promenade by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset.
